TNPSC Syllabus 2026: Group 1, 2, 2A and 4 Topics

The TNPSC syllabus is not one list. The Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission publishes a separate syllabus for each exam, but the Combined Civil Services Examinations for Group 1, Group 2 and 2A, and Group 4 share the same core: General Studies with a strong Tamil Nadu focus, Aptitude and Mental Ability, and a compulsory Tamil paper. What changes from exam to exam is the standard (SSLC or degree), the weight of each area and whether you also write descriptive mains papers.

This page sets out the common areas first, then shows how the syllabus differs for each major exam, so you can plan one preparation that serves more than one recruitment. For the current 2026 cycle, the Group 2 and 2A prelims is on 1 November 2026 and the Group 4 exam on 10 January 2027.

Table of Contents

TNPSC Syllabus

Key Points Before You Start

• Same units, different depth: The six General Studies units are common to Group 1, Group 2 and Group 4. Group 4 asks them at SSLC level; Group 1 and Group 2 ask them at degree level.

• Tamil Nadu carries the most weight: Two of the six General Studies units are about Tamil Nadu, and in Group 2 and Group 4 papers they account for more than half of the General Studies questions.

• Tamil is compulsory: Group 4 has a scoring Tamil test in the same paper; Group 1 and Group 2 have a qualifying Tamil Eligibility Test in the mains. Only the Group 2 and 2A prelims lets you choose General English instead.

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

• Check the notification you apply under: TNPSC prints the syllabus as an annexure to each notification. Older guides may show earlier schemes, such as an interview for Group 2 or General English in Group 4.

General Studies Syllabus (Common to All Exams)

General Studies is the backbone of every TNPSC exam. The table shows the six units and the approximate number of questions in the 75-question General Studies part of Group 2 prelims and Group 4. Group 1 prelims covers the same units across 175 questions.

TNPSC describes this distribution as indicative and may vary it slightly. Treat it as a guide to where your time goes, not an exact count.

Unit I: General Science

• Physics: Measurement, motion, force, energy, light, sound, heat, electricity and magnetism, with daily-life applications.

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

• Biology: Classification of living things, genetics, human physiology, nutrition, health and diseases.

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

Unit II: Geography of India

• Physical geography: Location, relief, monsoon, rainfall and climate of India and Tamil Nadu.

• Resources: Rivers, soils, minerals, forests, wildlife and agriculture.

• Human geography and disasters: Population, transport, natural calamities, disaster management and climate change.

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

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

• Indian culture: Unity in diversity, and India as a secular state.

• National movement: Early uprisings, the Indian National Congress, and national leaders alongside freedom fighters from Tamil Nadu.

Unit IV: Indian Polity

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

• Government: Union and State executive, legislature and judiciary, local government and Panchayat Raj.

• Governance: Elections, official language, Right to Information, Lokpal and Lokayukta, and empowerment of women.

Unit V: Indian Economy and Development Administration in Tamil Nadu

• Indian economy: Planning, fiscal policy, GST, agriculture, industry and rural welfare programmes.

• Tamil Nadu development: Social justice and reservation, welfare schemes, education and health systems, and the state's economic position.

• Current state schemes: New programmes and budget announcements of the Tamil Nadu government.

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

• History and literature: Tamil society from the Sangam age, and the Thirukkural and its relevance.

• Freedom struggle: Role of Tamil Nadu in the national movement.

• Social reform: The Self-Respect Movement, the Dravidian movement and the contributions of reformers such as Thanthai Periyar.

State Board social science textbooks for Class 6 to 12 cover most of these units, and the Tamil Nadu budget and scheme announcements cover the current affairs side.

Aptitude and Mental Ability Syllabus

Aptitude is set at SSLC standard and carries 25 questions in the Group 1 prelims, the Group 2 and 2A prelims and Group 4.

The questions test speed rather than new concepts. Practise short timed sets and aim to finish the section in 20 to 25 minutes. Group 2A candidates meet reasoning again in the mains, where General Intelligence and Reasoning is a separate part.

Tamil Paper Syllabus

There are two different Tamil papers, and you need to know which one your exam has.

Objective Tamil: Seven Areas

• Grammar: Splitting and joining words, sandhi rules, letter distinctions, singular and plural, root words and loanwords.

• Vocabulary: Synonyms and antonyms, words with one or many meanings, odd one out and alphabetical order.

• Writing skills: Sentence arrangement, active and passive voice, agreement errors and punctuation.

• Technical terms: Tamil equivalents of terms used in science, law, administration and computing.

• Comprehension: Passages, headlines, notices, idioms and proverbs.

• Translation: Tamil equivalents of common English words and office document titles.

• Literature: Prescribed Thirukkural chapters, ethical works and the contributions of Tamil scholars and reformers.

Candidates with benchmark disabilities who are exempted from Tamil may take a General English paper in its place, as set out in each notification.

Group 1 Mains Syllabus

Group 1 mains has a qualifying Tamil Eligibility Test (Paper I) and three degree-standard General Studies papers of 250 marks each. The unit-wise split below is as reported from the published scheme; check the syllabus annexure in the current notification before you finalise your plan.

The topics extend the prelims units into analytical answer writing, so the same reading serves both stages. Mains preparation should add current issues, data from state and central reports, and regular timed writing.

Group 2 and 2A Mains Syllabus

Both streams write the same qualifying Tamil Eligibility Test. Paper II differs.

Group 2 Paper II (Descriptive, 300 Marks)

Group 2A Paper II (Objective CBT)

Group 2A Paper II has 150 General Studies questions across five Tamil Nadu-focused units and 50 General Intelligence and Reasoning questions. Administration of States with reference to Tamil Nadu is the largest unit.

Where the Syllabus Overlaps

Most of what you study for one TNPSC exam counts for another. Plan the shared areas once.

How to Cover the TNPSC Syllabus

1. Weeks 1 to 8, foundation: Read Tamil Nadu State Board social science and science textbooks, practise Tamil grammar for 45 minutes a day and cover one aptitude topic every two days.

2. From week 3, high-weight units: Focus on Polity and the two Tamil Nadu units. Add 30 to 40 minutes of current affairs a day with monthly notes on state schemes.

3. From week 6, topic tests: Test each unit as you finish it and solve one previous year paper a week to learn how TNPSC frames questions.

4. From week 10, exam-specific work: Group 1 and Group 2 candidates start timed answer writing; Group 4 candidates push Tamil towards full marks.

5. Final phase, full mocks: Take two full-length tests a week, analyse each the same day and revise from an error log.