TNPSC Group 1 Recruitment 2026
Combined Civil Services Examination – I | Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission
Deputy Collector | District Registrar | Assistant Commissioner & More
⏰ Application Window: 30 June 2026 – 29 July 2026 (11:59 PM)
Preliminary Examination: 6 September 2026 (9:30 AM – 12:30 PM) | Only online applications at tnpsc.gov.in
Quick Summary
Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC)
05/2026 | Advertisement No. 736 | Released: 23 June 2026
Combined Civil Services Examination – I (Group I Services)
Permanent Tamil Nadu State Government (Class I / Class II)
Pay Level 22 | ₹56,100 – ₹2,05,700/month + DA, HRA, TA, Medical
apply.tnpscexams.in (OTR mandatory)
Vacancy Details – Post Wise
| Post Name | Vacancies | Service |
|---|---|---|
| Deputy Collector | 12 | Tamil Nadu Civil Service |
| District Registrar | 8 | Tamil Nadu Registration Service |
| Deputy Registrar of Co-operative Societies | 3 | Tamil Nadu Co-operative Service |
| Assistant Commissioner (Commercial Taxes) | 2 | Tamil Nadu Commercial Tax Service |
| Assistant Commissioner of Labour | 1 | Tamil Nadu Labour Service |
| TOTAL | 26 |
⚠️ Note: Vacancies are tentative and may be revised before publication of Prelims results. All posts are at Pay Level 22. DSP post is not included in the 2026 notification cycle.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
| Post | Qualification |
|---|---|
| Deputy Collector | Any Degree from a recognized University |
| District Registrar | Any Degree from a recognized University |
| Deputy Registrar of Co-operative Societies | Any Degree from a recognized University |
| Assistant Commissioner (Commercial Taxes) | Any Degree (Preference: B.Com / B.L. / Diploma in Taxation Laws) |
| Assistant Commissioner of Labour | Any Degree from a recognized University |
Language Requirement: Adequate knowledge of Tamil is mandatory for all posts. Candidates must be able to read, write, and speak Tamil.
Final Year Students: May appear for Preliminary Exam, but must produce proof of passing degree before the Main Examination.
Age Limit (as on 1 July 2026)
| Category | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| Others (General / Unreserved) | 21 – 34 years |
| Others with B.L. Degree (for Deputy Collector post) | 21 – 35 years |
| SC / ST / MBC / BC / DNC | 21 – 39 years |
| SC / ST / MBC / BC with B.L. Degree | 21 – 40 years |
Salary & Pay Scale
All 5 posts are in Pay Level 22 of the Tamil Nadu Government Pay Matrix
₹56,100 – ₹2,05,700 per month
Plus: Dearness Allowance (DA) | House Rent Allowance (HRA) | Transport Allowance (TA) | Medical Benefits | Pension
Application Fee
| Item | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| One-Time Registration (OTR) | ₹150 | Valid 5 years. One-time only. Exempt if already registered. |
| Examination Fee (General / OBC / Others) | As per official notification | Check official notification PDF |
| SC / ST / PwBD candidates | Exempt | Exam fee waived as per TN Govt rules |
Selection Process
Merit Calculation: Final rank = Main Exam (Papers II+III+IV = 750 marks) + Interview (100 marks) = 850 marks total. Prelims marks are excluded from merit. No negative marking in Prelims.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | 23 June 2026 |
| Online Application Opens | 30 June 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 29 July 2026 (11:59 PM) |
| Preliminary Examination | 6 September 2026 (9:30 AM – 12:30 PM) |
| Main Examination | To be announced after Prelims result |
| Interview | To be announced after Main Exam |
How to Apply Online
- Visit apply.tnpscexams.in
- Complete One-Time Registration (OTR) if not yet done (₹150 fee, valid 5 years)
- Login with your OTR credentials
- Click on “Group I Services Examination 2026” apply link
- Fill application form with personal, academic, and communication details
- Upload passport-size photo and signature in specified format
- Pay application fee via Net Banking / Credit Card / Debit Card / UPI
- Submit and print Acknowledgement page for future reference
Pro Tip: Do not wait for last date. Portal may slow down due to heavy traffic near 29 July. Complete OTR today and apply early.
Exam Pattern
Preliminary Examination (Screening)
- Objective type (MCQ)
- Duration: 3 hours (9:30 AM – 12:30 PM)
- No negative marking
- Marks not counted in final merit — qualifying nature only
- Up to 20 times vacancies are shortlisted for Main Exam
Main Examination
- Paper I (Tamil): Qualifying in nature. Must clear to have other papers evaluated.
- Paper II, III, IV: Merit-based. Total 750 marks. Descriptive/Essay type. Held at Chennai only.
- Candidates shortlisted for Interview: 2× vacancies (if vacancy ≥ 5) or 3× vacancies (if vacancy ≤ 4) per reservation group
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is TNPSC Group 1 and why is it prestigious?
❓ How many vacancies are there in TNPSC Group 1 2026?
❓ What is the salary for TNPSC Group 1 officers?
❓ Is there negative marking in the Preliminary Exam?
❓ Can candidates from outside Tamil Nadu apply?
❓ What is the validity of OTR (One-Time Registration)?
❓ Where is the Main Examination held?
Official Resources
Apply before 29 July 2026 – Prelims on 6 September 2026
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