Loading…
Dates, posts, eligibility, pattern, syllabus and how to prepare – in one place. You can also take a free mock test made of previous-year questions.
Notification No. 11/2026
Dates and vacancy numbers can change. Check the official notification on tnpsc.gov.in before you apply.
Group 4 (Combined Civil Services Examination – IV) is the single written exam TNPSC holds for entry-level Tamil Nadu government posts. Anyone who has passed 10th standard can write it. There is no interview: posts are given on written-exam marks and reservation, which is why it is the most widely written government exam in Tamil Nadu.
Junior Assistant
Files, correspondence and records in government offices
Village Administrative Officer (VAO)
Village revenue records, certificates and government schemes
Typist / Steno-Typist
Typing and shorthand; Government Technical Examination certificate required
Bill Collector
Collecting taxes and fees for local bodies
Field Surveyor / Draftsman
Land survey and mapping (separate technical qualification needed)
Forest Guard and other posts
See the list of posts in the notification
Education
A 10th standard (SSLC) pass for most posts. Typist, Steno-Typist, Field Surveyor and similar posts need an extra technical qualification.
Age
At least 18 years (21 for VAO). The upper age limit depends on the post and community, with relaxation for BC, MBC, SC, ST, persons with disabilities and ex-servicemen. Check the exact limits in the notification (age as on 01.07.2026).
Knowledge of Tamil
Adequate knowledge of Tamil is required. Part A (Tamil) of the exam is both a qualifying and a scoring test.
| Part | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Part A – Tamil Eligibility-cum-Scoring Test | 100 | 150 |
| Part B – General Studies | 75 | 112.5 |
| Part B – Aptitude and Mental Ability | 25 | 37.5 |
| Total (3 hours) | 200 | 300 |
25 questions, 37.5 marks – the part where practice can get you full marks. See our 52-class plan
| Aspect | Group 4 (other posts) | VAO |
|---|---|---|
| Work place | Taluk and district offices | Village level, field work |
| Exam and syllabus | The same exam | The same exam |
| Minimum age | 18 | 21 |
| Nature of work | Office work, accounts, typing | Land records, certificates, meeting the public |
| How you get it | Rank + preference given in the application | Rank + preference |
Plan for at least 4 to 6 months of steady study.
Months 1–2
Samacheer Kalvi textbooks for classes 6 to 10 (Tamil, science, social science); keep short notes. Basics of aptitude.
Months 3–4
Topic-wise question practice; daily current affairs; speed in aptitude.
Months 5–6
Write previous papers against the clock; keep a list of your mistakes.
Final weeks
Full mock exams; revise only weak topics; avoid starting new material.
Under notification 11/2026 the written exam is on 10.01.2027, and applications close on 05.11.2026. Confirm on the official website.
Yes. An SSLC pass is enough for most posts. Graduates can write it too.
No. But do not leave any question blank; shade (E) if you do not know.
At least 40% (60 of 150); below that Part B is not evaluated. The 150 Tamil marks also count for your rank, so it is the highest-scoring part.
Yes: one exam and one syllabus. Your post depends on rank and the preference in your application; VAO needs a minimum age of 21.
Samacheer Kalvi textbooks (6–10), previous papers and daily current affairs, with aptitude practice every day.
It depends on the post. For most posts the basic pay starts at about ₹19,500 a month, plus dearness and other allowances. See the pay level in the notification.
Live morning aptitude classes, Vetri Challenges, previous-paper mock exams with topic-wise analysis, and one-to-one mentor sessions with your teacher.
VetriPath Academy is a private coaching academy, not connected to TNPSC or the Government of Tamil Nadu. Facts here were last checked on 16.10.2026. For official information always see tnpsc.gov.in.