TNPSC Group 2 Recruitment 2026: Notification, 821 Vacancies, Eligibility, Exam Pattern, Syllabus and Application Process

TNPSC Group 2 Recruitment 2026: The Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) has released the notification for the Combined Civil Services Examination-II (Group II and Group IIA Services). According to Notification No. 07/2026 dated 11 August 2026, applications are invited online for direct recruitment to various Group II and Group IIA posts in Tamil Nadu government departments and organisations.

A total of 821 vacancies have been notified, including 41 vacancies under Group II Services and 780 vacancies under Group IIA Services. The preliminary examination is scheduled for 1 November 2026, while the date of the main examination will be announced later.

TNPSC Group 2 Recruitment 2026: Overview

The Commission has made it clear that candidates must satisfy all eligibility requirements before applying. Admission to the examination stages is provisional and does not automatically guarantee appointment.

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TNPSC Group 2 Notification PDF Download

TNPSC Group 2 Vacancy 2026

The recruitment covers a wide range of administrative, revenue, commercial, registration, police, education, health, transport, labour and other government departments.

Group II vacancies

There are 41 Group II vacancies. Some of the notified posts include:

• Assistant Inspector
• Deputy Commercial Tax Officer
• Junior Employment Officer
• Probation Officer
• Sub Registrar, Grade-II
• Jailor
• Special Assistant
• Special Branch Assistant
• Assistant Section Officer
• Assistant Section Officer cum Programmer

Most of these posts carry Level 18 pay, while certain Assistant Section Officer posts carry Level 16.

Group IIA vacancies

Group IIA has the larger share of vacancies, with 780 posts. These include posts such as:

• Senior Inspector
• Audit Inspector
• Handloom Inspector
• Supervisor/Junior Superintendent
• Senior Revenue Inspector
• Assistant
• Assistant/Accountant/Store Keeper
• Accountant
• Executive Officer, Grade III
• Executive Officer, Grade II
• Junior Accountant
• Male Warden
• Assistant, Grade III
• Assistant in Secretariat Services
• Lower Division (Counter) Clerk

The notification includes vacancies in departments such as Revenue Administration, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Police, Medical and Rural Health Services, Transport, Registration, Technical Education, Labour, School Education, Forest, Social Welfare, Treasuries and Accounts and several other organisations.

The notification states that the vacancy figures are tentative and may be modified until the declaration of the preliminary examination results.

TNPSC Group 2 Eligibility Criteria 2026

Age limit

The age limit is calculated as of 1 July 2026.

For many Group II posts, candidates belonging to the general/other category have a minimum age of 18 years and a maximum age of 32 years. However, the age requirement differs for specific posts.

For example:

• Probation Officer: minimum 22 years, maximum 32 years for Others
• Deputy Commercial Tax Officer: minimum 18 years, maximum 32 years
• Sub Registrar Grade-II: minimum 20 years, maximum 32 years
• Jailor posts: minimum 18 years, maximum 32 years for candidates with a degree
• Executive Officer Grade III under Group IIA: minimum 25 years and maximum 37 years for the specified reserved categories

Different age concessions are available for eligible candidates belonging to reserved categories, persons with benchmark disabilities, ex-servicemen and destitute widows, depending on the post.
Where the notification states “no maximum age limit”, candidates should note that this does not mean unlimited age in every circumstance. The notification specifies that such candidates should not have completed 60 years of age as on 1 July 2026 or at the time of selection/appointment.

Educational qualification

The educational qualification varies according to the post.

For several Group II and Group IIA posts, candidates need a degree from a university recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC). However, certain posts require specific degrees or additional qualifications.

For example:

• Assistant Inspector requires a recognised degree, with specified qualifications receiving preference.
• Deputy Commercial Tax Officer requires a B.A., B.Sc. or B.Com degree.
• Junior Employment Officer requires a recognised degree.
• Probation Officer requires a recognised degree.
• Accountant posts may require a degree, while certain Accountant posts specifically require B.Com.
• Junior Accountant requires a degree in Commerce.
• Assistant, Post Code 1076, requires an LL.B./B.L. degree.
• Assistant, Post Code 1077, requires a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, Economics or Statistics.

Candidates must possess the prescribed educational or technical qualification on the date of notification, i.e. 11 August 2026.

The notification also specifies the prescribed sequence for undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications, where applicable: SSLC + HSC/Diploma or equivalent + Undergraduate Degree + Postgraduate Degree.

