TNPSC · Group 1

TNPSC Group 1 exam pattern: three stages, 850 marks for rank

By the PrepMatic team · Updated 8 Oct 2026 · 7 min read

The TNPSC Group 1 exam (Combined Civil Services Examination-I) has three stages: a preliminary test that only screens candidates, a descriptive main examination, and an interview. The prelims is one objective paper of 200 questions for 300 marks in 3 hours. The mains has a qualifying Tamil paper plus three General Studies papers of 250 marks each. Your final rank is decided on 850 marks: 750 from the three mains papers and 100 from the interview. Prelims marks are not counted. This is the scheme in Notification 04/2025, the last Group 1 notification read in full for this page.

The three stages at a glance

"Reserved categories" here means SC, SC(A), ST, MBC/DC, BC(OBCM) and BCM. "Others" means everyone outside those groups.

Posts and vacancies in the 2025 cycle

All six posts are at pay Level 22 of the Tamil Nadu pay matrix. The notification gives the level, not a rupee figure; see TNPSC salary by group for pay.

The annual planner put the 2026 Group 1 notification on 23 June 2026. News reports describe it as Notification 05/2026 with about 26 vacancies and prelims on 27 September 2026. Treat these as reported, and read the official 2026 notification for its post list and scheme.

Stage 1: Preliminary examination

• Paper: General Studies at degree standard (175 questions) and Aptitude and Mental Ability at SSLC standard (25 questions), in one OMR sheet, objective type.
• Language: questions are set in Tamil and English.
• Purpose: screening only. The marks of those who qualify are not used in the final order of merit.
• Shortlist: TNPSC admits 20 times the number of vacancies to the mains, reservation group by reservation group, and everyone tied with the last person on the list is also admitted. With 70 vacancies that works out to about 1,400 candidates. If the reported 26 vacancies hold in 2026, the same rule gives about 520.
• Certificate verification: done on screen before the mains. No supplemental list replaces candidates who are rejected or fail to upload documents.

The qualifying marks (90 and 120) are a floor, not a safe score. The real cut-off is whatever the 1:20 list needs, and it can sit above the floor. At 300 marks over 200 questions, each question works out to 1.5 marks if all carry equal weight, so 120 marks equals the value of 80 correct answers and 90 equals 60. The notification does not print marks per question.

On negative marking: the Group 1 notification says the instructions for objective-type papers "will be issued separately", so it does not state the OMR rules. TNPSC's Group 4 notification of 2026 deducts nothing for wrong answers but takes off 0.5 mark for each question left fully blank (option [E], "answer not known", exists for that reason). Read the OMR instructions issued for your exam before choosing a guessing strategy, and see the TNPSC marking scheme page.

Stage 2: Main examination

The qualifying totals are 30% of 750 for reserved categories and 40% for Others. The rules that matter:

• Paper I is a gate. Papers II to IV are evaluated only if you reach 40 in Paper I. Differently abled candidates can claim exemption from Paper I in their application. Details are on the Tamil Eligibility Test page.
• All four papers and the interview are compulsory. If you miss any mains paper you are not considered, even if you meet the minimum marks.
• Descriptive answers go in a question-cum-answer booklet, in black ink. Questions are set in Tamil and English, and the English version is final if there is any doubt.
• Language: write the whole examination in one language. The syllabus allows either Tamil or English for the Tamil Society unit of Paper III.
• Format: the notification does not publish a question-by-question breakdown such as the number of questions or word limits. Check the instructions on the paper, and see the mains answer-writing guide for how to plan.

The 2025 mains were held over four days, 1 to 4 December 2025, in Chennai. Unit-wise marks and topics for each paper are in the Group 1 syllabus.

Stage 3: Interview and medical standards

The interview carries 100 marks with no minimum qualifying marks. Its stated purpose is to judge your suitability for the service: personality, bearing, aptitude, general knowledge, technical knowledge and similar qualities. It is based on mains marks:

So a group with 8 vacancies calls 16 candidates, and a group with 3 vacancies calls 9. The full preparation guide is TNPSC Group 1 interview.

A medical examination is held after the interview for candidates provisionally admitted to it, to verify medical and physical standards. For Deputy Superintendent of Police (Category-1), men need a minimum height of 165 cm and chest of 86 cm with 5 cm expansion, and women need 155 cm. Persons with benchmark disabilities are not eligible for the DSP post. Other posts need a physical-fitness certificate at joining, and vision of Standard III or better.

How the final rank is formed

Only Papers II, III and IV plus the interview are added, and the result is subject to reservation of appointments. Candidates are called to counselling in rank order. Prelims marks and Paper I marks are not added.

Here is a hypothetical example, not real cut-offs. Candidate P scores 395 in the three GS papers and 55 in the interview, a total of 450. Candidate Q scores 375 and 80, a total of 455. Q ranks above P even though P led by 20 marks in the mains. The interview is 100 of 850 marks, about 12% of the total, and it can reorder candidates who are close.

Fees, age and eligibility pointers

• Fees (2025): OTR Rs.150, prelims Rs.100, mains Rs.200, unless you qualify for a concession. Steps are on OTR and how to apply.
• Age (as on 1 July 2025): minimum 21. Maximum 34 for Others and 39 for reserved categories on most posts. Concessions and exceptions are in TNPSC age limit and eligibility.
• Qualification: a degree; some posts list preferences. Final-year students can apply for the prelims but must show proof of passing when they upload documents for the mains.
• Reservation: applies, but the destitute-widow and ex-servicemen reservations do not apply to Group 1.

What the pattern asks of you

Three different skills are tested one after another. The prelims rewards breadth and speed on objective questions. The mains rewards structured written answers over three-hour papers, and a pass in Tamil. The interview rewards clear thinking and knowledge of your state. Because the mains carries 750 of the 850 rank marks, written practice should begin well before the prelims. The Group 1 preparation strategy shows how. For the whole TNPSC picture, start at the TNPSC guide.

Prelims practice with PrepMatic

PrepMatic supports Group 1 prelims practice only: a free assessment of about 15 untimed questions, a study plan built from your exam date and daily hours, and objective mocks with a subject-wise breakdown. It has no mains, descriptive or interview practice.

Frequently asked questions

Are prelims marks counted in the Group 1 final rank?

No. The prelims is a screening test. Final rank is based only on the three General Studies mains papers (750 marks) and the interview (100 marks), a total of 850.

Is there an interview in TNPSC Group 1?

Yes, it carries 100 marks and has no minimum qualifying mark. Group 2 has no interview in its 2025 scheme.

Is the Tamil paper compulsory in Group 1 mains?

Yes, unless you have a disability and claim exemption. You need 40 out of 100, and the marks are not counted for rank. If you fail, your General Studies papers are not evaluated.

How many candidates are called for the Group 1 mains?

Twenty times the number of vacancies, worked out reservation group by reservation group, with ties at the cut-off all admitted. The prelims qualifying marks (90 or 120) are the minimum, not the cut-off.

Is there negative marking in Group 1 prelims?

The Group 1 notification does not state the rule and says objective-paper instructions will be issued separately. Check the OMR instructions for your exam; the 2026 Group 4 rule (no deduction for wrong answers, 0.5 off for a fully blank question) shows how TNPSC has framed it.

Official sources

• Group 1 Notification 04/2025 (scheme in para 5 and 6, syllabus in Annexure III)
• TNPSC annual planner
• TNPSC official website

Check the latest Group 1 notification before relying on any number here, because the scheme, vacancies and dates are set afresh with each notification.

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