TNPSC Group 1 Syllabus & Exam Pattern 2026: Download Official PDF

The Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission has officially released the TNPSC Group 1 Syllabus 2026 for the Combined Civil Services Examination – I. With the Preliminary stage scheduled for 6th September 2026, candidates must streamline their preparation. This guide provides the comprehensive unit-wise syllabus for Prelims and Mains, the latest exam pattern, marking schemes, subject-specific weightage, top-rated books, and a strategic 90-day study plan.

TNPSC Group 1 Exam Pattern 2026

The Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) conducts the prestigious Combined Civil Services Examination Group I (Group 1 Services) through a three-stage selection process: the Preliminary Examination, the Mains Examination, and the Interview.

The Preliminary stage serves as a qualifying, objective-type screening test; these marks are not included in the final merit calculation. Conversely, the Mains examination is descriptive in nature, and together with the Interview, it determines your final merit ranking.

Subject	Duration	Maximum marks	Minimum Qualifying Marks  (For SCs,SC(A)s, STs,MBCs /DCs, BC(OBCM)s and BCMs)	Minimum Qualifying Marks (Others)
Preliminary Exam	3 hours	300	90	120
Mains Exam: Paper-I	3 hours	100	40	40
Mains Exam: Paper-II	3 hours	250	255	340
Mains Exam: Paper-III	3 hours	250
Mains Exam: Paper-IV	3 hours	250
Interview	No fix duration	100	Not Defined

TNPSC Group 1 Prelims Syllabus 2026

The TNPSC Group 1 Prelims syllabus is designed at the degree level for General Studies, while the Aptitude & Mental Ability section adheres to the SSLC standard. Refer to the details below to master the TNPSC Group 1 Prelims Syllabus 2026, which is categorized into two core parts.

TNPSC Group 1 Notification 2026: Official Details for 26 Vacancies - Click Here

TNPSC Group 1 Prelims Exam Pattern 2026

1. The TNPSC Group 1 Prelims Exam consists of one paper carrying 200 objective-type questions for 1.5 mark each.
2. The duration of the prelims exam is 3 hours.
3. There would be no negative marking for incorrect answers.
4. TNPSC Group 1 Prelims is of a qualifying nature, and marks will not be included in the merit list.
5. The language of the Preliminary Exam will be English and Tamil. 

Subjects	Subjects	Number of Questions	Total No. of Questions	Total marks	Duration of exam
General Studies (Degree Standard)	General Science	10	175	300	3 hours
	Geography	10
	History, Culture of India, and Indian National Movement	25
	Indian Polity	40
	Indian Economy and Development Administration in Tamil Nadu	50
	History, Culture, Heritage, and Socio-Political Movements in Tamil Nadu	40
Aptitude & Mental Ability Test (SSLC Standard)	Aptitude	15	25
	Reasoning	10
Total		200	200

TNPSC Group 1 Prelims Part A Syllabus 

Part A: General Studies (Degree Standard – 175 Questions)

1. General Science
2. Geography
3. History, Culture of India, and Indian National Movement
4. Indian Polity
5. Indian Economy and Development Administration in Tamil Nadu
6. History, Culture, Heritage, and Socio-Political Movements in Tamil Nadu

Unit 1- General Science (10 Questions)

1. Scientific Knowledge and Scientific temper - Power of Reasoning - Rote Learning Vs Conceptual Learning - Science as a tool to understand the past, present and future
2. Nature of Universe - General Scientific Laws – Mechanics Properties of Matter, Force, Motion and Energy - Everyday application of the basic principles of Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, Light, Sound, Heat, Nuclear Physics, Laser, Electronics and Communications.
3. Elements and Compounds, Acids, Bases, Salts, Petroleum Products, Fertilizers, Pesticides
4. Main concepts of Life Science, Classification of Living Organisms, Evolution, Genetics, Physiology, Nutrition, Health and Hygiene, Human diseases
5. Environment and Ecology
6. Latest Inventions in Science & Technology
7. Current Affairs

Unit 2- Geography of India (10 Questions)

1. Location - Physical features - Monsoon, rainfall, weather and climate Water resources - Rivers in India - Soil, Minerals and Natural Resources - Forest and Wildlife - Agricultural pattern;
2. Transport – Communication
3. Social Geography – Population density and distribution - Racial, linguistic groups and major tribes
4. Natural calamity - Disaster management
5. Environmental pollution- Reasons and preventive measures - Climate change - Green energy; Geographical landmarks; Current affairs.

Unit 3- History, Culture of India, and Indian National Movement (25 Questions)

1. Indus Valley Civilization - Guptas, Delhi Sultans, Mughals, and Marathas - Age of Vijayanagaram and Bahmani Kingdoms - South
2. Indian History; Change and Continuity in the socio-cultural History of India
3. 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, Rabindranath Tagore, and others
4. Different modes of agitation: Growth of Satyagraha and Militant Movements; Communalism and Partition
5. Characteristics of Indian Culture, Unity in Diversity – Race, Language, Custom
6. India as a Secular State, Social Harmony; Prominent personalities in various spheres – Arts, Science, Literature and Philosophy
7. National symbols
8. Eminent personalities and places in the news
9. Sports
10. Books and Authors
11. Current affairs.

