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Can government employees apply for TNPSC Group 4?
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It depends on how long you have served. The Group 4 notification of 2026 says that candidates in the "Others" (non-reserved) category who have completed five or more years of service under the central or a state government are not eligible. A serving employee with less service, or a reserved-category candidate, is not caught by that sentence.
What the notification says
Notification No. 11/2026 (Advt No. 747), para 4.5.1, bars "Others" candidates with five years or more of central or state government service. It is an eligibility rule, not an age rule. The wording speaks of the non-reserved category, so a BC, MBC, SC or ST candidate should read the paragraph itself before assuming it applies or does not apply to them.
| Your situation | Position under para 4.5.1 |
|---|---|
| Others category, under 5 years of government service | Not barred by this rule |
| Others category, 5 or more years of government service | Not eligible |
| Reserved category | Not named in the bar; read the paragraph |
| Not in government service | No restriction |
The same type of clause is reported in the Group 1 and Group 2 notifications, but we have verified the wording only for Group 4. Read the paragraph in the notification you are applying under.
Other rules that still apply to you
- Age. The usual limits apply, counted on 1 July 2026: 30 for Others, 32 for BC/BCM/MBC/DC and 35 for SC/SC(A)/ST on most posts. See the Group 4 age limit.
- Qualification. SSLC pass at minimum; some posts ask for more. See the educational qualification answer.
- Religion-linked posts. HR&CE posts are open to Hindu candidates only, and Waqf Board Typist and Steno posts to Muslim candidates only.
Practical advice for serving employees
Read your own service rules or ask your department about permission before you apply, because that is a departmental matter outside TNPSC's notification. Then register your One Time Registration, using the OTR guide, and apply before 5 November 2026.
Source
The exact wording is in the notification on tnpsc.gov.in; confirm it before you apply.
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- Group 4 educational qualificationThe minimum qualification for TNPSC Group 4 is an SSLC pass. Which posts need typewriting, shorthand or a degree, and the order rule for qualifications.
- Group 4 age limitGroup 4 age limit as on 1 July 2026: 30 for Others, 32 for BC/MBC, 35 for SC/ST on most posts, and no maximum for higher-qualified reserved candidates.
- TNPSC attempt limitTNPSC notifications for Group 1, 2/2A and 4 set no cap on attempts. The real limits are the maximum age and the number of free fee-concession chances.
More in TNPSC
- Group 1 age limitTNPSC Group 1 age limit as on 1 July 2025: minimum 21, maximum 34 for Others and 39 for reserved categories, with limits for PwBD, ex-servicemen and widows.
- Group 1 mains shortlist ratioTNPSC Group 1 shortlists 20 candidates per vacancy for the mains in each reservation group, then 2 or 3 per vacancy for the interview. Worked example.
- Group 1 marks for final rankYour TNPSC Group 1 final rank is based on 850 marks: three General Studies mains papers of 250 each plus a 100-mark interview. Prelims and Tamil do not count.
- Group 1 prelims minimum markTNPSC Group 1 prelims need at least 90 of 300 for reserved categories and 120 of 300 for Others. Prelims marks only screen; the 1:20 shortlist decides.
- Group 1 vacancies (2025)TNPSC Group 1 Notification 04/2025 listed 70 vacancies across six posts, including Deputy Collector (28) and DSP (7), all at pay Level 22. Post-wise table.
- Group 2 age limitTNPSC Group 2 and 2A age limit as on 1 July 2025: 18 to 32 for Others, no maximum for most reserved candidates. Post-specific limits for Forester and more.
- Group 2 and 2A vacancies (2025)TNPSC Group 2 and 2A Notification 11/2025 listed 645 vacancies: 50 in Group II and 595 in Group IIA. Posts, pay levels and the later addendum.
- Group 2 interview?In the 2025 notification TNPSC Group 2 has no interview. Ranking is based only on marks in Main Paper II. Where interviews still exist in TNPSC exams.