TNPSC Group 1 Syllabus 2025 for Prelims and Mains

Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) releases the TNPSC Group 1 Syllabus along with the notification on its official website - tnpsc.gov.in.

The TNPSC Group 1 Exam has two levels -

Prelims - Single paper of Objective type questions
Mains - Total four papers
- 1 paper of Tamil Language Eligibility Test (Qualifying nature)
- 3 Papers of Descriptive type

The syllabus of Prelims and Mains exam will be somewhat same but with the Mains Exam, the difficulty level will increase. The approach to both the level of exam is also different as Prelims is only a screening test but Mains is a descriptive test.

The candidates preparing for this exam must check the TNPSC Group 1 Previous year question papers while preparing.

Highlights of TNPSC Group 1 Syllabus

There are a total of 10 topics in TNPSC Group 1 Prelims paper, which is a single paper.
In the Mains exam of TNPSC Group 1 Paper 2, the topics are related to History & culture, Science & Technology and General Mental Ability.
In the Mains exam of TNPSC Group 1 Paper 3, the topics are related to Indian Polity, Geography, Tamil Language & Society and Administration.
In the Mains exam of TNPSC Group 1 Paper 4, the topics are related to knowledge of Education and Schemes & Acts.

Table of Contents

TNPSC Group 1 Prelims Syllabus
TNPSC Group 1 Mains Syllabus
TNPSC Group 1 FAQs

TNPSC Group 1 Prelims Syllabus

The Prelims exam has only one paper, but two sections:

General Studies
Aptitude and Mental Ability

The two sections are divided and the topics from each are listed here.

General Studies Syllabus

This section of the paper is lengthy and consists of 9 different units. Each unit further consists of lists of topics from which the objective questions are asked.

Units	Syllabus
Unit 1- General Science	Scientific Knowledge and Scientific temper, Power of Reasoning, Rote Learning vs Conceptual Learning, Science as a tool to understand the past, present and future. Nature of Universe, General Scientific Laws, Mechanics, Properties of Matter, Force, Motion and Energy, Everyday application of basic principles of Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, Light, Sound, Heat, Nuclear Physics, Laser, Electronics and Communications. Elements and Compounds, Acids, Bases, Salts, Petroleum Products, Fertilizers, Pesticides. Main concepts of Life Science, Classification of Living Organisms, Evolution, Genetics, Physiology, Nutrition, Health and Hygiene, Human Diseases. Environment and Ecology.
Unit 2- Current Affairs	History- Latest diary of events, National Symbols, Profile of States, Eminent personalities and places in news, Sports, Books and Authors. Polity- Political Parties and political system in India, Public Awareness and General administration, Welfare oriented Government schemes and their utility, Problems in Public Delivery Systems. Geography- Geographical landmarks Economics- Current socio-economic issues. Science- Latest inventions in Science and Technology
Unit 3- Geography of India	Location, Physical features, Monsoon, rainfall, weather and climate, Water resources, Rivers in India, Soil, minerals and natural resources, Forest and wildlife, Agricultural pattern. Transport and Communication. Social Geography, Population density and distribution, Racial, linguistic groups and major tribes. Natural calamity, Disaster Management, Environmental Pollution, Reasons and preventive measures, Climate change, Green energy.
Unit 4- History and Culture of India	Indus Valley Civilization, Guptas, Delhi Sultans, Mughals and Marathas, Age of Vijayanagaram and Brahmani Kingdoms, South Indian History. Change and Continuity in the Socio-Cultural History of India. Characteristics of Indian culture, Unity in diversity, Race, language, custom. India as a Secular State, Social Harmony.
Unit 5- Indian Polity	Constitution of India, Preamble to the Constitution, Salient features of the Constitution, Union, State and Union Territory. Citizenship, Fundamental rights, Fundamental duties, Directive Principles of State Policy. Union Executive, Union legislature, State Executive, State Legislature, Local governments, Panchayat Raj. Spirit of Federalism: Centre-State Relationships Election, Judiciary in India, Rule of Law Corruption in public life, Anti-corruption measures, Lokpal and Lok Ayukta, Right to Information, Empowerment of women, Consumer protection forums, Human rights charter.
Unit 6- Indian Economy	Nature of Indian economy, Five year plan models, an assessment, Planning Commission and Niti Ayog. Sources of revenue, Reserve Bank of India, Fiscal Policy and Monetary Policy, Finance Commission, Resource sharing between Union and State Governments, Goods and Services Tax. Structure of Indian Economy and Employment Generation, Land reforms and Agriculture, Application of Science and Technology in agriculture, Industrial growth, Rural welfare oriented programmes, Social problems, Population, education, health, employment, poverty.
Unit 7- Indian National Movement	National renaissance, Early uprising against British rule, Indian National Congress, Emergence of leaders- B.R. Ambedkar, Bhagat Singh, Bharathiar, V.O. Chidambaranar, Jawaharlal Nehru, Kamarajar, Mahatma Gandhi, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Thanthai Periyar, Rajaji, Subash Chandra Bose and others. Different modes of Agitation: Growth of Satyagraha and Militant movements. Communalism and partition.
Unit 8- History, Culture and Socio-Political Movement in Tamil Nadu	History of Tamil Society , Related Archaeological discoveries, Tamil Literature from Sangam age till contemporary times. Thirukkural: Significance as a Secular Literature, Relevance to Everyday Life, Impact of Thirukkural on Humanity, Thirukkural and Universal Values, Equality, Humanism, etc., Relevance to Socio-Politico-Economic affairs, Philosophical content in Thirukkural. Role of Tamil Nadu in freedom struggle, early agitations against British Rule, Rule of women in freedom struggle. Evolution of 19th and 20th Century Socio-Political movements in Tamil Nadu, Justice Party, Growth of Rationalism, Self Respect Movement, Dravidian movement and Principles underlying both these movements, Contributions of Thanthai Periyar and Perarignar Anna.
Unit 9- Development Administration in Tamil Nadu	Human Development Indicators in Tamil Nadu and a comparative assessment across the country, Impact of Social Reform movements in the Socio-Economic Development of Tamil Nadu. Political parties and Welfare schemes for various sections of people, Rationale behind Reservation Policy and access to Social Resources, Economic trends in Tamil Nadu, Role and impact of social welfare schemes in the Socio-economic development of Tamil Nadu. Social Justice and Social Harmony as the Cornerstones of Socio-Economic development. Education and Health systems in Tamil Nadu. Geography of Tamil Nadu and its impact on Economic growth. Achievements of Tamil Nadu in various fields. E-governance in Tamil Nadu.

