PrepMaticTamil Nadu GK
Tamil Nadu GK for TNPSC: lists, tables and quick facts
Tamil Nadu general knowledge is the most predictable scoring area in the TNPSC General Studies paper. In the Group 4 paper, Part B has 75 questions, and 40 of them come from two Tamil Nadu units: Unit V (Indian Economy and Development Administration in Tamil Nadu, 20 questions) and Unit VI (History, Culture, Heritage and Socio-Political Movements of Tamil Nadu, 20 questions). The Group 2 prelims General Studies section follows the same unit structure. Unit II adds 5 geography questions, and the January 2022 Group 4 scheme also listed "Geography of Tamil Nadu and its impact on Economic growth" under Unit V, so rivers, rainfall, ports, minerals and industrial belts are fair game. A large share of the paper is about your own state.
These pages turn that into revision material: one page per topic, each with a table you can read in a few minutes and short notes on the items questions keep returning to. Every list that changes over time says which year it is current to, and points you to the official source to confirm it.
Geography & nature
- Bird sanctuaries of Tamil NaduBird sanctuaries of Tamil Nadu by district: Vedanthangal, Karikili, Pulicat, Point Calimere, Koonthankulam, Vellode and more, with the facts questions ask.
- Climate and monsoon of Tamil NaduClimate of Tamil Nadu for TNPSC: the four seasons, why the north-east monsoon matters most, rain shadow, wettest and driest regions, and cyclones.
- Dams in Tamil NaduMajor dams and reservoirs in Tamil Nadu with river, district and key facts: Mettur, Bhavanisagar, Vaigai, Sathanur, Papanasam, Pechiparai and Chennai's lakes.
- Districts of Tamil NaduAll 38 districts of Tamil Nadu with their headquarters and one key fact each, plus the districts created in 2019 and 2020 that TNPSC questions often target.
- Hill stations of Tamil NaduHill stations of Tamil Nadu with the hill range, district and what each is known for: Ooty, Kodaikanal, Coonoor, Yercaud, Kolli Hills, Valparai and more.
- Minerals of Tamil NaduMinerals of Tamil Nadu and where they are found: Neyveli lignite, Salem magnesite, Ariyalur limestone, beach sand minerals, bauxite, granite and salt.
- Mountain peaks of Tamil NaduMountain peaks and hill ranges of Tamil Nadu with heights: Doddabetta, Mukurthi, Vembadi Shola, Agasthyarkoodam, the Eastern Ghats and major passes.
- National parks of Tamil NaduThe five national parks of Tamil Nadu with district and key species: Guindy, Gulf of Mannar, Indira Gandhi (Anamalai), Mudumalai and Mukurthi.
- Ramsar sites in Tamil NaduAll 20 Ramsar sites in Tamil Nadu (as of March 2026) with districts, the latest additions in 2025, and the facts TNPSC and other exams ask about wetlands.
- Rivers of Tamil NaduMajor rivers of Tamil Nadu with origin, districts, key dams and a note on each: Cauvery, Vaigai, Palar, Thenpennai, Tamirabarani and more for TNPSC.
- Soils of Tamil NaduSoil types of Tamil Nadu for TNPSC: red, black, alluvial, laterite, saline and forest soils with the districts where they occur and the crops they suit.
- Tiger reserves of Tamil NaduThe five tiger reserves of Tamil Nadu: Mudumalai, Anamalai, Kalakad Mundanthurai, Sathyamangalam and Srivilliputhur-Megamalai, with districts and key facts.
- Waterfalls of Tamil NaduWaterfalls of Tamil Nadu by river and district: Hogenakkal, Courtallam, Thalaiyar, Catherine, Kiliyur, Suruli, Thirparappu and more with the facts exams ask.
- Wildlife sanctuaries of Tamil NaduWildlife sanctuaries of Tamil Nadu as listed by the Forest Department in October 2026, with districts, years of declaration and the most-asked facts.
History & heritage
- Ancient dynasties of Tamil NaduCheras, Cholas, Pandyas and Pallavas in one revision table: capitals, ports, emblems, key rulers and the temples, battles and records TNPSC asks about.
- Archaeological sites of Tamil NaduKeezhadi, Adichanallur, Arikamedu, Sivakalai, Kodumanal, Attirampakkam and more: where each site is, what was found, and how to answer it in TNPSC.
- Dravidian movement timelineA dated timeline of the Dravidian movement in Tamil Nadu: Justice Party 1916, Self-Respect Movement 1925, Dravidar Kazhagam 1944, DMK 1949, AIADMK 1972.
- Formation of Tamil NaduHow Madras Presidency became Madras State and then Tamil Nadu: Andhra separation 1953, States Reorganisation 1956, renaming on 14 January 1969, Chennai 1996.
