TNPSC Group 4 Syllabus 2026: Unit-Wise Topics and Weightage

The TNPSC Group 4 syllabus covers three areas tested in one OMR paper: the Tamil Eligibility-cum-Scoring Test, General Studies, and Aptitude and Mental Ability. All three are set at SSLC (Class 10) standard, and the same syllabus applies to every Group 4 post, from Junior Assistant and Typist to VAO and Forest Watcher.

For the 2026 cycle (Notification No. 11/2026, exam on 10 January 2027), the syllabus follows the structure TNPSC has used in recent cycles. This page lists every unit with its topics, the approximate number of questions each unit carries, where the units overlap, and a phased plan to finish the syllabus before the exam.

Table of Contents

TNPSC Group 4 Syllabus at a Glance

Each question carries 1.5 marks. For the marking rules, the Part A qualifying mark and a time plan.

Key Points to Know Before You Start

• Tamil is compulsory and qualifying: You must score at least 60 out of 150 (40 percent) in Part A. If you do not, your General Studies and Aptitude answers are not evaluated at all.

• General English is no longer an option: Older pages still describe a choice between General Tamil and General English. That choice was replaced by the compulsory Tamil test, except for candidates with benchmark disabilities who are exempted from Tamil.

• Current affairs sit inside the units: There is no separate current events unit. Recent developments are asked within science, geography, polity, economy and Tamil Nadu topics.

• Tamil Nadu carries heavy weight: Two General Studies units focus on Tamil Nadu, and together they account for more than half of the General Studies questions.

• Part labels vary across websites: Some sites call aptitude "Part B" and General Studies "Part A". The content is the same; this page follows the order in the notification.

Part A: Tamil Eligibility-cum-Scoring Test Syllabus

Part A tests Tamil at SSLC level and draws heavily on the Tamil Nadu State Board Tamil textbooks from Class 6 to 10. It has seven units.

Grammar, vocabulary and writing skills are rule-based and reward repetition, so most candidates can push these three units close to full marks. Literature and Tamil scholars need memorisation and are best revised in short daily sessions rather than in long blocks.

Part B: General Studies Syllabus

General Studies has six units. The question counts below are the approximate distribution used in recent papers; treat them as indicative, since TNPSC can vary the split slightly.

Unit I: General Science

• Physics: Universe, measurement, motion, force, pressure, energy, light, sound, heat, electricity and magnetism, with everyday applications.

• Chemistry: Elements and compounds, acids, bases and salts, petroleum products, fertilisers, pesticides, metallurgy and food adulteration.

• Biology: Classification of living organisms, evolution, genetics, human physiology, nutrition, health and common diseases.

• Environment and technology: Ecology, pollution, and recent developments in science and technology.

Unit II: Geography

• Physical geography: Earth and its location, physical features of India and Tamil Nadu, monsoon, rainfall and climate.

• Resources: Rivers and water resources, soil, minerals, forests and wildlife, agricultural patterns.

• Human geography: Transport and communication, population distribution in India and Tamil Nadu.

• Disasters and climate: Natural calamities, disaster management and climate change.

Unit III: History and Culture of India and the Indian National Movement

• Ancient to medieval India: Indus Valley Civilisation, Guptas, Delhi Sultans, Mughals, Marathas and South Indian kingdoms.

• Indian culture: Characteristics of Indian culture, unity in diversity, and India as a secular state.

• National movement: Early uprisings against British rule, the Indian National Congress, and national leaders such as Gandhi, Nehru, Ambedkar, Subhas Chandra Bose, Bhagat Singh and Tagore, along with leaders from Tamil Nadu.

Unit IV: Indian Polity

• Constitution: Preamble, salient features, citizenship, Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties and Directive Principles.

• Government: Union and State executive and legislature, local government and Panchayati Raj, Centre-State relations, the judiciary and elections.

• Accountability and rights: Lokpal and Lokayukta, Right to Information, consumer protection forums, human rights and empowerment of women.

Unit V: Indian Economy and Development Administration in Tamil Nadu

• Indian economy: Nature of the economy, Five-Year Plans, NITI Aayog, sources of revenue, Reserve Bank of India, Finance Commission and GST.

• Sectors: Agriculture and land reforms, industry, employment and rural welfare.

• Social issues: Population, education, health, poverty and social justice.

• Tamil Nadu administration: The state's economy, education and health systems, and major welfare schemes of the Tamil Nadu Government.

Unit VI: History, Culture, Heritage and Socio-Political Movements of Tamil Nadu

• Tamil society: History of Tamil society, archaeological findings and Tamil literature from the Sangam age.

• Thirukkural: Its secular character, relevance to everyday life and universal values.

• Freedom struggle: Tamil Nadu's role in the national movement, early revolts and the participation of women.

• Social reform: Reformers and socio-political movements in Tamil Nadu and their impact on society.

Units V and VI together carry about 40 of the 75 General Studies questions, so start there. State Board textbooks for social science (Class 6 to 10) cover most of this material, and the state budget and scheme announcements fill in the current affairs part.

Part C: Aptitude and Mental Ability Syllabus

These are Class 10 level questions, so the challenge is speed, not concepts. Practise in short timed sets and learn shortcuts for percentage, ratio and interest; aim to finish the section in 20 to 25 minutes.

Where the Units Overlap

Some topics appear in more than one part. Study them once, with both angles in mind.

Syllabus for Candidates Exempted from Tamil

Candidates with benchmark disabilities who are exempted from studying Tamil may take a General English paper of SSLC standard in place of Part A, with the same 40 percent (60 out of 150) qualifying mark. General Studies and Aptitude remain the same for everyone. Check the exemption conditions in the notification on the official TNPSC website before you prepare for this option.

There is no separate syllabus for any later stage. Group 4 has no interview, and certificate verification and counselling are not tested. Only forest post candidates face an additional physical standards and endurance test.

How to Cover the TNPSC Group 4 Syllabus

With the exam on 10 January 2027, a candidate starting in October has about 12 weeks. A phased plan keeps all three parts moving together.

1. Weeks 1 to 4, foundation: Read State Board Tamil and social science textbooks from Class 6 to 10. Cover Tamil grammar daily for 45 minutes and finish General Science and Geography.

2. Weeks 3 to 8, high-weight units: Focus on Indian Polity, Economy and the two Tamil Nadu units. Add 30 to 40 minutes of current affairs a day and keep monthly notes on schemes and appointments.

3. Weeks 5 to 10, practice: Start topic-wise tests for each unit and 20-minute aptitude sets. Solve one previous year paper a week to understand how TNPSC frames questions.

4. Weeks 10 to 12, full mocks: Take two full-length tests a week, analyse each the same day, and revise from an error log of wrong and slow questions.