TNPSC Group 1 Notification 2026: 26 Vacancies, Revised Exam Date & Application Deadline

The Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) has officially released the TNPSC Group 1 Notification 2026 PDF to recruit for 26 high-level positions, including Deputy Collector, Assistant Commissioner, Deputy Registrar of Co-operative Societies, District Registrar, and Assistant Commissioner of Labour. Eligible candidates are encouraged to submit their applications for the TNPSC Group 1 Exam before the deadline of 29th July 2026. Explore this guide for comprehensive information on vacancies, eligibility standards, and the updated selection process.

About TNPSC Group 1 Exam

The TNPSC Group 1 (குரூப் 1) Combined Civil Services Examination–I is a prestigious state-level recruitment drive conducted by the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission to fill key administrative roles. The selection process consists of three rigorous stages: Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and an Interview. Successful candidates will be appointed to positions under Pay Level 12.

TNPSC Group 1 Notification 2026 Out 

The official notification PDF (Advt No. 736) for the TNPSC Combined Civil Services Examination Group 1 was published on 23rd June 2026 via the official portal at www.tnpsc.gov.in. This document provides essential details regarding the recruitment lifecycle, including vacancy distribution, key registration dates, eligibility requirements, exam patterns, and syllabus updates. A direct link to access the notification is provided below for your convenience.

Download the Official TNPSC Group 1 Notification 2026 PDF

TNPSC Group 1 Exam 2026- Highlights

Changes in TNPSC Group 1 2026  exam

For the 2026 recruitment cycle, the TNPSC has implemented specific adjustments to the examination schedule and process, outlined as follows:

• The overall vacancies have decreased by 44 posts, which is a 63% reduction compared to last year.
• Post Removals - Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Assistant Director of Rural Development, District Employment Officer
• Post Additions -  Deputy Registrar of Co-operative Societies and District Registrar
• Reduced Preliminary Centres: Multiple examination centres have been officially removed, which are Pollachi, Attur, Thuraiyur, Thirumangalam, Cheranmahadevi and Tindivanam

TNPSC Group 1 Exam Date 2026 (Revised)

The Preliminary Examination, originally scheduled for 6th September 2026, has been officially rescheduled to 27th September 2026. The exam will take place on a single day, from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm.

TNPSC Group 1 Exam – Important Dates

Candidates can begin the online application process on 30th June 2026, with the window remaining open until 29th July 2026. The TNPSC Combined Civil Services Exam date was initially announced in the TNPSC Annual Planner 2026. Please mark these critical dates to ensure your application is submitted on time.

You can also refer to the TNPSC Annual Planner 2026 to stay updated on all upcoming exam schedules and registration windows for various state services.

TNPSC Group 1 Vacancy 2026

TNPSC has announced 26 vacancies across various prestigious posts, including Deputy Collector, Assistant Commissioner, Deputy Registrar of Co-operative Societies, District Registrar, and Assistant Commissioner of Labour. While these vacancies are fewer than in previous years, they represent a significant opportunity for government service aspirants. Detailed post-wise vacancy breakdowns are available below.

What is the TNPSC Group 1 2026 Eligibility Criteria?

All applicants must ensure they meet the specific TNPSC Group 1 2026 eligibility criteria for their chosen post. Please carefully review the educational qualifications and age limits defined in the official notification.

Education Qualification

Candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree from a university recognized by the UGC or an institution established by an Act of the Central or State Legislature, or deemed to be a University under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956.

Note: Students currently in their final year of degree studies are eligible to apply for the Preliminary Examination. However, they must provide proof of passing their degree examination when uploading documents for the Main Written Examination; failure to provide this documentation will lead to disqualification from the selection process.

Age Limit (As on 01/07/2026)

Physical Qualification

Candidates applying for the position of Deputy Superintendent of Police (Category I) must satisfy specific physical fitness standards:

TNPSC Group 1 2026 Online Form

The online application portal for the TNPSC Group 1 Exam 2026 will open on 30th June 2026. Eligible candidates can apply via the official website at www.tnpsc.gov.in. Once the application link is live, we will provide a direct access button here for your convenience.

TNPSC Group 1 2026 Application Fee

When submitting your TNPSC Group 1 application, you must complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) and pay the examination fee exclusively through the online payment portal. Please review the fee structure in the table below before proceeding.

Note: Candidates who have completed the One-Time Registration and whose registration is within the 5-year validity period are exempt from paying the registration fee again.

TNPSC Group 1 2026 Selection Process

The TNPSC Group 1 selection process consists of three successive stages: the Preliminary Examination (Objective type), the Main Written Examination (Descriptive type), and the Interview. Final selection is based solely on the merit achieved in the Main Examination and the subsequent Interview.

1. Stage 1: Preliminary Examination: The preliminary screening test will be conducted to shortlist eligible candidates for the main exam. The marks obtained in the prelims exam will not be considered for determining their final order of merit. candidates for the main exam.
2. Stage 2: Mains Exam: On the basis of the minimum qualifying marks and cut-off marks, a total of 20 times the number of total vacancies will be called to appear for the mains exam. The main exam will be held for Papers 1, 2, 3, and 4. Paper I will be qualifying in nature, and marks obtained in Papers 2, 3 and 4 will be considered for the final merit list.
3. Stage 3: Interview: Candidates declared qualified in the preliminary exam will be called to appear for the interview exam. The interview exam will be held for a total of 100 marks. The final selection of the candidates will be made based on the total marks obtained by the candidates in the Main Written Examination Paper II, III, Paper IV, and the Interview taken together.

Download TNPSC Group 1 Previous Year Question Papers (PDF)

TNPSC Group 1 2026 Exam Pattern

The three-stage selection includes: (i) a Preliminary Examination to shortlist candidates, (ii) a descriptive Main Written Examination, and (iii) an Oral Test (Interview). The exam structure includes multiple-choice questions for the Prelims and descriptive answers for the Mains. Refer to the sections below for a detailed pattern analysis.

TNPSC Group 1 Prelims Exam Pattern

The Preliminary Examination is an OMR-based objective test consisting of 300 marks. There is no negative marking for incorrect responses, and each question carries 1.5 marks.

Minimum Qualifying Marks:

1. SCs, SC(A)s, STs, MBCs/DCs, BC(OBCM)s and BCMs- 90 out of 300
2. Others- 120 out of 300

TNPSC Group 1 Mains Exam Pattern

The Main Examination features descriptive questions that test in-depth knowledge and analytical skills across various specialized subjects.

Answer sheets for Papers II, III, and IV of the Main Examination will be evaluated only if the candidate secures a minimum of 40% (40 marks) in Paper I. Please note that marks obtained in Paper I do not contribute to the final merit ranking.

Access the Official TNPSC Group 1 Syllabus 2026 (Prelims + Mains)

TNPSC Group 1 Salary & Pay Scale

Successful candidates will be appointed in a pay scale ranging from Rs. 56,100 to Rs. 2,05,700 (Level 22, Revised Scale). Comprehensive details regarding salary and allowances are available in the official notification PDF.

Click to View Detailed TNPSC Group 1 Salary Structure

TNPSC Group 1 Prelims Exam Centre 2026

The TNPSC will host the Preliminary Examination at various centers across Tamil Nadu. Candidates will be assigned to specific centers as indicated in their hall tickets to be eligible for the Main Examination.

Review Previous Year TNPSC Group 1 Cut-Off Scores