- Freedom fighters of Tamil NaduFreedom fighters of Tamil Nadu from Puli Thevar and Kattabomman to V. O. Chidambaram Pillai and Rajaji, with dates, places and the events TNPSC asks about.
- Important temples of Tamil NaduMajor temples of Tamil Nadu in one table: Brihadeeswarar, Meenakshi, Srirangam, Chidambaram and Rameswaram, with builders, deities, places and exam facts.
- Sangam literature worksAll Sangam literature works in one list: the eight anthologies, ten idylls and 18 minor works, with authors, themes and the poets TNPSC asks about.
- Social reformers of Tamil NaduTamil Nadu's social reformers in one table: Periyar, Vallalar, Iyothee Thass, Muthulakshmi Reddy and others, with movements, dates and the journals they ran.
- UNESCO sites in Tamil NaduTamil Nadu's UNESCO World Heritage Sites with year of inscription: Mahabalipuram, Great Living Chola Temples, Nilgiri Railway, Western Ghats and Senji Fort.
Government & administration
- Chief Ministers of Tamil NaduList of Tamil Nadu Chief Ministers from 1947 with terms and parties, plus firsts and records: Kamaraj, Annadurai, Karunanidhi, MGR, Jayalalithaa and Stalin.
- Local bodies of Tamil NaduLocal bodies in Tamil Nadu explained: village panchayat, panchayat union, district panchayat, town panchayat, municipality and corporation, with heads.
- Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly factsTamil Nadu Legislative Assembly facts for exams: 234 seats, 44 SC and 2 ST reserved, 118 for a majority, unicameral since 1986, plus the Speaker's role.
- Tamil Nadu reservation systemTamil Nadu's 69% reservation explained: BC 26.5, BC Muslims 3.5, MBC/DC 20, SC 15, SC(A) 3 and ST 1 per cent, its history from 1921 and how it applies to TNPSC.
- Tamil Nadu state commissionsTamil Nadu's constitutional and statutory commissions: TNPSC, State Election Commission, Finance Commission, Human Rights, Women, Information, Lokayukta.
Economy & infrastructure
- Airports of Tamil NaduAirports of Tamil Nadu as of 2026: four international airports, domestic airports, defence airfields and the proposed Parandur and Hosur airports.
- GI tags of Tamil NaduGI-tagged products of Tamil Nadu with district and type, from Kancheepuram silk to Palani Panchamirtham; the count is current to late 2025.
- Industrial clusters of Tamil NaduIndustrial clusters of Tamil Nadu by town: Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Sivakasi, Hosur, Sriperumbudur, Karur, Salem, Ambur and more, with SIPCOT, SIDCO and TIDCO.
- Major crops of Tamil NaduMajor crops of Tamil Nadu with the districts that grow them: paddy seasons, millets, sugarcane, cotton, plantation crops and the seven agro-climatic zones.
- Power plants of Tamil NaduPower plants in Tamil Nadu by type and district: Neyveli, Mettur, Vallur, Kudankulam, Kalpakkam, Kundah, Kadamparai, Muppandal wind farm and Kamuthi solar park.
- Seaports of Tamil NaduSeaports of Tamil Nadu: the three major ports (Chennai, Kamarajar, V.O. Chidambaranar), minor ports, ancient Tamil ports and coastal districts, with key facts.
Culture, people & symbols
- Carnatic music and Tamil IsaiCarnatic music in Tamil Nadu: the Trinity born at Tiruvarur, the Tamil Isai Moovar, the Madras Music Season, traditional instruments and M. S. Subbulakshmi.
- Dances of Tamil NaduBharatanatyam and Tamil Nadu's folk dances (Karagattam, Oyilattam, Kavadi, Poikkal Kudirai, Kummi, Thappattam) with who performs them and exam facts.
- Famous Tamil scholarsFamous Tamil scholars and poets from Tholkappiyar and Thiruvalluvar to U. V. Swaminatha Iyer, G. U. Pope, Beschi and Bharathiyar, with their key works.
- Festivals of Tamil NaduFestivals of Tamil Nadu by Tamil month: Pongal, Puthandu, Chithirai Thiruvizha, Aadi Perukku, Karthigai Deepam, Thaipusam and Mahamaham, with places and facts.
- State symbols of Tamil NaduTamil Nadu state symbols list: Nilgiri tahr, emerald dove, glory lily, palmyra, jackfruit, Tamil Yeoman, Bharatanatyam, kabaddi, emblem and Tamil Thai Vazhthu.
- Tamil epics and bhakti literatureThe five great and five minor Tamil epics with authors and religions, plus the Thirumurai, Thevaram, Divya Prabandham, Kamba Ramayanam and Periya Puranam.
- Tamil literary awards and JnanpithTamil writers who won the Jnanpith (Akilan 1975, Jayakanthan 2002), early Sahitya Akademi winners, Tamil Nadu's own awards and the 2004 classical status.
