Official Brief
TNPSC Group 4 Syllabus 2026 – Overview
If you are preparing for the TNPSC Group 4 exam, getting the syllabus right is the first and most important step. The TNPSC Group 4 new syllabus 2026 is based entirely on SSLC (10th standard) level — which means the concepts are not out of reach. What catches most candidates off guard is not the difficulty, but the volume. 200 questions, 3 hours, three very different sections, and everything riding on a single sitting.
The group 4 exam syllabus is divided into three parts: Tamil Eligibility-cum-Scoring Test (100 questions, 150 marks), General Studies (75 questions, 112.5 marks), and Aptitude and Mental Ability (25 questions, 37.5 marks). No negative marking applies to any section. Below is the complete TNPSC Group 4 syllabus 2026 in English and Tamil with topic-wise detail and marks weightage.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) |
| Exam Name | Combined Civil Services Examination – Group 4 |
| Question Type | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Total Questions | 200 |
| Total Marks | 300 (1.5 marks per correct answer) |
| Exam Duration | 3 Hours |
| Negative Marking | None |
| Medium of Exam | Tamil and English |
| Mode of Exam | Offline – OMR Based (Pen and Paper) |
| Standard of Questions | SSLC (Class 10) Level |
| Part A Qualifying Marks | Minimum 40 out of 150 (Tamil section – mandatory) |
Part A – Tamil Eligibility-cum-Scoring Test (100 Questions, 150 Marks)
This section determines whether your General Studies and Aptitude answers are evaluated at all. Scoring below 40 marks in Part A disqualifies you from the merit list — regardless of how well you did in the rest of the paper. That is why the TNPSC Group 4 syllabus in Tamil for Part A deserves as much preparation time as General Studies.
Grammar and Language Structure
- Parts of speech – Noun, Pronoun, Verb, Adjective, Adverb
- Tenses, Voice (Active and Passive), Direct and Indirect Speech
- Sentence correction and rearrangement
- Prefix, Suffix, and Word formation
Vocabulary and Usage
- Synonyms (பொருள் ஒத்த சொற்கள்)
- Antonyms (எதிர்ச்சொற்கள்)
- One-word substitution
- Idioms and Proverbs (பழமொழிகள் மற்றும் தொடர்கள்)
Reading and Comprehension
- Passage-based questions
- Inference and interpretation
- Summary and central idea identification
Tamil Literature
- Sangam Literature – Purananuru, Akananuru, Natrinai
- Thirukkural – philosophical content, relevance to modern life, universal values, socio-political significance
- Post-Sangam works – Silappathikaram, Manimekalai, Kamba Ramayanam
- Contributions of prominent Tamil poets and authors
Preparation Note: Grammar (30–35 questions) and Literature (20–25 questions) together account for over half the Tamil section marks. Samacheer Kalvi Tamil textbooks from Classes 6 to 10 cover 70% of what is tested. Thirukkural alone typically yields 5 to 8 questions per exam — never skip it.
Part B – General Studies Unit-wise Breakdown (75 Questions)
General Studies is where most candidates either build their lead or lose it. The TNPSC Group 4 exam syllabus for this section is drawn from six units — two of which (Tamil Nadu History and Economy) carry 40 out of 75 questions combined. Prioritise accordingly.
| Unit | Questions | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|
| General Science | 5 | Physics, Chemistry, Biology – laws of motion, electricity, acids and bases, human diseases, environmental science, recent inventions |
| Geography | 5 | Earth features, monsoon, rivers, soil, natural resources, disaster management, population distribution |
| History, Culture of India and National Movement | 10 | Indus Valley Civilization, Mughal and South Indian dynasties, freedom struggle, national leaders – Gandhi, Nehru, Ambedkar, Bharathiar, Periyar, Kamarajar |
| Indian Polity | 15 | Constitution, Fundamental Rights and Duties, Directive Principles, Union and State governments, Panchayati Raj, RTI, Lokpal, judiciary, elections |
| Indian Economy and Tamil Nadu Administration | 20 | Five-Year Plans, NITI Aayog, GST, RBI, land reforms, welfare schemes, education and health in Tamil Nadu, current socio-economic issues |
| Tamil Nadu History, Culture, Heritage and Socio-Political Movements | 20 | Archaeological discoveries, Sangam to contemporary Tamil literature, Thirukkural, freedom struggle contribution of Tamil Nadu, social reformers and movements |
| Total | 75 |
Strategy Tip: Indian Polity (15 questions) is the most predictable unit — questions repeat in structure year after year. Tamil Nadu History and Economy (40 questions combined) is the highest-scoring opportunity for anyone familiar with Samacheer Kalvi Social Science textbooks.
