TNPSC Group 4 Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Eligibility

One paper, three hours, OMR, objective. You need 60 in Part A or Parts B and C are not marked. All three parts count towards rank, and the overall pass mark is 90 for every community. Part A is set in Tamil only; B and C in Tamil and English. Differently abled candidates who studied only English can take General English in place of Part A.

The Group IV syllabus (code 496) gives questions per unit:

The Tamil part covers grammar (25), vocabulary (15), writing skills (10), technical terms (10), reading comprehension (20), translation (5) and literary works up to SSLC textbooks (15). The General English alternative follows the same unit split.

Education

For most posts, a pass in SSLC (Class 10) is enough. Some posts ask for more:

• Typist and Steno Typist: SSLC plus the Government Technical Examination in typewriting (and shorthand for steno posts) in Tamil and English, and the Certificate Course in Computer on Office Automation. For most of these posts the computer certificate can be earned during probation.
• A few board and corporation Junior Assistant posts need a degree, or a B.Com.
• Junior Inspector of Co-operative Societies: SSLC for reserved categories, Intermediate or Pre-University for Others.
• Laboratory Assistant and Forest Guard with Driving Licence: Higher Secondary with science.

Age on 1 July 2026

Reserved-category candidates with a qualification above SSLC have no upper limit for most posts (VAO and the forest posts excepted). Persons with benchmark disability get ten more years. Executive Officer Grade IV starts at 25.

Other conditions

• Adequate knowledge of Tamil on the notification date. Without proof, you must pass the Commission's Second Class Language Test within two years of joining.
• Others with five or more years of government service cannot apply.
• Only Hindus for HR&CE posts; only Muslims for the two Waqf Board posts.

There is no interview. The written exam decides rank, then:

1. Onscreen certificate verification for those above the cut-off, at 1:3 for the general category and 1:2 for reserved groups.
2. Physical certificate verification and counselling. VAO, Junior Assistant and Steno Typist go at 1:3 general and 1:1.5 reserved; Typist at 1:3 and 1:2.
3. Forest posts add a physical standards test and a walk of 25 km (men) or 16 km (women) in four hours, at Chennai only.

You pick your post and department at counselling in rank order, and cannot change it afterwards. Ties go to the higher qualification (for Typist and Steno, the higher typewriting or shorthand grade first), then to the older candidate.

Apply only on the TNPSC online portal. First-time users pay ₹150 for One Time Registration, valid five years. The exam fee is ₹100, with free chances for some categories. You can choose two exam centres. Choose "All the Posts" if you also want Forest Guard and Forest Watcher; otherwise the forest posts are left out.

The 2026 Annual Planner had pencilled the exam in for 20 December 2026; the notification moved it to 10 January 2027.

Hall tickets are put up on the apply portal about ten days before the exam. Nothing is posted. For the 2025 exam the hall ticket notice came out on 2 July 2025, ten days ahead.

TNPSC publishes each candidate's marks and rank on an interactive Group IV results page. For 2025 that came on 22 October 2025, about three months after the exam, followed by certificate verification lists on the 2025 exam dashboard.

• Part A is worth half the paper and decides whether the rest is even marked. Give Tamil grammar and comprehension as much time as General Studies.
• Tamil Nadu history, culture and development administration carry 40 of the 75 GS questions. Read the state school textbooks for these.
• Old Group IV papers with answer keys are on the TNPSC question papers page.
• If you hold typewriting or shorthand certificates, upload every grade you have. The grade affects both eligibility and rank.

• Group IV notification 11/2026 (English)
• Exam dashboard for 11/2026
• Apply online and hall tickets
• Group IV syllabus
• Group IV marks and rank (2025)
• Previous question papers and answer keys
• TNPSC exam dashboard

How many vacancies are there in TNPSC Group 4 2026?

6,574, under Notification 11/2026.

When is the Group 4 exam?

10 January 2027, 9.30 am to 12.30 pm.

What is the last date to apply?

5 November 2026, 11.59 pm. Corrections are allowed from 9 to 11 November.

Is there an interview?

No. Selection is on written marks, then certificate checks and counselling.

What if I fail the Tamil part?

If you score under 60 out of 150 in Part A, the rest of your paper is not evaluated.

What is the fee?

₹100, plus ₹150 for One Time Registration if you have not registered in the last five years.