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What is the qualification for VAO?
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The educational qualification for Village Administrative Officer (VAO) is a pass in SSLC (Class 10), because VAOs are recruited through the TNPSC Group 4 examination, whose minimum is SSLC. You must also be at least 21 years old on 1 July 2026 and know Tamil. A degree is not required.
The requirements at a glance
| Requirement | VAO (Notification No. 11/2026) |
|---|---|
| Education | SSLC (Tamil Nadu) pass; Board of Open School 10th is accepted |
| Minimum age | 21 on 1 July 2026 |
| Maximum age | 30 for Others, 40 for reserved categories |
| Tamil | Adequate knowledge of Tamil on the notification date |
| Selection | Written exam on 10 January 2027, then certificate verification and counselling; no interview |
| Vacancies | 291 (tentative) |
| Pay | Level 8 in the pay matrix |
Extra qualifications for other Group 4 posts, not VAO
Typists need a typewriting certificate, Steno-Typists need typewriting and shorthand, and some corporation Junior Assistant posts need a degree. These conditions are listed against those posts in the notification. Check the VAO row of the post table and paragraph 4.2 for anything that applies to you.
Rules that can still rule you out
- A candidate in the Others category with five or more years of central or state government service is not eligible (para 4.5.1).
- Your degree, if you have one, must follow the order of 10th, then Class 12 or diploma, then the degree.
- The "higher qualification means no maximum age" relief for reserved categories does not apply to VAO.
What to read next
The age limit for VAO has the full age table, including persons with disabilities and ex-servicemen. The duties, posting and VAO-specific topics are on the VAO post guide. The paper is the same Group 4 paper as for Junior Assistant, so the Group 4 syllabus applies.
Source
Confirm the VAO row in the latest notification.
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- 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.
- VAO and Group 4: same exam?No. VAO is a post filled through the TNPSC Group 4 exam. One paper, one application, then post choice by rank at counselling. Where VAO rules differ.
- VAO salaryA Village Administrative Officer is paid at Level 8 of the Tamil Nadu pay matrix, as listed in TNPSC Group 4 Notification 11/2026. How to read the pay level.
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