Part B – Aptitude and Mental Ability (25 Questions, 37.5 Marks)
Most candidates underestimate this section early in preparation and scramble to cover it in the final weeks. 25 questions with no negative marking means every question should be attempted. Getting 15 to 18 correct is a realistic target with consistent daily practice.
Aptitude – 15 Questions
- Simplification (BODMAS, fractions, decimals)
- Percentage calculations
- Highest Common Factor (HCF) and Lowest Common Multiple (LCM)
- Ratio and Proportion
- Simple Interest and Compound Interest
- Area – squares, rectangles, circles, triangles
- Volume – cubes, cuboids, cylinders
- Time and Work problems
Reasoning and Mental Ability – 10 Questions
- Logical Reasoning – statement and conclusion, argument analysis
- Puzzles – seating arrangement, order-based problems
- Dice and cube problems
- Visual Reasoning – mirror images, embedded figures, pattern completion
- Alpha-Numeric Reasoning – coding-decoding, letter series
- Number Series – find the missing number, odd one out
Preparation Note: All aptitude questions are at Class 9–10 Maths level. Aim to solve each question in under 60 seconds. Visual and Alpha-Numeric Reasoning questions repeat in pattern across years — practicing directly from previous TNPSC Group 4 papers is more effective than any guide book for this sub-section.
TNPSC Group 4 Syllabus in Tamil 2026 (தமிழில் பாடத்திட்டம்)
பல மாணவர்கள் TNPSC Group 4 syllabus in Tamil 2026 தமிழிலேயே தெரிந்து கொள்ள விரும்புகிறார்கள். கீழே முழு பாடத்திட்ட சுருக்கம் தமிழில் தரப்பட்டுள்ளது.
| பகுதி | வினாக்கள் | மதிப்பெண்கள் |
|---|---|---|
| பகுதி அ – தமிழ் தகுதி மற்றும் மதிப்பெண் தேர்வு | 100 | 150 |
| பகுதி ஆ – பொது அறிவு | 75 | 112.5 |
| பகுதி ஆ – திறனாய்வு மற்றும் மனத்திறன் | 25 | 37.5 |
| மொத்தம் | 200 | 300 |
பகுதி அ – முக்கிய தலைப்புகள் (தமிழ்)
- இலக்கணம் – வினைச்சொல், பெயர்ச்சொல், காலம், வினை வகை
- சொல் அறிவு – பொருள் ஒத்த சொல், எதிர்ச்சொல், பழமொழிகள்
- புரிதல் பகுதி (Comprehension)
- தமிழ் இலக்கியம் – சங்க இலக்கியம், திருக்குறள், காப்பியங்கள்
பகுதி ஆ – பொது அறிவு தலைப்புகள்
- பொது அறிவியல் – 5 வினாக்கள்
- புவியியல் – 5 வினாக்கள்
- இந்திய வரலாறு மற்றும் தேசிய இயக்கம் – 10 வினாக்கள்
- இந்திய அரசியல் அமைப்பு – 15 வினாக்கள்
- இந்தியப் பொருளாதாரம் மற்றும் தமிழ்நாடு நிர்வாகம் – 20 வினாக்கள்
- தமிழ்நாட்டு வரலாறு, பண்பாடு மற்றும் சமூக இயக்கங்கள் – 20 வினாக்கள்
பகுதி ஆ – திறனாய்வு தலைப்புகள்
- எண் திறன் (Aptitude) – 15 வினாக்கள்: சதவீதம், விகிதம், வட்டி, காலம் மற்றும் வேலை
- தர்க்க சிந்தனை (Reasoning) – 10 வினாக்கள்: எண் தொடர், காட்சி சிந்தனை, புதிர்கள்
தயாரிப்பு குறிப்பு: Samacheer Kalvi 6 முதல் 10 வரையிலான பாடப்புத்தகங்கள் இந்தத் தேர்வுக்கு மிகவும் முக்கியமானவை. தினமும் 20 வினாக்கள் பயிற்சி செய்வது முதல் முயற்சியிலேயே தேர்ச்சி பெற உதவும்.