Aptitude and Mental Ability Syllabus

Unit	Syllabus
Aptitude and Mental Ability	Simplification, Percentage, Highest Common Factor (HCF), Lowest Common Multiple (LCM). Ratio and Proportion. Simple Interest, Compound Interest, Area, Volume, Time, and Work. Logical Reasoning, Puzzles: Dice, Visual Reasoning, Alpha numeric Reasoning, Numeric Series

TNPSC Group 1 Mains Syllabus

There are four papers in the TNPSC Mains Exam 2025. Paper I is of Tamil Language Proficiency Test which is only qualifying. Amongst the remaining three papers of the Mains exam 2025, two papers ask questions from General Studies while the third is about Education.

TNPSC Group 1 Paper 1- Tamil Language Proficiency Test

Tamil Language Proficiency Test which will be of a qualifying nature and the level will be of SSLC.

TNPSC Group 1 Paper 2- General Studies Syllabus

Paper 2 delves deeper into some of the topics of Prelims. This paper mainly deals with History, Mental Ability, and Science and Technology.

Units	Syllabus
Unit 1- Modern History of India and Indian Culture	Advent of European invasion Expansion and consolidation of British rule Effect of British rule on socio-economic factors Social reforms and religious movements India since independence Characteristics of Indian culture Unity in diversity- race, color, language, custom India- a secular state Organizations for fine arts, dance, drama, music Growth of rationalist, Dravidian movement in Tamil Nadu Political parties and populist schemes National renaissance Early uprising against British rule 1857 Revolt Indian National Congress Emergence of national leaders- Gandhi, Nehru, Tagore, Netaji Growth of militant movements Different modes of agitation Era of different Acts and Pacts World war & final phase struggle Communalism led to partition Role of Tamil Nadu in freedom struggle- Rajaji, VOC, Periyar, Bharathiar and others
Unit 2- General Mental Ability	Conversion of information to data Collection, compilation and presentation of data Tables, graphs, diagrams Parametric representation of data Analytical interpretation of data School arithmetic Percentage Highest Common Factor (HCF) Lowest Common Multiple (LCM) Ratio and Proportion Simple interest Compound interest Area Volume Time and Work Probability Information technology Basic terms, Communications Application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Decision making and problem solving Basics in Computers/ Computer Terminology
Unit 3- Role and Impact of Science and Technology in the Development of India and Tamil Nadu	Nature of universe General scientific laws Scientific instruments Inventions and discoveries National scientific laboratories Science glossary Physical quantities, standards and units Mechanics and properties of matter Force, motion and energy Heat, light and sound Magnetism, electricity and electronics Atomic and nuclear physics Astronomy and space science Elements and compounds Acids, bases and salts Oxidation and reduction Carbon, nitrogen and their compounds Natural disasters Safeguard measures Chemistry of ores and metals Fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides Biochemistry and biotechnology Polymers and plastics Electrochemistry Main concepts of life science The cell- basic unit of life Classification of living organisms Nutrition and dietetics Respiration Excretion of metabolic waste Bio- communication Blood and blood circulation Endocrine system Reproductive system Animals, plants, and human life Govt. policy/ organizations Science and Technology Role, achievement and impact of Science and Technology Energy Self sufficiency Oil exploration Defence Research Organisation Ocean research and development Genetics- the science of heredity Environment, ecology, health and hygiene Biodiversity and its conservation Human diseases, prevention and remedies Communicable diseases and non-communicable diseases Alcoholism and Drug abuse Computer science and advancement Genetic Engineering Remote sensing and benefits

TNPSC Group 1 Paper 3- General Studies Syllabus

The third paper deals with the other few topics of Prelims like Polity, Geography, Tamil and English Language, and others. They all must be studied in detail as concept-based questions are asked from these.