TNPSC Group 2 Selection Process 2026

The selection process has two major examination stages:

1. Common Preliminary Examination
2. Separate Main Examination for Group II and Group IIA

The preliminary examination is only a screening test. Its marks are not counted for preparing the final merit list.

Candidates who qualify in the preliminary examination are admitted to the respective main examination.

The Commission intends to admit candidates to the main examination at approximately 10 times the number of vacancies, subject to reservation rules and the inclusion of candidates who obtain marks equal to the relevant cut-off.

Final selection

For both Group II and Group IIA, Paper II of the Main Examination determines the final ranking. Paper I is qualifying in nature.

For Group II, the final merit is based on marks in Main Examination Paper II, while the same principle applies to Group IIA.

TNPSC Group 2 Preliminary Exam Pattern 2026

The Preliminary Examination is common to Group II and Group IIA candidates.

It consists of a single paper with 200 questions and 300 marks, conducted for three hours. The paper contains:

The paper is objective type and OMR-based.

Preliminary syllabus

General Studies covers:

• General Science
• Geography of India
• Indian History, Culture and National Movement
• Indian Polity
• Indian Economy and Development Administration in Tamil Nadu
• History, Culture, Heritage and Socio-Political Movements in Tamil Nadu

The General Studies section has 75 questions.

The Aptitude and Mental Ability section contains 25 questions covering topics such as simplification, percentage, HCF, LCM, ratio and proportion, simple and compound interest, area, volume and time and work. Reasoning includes logical reasoning, puzzles, dice, visual reasoning, alphanumeric reasoning and number series.

Candidates can choose General Tamil or General English for the 100-question language section.

General English covers grammar, vocabulary, writing skills, technical terms, reading comprehension, translation and literary works up to SSLC standard.

TNPSC Group II Main Exam Pattern

The Group II Main Examination consists of two papers.

Paper I

Tamil Eligibility Test

• Standard: SSLC
• Maximum Marks: 100
• Duration: 3 hours
• Minimum qualifying marks: 40
• Type: Descriptive

Paper II

General Studies

• Standard: Degree
• Maximum Marks: 300
• Duration: 3 hours
• Minimum qualifying marks: 90
• Type: Descriptive

Only Paper II marks are counted for ranking.

The Group II General Studies syllabus covers seven major areas, including modern Indian history with special reference to Tamil Nadu, Tamil society and culture, social issues, science and technology, Indian Constitution and governance, geography/environment/disaster management, and Indian economy with special reference to Tamil Nadu.
The descriptive Paper II includes 10-mark and 15-mark questions with prescribed word limits. The paper carries 300 marks in total.

TNPSC Group IIA Main Exam Pattern

The Group IIA Main Examination is different from Group II.

Paper I: Tamil Eligibility Test

• SSLC standard
• 100 marks
• 3 hours
• Minimum qualifying marks: 40
• Descriptive examination

Paper II

Paper II consists of:

• General Studies: 150 questions
• General Intelligence and Reasoning: 50 questions
• Total: 200 questions
• Maximum marks: 300
• Duration: 3 hours
• Minimum qualifying marks: 90
• CBT objective examination

Paper II is the paper used for ranking.

The Group IIA General Studies syllabus includes Tamil Nadu history, society and culture; administration of states with special reference to Tamil Nadu; science and technology; Tamil Nadu economy and social issues; and Tamil Nadu geography, environment, biodiversity and disaster management.

The General Intelligence and Reasoning section contains 50 questions and includes analogy, classification, coding-decoding, relationship concepts, puzzles, dice, direction and distance, logical Venn diagrams, alphanumeric reasoning, calendars, permutation and combination, logical reasoning, figural series, mirror images, embedded figures and visual reasoning.

TNPSC Group 2 Application Fee 2026

Candidates who are not eligible for fee exemption have to pay:

• OTR Registration Fee: 150
• Preliminary Examination Fee: 100
• Main Examination Fee: 150
• Candidates shortlisted for both Group II and Group IIA Main Examinations: 300 for the Main Examination

The Preliminary Examination fee is paid while submitting the online application. The Main Examination fee is paid later if the candidate is shortlisted. Eligible candidates can claim fee exemption according to the applicable rules.

