TNPSC Group 1 2026 Question Paper and Answer Key; Download PDF
TNPSC Group 1 2026 Question Paper and Answer Key will be available here to download in PDF format. TNPSC Group 1 2026 prelims exam is scheduled to be held on Sep 27, 2026. TNPSC conducts the Combined Civil Services Examination I, commonly called Group I Services, to fill posts such as Deputy Collector, District Registrar and Assistant Commissioner.
TNPSC Group 1 2026 Question Paper and Answer Key PDF
| Question Paper PDF | Answer Key PDF |
|---|---|
TNPSC Group 1 Prelims 2026 General Studies Question Paper and Answer Key PDF (Sep 27, 2026) |
Available Soon |
TNPSC Group 1 2026 Exam Analysis
Since the Prelims has not yet been held, this section carries a trend based preview rather than a post exam review. Based on the 2024 and 2022 cycles, General Studies questions have leaned heavily on Tamil Nadu specific content, current events, and application based Polity and Economy questions rather than direct recall. Aptitude and Mental Ability has stayed close to SSLC level arithmetic and reasoning. Actual difficulty level, section wise cutoffs, and good attempts will replace this preview once the 27 September paper is analysed.
TNPSC Group 1 Exam Pattern
Group 1 keeps the Prelims, Mains and Interview structure familiar from UPSC Civil Services, but with no optional subject, no negative marking, and a heavier Tamil Nadu focus.
| Stage | Paper | Type | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prelims | Single paper: General Studies (175 Q) and Aptitude & Mental Ability (25 Q) | Objective, no negative marking, qualifying only | 300 | 3 hours |
| Mains | Paper I, Tamil Eligibility Test | Descriptive, qualifying (minimum 40%) | 100 | 3 hours |
| Mains | Papers II to IV, General Studies | Descriptive | 250 each (750 total) | 3 hours each |
| Interview | Personality Test | Oral | 100 | As scheduled |
Prelims marks are not added to the merit list; they only decide who is shortlisted for Mains. The final rank is based on the 750 Mains marks plus the 100 interview marks, out of 850.
Section Wise Weightage in TNPSC Group 1 Prelims
Some General Studies units carry noticeably more questions than others:
- Unit 5, Indian Economy and Development Administration in Tamil Nadu, carries the highest weightage with 50 questions worth 75 marks.
- Unit 4, Indian Polity, and Unit 6, Tamil Nadu History and Socio Political Movements, follow with 40 questions worth 60 marks each.
- The remaining General Studies units, together with the 25 question Aptitude and Mental Ability section at SSLC standard, make up the rest of the 200 question paper.
Important Topics for TNPSC Group 1 2026
Topic priority differs between the objective Prelims and the descriptive Mains:
- Prelims: Tamil Nadu economy and development administration, Indian Polity, Tamil Nadu history and socio political movements, general science, geography, and current events.
- Mains: modern Indian history, Indian and Tamil Nadu polity, Indian economy, science and technology, ethics and governance, alongside the compulsory Tamil Eligibility Test.
Best Books for TNPSC Group 1 Preparation
A focused reading list works better than a long one for a syllabus this wide:
- NCERT and Tamil Nadu state board textbooks for foundational concepts across History, Polity, Economy and Science.
- A standard Indian Polity reference for Unit 4, and a dedicated Tamil Nadu history and culture title for Unit 6.
- TNPSC's own current affairs material for the months leading up to the exam.
- Previous year Group 1 Prelims and Mains papers, solved under timed conditions.
TNPSC Group 1 2026 Question Paper FAQs
Ques: Has TNPSC released the Group 1 2026 question paper?
Ans: Not yet. TNPSC uploads the question paper and provisional answer key on its official portal only after the Preliminary Examination, so the download links above will go live after 27 September 2026.
Ques: When is the TNPSC Group 1 Preliminary Examination 2026?
Ans: The Preliminary Examination is scheduled for 27 September 2026, from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM, revised from the earlier 6 September date through Addendum 5A/2026.
Ques: How many questions appear in the TNPSC Group 1 Prelims?
Ans: The Prelims paper carries 200 objective questions for 300 marks, split into General Studies (175 questions) and Aptitude & Mental Ability (25 questions).
Ques: Is there negative marking in TNPSC Group 1?
Ans: No. TNPSC does not deduct marks for wrong answers in either the Prelims or the Mains.
Ques: How many papers make up the TNPSC Group 1 Main Examination?
Ans: Four papers: a qualifying Tamil Eligibility Test worth 100 marks, and three General Studies papers of 250 marks each that count toward the final merit list along with the interview.
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