PrepMaticExam glossary · TNPSC
Interview posts and non-interview posts in TNPSC
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An interview post is a TNPSC post where the final rank includes marks from an interview after the written exams. A non-interview post is ranked only on its written exam. Group 1 has an interview. Group 2, Group 2A and Group 4 do not, under the latest notifications read for this site.
Where each exam stands
| Exam | Interview? | What decides the rank |
|---|---|---|
| Group 1 (2025 notification) | Yes, 100 marks, no minimum qualifying mark | Mains Papers II to IV (750) plus interview (100) = 850 |
| Group 2 (2025 notification) | No | Marks in Main Paper II alone |
| Group 2A (2025 notification) | No | Marks in Main Paper II alone (a computer-based test) |
| Group 4 (2026 notification) | No | Written marks alone, out of 300 |
| CTSE | Yes in the Interview Posts stream, no in the other streams | Depends on the stream |
Why it matters
- Preparation: an interview post needs a viva plan on top of the written syllabus. The Group 1 interview guide covers it.
- Risk: in a non-interview post, the gap between ranks is decided entirely by written marks, so each mark counts.
- Shortlist: for interview posts, only a limited number of candidates are called. In Group 1 the interview shortlist is 1:2 for groups with 5 or more vacancies and 1:3 for groups with 4 or fewer. See shortlist ratio.
A caution about older articles
Articles written before the 2025 scheme describe Group 2 as having "interview posts" and "non-interview posts". The Group 2/2A notification of 2025 has no interview: the word does not appear in the notification, and ranks come from Main Paper II marks. The Group 2 vs Group 2A guide explains the current split.
An example
Two candidates both score 500 out of 750 in the Group 1 mains. The first scores 80 in the interview, the second 60. Their totals out of 850 are 580 and 560, so the interview decides the order between them. In Group 4 there is no such second chance, because the written marks are the only marks.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an interview in TNPSC Group 4?
No. Group 4 ranking is purely on written marks.
Is there an interview in TNPSC Group 2?
In the 2025 scheme, no. Both Group II and IIA are ranked on Main Paper II marks.
Does the Group 1 interview have a qualifying mark?
No minimum is fixed. Its 100 marks are added to the mains marks.
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- CTSECTSE is TNPSC's Combined Technical Services Exam for engineering, agriculture and other technical posts. See its three streams and the 2026 planner dates.
- Shortlist ratioA shortlist ratio is how many candidates TNPSC calls per vacancy at each stage. See the ratios for Group 1, Group 2 and Group 4 and how to read 1:3.
- TNPSC rank listA TNPSC rank list orders candidates by the marks that count in their exam. See what counts in Group 1, Group 2 and Group 4, and what does not enter your rank.
- Group 1 interviewThe TNPSC Group 1 interview: 100 marks, who is called, what the board assesses, topics to prepare, how to answer and a mock-interview routine.
- Group 2 vs 2ATNPSC Group 2 vs Group 2A: posts, pay levels, vacancies, how Paper II differs, why neither has an interview, and how to decide which one to aim for.
More in TNPSC
- Junior AssistantJunior Assistant is the largest TNPSC Group 4 post: 2,610 non-security vacancies at Level 8 in 2026. See post codes, age limits and shortlist ratios.
- 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.
- General Turn (GT)General Turn (GT) is the unreserved share of TNPSC vacancies. Learn what GT means, how it differs from Others in age tables, and where its 31% comes from.
- 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.
- Minimum qualifying marksMinimum qualifying marks are the floor at each TNPSC stage: 90 of 300 in Group 4, 90 or 120 in Group 1 prelims, 40 in Tamil. They are not a cut-off.
- 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.
- 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.
- EO Grade IVEO Grade IV in HR&CE is now filled through the TNPSC Group 4 exam, not a separate Group 8 exam. See the Level 8 pay, ages 25 to 35 and the Hindu-only rule.