PrepMaticExam glossary · TNPSC
General Turn (GT) in TNPSC
General Turn (GT) is the part of TNPSC vacancies that is not set aside for any particular community. In Tamil Nadu's reservation scheme the community shares add up to 69%, so GT is the remaining 31%. That 31% is simple arithmetic from the notification's percentages, not a figure printed in the notification itself.
Where the 31% comes from
| Community share in the Group 4 2026 notification | Percentage |
|---|---|
| SC | 15% |
| SC(A) | 3% |
| ST | 1% |
| BC (other than Muslims) | 26.5% |
| BC Muslims | 3.5% |
| MBC/DC | 20% |
| Total community reservation | 69% |
| Left for General Turn (100 minus 69) | 31% |
GT versus "Others"
The two words appear in different places and mean different things.
- GT is a reservation term. It describes a vacancy, a turn in the communal rotation.
- Others is an eligibility term. In the age-limit tables TNPSC uses "Others" for candidates who do not belong to a listed reserved community. In the Group 4 2026 tables, Others have a maximum age of 30 for most SSLC-level posts, against 32 for BC, BCM, MBC and DC candidates and 35 for SC, SC(A) and ST candidates.
So when you read "GT" in a vacancy table, you are reading about posts. When you read "Others" in an age table, you are reading about people.
Why it matters
- The number of GT vacancies for the post you want is part of the vacancy table. A post with few vacancies may have only one or two GT turns.
- Age limits and fee concessions are tied to the category you declare in your application, so check your own row in the notification's tables.
- The "Others" maximum age of 30 is the one most first-time Group 4 applicants have to check against the age reckoning date.
Frequently asked questions
Is GT the same as the general category?
Not exactly. GT is the unreserved share of vacancies. "Others" is the group of candidates with no community concession in the age tables. Read each in the sense the notification uses it.
Is the 31% GT share printed in the notification?
No. The notification prints the community percentages. GT as the remainder is arithmetic, so treat it as a guide and rely on the vacancy table.
Where are the GT vacancies for each post?
In the vacancy table of the notification and, after selection stages, in the lists for counselling. See the Group 4 notification guide.
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- Communal rotationCommunal rotation is the roster that decides which community each TNPSC vacancy goes to. See how it works and why the percentage alone misleads.
- BC, MBC, SC, ST categoriesWhat BC(OBCM), BCM, MBC/DC, SC, SC(A) and ST mean in TNPSC notifications, with Tamil Nadu's reservation percentages, age limits and fee rules for each.
- Higher-qualification age relaxationReserved-category candidates with a qualification above the minimum have no maximum age limit for most Group 4 posts. See the rule, exceptions and examples.
- TNPSC age limit & eligibilityTNPSC age limits for Group 1, Group 2/2A and Group 4 by community, PwBD, ex-servicemen and widows, plus qualification, Tamil knowledge and attempt rules.
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- Five-year service ruleTNPSC notifications bar Others candidates with 5 or more years of central or state government service. See who is affected, who is not, and an example.
- Fee concessionHow TNPSC fee concession works: full exemption for SC, SC(A), ST, PwBD and destitute widows, free chances for BC, MBC and ex-servicemen, with fees by exam.
- 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.
- Ex-servicemanHow TNPSC treats ex-servicemen: age limits of 48 or 53 in Group 4, 50 and 55 in Group 1, two free fee chances, and no reservation in Group 1.
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- Destitute widowWhat destitute widow means in TNPSC notifications: the income ceiling, who is excluded, age relaxation, free exam fee and the share of women's reservation.