Group IA, IB and IC (Combined Civil Services Examination)
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Group 1 (Combined Civil Services Examination-I) is a separate exam; this page is not about it.
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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 IA, IB, IC and VI)
TNPSC syllabus code: 497
This preliminary examination is shared with Group VI (Forest Apprentice) posts, which have their own main examination; this page covers Groups IA, IB and IC.
| 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 25.10.2026)
Combined Civil Services (Main) Examination (Group IA)
TNPSC syllabus code: 499
| 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 |
| Total (Papers II, III and IV) | 750 |
| Interview | 100 |
| Grand total | 850 |
Source: TNPSC scheme of examination page (read on 25.10.2026)
The TNPSC page prints no question counts
Combined Civil Services (Main) Examination (Group IB)
TNPSC syllabus code: 507
| Paper / subject | Marks |
|---|---|
| Paper ITamil Eligibility TestSSLC standard · Descriptive · Qualifying | 100 |
| Paper IIGeneral StudiesDegree standard · Descriptive · Scoring | 250 |
| Paper IIIHindu ReligionDegree standard · Descriptive · Scoring | 250 |
| Paper IVLawDegree standard · Descriptive · Scoring | 250 |
| Total (Papers II, III and IV) | 750 |
| Interview | 100 |
Source: TNPSC scheme of examination page (read on 25.10.2026)
The TNPSC page prints no question counts
Combined Civil Services (Main) Examination (Group IC)
| 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 IVEducationDegree standard · Objective · Scoring | 250 |
| Total (Papers II, III and IV) | 750 |
| Interview | 100 |
Source: TNPSC scheme of examination page (read on 25.10.2026)
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.
- Preliminary syllabus: Assistant Conservator of Forests (Group IA)
- Preliminary syllabus: Assistant Commissioner, HR&CE (Group IB)
- Preliminary syllabus: District Educational Officer (Group IC)
- Main examination syllabus (Group IA)
- Question pattern (Group IA)
- Main examination syllabus (Group IB)
- Question pattern (Group IB)
- Question pattern (Group IC)
Previous papers
Recent question papers and answer keys are under Archives / Exam Dashboard on tnpsc.gov.in.
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
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 25.10.2026
Frequently asked questions
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.