Best Books for TNPSC Group 4 Syllabus 2026
There is no shortage of TNPSC Group 4 syllabus 2026 books in the market, but buying more books rarely leads to better scores. What works is finishing fewer resources thoroughly. Here is what experienced Group 4 qualifiers actually use:
For Tamil (Part A)
- Samacheer Kalvi Tamil Textbooks – Classes 6 to 10 (non-negotiable base)
- Any standard Tamil Grammar guide covering Nannool-based concepts
- TNPSC previous year Tamil questions (last 5 years)
For General Studies (Part B)
- Samacheer Kalvi Social Science and Science – Classes 6 to 10
- M. Laxmikanth's Indian Polity – relevant chapters only (Preamble, Rights, Legislature, Judiciary)
- One national daily newspaper + a monthly current affairs digest
For Aptitude (Part B)
- Samacheer Kalvi Mathematics – Classes 9 and 10
- R.S. Aggarwal's Quantitative Aptitude – selected chapters: Simplification, Percentage, Ratio, Interest, Time and Work
- R.S. Aggarwal's Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning – for reasoning sub-section
For Previous Year Papers
- Sura Publications – TNPSC Group 4 Previous Year Question Papers
- Triumph Publications – Group 4 Question Bank (widely used across Tamil Nadu coaching centres)
What to Avoid: Do not buy topic-wise guide books that go beyond SSLC level. TNPSC Group 4 does not test anything above Class 10 standard. Advanced books waste time and create confusion where clarity is what wins marks.
How to Prepare Using the TNPSC Group 4 Syllabus 2026
Most candidates download the TNPSC Group 4 new syllabus and never use it as a structured tool. Here is how to actually make it work in your preparation:
- Understand marks distribution before you open a book: Tamil section carries 150 marks and has a mandatory qualifying threshold. Missing 40 marks in Part A eliminates you from the merit list regardless of your other scores. Tamil preparation is not optional.
- Prioritise by question count: Indian Polity (15 questions), Tamil Nadu Economy (20 questions), and Tamil Nadu History (20 questions) together give you 55 out of 75 General Studies questions. If time is limited, these three units come first.
- Treat Aptitude as a free 25 marks: No negative marking means attempting all 25 questions regardless of confidence. Practicing 20 aptitude questions daily for 4 to 6 weeks makes this section predictable and fast on exam day.
- Use the syllabus as a checklist: Go through each topic and mark it as Not Started, In Progress, or Revised. This one practice keeps your preparation honest and tells you exactly where you stand at any point.
- Solve previous year papers topic by topic — not just at the end: When you study Indian Polity, immediately solve the polity questions from the last 5 Group 4 papers. This approach shows you exactly how TNPSC frames its questions and locks in concepts far more effectively than re-reading notes.
- Stop adding new topics 2 weeks before the exam: Use the final stretch only for revision, mock tests, and rest. Attempting new chapters in the last two weeks reduces overall retention and increases exam-day anxiety.