- Tamil Nadu firstsTamil Nadu firsts for GK: first classical language, first woman legislator, first Bharat Ratnas, first biosphere reserve, first corporation and Nobel laureates.
Where Tamil Nadu GK is tested
| Exam and stage | Tamil Nadu content in the syllabus |
|---|---|
| Group 4, Part B (75 questions) | Unit V Indian Economy and Development Administration in Tamil Nadu (20); Unit VI History, Culture, Heritage and Socio-Political Movements of Tamil Nadu (20); Unit II Geography (5) |
| Group 2 prelims, Part B (75 questions) | Same unit structure as Group 4: Unit V (20) and Unit VI (20) on Tamil Nadu, Unit II Geography (5) |
| Group 2 mains, Paper II | Geography of India, Environment, Biodiversity and Disaster Management with specific reference to Tamil Nadu (40 marks); Indian Economy with specific reference to Tamil Nadu (40 marks) |
| Group 2A mains, Paper II, Part A (150 questions) | Tamil Nadu Economy and Social Issues in Tamil Nadu (30); Geography of Tamil Nadu, Environment, Biodiversity and Disaster Management in Tamil Nadu (25) |
The unit names and counts above come from the syllabus annexures of the current Group 4 and Group 2 notifications. Read them in full in the Group 4 syllabus and Group 2 syllabus guides, and confirm against the latest notification on tnpsc.gov.in, because TNPSC revises schemes between cycles.
How the lists on this section are organised
Geography and nature pages cover districts, rivers, dams, hill stations, peaks, waterfalls, climate and monsoon, soils, minerals and every category of protected area: national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, tiger reserves, bird sanctuaries and Ramsar sites. These feed Unit II and the Tamil Nadu geography questions that turn up in the mains.
Economy and infrastructure pages cover airports, seaports, power plants, major crops, industrial clusters and GI-tagged products. These feed Unit V, where the question is usually "which town is known for this industry" or "where is this plant located".
For the economic ideas behind these lists (planning, welfare schemes, development indicators) read the development administration in Tamil Nadu guide. For map-based preparation and the Samacheer chapters, use the TNPSC geography guide.
How to revise a list so it sticks
- Read the table once, then cover a column. Hide the district column and try to recall it from the name. Questions ask this way round.
- Attach every item to a district. Tamil Nadu questions are almost always "X is in which district". If you can place 38 districts on a blank map, most of this section becomes easy.
- Learn the odd one out. Notes on each page flag the facts that break a pattern (the largest, the oldest, the only, the first). Those are what question-setters pick.
- Fix the counts, but know their date. Learn the current number, then note the year. If two websites disagree, trust the department that notifies it.
- Revise by theme every week, not by page. Fifteen minutes on wildlife one day and ports the next beats one long session.
After a topic, take a short test on it. PrepMatic's free assessment shows whether geography or Tamil Nadu content is one of your weaker subjects, and its topic tests give you about 15 multiple-choice questions at a time on a chosen topic. See the TNPSC mock tests guide for how to fit them into a plan, or go to the TNPSC exam hub for the full picture.
Numbers that change, and when they were last checked
| Item | Figure | Current to | Confirm at |
|---|---|---|---|
| Districts | 38 | 2026 | tn.gov.in |
| National parks | 5 | 2026 | forests.tn.gov.in |
| Wildlife sanctuaries | 17 on the Forest Department list | October 2026 | forests.tn.gov.in |
| Tiger reserves | 5 | 2026 | forests.tn.gov.in, NTCA |
| Ramsar sites | 20 | March 2026 | tnswa.tn.gov.in |
| International airports | 4 | 2026 | aai.aero |
| Major ports | 3 | 2026 | shipmin.gov.in |
| GI-tagged products | more than 70 | late 2025 | Geographical Indications Registry, Chennai |
Frequently asked questions
How much Tamil Nadu general knowledge is asked in TNPSC exams?
In the Group 4 and Group 2 prelims General Studies sections, 40 of the 75 questions come from Units V and VI, both Tamil Nadu-specific, and 5 more come from geography. In the Group 2 and 2A mains, Tamil Nadu is written into several unit titles. Check the current notification for the exact scheme.
Do I need to memorise every list?
No. Memorise the lists that are short and stable: districts, national parks, tiger reserves, ports, airports and the major rivers and dams. For long lists such as GI tags or waterfalls, learn the best-known entries and the odd-one-out facts that the notes on each page highlight.
Why do the numbers differ between websites?
Counts such as Ramsar sites, sanctuaries and GI tags change as new items are notified, and many sites do not update. Each page here states the year its figure is current to. Use the official portals listed on the page when an exam question depends on the latest number.
Where can I find the official data?
Use tn.gov.in for administration and districts, forests.tn.gov.in and tnswa.tn.gov.in for protected areas and wetlands, the Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department for rivers and dams, AAI for airports, and the Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai for GI tags. Each page lists its own official sources.
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