# Group 4 / VAO (Combined Civil Services Examination-IV)

> Group 4 is the Combined Civil Services Examination-IV that TNPSC conducts for posts including Village Administrative Officer: an SSLC-standard exam with one written paper of 200 questions and 300 marks. The last date to apply is 05.11.2026 (Notification 11/2026, tnpsc.gov.in). Check every date on tnpsc.gov.in.

Last updated: 2026-10-28 · By TNPSC Guide editorial team
URL: https://www.tnpscguide.com/exams/group-4

Notification No. 11/2026 · Combined Civil Services Examination-IV (Group IV Services): [Read the notification](https://tnpsc.gov.in/document/english/group_english.pdf) · Checked on 2026-10-26

## Exam pattern

Group 4 written exam: parts, questions and marks

| Part | Questions | Marks |
| --- | ---: | ---: |
| A · Tamil Eligibility-cum-Scoring Test | 100 | 150 |
| B · General Studies + C · Aptitude and Mental Ability (B and C together) | 75 + 25 | 150 |
| Total | 200 | 300 |

[Source: Notification 11/2026, page 20](https://tnpsc.gov.in/document/english/group_english.pdf#page=20)

## Syllabus

### A · Tamil Eligibility-cum-Scoring Test (7 units)

- Grammar
- Vocabulary
- Writing skills
- Technical terms
- Reading comprehension
- Translation
- Literature and Tamil scholars

### B · General Studies (6 units)

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

### C · Aptitude and Mental Ability (2 units)

- Aptitude
- Reasoning

## Eligibility

The age limit differs by post and by category. The rows for the Village Administrative Officer post are below, with their page numbers. For other posts, see pages 5-8 of the notification.

- Age is counted as on 01.07.2026 (para 4.1). [Source: page 5, checked on 19.10.2026](https://tnpsc.gov.in/document/english/group_english.pdf#page=5)
- Village Administrative Officer (post code 2025), Others: should have completed 21; should not have completed 30. [Source: page 5, checked on 19.10.2026](https://tnpsc.gov.in/document/english/group_english.pdf#page=5)
- Village Administrative Officer (post code 2025), SCs, SC(A)s, STs, MBCs/DCs, BC(OBCM)s and BCMs: should have completed 21; should not have completed 40. [Source: page 6, checked on 19.10.2026](https://tnpsc.gov.in/document/english/group_english.pdf#page=6)

The notification PDF may ask for a security check (captcha) before it opens.

## How to apply / OTR

First complete One Time Registration (OTR), then apply for this exam on the same portal. The fee and the last date are in the notification.

## How to study

The 30-day program teaches the Part A, B and C units one lesson a day, with practice, revision and mock tests. It does not help with applying or with certificate verification.

[About the 30-day program](https://www.tnpscguide.com/programme)

## Important dates

- Applications: 06.10.2026 – 05.11.2026 (05.11.2026 11.59 PM). [Source: page 1, checked on 2026-10-19](https://tnpsc.gov.in/document/english/group_english.pdf#page=1)
- Application correction window: 09.11.2026 – 11.11.2026 (09.11.2026 12.01 A.M to 11.11.2026 11.59 P.M.). [Source: page 1, checked on 2026-10-19](https://tnpsc.gov.in/document/english/group_english.pdf#page=1)
- Written exam: 10.01.2027 (09.30 A.M. to 12.30 P.M.). [Source: page 1, checked on 2026-10-19](https://tnpsc.gov.in/document/english/group_english.pdf#page=1)

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.

## Mock test calendar

[Mock test calendar: 38 tests from 02.11.2026 to 09.01.2027, week by week (our study plan; only the exam date and the last date to apply are official).](https://www.tnpscguide.com/exams/group-4#mocks)

## Frequently asked questions

**How many questions and marks are in the Group 4 exam?**

It is one paper of 200 questions and 300 marks in 3 hours. Part A, the Tamil Eligibility-cum-Scoring Test, has 100 questions for 150 marks. Part B General Studies (75 questions) and Part C Aptitude and Mental Ability (25 questions) carry 150 marks together. The exam is in OMR mode (Notification 11/2026, page 20).

**What is the minimum mark in Part A?**

You need at least 40% in Part A, that is 60 of 150. Only then are Part B and Part C of your answer sheet evaluated (Notification 11/2026, page 20, para 6.1).

**What are the minimum qualifying marks overall?**

The minimum qualifying marks are 90 out of 300, the same for all communities. The total of Parts A, B and C is used for ranking (Notification 11/2026, page 20, paras 6 and 6.1).

**What is the last date to apply, and where do I apply?**

Apply online from 06.10.2026 to 05.11.2026, 11.59 PM. The notification names www.tnpscexams.in. Register once on the One Time Registration (OTR) platform first, then fill in the application for this exam. The correction window is open from 09.11.2026 to 11.11.2026 (Notification 11/2026, page 1).

**How much are the registration fee and the exam fee?**

One Time Registration (OTR) costs Rs.150 and is valid for five years (page 23). The exam fee is Rs.100, paid with the online application unless you claim an exemption (page 28, para 3.9). The exemption rules are in Annexure II of the notification.

