Group 1 Preliminary Examination (Combined Civil Services Examination-I)
Coming soon
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By TNPSC Guide editorial team · Last updated:
Read the Group 4 articles nowExam pattern
Below is this exam's scheme as the TNPSC scheme of examination page prints it. We have not computed or split anything.
Combined Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination (Group I)
TNPSC syllabus code: 497
The scheme page marks both parts of this preliminary examination as qualifying. It is not part of the printed total of 850 marks of the main examination.
| Paper / subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Part AGeneral StudiesDegree standard · Objective · Qualifying | 175 | 300one marks cell, as printed |
| Part BAptitude and Mental AbilitySSLC standard · Objective · Qualifying | 25 | |
| Total | 200 | 300 |
Source: TNPSC scheme of examination page (read on 26.10.2026)
Combined Civil Services (Main) Examination (Group I)
TNPSC syllabus code: 498
The printed total of 850 is Papers II, III and IV (250 each) and the interview (100). Paper I, the Tamil Eligibility Test, is qualifying only; its 100 marks are not in this total.
| Paper / subject | Marks |
|---|---|
| Paper ITamil Eligibility TestSSLC standard · Descriptive · Qualifying | 100 |
| Paper IIGeneral Studies IDegree standard · Descriptive · Scoring | 250 |
| Paper IIIGeneral Studies IIDegree standard · Descriptive · Scoring | 250 |
| Paper IVGeneral Studies IIIDegree standard · Descriptive · Scoring | 250 |
| Interview | 100 |
| Total (Papers II, III, IV and Interview) | 850 |
Source: TNPSC scheme of examination page (read on 26.10.2026)
The TNPSC page prints no question counts
Not yet verified by us (read them in the official PDFs):
- the duration of each paper
- whether a wrong answer loses marks
- the syllabus units and topics
Syllabus
Our syllabus explainers and lessons for this exam are not ready yet, on the site or in the app. We will add them to this page when they are. Until then, read the official syllabus PDFs below.
Previous papers
- 2026 · exam on 27.09.2026 · Provisional answer keyCombined Civil Services Examination-I (Group I Services), Notification 05/2026, preliminary held 27.09.2026, tentative answer key 06.10.2026
How to study
Practice for this exam is coming soon.
Read the Group 4 articles nowMeanwhile, you can start Group 4 practice for free.
Start freeImportant dates
- Applications: – Source: page 1, checked on 26.10.2026
- Preliminary exam: Source: page 1, checked on 26.10.2026
We never guess exam dates. Check them only in the TNPSC Annual Planner and the notification. The planner is an advance schedule. When its date differs from the notification or a TNPSC press release, follow the notification or press release.
Links checked on 26.10.2026
Frequently asked questions
Is the Group 1 preliminary answer key out?
The preliminary exam under Notification 05/2026 was first announced for 06.09.2026 and then moved to 27.09.2026 (press release 83/2026, dated 16.07.2026, page 1). It was held on 27.09.2026, forenoon, at 38 district centres (press release 111/2026, page 1). Its tentative answer key came out on 06.10.2026. When we checked on 26.10.2026, there was no final answer key (TNPSC answer keys page, row 2), and the results page had no result for this exam.
Does TNPSC Guide offer practice for this exam?
Not yet. Our app covers Group 4 practice only today. We will say so on this page when practice for this exam starts.
Where do I check this exam's dates and eligibility?
Only in the notification and the TNPSC Annual Planner on tnpsc.gov.in. The planner is an advance schedule. When its date differs from the notification or a TNPSC press release, follow the notification or press release. We never guess dates.
Guides for this exam
Guides for this exam are not published yet. Until then, see the official syllabus.