Eligibility Criteria
| criterion | detail |
|---|---|
| Notification Reference | Tamil Nadu Teacher Eligibility Test (TNTET) 2026 for Working Teachers is conducted under Notification No. 01/2026 dated 13.02.2026, issued by the Teachers Recruitment Board (TRB), Tamil Nadu. The Special TET has been authorised by G.O.(Ms).No.231, School Education (TRB) Department, dated 13.10.2025, with qualifying marks fixed under G.O.(Ms).No.23, School Education (TRB) Department, dated 28.01.2026. |
| Employment Status (Primary Eligibility Filter) | Must be a working teacher appointed on or before 01.09.2025 in a Government, Government-aided, or recognised Unaided Private school in Tamil Nadu (State Board or Other Boards). This Special TET 2026 is restricted exclusively to in-service teachers — fresh candidates are not eligible under this cycle and must wait for the regular TNTET notification. |
| Eligible Cadres | Secondary Grade Teachers (SGTs), BT Assistants, Block Resource Teacher Educators (BRTEs), Special Education Teachers (IEDSS), and other equivalent cadre teachers are eligible. Qualified serving teachers seeking promotion to the next cadre are also eligible to apply. |
| Eligible Pay Status | Candidates serving on Time Scale pay, Consolidated pay, or Part-time pay basis are all eligible. Pay mode is not a barrier as long as the appointment is in a recognised school under Tamil Nadu Government rules. |
| Eligible Departments | Directorate of School Education, Directorate of Elementary Education, Most Backward Class (MBC) & DNC Welfare Department, Adi-Dravida Welfare Department, Tribal Welfare Department, Chennai Corporation, Coimbatore Corporation, Madurai Corporation, Forest Department, Differently Abled Welfare Department, and other equivalent Government departments running schools in Tamil Nadu. |
| Eligible School Types | Government schools, Government-aided schools, and recognised Unaided Private schools functioning under the State Board or other recognised boards in Tamil Nadu. Teachers working under self-financing units of aided schools and unaided recognised private schools are also eligible. |
| Age Limit | Minimum age: 18 years. No upper age limit specified in the Special TNTET Notification 2026, making the exam accessible to all eligible working teachers regardless of age. |
| Educational Qualification Compliance | Candidates must possess the educational qualifications already prescribed by the NCTE and the Tamil Nadu Government Special Rules for their respective posts — G.O.(Ms).No.13 dated 30.01.2020 (for SGTs / BT Assistants / BRTEs), G.O.(Ms).No.12 dated 30.01.2020 (for Elementary Education Subordinate Services), and G.O.(Ms).No.144 dated 17.06.2025 (for Special Education Teachers / IEDSS). Since these qualifications were verified at the time of appointment, no fresh academic qualification check is required for this Special TET. |
| TN TET Paper 1 — For Teachers of Classes 1–5 | Working teachers handling Primary Level (Classes 1–5) — typically SGTs, Primary Grade Teachers, and equivalent cadres in Government, Government-aided, or recognised Private schools — should apply for Paper 1. Underlying NCTE qualifications include HSC (10+2) with 50% marks + 2-year D.El.Ed./D.T.Ed., or HSC 50% + 4-year B.El.Ed., or HSC 50% + 2-year Diploma in Education (Special Education) recognised by NCTE/RCI. |
| TN TET Paper 2 — For Teachers of Classes 6–8 | Working teachers handling Upper Primary Level (Classes 6–8) — typically BT Assistants, Middle School Headmasters, BRTEs, and equivalent cadres — should apply for Paper 2. Underlying NCTE qualifications include Graduation with 50% marks + B.Ed., or HSC 50% + 4-year B.El.Ed., or HSC 50% + 4-year B.A./B.Sc. Ed., or Graduation 50% + B.Ed. (Special Education) recognised by NCTE. Candidates with B.E./B.Tech + B.Ed. are eligible only for Mathematics and Science as the optional subject. |
| Service Certificate (Annexure-I) — Mandatory | Every applicant must upload a Service Certificate in Annexure-I format signed by the Headmaster / Principal / Correspondent / BEO, and countersigned by the District Educational Officer (DEO) / Chief Educational Officer (CEO) / Competent Authority. The certificate must confirm name, date of birth, post held, date of joining, regularisation date, school UDISE code, EMIS ID, and IFHRMS Employee ID (for Govt/Aided school teachers). Applications without a valid Service Certificate will be summarily rejected without further notice. |
