TNPSC Group 4 Eligibility 2026: Check Age Limit & Qualification
TNPSC Group 4 eligibility conditions specify the requirements that candidates must meet, which include age limits, educational qualifications, physical standards, and language proficiency for various posts like VAO, Junior Assistant, Typist, Steno-Typist, and Forest Guard. Candidates must be within the age limit of 18 and 32 years (with age relaxations provided for SC, ST, MBC, BC, BCM, and other reserved categories), have passed Class 10th (SSLC/Matriculation) or equivalent, and possess an understanding of Tamil language through education or TNPSC’s Second Class Language Test.
TNPSC Group 4 Age Limit 2026
TNPSC has set the age limit for different categories in different posts under the Group 4 exams. Candidates must be a minimum age of 18 or 21 years, as the posts require. The tables given below show the age limit for different categories of candidates and the age relaxation provided for certain categories:
Candidates other than SCs, SC(A)s, STs, MBCs/DCs, BC(OBCM)s and BCMs
For posts of Village Administrative Officer (VAO), Forest Guard/Forest Guard with Driving Licence, and Forest Watcher/Forest Watcher (Tribal Youth), the minimum age is 21 years old. For posts Junior Assistant (All Categories), Typist/Steno-Typist/Personal Clerk/Assistant/Field Assistant, Junior Executive (Office/Typing)/Junior Revenue Inspector, the minimum age is 21 years.
| Post Name | Maximum Age | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|---|
| Village Administrative Officer (VAO) | 30 (Others), 40 (Reserved Categories) | +10 yrs (PwBD), 48 (Others-ExSM), 53 (Reserved-ExSM) |
| Junior Assistant (All Categories) | 30 (Others), 32 (MBC/BC/BCM), 35 (SC/ST/DW) | +10 yrs (PwBD), 48 (Others-ExSM), 53 (Reserved-ExSM) |
| Typist / Steno-Typist / Personal Clerk / Assistant / Field Assistant | Same as Junior Assistant | +10 yrs (PwBD), 48 (Others-ExSM), 53 (Reserved-ExSM) |
| Junior Executive (Office / Typing) / Junior Revenue Inspector | Same as Junior Assistant | +10 yrs (PwBD), 48 (Others-ExSM), 53 (Reserved-ExSM) |
| Forest Guard / Forest Guard with Driving Licence | 32 (Others), 42 (Reserved Categories) | +10 yrs (PwBD), 48 (Others-ExSM), 53 (Reserved-ExSM) |
| Forest Watcher / Forest Watcher (Tribal Youth) | 32 (Others), 42 (Reserved Categories) | +10 yrs (PwBD), 48 (Others-ExSM), 53 (Reserved-ExSM) |
Candidates from BC (OBCM)s, BCMs, MBCs/DCs, SCs, SC(A)s, and STs
The age relaxation for candidates from the Ex-servicemen category, applying to the Village Administrative Officer post, is 55 years.
| Name of the Post | Minimum Age | Maximum Age | Age Relaxation (PwBD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Village Administrative Officer | 21 | 42 | 52 |
| Junior Assistant (Non-Security) | 18 | BC/OBCM, BCM, MBCs/DCs – 34; SCs, SC(A)s, STs – 37 | BC/OBCM, BCM, MBCs/DCs – 44; SCs, SC(A)s, STs – 47 |
| Junior Assistant | 18 | Same as above | Same as above |
| Junior Assistant | 18 | Same as above | Same as above |
| Junior Assistant (Security) | 18 | Same as above | Same as above |
| Junior Revenue Inspector | 18 | Same as above | Same as above |
| Junior Executive (Office) | 18 | Same as above | Same as above |
| Junior Assistant cum Typist | 18 | Same as above | Same as above |
| 18 | Same as above | Same as above | |
| Typist | 18 | Same as above | Same as above |
| 18 | Same as above | Same as above | |
| Steno-Typist (Grade - III) | 18 | Same as above | Same as above |
| 18 | Same as above | Same as above | |
| 18 | Same as above | Same as above | |
| 18 | Same as above | Same as above | |
| 18 | Same as above | Same as above | |
| Personal Clerk | 18 | Same as above | Same as above |
| Assistant | 18 | Same as above | Same as above |
| Field Assistant | 18 | Same as above | Same as above |
| Forest Guard | 21 | 37* | 37 |
| Forest Guard with Driving Licence | 21 | 37* | 37 |
| Forest Watcher | 21 | 37 | 37 |
| Forest Watcher (Tribal Youth) | 21 | 37 | 37 |
| Forest Guard | NA | NA | NA |
| Forest Watcher | NA | NA | NA |
TNPSC Group 4 Educational & Technical Qualifications 2026
Candidates applying for TNPSC Group 4 exam must have a minimum educational qualification of Class 10th. In addition to this, candidates must have a technical or course certification to apply for Junior Executive (Officer), Junior Assistant cum Typists, etc. The table given below shows the educational qualifications required for different posts under Group 4 exams.
| Post Name | Academic Qualification |
|---|---|
| Village Administrative Officer (VAO) | SSLC passed with the minimum marks that can grant admission to higher secondary courses |
| Junior Assistant (Security) | SSLC passed with the minimum marks that can grant admission to higher secondary courses |
| Junior Assistant (Non-Security) | SSLC passed with the minimum marks that can grant admission to higher secondary courses |
| Typist | SSLC passed with the minimum marks that can grant admission to higher secondary courses and the Government Technical Examination in typewriting |
| Steno-Typist (Grade 3) | SSLC passed with the minimum marks that can grant admission to higher secondary courses and the Government Technical Examination in both typewriting & shorthand |
| Junior Executive (Office) |
|
| Junior Executive (Typing) |
|
| Forest Guard, Forest Guard with Driving Licence | A pass in Higher Secondary Course with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Zoology, or Botany as one of the subjects |
| Forest Watcher, Forest Watcher (Tribal Youth) | Must possess a Minimum General Educational Qualification |
TNPSC Group 4 Physical & Medical Standards 2026
There are certain posts under TNPSC Group 4 that require specific medical requirements, like Forest Guard, Forest Watcher. These medical conditions are in line with officers' postings. The medical conditions are given table below in the table below:
- Posts Other Than Forest Guard/Forest Watcher Category:
Posts Covered: Village Administrative Officer, Junior Assistant, Typist, Steno-Typist, Junior Executive, Personal Clerk, Field Assistant, etc.
