TNPSC Group 1 2025 Notification – Expected
Commission to issue the Combined Civil Services (Group I Services) notification soon. Candidates should prepare documents and educational proofs for online submission.
TNPSC Group 1 Exam 2025 – Notification, Vacancy, Syllabus, Eligibility & Exam Pattern
The Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) Group 1 (Combined Civil Services) is the premier state-level exam for administrative posts in Tamil Nadu. This page provides the official notification summary, expected vacancies, detailed prelims & mains syllabus, eligibility rules, exam pattern, cutoff trends, recommended books and a practical preparation plan for 2025 aspirants.
Updated: Nov 14, 2025
TNPSC Group 1 Exam 2025
Notification, vacancy, prelims & mains syllabus, eligibility, selection process and preparation strategy — everything for TNPSC Group 1 aspirants.
Read Notification
Latest Updates
Latest notices, tentative dates and other important announcements for TNPSC Group 1 2025 cycle.
Prelims & Mains Tentative Timeline
Preliminary examination likely in early 2026; mains for shortlisted candidates later in the year. Exact dates will appear in the official notification.
All About TNPSC Group 1
TNPSC Group 1 (Combined Civil Services) recruits for key administrative posts in Tamil Nadu such as Deputy Collector, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Commercial Tax Officer, District Registrar, and other Class I & II posts. The exam is highly competitive and requires a strong foundation in General Studies, Tamil and English, plus optional subjects for mains.
The selection stages are: Preliminary Exam (Objective) → Main Examination (Descriptive) → Oral Interview/Personality Test (for final ranking). Prelims is a screening test; mains and interview determine final allocation. Good preparation, state-specific knowledge and answer-writing skills are essential to succeed.
TNPSC Group 1 Vacancy 2025 (Expected)
Exact vacancies will be published in the TNPSC notification. Based on past cycles, expect total vacancies ranging from 150 to 500+ across multiple services. The notification will provide post-wise and category-wise seat distribution.
Typical Posts under Group 1
- Deputy Collector / Deputy Collector (General)
- Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP)
- Commercial Tax Officer
- District Registrar
- Assistant Commissioner (Various Departments)
- Deputy Tahsildar / Field Officer
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
A candidate must hold a Bachelor's degree in any discipline awarded by any university recognized by UGC. Specific posts may have additional qualifications — check notification.
Age Limit
Typical age range: 18–37 years (upper age varies by post and category). Government-prescribed relaxations apply for reserved categories, ex-servicemen and differently-abled candidates.
Language & Domicile
Knowledge of Tamil is essential for most TNPSC Group 1 posts. Domicile/residence rules, if any, will be mentioned in the notification.
Exam Pattern
Preliminary Exam (Screening)
Objective type paper to shortlist candidates for mains. Questions cover General Studies, Aptitude and Tamil/English basics.
Main Examination (Descriptive)
Consists of multiple descriptive papers including General Studies, Essay, Tamil/English papers and optional/optional-related subjects. Mains score is critical for final selection.
Personality Test / Interview
Final stage to assess candidate’s personality, communication skills and suitability for public service.
| Stage | Paper | Marks | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prelims | General Studies (Objective) | 150–200 | Objective |
| Mains | Multiple Descriptive Papers | 900+ (varies) | Descriptive |
| Interview | Personality Test | 75–300 | Qualitative |
Detailed Syllabus — Prelims & Mains (Indicative)
Prelims: Core Topics
- History of India & Tamil Nadu (Ancient, Medieval, Modern)
- Geography — India & Tamil Nadu (Physical, Economic)
- Indian Polity & Governance, Constitution
- Indian Economy & Tamil Nadu Economics
- Science & Technology, Environment & Ecology
- Current Affairs — National & State (Tamil Nadu)
- Mental Ability & Basic Aptitude
Mains: Paper-wise Focus
Mains requires extensive answer-writing on contemporary issues, state governance, policy analysis and optional subjects. Important to incorporate Tamil Nadu examples and policy references in answers.
Mains Paper Suggestions
- Essay: National & state level socio-economic topics
- General Studies Paper 1: History & Culture
- General Studies Paper 2: Polity, Governance & Public Administration
- General Studies Paper 3: Economy, Planning & Development
- General Studies Paper 4: Science & Environment
- Language Papers: Tamil & English (as per notification)
Note: This is an indicative syllabus. Always consult the official notification for the exact paper structure, marks and topic list.
Cutoff Analysis & Expected Targets
Cutoffs vary by year, difficulty and number of vacancies. Below are indicative targets to aim for:
| Category | Prelims Target (Score) | Mains Total (Competitive Range) |
|---|---|---|
| General | 110–130 | 650–800+ |
| OBC | 100–120 | 600–750 |
| SC/ST | 85–110 | 500–700 |
Aim comfortably above prelim cutoffs to be safe for mains. Mains answer quality and interview performance largely determine final ranking.
Preparation Strategy — 9–12 Month Roadmap
This practical plan focuses on building basics, practicing extensively and mastering answer-writing.
Months 1–3: Foundation
- NCERTs for History, Geography & Science
- Basic Polity (Laxmikanth) and Economy (Ramesh Singh)
- Daily current affairs (start a 6–12 month file)
Months 4–7: Practice & Depth
- Advanced topic study & state-specific material for Tamil Nadu
- Start mock prelim tests weekly
- Choose optional subject and begin in-depth study
Months 8–10: Mains Writing
- Practice timed mains answers (150–250 words)
- Peer review and improvement of structure
- Revise state policies and schemes for Tamil Nadu examples
Last 2 Months
- Light revision, quick notes & formula sheets
- Targeted mocks and interview practice
- Maintain health, sleep and exam routine
Consistency, test-analysis and iterative improvement are more important than last-minute cramming. Use state examples liberally in mains to stand out.
Recommended Books & Online Resources
- History: NCERTs + Spectrum Modern India
- Polity: M. Laxmikanth — Indian Polity
- Economy: Ramesh Singh — Indian Economy
- Geography: GC Leong; Tamil Nadu-specific materials for state geography
- Science & Environment: NCERTs and monthly environment digests
- Current Affairs: Newspapers (The Hindu / Indian Express), monthly compilations
- TN state government portals, Tamil Nadu Budget documents and state whitepapers for local facts
Study Gallery
Study sessions & group discussions
Revision notes & quick facts
Mock test practice
Final revision & answer writing
Frequently Asked Questions (TNPSC Group 1 2025)
What is the eligibility for TNPSC Group 1?
A Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university; age and other criteria will be specified in the official notification. Tamil knowledge is usually required.
Is Prelims qualifying only?
Prelims is a screening test to shortlist candidates for mains. Prelims marks are not counted in final ranking in most cycles, while mains plus interview determine final merit — check current notification for exact rules.
How to choose optional for mains?
Pick an optional you are comfortable with and which overlaps with GS topics where possible (e.g., Public Admin, Sociology, Geography). Depth and answer-writing practice are more important than chasing high-scoring optional myths.
Where to download official notification?
Official TNPSC notification will be available at tnpsc.gov.in.
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