Every year, the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) conducts the Combined Civil Services Examination Group I (Group 1 Services) to recruit eligible candidates for various Group 1 Service posts. The selection process is based on three stages – Preliminary Examination, Main Examination and Interview.
To score well in exam, all candidates should be aware of the TNPSC Group 1 Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2025. It is crucial to know the structure of the exam and the syllabus and subject-wise topics that need to be prepared in and out. Read the full article to get details about TNPSC Group 1 Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2025, Marking Scheme and more.
TNPSC Group 1 Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2025
The TPSC Group 1 2025 Preliminary Exam will conduct on 15th June 2025 for filling 72 available positions in both Group 1 and Group 1A categories. Understanding the syllabus and exam pattern is important as it outlines specific topics for exam preparation. The syllabus consists of all the important subjects, this will help candidates to increase their score in the examination. The TNSC Group 1 Syllabus has been released by the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission, review the information given below.
| TNPSC Group 1 Syllabus 2025 | |
| Organization | Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission |
| Name of the Exam | TNPSC Group 1 Exam |
| TNPSC Group 1 Exam Date 2025 | 15th June 2025 |
| TNPSC Group 1 Selection Process |
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| Total Marks |
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| Duration of Exam |
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| Language of Exam | English, Tamil |
| Mode of Exam | Offline |
| Mode of Counselling | Offline |
TNPSC Group 1 Exam Pattern 2025
Prelims, Mains and Interview are the 3 stages of TNPSC Group 1 exam. Prelims and Mains are the 2 written exams included in TNPSC Group 1. There are also qualifying marks in both the exams. Check the subject-wise marks distribution and minimum qualifying marks for each paper from the table below.
| Subject | Duration | Maximum marks | Minimum Qualifying Marks (For SCs, SC(A)s, STs, MBCs /DCs, BC(OBCM)s and BCMs) |
Minimum Qualifying Marks (Others) |
| Preliminary Exam | 3 hours | 300 | 90 | 120 |
| Mains Exam: Paper-I | 3 hours | 100 | 40 | 40 |
| Mains Exam: Paper-II | 3 hours | 250 | 255 | 340 |
| Mains Exam: Paper-III | 3 hours | 250 | ||
| Mains Exam: Paper-IV | 3 hours | 250 | ||
| Interview | No fix duration | 100 | Not Defined | |
TNPSC Group 1 Prelims Exam Pattern 2025
- TNPSC Group 1 Prelims exam consists of one paper which contains 200 objective questions and each carries 1.5 marks.
- The duration of the Prelims exam is 3 hours.
- There is no negative marking for wrong answers.
- TNPSC Group 1 Prelims is of qualifying nature and marks will not be included in the merit list.
- The language of the Prelims exam will be English and Telugu.
| Subjects | Subjects | Number of Questions | Total No. of Questions | Total marks | Duration of exam |
| General Studies (Degree Standard) | General Science | 10 | 175 | 300 | 3 hours |
| Geography | 10 | ||||
| History, Culture of India, and Indian National Movement | 25 | ||||
| Indian Polity | 40 | ||||
| Indian Economy and Development Administration in Tamil Nadu | 50 | ||||
| History, Culture, Heritage, and Socio-Political Movements in Tamil Nadu | 40 | ||||
| Aptitude & Mental Ability Test (SSLC Standard) | Aptitude | 15 | 25 | ||
| Reasoning | 10 | ||||
| Total | 200 | 200 | |||
TNPSC Group 1 Mains Exam Pattern 2025
| Subject | Total Marks | Duration of exam |
| Paper-I Tamil Eligibility Test (SSLC Standard) (Descriptive Type) | 100 | 3 hours |
| General Studies (Degree Standard) (Descriptive type) | ||
| General Studies Paper II | 250 | 3 hours |
| General Studies Paper III | 250 | 3 hours |
| General Studies Paper IV | 250 | 3 hours |
| Total | 750 | |
TNPSC Group 1 Prelims Syllabus 2025
The TNPSC Group 1 syllabus for the Prelims exam is set as a degree course for general studies and the questions for aptitude and mental ability test will be of SSLC standards). Understand the TNPSC Group 1 Prelims Syllabus 2025 through the sections mentioned below. The TNPSC Group 1 Prelims exam syllabus exists in two separate sections.