Medical Requirement:
- Candidates must submit a certificate of physical fitness at the time of joining.
- Visual acuity must be Standard III or better. Candidates with defective vision must provide an Eye Fitness Certificate from a qualified Government Eye Specialist.
| Parameter | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Physical Fitness | A certificate is required upon joining from the appointing authority |
| Vision | Standard 3 or better |
| Eye Certificate | Required if defective vision; from the Government Eye Specialist |
- Forest Guard / Forest Guard with Driving Licence / Forest Watcher / Forest Watcher (Tribal Youth)
Medical Requirement:
- Candidates must meet minimum physical standards in height, chest measurement, and expansion.
- Vision must meet specified standards without glasses. Candidates with colour blindness, squint, morbid eye conditions, or those who have undergone LASIK/Laser surgery are disqualified.
- A certificate of physical standards must be obtained from a Medical Officer above the rank of Assistant Surgeon at a Government Medical Institution. The Eye Fitness Certificate must be issued by an Ophthalmology Specialist.
| Parameter | Male (Other than ST) | Male (ST) | Female / Third Gender |
|---|---|---|---|
| Height (cm) | 163 | 152 | 150 |
| Chest Measurement (cm) | 79 | 79 | 74 |
| Chest Expansion (cm) | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Vision (Forest Guard with Driving Licence) | Right Eye: 6/6 Distance, 0.5 Near Left Eye: 6/6 Distance, 0.5 Near Full field of vision required | Same | Same |
| Disqualifications | Colour blindness, squint, morbid conditions, LASIK/Laser surgery | Same | Same |
| Certificate Authority | Senior Civil Surgeon / Civil Surgeon / Assistant Surgeon or above in a Government Medical Institution | Same | Same |
| Eye Certificate Authority | Specialist in Ophthalmology at the Government Hospital | Same | Same |
TNPSC Group 4 Language Proficiency
Candidates applying for TNPSC Group 4 exam must have an understanding of the Tamil language. This ensures they can perform official duties effectively in Tamil, which is the working language in Tamil Nadu government offices. To check candidates' proficiency in the Tamil language, TNPSC has given the rules mentioned below:
- Passed SSLC or equivalent / HSC / Degree with Tamil as one of the languages, or
- Studied the High School course in Tamil medium, or
- Passed the SSLC or equivalent in Tamil medium, or
- Passed the Second Class Language Test (Full Test) in Tamil conducted by TNPSC.
Candidates must ensure that they meet each of the eligibility criteria as mentioned above in order to apply for TNPSC Group 4 exam. In case candidates do not possess the criteria(s) or fail to give adequate proof as asked by the Commission, his/her candidature will be disqualified by TNPSC.
TNPSC Eligibility Criteria 2026 FAQs
Ques: What documents do I need to submit to prove my knowledge of Tamil?
Ans: Candidates must upload SSLC / HSC / Degree / PG Degree mark sheets showing Tamil as a subject, or proof of passing the Second Class Language Test (Full Test) in Tamil conducted by TNPSC, when called for by the Commission.
Ques: What happens if I do not upload the required documents?
Ans: If the documents are not uploaded, the candidate must pass the Second Class Language Test (Full Test) in Tamil within 2 years from the date of appointment.
Ques: What are the consequences of failing the Second Class Language Test within 2 years?
Ans: Failure to pass the Second Class Language Test within the stipulated 2-year period will result in the candidate being discharged from service.
Ques: Are candidates with 5 or more years of government service eligible to apply?
Ans: No. Candidates not belonging to SCs, SC(A)s, STs, MBCs/DCs, BC(OBCM)s, or BCMs, who have completed 5 years or more of service in the Government of India or any State/Union Territory since their first appointment, are not eligible, even if they meet the age criteria.
Ques: Who is eligible for posts in the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department?
Ans: Only persons professing the Hindu religion are eligible. Candidates must upload a Community Certificate or a certificate from the Revenue Authorities to prove their religion when called for. Failure to do so will result in rejection.
Ques: Are differently abled persons eligible for posts in the Judicial Department?
Ans: No. Differently abled persons with blindness or low vision are not eligible for Judicial Department posts.
Ques: Which differently abled persons are eligible for Forest-related posts?
Ans: For Forest Guard (3317), Forest Guard with Driving Licence (3318), Forest Watcher (3319), and Forest Watcher (Tribal Youth) (3320), only candidates with benchmark disabilities in the categories of Hard of Hearing (HH), Acid Attack Victims (AC), and Leprosy Cured (LC) are eligible.
Ques. Who is eligible for the post of Forest Watcher (Tribal Youth)?
Ans: Only candidates belonging to Scheduled Tribes living in Forest Settlements of specific districts in the Western Ghats (Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Virudhunagar, Dindigul, Theni, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, The Nilgiris, Madurai, Kanniyakumari) and Eastern Ghats (Erode, Namakkal, Salem, Dharmapuri, Tiruvannamalai, Vellore, Tirupathur, Ranipet, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Tiruchirapalli, Perambalur) are eligible.
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