Unit 4- Indian Polity (40 Questions)

1. Constitution of India - Preamble to the Constitution - Salient features of the Constitution -
2. Union, State and Union Territory
3. Citizenship, Fundamental rights, Fundamental duties, Directive Principles of State Policy
4. Union Executive, Union legislature – State Executive, State Legislature – Local Governments, Panchayat Raj
5. Spirit of Federalism: Centre - State Relationships
6. Election - Judiciary in India – Rule of law
7. Corruption in public life – Anti-corruption measures – Lokpal and LokAyukta - Right to Information - Empowerment of women - Consumer protection forums, Human rights charter
8. Political parties and political system in India
9. Current affairs

Unit 5- Indian Economy (50 Questions)

1. Nature of Indian economy – Five-year plan models - an assessment – Planning Commission and Niti Ayog
2. 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
3. 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
4. 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 the reservation policy, and Access to the 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
5. Education and health systems in Tamil Nadu
6. Geography of Tamil Nadu and its impact on economic growth
7. Achievements of Tamil Nadu in various fields
8. e-Governance in Tamil Nadu
9. Public awareness and General administration - Welfare oriented Government schemes and their utility, Problems in public delivery systems
10. Current socio-economic issues
11. Current affairs.

Unit 6: History, Culture, Heritage and Socio-Political Movements in Tamil Nadu (40 Questions)

1. History of Tamil Society, related Archaeological discoveries, Tamil Literature from Sangam age till contemporary times.
2. 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 - Role 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.

TNPSC Group 1 Prelims Part B Syllabus 2026

Part B: Aptitude and Mental Ability (SSLC Standard – 25 Questions)

1. Aptitude
2. Reasoning

Unit 1: Aptitude (15 Questions) 

• Simplification
• Percentage
• Highest Common Factor (HCF)
• Lowest Common Multiple (LCM)
• Ratio and Proportion
• Simple interest
• Compound interest
• Area
• Volume
• Time and Work

Unit 2: Reasoning (10 Questions) 

1. Logical reasoning
2. Puzzles
3. Dice
4. Visual reasoning
5. Alphanumeric reasoning
6. Number series

Download the Official TNPSC Group 1 Prelims Syllabus PDF

TNPSC Group 1 Mains Syllabus 2026

The Mains examination consists of four papers, with a duration of 3 hours allotted for each. These papers focus on conceptual understanding and descriptive responses.

TNPSC Group 1 Mains Exam Pattern 2026

Subject	Total Marks	Duration of exam
Paper-I Tamil Eligibility Test (SSLC Standard) (Descriptive Type)	100	3 hours
General Studies (Degree Standard) (Descriptive type)
General Studies Paper II	250	3 hours
General Studies Paper III	250	3 hours
General Studies Paper IV	250	3 hours
Total	750

Subject-wise Mains Syllabus

Paper	Subjects	Syllabus	Marks
Paper-I	Compulsory Tamil Language Aptitude Test (SSLC Standard)		100 Marks
Paper-II	General Studies I (Degree Standard – 250 Marks)	Unit 1: Modern history of India and Indian culture	100 marks
		Unit-2: Social issues in India and Tamil Nadu	100 marks
		Unit-3: General Aptitude & Mental Ability	50 marks
Paper-III	General Studies II (Degree Standard – 250 Marks)	Unit 1: Indian Polity and emerging political trends across the world affecting India	100 marks
		Unit 2: Role and impact of Science and Technology in the development of India	100 marks
		Unit 3: Tamil Society & Its Culture and Heritage	50 marks
Paper-IV	General Studies III (Degree Standard – 250 Marks)	Unit 1: Geography of India with special reference to Tamil Nadu	75 marks
		Unit 2: Environment, Bio Diversity and Disaster Management	75 marks
		Unit 3: Indian Economy - Current economic trends and impact of global economy on India	100 marks

To assist in your preparation, we have compiled the detailed subject-wise syllabus for both TNPSC Group 1 Mains papers and the Prelims into an official PDF document provided below.

Download the Official TNPSC Group 1 Mains Syllabus PDF

Best Books for TNPSC Group 1 2026 Preparation

Selecting the right study material is critical for success in the TNPSC Group 1 exam. Below, we have curated a subject-wise book list recommended by experts and successful toppers to help you prepare effectively.

Subject	Recommended Books / Resources
General Studies (Foundation)	NCERT Class 6–12 textbooks (all subjects)
Tamil Nadu Specific Topics	Samacheer Kalvi State Board textbooks (Classes 6–12); Tamil Nadu Government Yearbook; Asan Publications – Unit 6 (Tamil Nadu History, Culture, Heritage)
Indian Polity	Indian Polity – M. Laxmikanth (Orient BlackSwan)
Indian Economy	Indian Economy – Ramesh Singh; Economic Survey (latest); Union Budget highlights
History & Culture	India's Struggle for Independence – Bipan Chandra; Tamil Nadu History – State Board Books
Geography	NCERT Geography (Class 11 & 12); Certificate Physical and Human Geography – G.C. Leong
General Science	NCERT Science Class 6–10; Lucent's General Science
Aptitude & Reasoning	Quantitative Aptitude – R.S. Aggarwal; TNPSC Previous Year Aptitude Papers
Current Affairs	The Hindu (daily); Dinamani (for TN-specific news); Yojana Magazine; Competitive Success Review (monthly)
Mains Answer Writing	Arihant's TNPSC Group 1 Mains Guide; previous year Mains question papers with model answers

TNPSC Group 1 Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026: Overview

TNPSC Group 1 Syllabus & Exam Pattern 2026: Overview
Organisation	Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission
Name of the Exam	TNPSC Group 1 Exam
TNPSC Group 1 Selection Process	Preliminary Exam Mains Exam Interview
Total Marks	Prelims – MCQ-based paper – 300 marks Mains – 3 descriptive papers – 750 marks Interview – 100 marks
Duration of Exam	Prelims: 3 hours Mains: 3 hours for each paper
Language of Exam	English, Tamil
Mode of Exam	Offline
Mode of Counselling	Offline