PrepMaticExam glossary · TNPSC
CTSE: Combined Technical Services Exam
On this page
CTSE stands for Combined Technical Services Examination. It is TNPSC's recruitment route for technical posts such as engineering, agriculture, pharmacy, statistics and law, separate from the CCSE series that fills Group 1, 2 and 4. Eligibility depends on the post: a degree, a postgraduate degree, a diploma or an ITI certificate.
The three streams
CTSE is not one exam. TNPSC runs it as separate streams, each with its own notification.
| Stream | Planner 2026 notification date | Planner 2026 exam date | Exam days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Interview Posts | 20.05.2026 | 03.08.2026 | 7 |
| Diploma / ITI Level | 07.07.2026 | 20.09.2026 | 7 |
| Interview Posts | 31.08.2026 | 14.11.2026 | 4 |
These are the tentative dates in TNPSC's Annual Planner 2026, published on 03.12.2025. The planner itself says exams may be added or deleted, and actual dates can shift, so read the annual planner guide and the notification.
What the stream names mean
- Interview Posts: the selection includes an interview. See interview and non-interview posts.
- Non-Interview Posts: selection is on the written exam alone.
- Diploma / ITI Level: posts for candidates with a diploma or ITI qualification.
Mode and size
The CTSE Interview Posts exam of 2025 was a computer-based test held from 20 to 22 July 2025, for 415 vacancies, as stated in TNPSC Press Release 18/2026 dated 12.02.2026. Computer-based testing is explained under computer-based test (CBT).
What this page does not give
The paper structure, marks and Tamil paper details of each CTSE stream differ by post and cycle. They are not set out here because they must be read from the notification of the stream you apply for. Do not rely on a pattern quoted for a different year or stream.
An example
A candidate with a diploma looks for the Diploma / ITI Level stream. The 2026 planner shows 07.07.2026 as its notification date, but a planner date is only an expectation. The notification, once published, lists the posts, qualification, age and exam scheme, and that is the document to follow.
For preparation guidance see the Combined Technical Services Exam guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is CTSE the same as Group 4?
No. Group 4 is CCSE-IV for SSLC-level clerical and village posts. CTSE is for technical posts.
Do all CTSE posts have an interview?
No. Only the Interview Posts stream does.
Where do I find the CTSE paper pattern?
In the notification of the specific stream and year. The planner gives only dates.
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- CCSECCSE is TNPSC's Combined Civil Services Examination series. See which group each number covers, CCSE-I, II and IV, with notification numbers and posts.
- Interview and non-interview postsInterview posts add a viva to the written exam; non-interview posts are ranked on written marks alone. See which TNPSC groups are which, and Group 2's change.
- Computer-based test (CBT)A computer-based test (CBT) is answered on a screen, not an OMR sheet. See which TNPSC exams use it: Group 2A Main Paper II and CTSE Interview Posts.
- Combined Technical Services ExamTNPSC Combined Technical Services Exam (CTSE) explained: the interview, non-interview and Diploma/ITI streams, 2026 planner dates, and how to prepare.
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