TNPSC Group 1 Prelims Part A Syllabus
Part A- General Studies (Degree Standard – 175 Questions)
- General Science
- Geography
- History, Culture of India, and Indian National Movement
- Indian Polity
- Indian Economy and Development Administration in Tamil Nadu
- History, Culture, Heritage, and Socio-Political Movements in Tamil Nadu
Unit 1- General Science (10 Questions)
- Scientific Knowledge and Scientific temper – Power of Reasoning – Rote Learning Vs Conceptual Learning – Science as a tool to understand the past, present and future
- Nature of Universe – General Scientific Laws – Mechanics Properties of Matter, Force, Motion and Energy – Everyday application of the basic principles of Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, Light, Sound, Heat, Nuclear Physics, Laser, Electronics and Communications.
- Elements and Compounds, Acids, Bases, Salts, Petroleum Products, Fertilizers, Pesticides
- Main concepts of Life Science, Classification of Living Organisms, Evolution, Genetics, Physiology, Nutrition, Health and Hygiene, Human diseases
- Environment and Ecology
- Latest Inventions in Science & Technology
- Current Affairs
Unit 2- Geography of India (10 Questions)
- Location – Physical features – Monsoon, rainfall, weather and climate Water resources – Rivers in India – Soil, Minerals and Natural Resources – Forest and Wildlife – Agricultural pattern;
- Transport – Communication
- Social Geography – Population density and distribution – Racial, linguistic groups and major tribes
- Natural calamity – Disaster management
- Environmental pollution- Reasons and preventive measures – Climate change – Green energy; Geographical landmarks; Current affairs.
Unit 3- History, Culture of India, and Indian National Movement (25 Questions)
- Indus Valley Civilization – Guptas, Delhi Sultans, Mughals, and Marathas – Age of Vijayanagaram and Bahmani Kingdoms – South
- Indian History; Change and Continuity in the socio-cultural History of India
- National Renaissance – Early uprising against British rule – Indian National Congress – Emergence of leaders – B.R.Ambedkar, Bhagat Singh, Bharathiar, V.O.Chidambaranar, Jawaharlal Nehru, Kamarajar, Mahatma Gandhi, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Thanthai Periyar, Rajaji, Subash Chandra Bose, Rabindranath Tagore, and others
- Different modes of agitation: Growth of Satyagraha and Militant Movements; Communalism and Partition
- Characteristics of Indian Culture, Unity in Diversity – Race, Language, Custom
- India as a Secular State, Social Harmony; Prominent personalities in various spheres – Arts, Science, Literature and Philosophy
- National symbols
- Eminent personalities and places in the news
- Sports
- Books and Authors
- Current affairs.
Unit 4- Indian Polity (40 Questions)
- Constitution of India – Preamble to the Constitution – Salient features of the Constitution –
- Union, State and Union Territory
- Citizenship, Fundamental rights, Fundamental duties, Directive Principles of State Policy
- Union Executive, Union legislature – State Executive, State Legislature – Local Governments, Panchayat Raj
- Spirit of Federalism: Centre – State Relationships
- Election – Judiciary in India – Rule of law
- Corruption in public life – Anti-corruption measures – Lokpal and LokAyukta – Right to Information – Empowerment of women – Consumer protection forums, Human rights charter
- Political parties and political system in India
- Current affairs
Unit 5- Indian Economy (50 Questions)
- Nature of Indian economy – Five-year plan models – an assessment – Planning Commission and Niti Ayog
- Sources of revenue – Reserve Bank of India – Fiscal Policy and Monetary Policy- Finance Commission – Resource sharing between Union and State Governments – Goods and Services Tax
- Structure of Indian Economy and Employment Generation, Land reforms and Agriculture – Application of Science and Technology in Agriculture – Industrial growth – Rural Welfare Oriented Programmes – Social problems – Population, Education, Health, Employment, Poverty
- Human Development Indicators in Tamil Nadu and a comparative assessment across the Country – Impact of social reform movements in the socio-economic development of Tamil Nadu – Political Parties and welfare schemes for various sections of People – Rationale behind the reservation policy, and Access to the social resources – Economic trends in Tamil Nadu – Role and impact of social welfare schemes in the socio-economic development of Tamil Nadu – Social justice and social harmony as the cornerstones of socio-economic development
- Education and health systems in Tamil Nadu
- Geography of Tamil Nadu and its impact on economic growth
- Achievements of Tamil Nadu in various fields
- e-Governance in Tamil Nadu
- Public awareness and General administration – Welfare oriented Government schemes and their utility, Problems in public delivery systems
- Current socio-economic issues
- Current affairs.