**When is the Group 4 written exam?**

Notification 11/2026 gives the written exam as 10.01.2027, from 09.30 AM to 12.30 PM (page 1, para 1.2).

## Guides for this exam

- [TNPSC Group 4 Tamil grammar: the 6 topics, with Samacheer textbook pages](https://www.tnpscguide.com/guides/group-4-tamil-grammar-guide): Group 4 Part A grammar in six topics: letters, words, sandhi, class and gender, error correction, prosody and figures. Key rules with textbook pages.
- [TNPSC Group 4 Part B General Studies: 75 questions, 6 units and how to study them](https://www.tnpscguide.com/guides/group-4-general-studies-part-b-guide): Part B of Group 4, General Studies: 75 questions in Tamil and English. The six units, where current affairs fit, and a simple way to study each unit.
- [TNPSC Group 4 Part C Aptitude: 25 questions, 2 units and how to practise them](https://www.tnpscguide.com/guides/group-4-aptitude-part-c-guide): Part C of Group 4, Aptitude and Mental Ability: 25 questions in two units, aptitude and reasoning. The syllabus topics and a simple way to practise.
- [VAO and TNPSC Group 4: is it the same exam, and what is different?](https://www.tnpscguide.com/guides/vao-vs-group-4): VAO posts are filled through the Group 4 written exam. Vacancies, age, qualification and the exam, with Notification 11/2026 page numbers.
- [10 common TNPSC Group 4 mistakes, from the application to the exam hall](https://www.tnpscguide.com/guides/group-4-common-mistakes): Unofficial sites, the fee Yes/No choice, the correction window, the Tamil 60 rule, blank OMR answers: ten Group 4 mistakes to avoid, with page numbers.
- [How to start TNPSC Group 4 preparation from zero: 7 steps for beginners](https://www.tnpscguide.com/guides/group-4-preparation-from-zero): New to Group 4? Seven simple steps: the official syllabus, Samacheer textbooks, TNPSC's past papers and a daily habit, in that order.
- [TNPSC Group 4 eligibility: age limit, qualification, Tamil knowledge and PSTM](https://www.tnpscguide.com/guides/group-4-eligibility-age-limit): Where Notification 11/2026 sets Group 4 eligibility: age as on 01.07.2026, qualification, Tamil knowledge and the PSTM certificate.
- [TNPSC Group 4 Part A Tamil: the 7 units, the 60-mark threshold and how to study them](https://www.tnpscguide.com/guides/group-4-tamil-part-a-guide): Part A Tamil in Group 4: 100 questions, 150 marks, at least 60 needed. A plain guide to the seven units, from grammar to literature.
- [TNPSC Group 4 study schedule to the 10.01.2027 exam: 10 weeks, for working people too](https://www.tnpscguide.com/guides/group-4-30-day-study-plan-working-people): Ten weeks to the TNPSC Group 4 exam on 10.01.2027: 60-90 minutes on weekdays, all 15 units, a second pass, then official past papers.
- [How to apply for TNPSC Group 4: One Time Registration to fee payment, step by step](https://www.tnpscguide.com/guides/group-4-how-to-apply): How to apply for TNPSC Group 4 on apply.tnpscexams.in: One Time Registration, the form, uploads and the fee, step by step from Notification 11/2026.
- [TNPSC Group 4 Notification 11/2026: how to read it and the parts that matter](https://www.tnpscguide.com/guides/group-4-notification-guide): Notification 11/2026 page by page: where it gives the Group 4 dates, vacancies, age, qualification and exam scheme, in plain words.
- [TNPSC Group 4 previous year question papers and answer keys: official links by year](https://www.tnpscguide.com/guides/group-4-previous-year-papers-answer-keys): TNPSC Group 4 question papers with tentative and final answer keys, linked by year to tnpsc.gov.in only, plus how to spot fake PDFs.
- [TNPSC Group 4 syllabus explained unit by unit, in simple words](https://www.tnpscguide.com/guides/group-4-syllabus-explained): The 15 units of the TNPSC Group 4 syllabus: what each covers, where it sits in the official PDF, and the link.
- [TNPSC Group 4 exam pattern: 200 questions, 300 marks and the Tamil 60/150 rule](https://www.tnpscguide.com/guides/group-4-exam-pattern): Group 4 exam pattern: three parts, 3 hours, at least 60 in Tamil, a 90-mark minimum and the OMR blank-answer rule, from Notification 11/2026 p20.

## Sources

- [Notifications](https://www.tnpsc.gov.in/English/Notification.aspx)
- [Apply / One Time Registration](https://apply.tnpscexams.in)
- [Official scheme of examination](https://www.tnpsc.gov.in/english/scheme.html)
- [Official syllabus page](https://www.tnpsc.gov.in/english/syllabus.html)
- [Official syllabus (PDF)](https://tnpsc.gov.in/static_pdf/syllabus/496_Group%20IV%20Syllabus.pdf)
- [Question papers and answer keys](https://www.tnpsc.gov.in/English/answerkeys.aspx)
- [Older question papers (2007-2012)](https://www.tnpsc.gov.in/english/previous-questions.html)
- [TNPSC Annual Planner](https://www.tnpsc.gov.in/DynamicPortals/AnnualPlanner/AnnualPlanner.aspx)