Units	Syllabus
Unit 1- Indian Polity and Emerging Political Trends Across the World Affecting India and Geography of India	Indian Polity- Constitution of India, Preamble to the Constitution, Salient features of Constitution, Union, state and territory, Citizenship, rights and duties, Fundamental right, Directive principles of state policy, Fundamental duties, Human rights charter, Union executive, Union legislature- Parliament, State executive, State legislature- Assembly, Status of Jammu and Kashmir, Local government- Panchayat raj, Indian Federalism, Centre-state relations, Judiciary in India, Rule of Law/ Due process of Law, Emergency provisions, Civil Services in India, Administrative Challenges in a welfare state, Complexities of district administration, Elections, Election Commission Union and State, Official language and Schedule-VIII, Amendments to constitution, Schedules to constitution. Emerging political trends across the world affecting India- Foreign Affairs with special emphasis on India’s relations with neighboring countries and in the region, Security and defense-related matters, Nuclear policy, issues and conflicts, The Indian Diaspora and its contribution to Indian and the world. Geography of India- Earth and universe, Solar system, Atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, Monsoon, rainfall, weather and climate, Water resources- rivers in India, Soil minerals & natural resources, Natural vegetation, Forest and Wildlife, Agricultural pattern, livestock & fisheries, Transport and communication, Centers of trade, commerce and art, Social geography- population, density and distribution, Natural calamities- disaster management, Bottom topography of Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal, Climate change- impact and consequences, mitigation measures, Pollution control.
Unit 2- Tamil Language, Tamil Society- Its Culture and Heritage/ English Language	Tamil Language, Tamil Society- Its Culture and Heritage English Language Skills- Precis writing, Report writing on current issues. Comprehension of a given passage and answering questions thereupon.
Unit 3- Administration of Union and States with special reference to Tamil Nadu	State government organization- structure, functions and control mechanism District administration- role in people’s welfare oriented programmes Industrial map of Tamil Nadu- role of state government Public Services- role of recruitment agencies State finance- resources, budget and financial administration Use of IT in administration- e-governance in the State Natural calamities- strategic planning in the State Social welfare Government sponsored schemes with reference to Tamil Nadu Union government organization- structure, functions and control mechanism Relationship between State and Union Industrial map of India- role of Union government Public Services- role of recruitment agencies in Union Government Union finance- resources, budget and financial administration Use of IT in administration- e-governance in Union Government Natural calamities- strategic planning by the Union Social welfare- government sponsored schemes by Government of India

TNPSC Group 1 Paper 4- Education Syllabus

Paper 4 asks questions from a variety of themes from Education. For this paper, the candidates need theoretical knowledge of education as well as various schemes and acts.

Unit	Syllabus
Knowledge of education and various schemes and Acts	Current trends and challenges in Education Innovation in Education Education Psychology Philosophy in Education, Eastern and Western Education Education Sociology Scheme SSC and RMSA Curriculum Measurements and Evaluation Human Rights and RTE Act Learner/ Learning Inclusive Education Information and Communication Technology Education Management Gender Sensitization Environmental Education Vocational Guidance Health and Physical Education Distance and Open Learning Outreach Programme Committee and Commissions in Education Basic concept of psychology

TNPSC Group 1 Syllabus 2025 FAQs

Ques. What is the pattern for TNPSC Group 1 exam ?

Ans. TNPSC Group 1 consists of 3 stages - Prelims and Mains and the Interview round. Prelims has 1 paper of 300 marks while the Mains has 3 papers of 250 marks each. The duration of each paper is 3 hours. The Interview round carries 100 marks.

Ques. Is there negative marking in TNPSC Group 1 ?

Ans. No, there is no negative marking for the wrong answers in TNPSC Group 1. Along with that, no penalty marks are deducted for leaving the questions unattempted.

Ques. Is the knowledge of Tamil Language compulsory for TNPSC group I exam ?

Ans. Yes, according to the Tamil Nadu Government and Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission, the knowledge of Tamil language is compulsory and the candidates have to clear them in order to pass the exam.

Ques. Are there 2 papers in TNPSC Group 1 Prelims ?

Ans. No, there is only 1 paper in TNPSC Group 1 Prelims named General Studies & Aptitude and Mental Ability. The paper has 2 sections:

General Studies
Aptitude and Mental Ability

Ques.Are there four descriptive papers in TNPSC Group I Mains Exam ?

Ans. No, there are only 3 descriptive papers in TNPSC Group I Exam. Fourth paper is of Tamil Language Proficiency Test which will be of qualifying nature.

Ques.Is the syllabus of Prelims and Mains Exam same for TNPSC Group I Exam ?

Ans. In TNPSC Group I Exam, some of the topics of Prelims and Mains exam will be the same. However, in Prelims there will be one-liner questions but in Mains the difficulty level will get higher as it is a descriptive exam.