1. The TNPSC Group 4 Exam Pattern
The Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) conducts the Combined Civil Services Examination-IV, popularly called Group 4. It fills posts such as Village Administrative Officer (VAO), Junior Assistant, Typist, Steno-Typist, Bill Collector and Forest Guard. This lesson explains the pattern used in the latest notification. Always confirm details in the official notification for your year.
The 2026 notification at a glance
- TNPSC released the Group 4 notification (Notification No. 11/2026) on 6 October 2026 for about 6,574 tentative vacancies.
- Online applications are accepted on tnpsc.gov.in until 5 November 2026. The written exam is scheduled for 10 January 2027, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm.
- Large categories include Junior Assistant, Typist, Tax Collector, Steno-Typist and Village Administrative Officer.
- The basic qualification for most posts is a pass in SSLC (Class 10). Typist and Steno-Typist posts also need typewriting or shorthand certificates.
- Vacancy numbers are tentative and may change before counselling.
One written exam: 200 questions, 300 marks, 3 hours
- Part A, Tamil Eligibility-cum-Scoring Test: 100 questions for 150 marks, at SSLC (Class 10) standard.
- Part B: General Studies (75 questions) and Aptitude and Mental Ability (25 questions), together 100 questions for 150 marks.
- Each question therefore carries 1.5 marks. The paper is objective (multiple choice) and answered on an OMR sheet.
- Candidates must score at least 40% (60 out of 150) in Part A. Only then is Part B evaluated. The overall minimum qualifying mark is 90 out of 300.
- Part A marks also count for the rank list, so Tamil is both a qualifying test and a scoring test.
Negative marking, interview and selection
- There is no negative marking for wrong answers in Group 4.
- The OMR sheet has an extra option to shade when you do not attempt a question. Follow the OMR instructions exactly, because unshaded questions and missing details can cost marks.
- There is no interview for Group 4 posts. Selection is based on written exam marks, followed by certificate verification and counselling. Forest posts also have physical tests.
- Group 2 and 2A (degree-level posts) have a preliminary exam and a main written exam, including a qualifying Tamil eligibility paper. Group 2 has traditionally included some interview posts; Group 2A posts are filled without interview.
- TNPSC traces its origin to the Madras Service Commission set up in 1929, among the oldest public service commissions in India.
Quick facts
- Part A
- Tamil Eligibility-cum-Scoring Test: 100 questions, 150 marks, SSLC standard
- Part B
- General Studies 75 + Aptitude 25 = 100 questions, 150 marks
- Total
- 200 questions, 300 marks, 3 hours, OMR
- Tamil minimum
- 40% (60 out of 150) in Part A
- Overall minimum
- 90 out of 300
- Negative marking
- None for wrong answers
- Interview
- None for Group 4
- 2026 notification
- No. 11/2026; about 6,574 posts; exam on 10 January 2027
- Website
- tnpsc.gov.in
💡 Treat Part A Tamil as your biggest scoring chance: it is half the total marks, and it is at SSLC level. Many toppers score very high in Tamil.
📝 5-question quiz on this lesson: enrol free to take it and track your score.
