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What is the community reservation in TNPSC?
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In the TNPSC Group 4 notification of 2026, community reservation is: SC 15%, SC(A) 3%, ST 1%, BC (other than Muslims) 26.5%, BC Muslim 3.5% and MBC/DC 20%. Seats that are not reserved go to open competition. The percentages are listed in Annexure II of Notification No. 11/2026.
The community table
| Category | Abbreviation in the notification | Reservation |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Castes | SC | 15% |
| Scheduled Castes (Arunthathiyars) | SC(A) | 3% |
| Scheduled Tribes | ST | 1% |
| Backward Classes (other than Muslims) | BC(OBCM) | 26.5% |
| Backward Class Muslims | BCM | 3.5% |
| Most Backward Classes and Denotified Communities | MBC/DC | 20% |
"Others" in TNPSC eligibility tables means candidates who do not belong to a reserved category. In the reservation rule, the open seats are called General Turn.
Other reservations on top of community
- Women: 30 percent.
- Persons with benchmark disabilities: 4 percent.
- Destitute widows: 10 percent of the women's quota, for posts up to Level 10.
These are described in the women's reservation answer and the destitute widow answer. Ex-servicemen and destitute-widow reservations apply to some groups only and not to Group 1.
What reservation changes for you
Your community decides four things in a TNPSC exam:
- The maximum age. In Group 4 (2026), most posts allow 30 for Others, 32 for BC/BCM/MBC/DC and 35 for SC/SC(A)/ST.
- The minimum qualifying mark in some exams. Group 1 prelims set 90 for reserved categories and 120 for Others.
- Fee concessions, from full exemption to three free chances. See who gets fee exemption.
- Which seats you compete for in the rank list, because vacancies are filled community by community.
Claiming a fee concession you are not entitled to leads to rejection and a one-year debarment.
Source
Percentages are taken from the 2026 Group 4 notification. Confirm those for other exams in their own notification.
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- Women's reservation in TNPSCTNPSC Group 4 reserves 30 percent of posts for women, with a further 10 percent of that for destitute widows up to Level 10. How the quota works in 2026.
- TNPSC fee exemptionSC, SC(A), ST, disabled candidates and destitute widows pay no TNPSC exam fee. BC, MBC and DC get 3 free chances and ex-servicemen 2. How the count works.
- TNPSC groups explainedA plain guide to the TNPSC groups: which posts sit in Group 1, 2, 2A and 4, qualification, interview or not, and what happened to Group 3, 7B and 8.
More in TNPSC
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- TNPSC concessions for PwBDTNPSC gives persons with benchmark disabilities 4% reservation, full fee exemption, higher age limits and relaxations in Tamil papers. Group-wise details.
- TNPSC exam feeTNPSC fees: Rs.150 for OTR once, then Rs.100 for Group 4, Rs.100 plus Rs.150 for Group 2, and Rs.100 plus Rs.200 for Group 1. Who pays nothing.
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- TNPSC OTR validityA TNPSC One Time Registration is valid for 5 years from registration and costs Rs.150 once. What it does and does not cover, and how renewal works.
- TNPSC photo and signature sizeTNPSC photo and signature specs from the 2026 notification: 20-50 KB photo, 10-20 KB signature, 4.5 x 3.5 cm with a name and date strip. No selfies.
- Typist and Steno-Typist qualificationTNPSC Group 4 Typist needs SSLC plus a government typewriting certificate; Steno-Typist Grade III also needs shorthand. Vacancies, pay level and age.
- VAO age limitTNPSC VAO age limit as on 1 July 2026: minimum 21; maximum 30 for Others and 40 for reserved categories. PwBD, ex-servicemen and destitute widow limits.