The examination fee must be paid through the prescribed online payment modes such as net banking, credit card, debit card or UPI. Offline payment through Demand Draft or Postal Order is not accepted.

How to Apply for TNPSC Group 2 Recruitment 2026

Candidates have to apply online through the TNPSC examination portal.

First, candidates must complete One Time Registration (OTR). The OTR registration costs 150 and remains valid for five years. OTR itself is not an application for a particular recruitment. Candidates must submit a separate online application for the examination they wish to attend.

Applicants should keep their active email ID and mobile number available and ensure that the information entered in OTR and the examination application is accurate.

The notification also requires candidates to upload the prescribed photograph and signature in the specified format and size.

Application Correction Window

Candidates get an additional opportunity to correct their online application from 13 September to 15 September 2026.

After the correction window closes, modifications to the application will not be allowed.

TNPSC Group 2 Important Dates 2026

The preliminary examination is scheduled from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM on 1 November 2026 according to the notification provided for this recruitment.

TNPSC Group 2 Exam Centre

For the Preliminary Examination, candidates can select two preferred examination centres while applying. The Commission will allot a venue in one of those preferred centres.

For the Group II Main Examination Paper II, the notification specifies Chennai as the examination centre. The common Tamil Eligibility Test and Group IIA Main Examination Paper II will be conducted at multiple centres across Tamil Nadu.

Important Documents for Candidates

Candidates should keep the following documents and information ready:

• SSLC certificate/mark sheet
• HSC certificate or equivalent, wherever applicable
• Degree certificate or provisional degree certificate
• Diploma certificate, wherever applicable
• Community certificate, if applicable
• Disability certificate, if applicable
• Ex-servicemen documents, where applicable
• Destitute Widow certificate, where applicable
• PSTM supporting certificates, where applicable
• Aadhaar details
• Active mobile number
• Active email ID
• Recent photograph
• Signature

For candidates claiming PSTM status, the notification requires documentary evidence covering the relevant educational stages up to the prescribed qualification.

TNPSC Group 2 Exam Preparation Strategy

The most important point for candidates is that clearing the Preliminary Examination is only the first step. Preliminary marks are not added to the final merit score.

Therefore, candidates should start preparing for the Main Examination alongside their preliminary preparation.

For the Preliminary Examination, candidates should give particular attention to:

1. Tamil Nadu history and culture
2. Indian polity
3. Tamil Nadu government schemes
4. Current affairs
5. Indian economy
6. General science
7. Geography
8. Aptitude and reasoning
9. General Tamil or General English

For Group II candidates, descriptive answer writing is particularly important because Paper II is a 300-mark descriptive General Studies paper. For Group IIA candidates, preparation should focus strongly on General Studies and objective reasoning because Paper II is conducted as a CBT objective examination.

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Key Points Candidates Should Remember

The TNPSC Group 2 recruitment is not simply a single examination. It is a multi-stage recruitment process involving the common Preliminary Examination followed by separate Group II or Group IIA Main Examinations.

The Preliminary Examination is only a screening stage, while the Main Examination Paper II determines the ranking.

Candidates should also remember that selection for Group II and Group IIA is separate. A candidate selected for a Group II post under this notification will not subsequently be considered for Group IIA posts under the same notification.

Candidates should carefully check the educational qualification and age requirement for the exact post they intend to claim because the requirements are not identical for every post.

Where to Apply

Candidates should apply only through the official TNPSC examination portal and should avoid unofficial agents or intermediaries. The notification specifically warns candidates against touts and agents promising government jobs through unfair means.

• Official TNPSC application portal: TNPSC Examination Portal
• Official TNPSC website: Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission
• Apply Online: Click

TNPSC Group 2 Recruitment 2026 is an important opportunity for graduates seeking government jobs in Tamil Nadu. The notification covers 821 tentative vacancies across Group II and Group IIA Services, with posts available in several major government departments and organisations.

COMBINED CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION – II (GROUP II AND IIA SERVICES) – 07/2026

Candidates should complete their applications before 9 September 2026, use the 13–15 September 2026 correction window if necessary, and begin preparing seriously for the 1 November 2026 Preliminary Examination.

Since the Preliminary Examination is only a screening test, serious aspirants should not wait for the preliminary result before starting Main Examination preparation. Understanding the separate Group II and Group IIA patterns, studying Tamil Nadu-specific topics and practising the prescribed question formats can give candidates a stronger preparation strategy.