Unit 6: History, Culture, Heritage and Socio-Political Movements in Tamil Nadu (40 Questions)
- History of Tamil Society, related Archaeological discoveries, Tamil Literature from Sangam age till contemporary times.
- Thirukkural :
- Significance as a Secular literature
- Relevance to Everyday Life
- Impact of Thirukkural on Humanity
- Thirukkural and Universal Values – Equality, Humanism, etc
- Relevance to Socio – Politico – Economic affairs
- Philosophical content in Thirukkural
- Role of Tamil Nadu in freedom struggle – Early agitations against British Rule – Role of women in freedom struggle
- Evolution of 19th and 20th Century Socio-Political movements in Tamil Nadu – Justice Party, Growth of Rationalism – Self Respect Movement, Dravidian
- Movement and Principles underlying both these movements, Contributions of Thanthai Periyar and Perarignar Anna.
TNPSC Group 1 Prelims Part B Syllabus 2025
Part B- Aptitude and Mental Ability (SSLC Standard – 25 Questions)
- Aptitude
- Reasoning
Unit 1: Aptitude (15 Questions)
- Simplification
- Percentage
- Highest Common Factor (HCF)
- Lowest Common Multiple (LCM)
- Ratio and Proportion
- Simple interest
- Compound interest
- Area
- Volume
- Time and Work
Unit 2: Reasoning (10 Questions)
- Logical reasoning
- Puzzles
- Dice
- Visual reasoning
- Alphanumeric reasoning
- Number series
TNPSC Group 1 Prelims Syllabus PDF- Click to Download
TNPSC Group 1 Mains Syllabus 2025
The main exam is divided into 4 papers and each paper has a total time of 3 hours to solve. The papers contain conceptual and descriptive questions. The following part of the article discusses the detailed syllabus of the topics in each paper is given in the table below.
| Paper | Subjects | Syllabus | Marks |
| Paper-I | Compulsory Tamil Language Aptitude Test (SSLC Standard) | 100 Marks | |
| Paper-II | General Studies I (Degree Standard – 250 Marks) | Unit 1: Modern history of India and Indian culture | 100 marks |
| Unit-2: Social issues in India and Tamil Nadu | 100 marks | ||
| Unit-3: General Aptitude & Mental Ability | 50 marks | ||
| Paper-III | General Studies II (Degree Standard – 250 Marks) | Unit 1: Indian Polity and emerging political trends across the world affecting India | 100 marks |
| Unit 2: Role and impact of Science and Technology in the development of India | 100 marks | ||
| Unit 3: Tamil Society & Its Culture and Heritage | 50 marks | ||
| Paper-IV | General Studies III (Degree Standard – 250 Marks) | Unit 1: Geography of India with special reference to Tamil Nadu | 75 marks |
| Unit 2: Environment, Bio Diversity and Disaster Management | 75 marks | ||
| Unit 3: Indian Economy – Current economic trends and impact of global economy on India | 100 marks | ||
All TNPSC Group 1 Mains Exam Papers and Prelims Syllabus Detailed Topics are compiled in PDF which has been released by the authorities and is given below.
