Official Brief
Exam Pattern
| part | subject | standard | questions | marks | duration | qualifying_marks | type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A | Tamil Eligibility-cum-Scoring Test | SSLC (Class 10) | 100 | 150 | 3 Hours (shared) | 40% — 60 marks minimum | MCQ |
| Part B | General Studies | SSLC (Class 10) | 75 | 150 | 3 Hours (shared) | 90 marks overall | MCQ |
| Part C | Aptitude and Mental Ability | SSLC (Class 10) | 25 | 3 Hours (shared) | 90 marks overall | MCQ | |
| Total | All Subjects | SSLC (Class 10) | 200 | 300 | 3 Hours | 90 marks for all communities | MCQ — Offline OMR, No Negative Marking, 1.5 marks per correct answer |
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 |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Must be a citizen of India. Subjects of Nepal or Bhutan, Tibetan refugees who arrived in India before January 1, 1962, and persons of Indian origin who migrated from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Burma, or East African countries with the intention of permanently settling in India are also eligible. |
| Age Limit – General / Others | Minimum 18 years and maximum 32 years. For Village Administrative Officer (VAO) post, minimum age is 21 years and maximum is 32 years. |
| Age Limit – MBC / DNC / BC (OBC Muslims) | Minimum 18 years and maximum 34 years. For VAO post, maximum age is 42 years. |
| Age Limit – SC / ST / Destitute Widows | Minimum 18 years and maximum 37 years. For VAO post, maximum age is 42 years. |
| Age Limit – PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disability) | An additional relaxation of 10 years is provided on top of the applicable category age limit for all Group 4 posts. |
| Age Limit – Ex-Servicemen | General category ex-servicemen can apply up to 48 years. SC / ST / BC category ex-servicemen can apply up to 53 years. |
| Educational Qualification – VAO, Junior Assistant, Bill Collector, Field Surveyor, Draftsman | Must have passed the SSLC (10th Standard) examination or its equivalent with marks qualifying for admission to Higher Secondary or college-level courses. |
| Educational Qualification – Typist | Must have passed SSLC and cleared the Government Technical Examination in Typewriting. |
| Educational Qualification – Steno-Typist (Grade III) | Must have passed SSLC and cleared the Government Technical Examination in both Typewriting and Shorthand. Accepted combinations: Higher Grade in Tamil and English, Higher Grade in Tamil with Lower Grade in English, or Higher Grade in English with Lower Grade in Tamil. |
| Educational Qualification – Junior Executive (Office) | Must hold a degree from a recognised University or Institution, must have passed Co-operative Training, and must have completed the Certificate Course in Computer Office Automation conducted by the Technical Education Department, Government of Tamil Nadu. |
| Educational Qualification – Junior Executive (Typing) | Must hold a degree from a recognised University or Institution, must have passed the Government Technical Examination in Typewriting Higher or Senior Grade in both English and Tamil, and must have completed the Certificate Course in Computer Office Automation (TNDTE). |
| Educational Qualification – Forest Guard / Forest Guard with Driving Licence | Must have passed the Higher Secondary Course (12th Standard) with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Zoology, or Botany as one of the subjects. |
| Educational Qualification – Forest Watcher / Forest Watcher (Tribal Youth) | Must possess the Minimum General Educational Qualification as prescribed by TNPSC. |
| Tamil Language Proficiency | All candidates must have working knowledge of Tamil. This condition is satisfied if Tamil was studied as a language at SSLC, HSC, or Degree level, or if the candidate studied in Tamil medium, or if the candidate has passed the Second Class Language Test (Full Test) in Tamil conducted by TNPSC. |
| Physical Fitness – VAO, Junior Assistant, Typist, Steno-Typist and similar posts | Candidates must submit a Physical Fitness Certificate at the time of joining. Vision must be Standard III or better. Candidates with defective vision must provide an Eye Fitness Certificate from a Government Eye Specialist. |
| Physical Fitness – Forest Guard / Forest Watcher | Male candidates (General) must have a minimum height of 163 cm, chest measurement of 79 cm, and chest expansion of 5 cm. Male ST candidates require 152 cm height. Female and Third Gender candidates require 150 cm height and 74 cm chest. Vision must meet the required standard without glasses. Candidates with colour blindness, squint, or those who have undergone LASIK surgery are not eligible for these posts. |
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) Pair of genes
- B) Responsible for character
- C) Production of gametes
- D) Recessive factors
- A) Right to Equality
- B) Right to Freedom
- C) Right to Property
- D) Right against Exploitation
- A) Not less than half the number
- B) All states in some cases
- C) At least 10 states
- D) Three- fourths of the number
- A) i only
- B) ii, iii only
- C) i,iii only
- D) All the above
Citizen Queries
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TNPSC Group 4 தேர்வுக்கு வயது வரம்பு என்ன?▾
VAO பதவிக்கு TNPSC Group 4 தகுதி என்ன?▾
TNPSC Group 4 2026 தேர்வு எப்போது நடைபெறும்?▾
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