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Shortlist ratio in TNPSC recruitment
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A shortlist ratio tells you how many candidates TNPSC calls forward for each vacancy at a given stage. A ratio of 1:3 means three candidates are called for every one vacancy, in rank order. The ratio changes by exam, by stage and, in Group 4, by community.
Ratios in recent notifications
| Exam and stage | Ratio |
|---|---|
| Group 1 (2025): shortlist for mains | 1:20 per reservation group, after on-screen certificate verification |
| Group 1 (2025): shortlist for interview | 1:2 where a group has 5 or more vacancies, 1:3 where it has 4 or fewer |
| Group 2/2A (2025): shortlist for mains | 1:10 per reservation group, and candidates tied at the cut-off are all admitted |
| Group 4 (2026): on-screen certificate verification for VAO, Junior Assistant, Typist and Steno-Typist | 1:3 for general candidates and 1:2 for reserved candidates |
| Group 4 (2026): counselling for VAO, Junior Assistant and Steno-Typist | 1:3 for general candidates and 1:1.5 for reserved candidates |
| Group 4 (2026): counselling for Typist posts | 1:3 for general candidates and 1:2 for reserved candidates |
Because the Group 4 table differs by post, read the exact paragraphs 5.3 and 5.6 of the notification for the post you want.
What "per reservation group" means
In the Group 1 and Group 2/2A notifications the ratio is applied within each reservation group rather than once across all candidates. If a reservation group has 20 vacancies, a 1:10 ratio shortlists 200 candidates from that group's merit order. The Group 2 2025 notification adds that candidates tied at the cut-off mark are all admitted.
How to use this
- A ratio is a ceiling on who is called, not a promise of selection. A 1:3 ratio means two out of three called candidates will not get that vacancy.
- Your rank within your own reservation group decides whether you fall inside the ratio. See communal rotation.
- Vacancies are tentative until counselling, so the number of candidates called can change when vacancies are modified.
An example
For a post with 10 vacancies for a group at a 1:3 ratio, the top 30 in that group's merit order are called forward. A candidate at rank 31 in the group is not called, even by one mark.
For the stages that follow the shortlist, see certificate verification and the TNPSC Group 4 result guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does 1:3 mean in TNPSC?
Three candidates are called for every vacancy, taken in rank order.
Is the ratio the same for every exam?
No. Group 1, Group 2 and Group 4 use different ratios at different stages. Always read the stage and post in the notification.
Does being shortlisted mean I am selected?
No. It means you move to the next stage, such as certificate verification or counselling.
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- Certificate verificationCertificate verification is the TNPSC stage where your age, community and fee-concession claims are checked against documents. See when it happens.
- TNPSC counsellingTNPSC counselling is the stage where shortlisted candidates are called by rank to be allotted a post and department. Learn how it differs from NEET counselling.
- 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.
- Group 4 resultTNPSC Group 4 result process for the 10 January 2027 exam: how marks, ranks, certificate verification and counselling work, and how to check the result.
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