| Qualifying Marks in the Exam | As per G.O.(Ms).No.23 dated 28.01.2026 — General: 60% (90 marks out of 150); BC / BCM / MBC / DNC / PwD: 50% (75 marks); SC / SCA / ST: 40% (60 marks). Candidates securing the minimum qualifying marks will be issued the TN TET Paper 1 / Paper 2 Eligibility Certificate with lifetime validity. |
| Both Papers Eligibility | Candidates meeting the eligibility criteria for both Paper 1 and Paper 2 may apply for both. However, separate online applications and separate application fees are required for each paper. The fee is non-refundable under any circumstances and must be paid online only (Net Banking / Debit Card / Credit Card / UPI). Offline payments (DD / Postal Order) will be rejected. |
| Number of Attempts | There is no restriction on the number of attempts. Candidates who do not qualify can re-appear in future TNTET cycles. Once qualified, the TN TET Eligibility Certificate is valid for a lifetime as per NCTE norms, and the candidate need not re-appear. |
| Criminal / Disciplinary Cases Disclosure | Candidates with any pending or convicted criminal / disciplinary cases must upload the relevant FIR or Court Orders along with the application. Suppression or hiding of such information will lead to immediate rejection of the application and cancellation of candidature at any stage. |
| Important Note on Eligibility | Meeting the eligibility criteria and appearing in the TN TET Exam 2026 does NOT guarantee employment, promotion, or regularisation. Qualifying the TET only certifies the candidate's eligibility for teaching posts in Classes 1 to 8. Final selection, promotion, and regularisation are governed by separate TRB recruitment notifications and Tamil Nadu Government rules. |
Expert Preparation Tips
Cut-Off Analysis & Trends
The TNPSC Group 4 cut off analysis 2026 shows that cut-off marks vary each year depending on factors such as the number of vacancies, candidate performance, and exam difficulty level. Based on previous year trends across Tamil Nadu, the TNPSC Group 4 cut off marks out of 300 for general category candidates typically falls between 140 and 160 to qualify, while reserved categories have lower cut-offs due to relaxation norms. Aspirants should aim for a safe score above 165 to ensure selection.
The TNPSC Group 4 cut off marks calculation depends on the total marks scored across both Part A (Tamil) and Part B (General Studies and Aptitude) out of 300. Cut-off fluctuations also reflect changes in syllabus emphasis and competition intensity. For the TNPSC Group 4 cut off analysis 2026 in Tamil Nadu, reserved category candidates including MBC can expect their TNPSC Group 4 cut off marks out of 300 to be relatively lower compared to the general category, in line with government relaxation norms.
- Cut-offs tend to rise when more candidates appear or when the paper is easier — a key factor in the TNPSC Group 4 cut off analysis 2026.
- TNPSC Group 4 cut off marks 2026 caste wise — reserved category cut-offs are generally 10–20% lower than the general category cut-off.
- Consistent practice and scoring above the previous years' cut-off is the best strategy for all categories including MBC aspirants targeting the TNPSC Group 4 cut off marks out of 300.
Sample Practice Questions
- A) Nethaji
- B) Kamarajar
- C) Gandhi
- D) Bhagat Singh
- A) Atomic radius Increases
- B) Number of proton decreases
- C) Ionisation Energy Increases
- D) Electron affinity decreases
- A) 12 Provinces
- B) 7 Provinces
- C) 5 Provinces
- D) 8 Provinces
- A) He did not eat or drink for 3 days
- B) He did not sleep well
- C) He purposely opened the ivory box sent by Smith
- D) Both a and b
- A) Fundamental Right
- B) Natural Right
- C) Constitutional Right
Citizen Queries
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TNPSC Group 4 தேர்வுக்கு வயது வரம்பு என்ன?▾
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TNPSC Group 4 2026 தேர்வு எப்போது நடைபெறும்?▾
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