NEELGYAN EXAM GUIDE
TNPSC Combined Civil Services Examination II Guide
TN Combined Civil Services Examination-II
2026 examination cycle · Tamil Nadu PSC (TNPSC)
Written and source-checked by NeelGyan Team · Last verified 2 August 2026
Checked against the official sources linked below
Next key date
11 August 2026
Planned Prelims
25 October 2026
Services
Group II and Group IIA
Vacancies
Await detailed notification
Current status
Notification upcoming
Reference route
Common Prelims → separate Mains
2026 cycle tracker
- Annual planner2026 programme published
- Planned notification11 August 2026You are here
- Application windowAwait detailed notification
- Tentative Preliminary examination25 October 2026
- Group II/IIA Main examinationsAfter Preliminary result
On This Page
Exam Resources
About TNPSC Group II
What is TNPSC Group II?
TNPSC's official 2026 annual planner schedules the Combined Civil Services Examination II notification for 11 August 2026 and the Preliminary examination for 25 October 2026. Planner dates are tentative.
Because the notification was not yet due on 2 August, current vacancies, application dates, age cut-off and fees were not available. They must remain unpublished until TNPSC issues the detailed notice.
The pattern and fee explanations below are labelled reference information from Notification 11/2025. That notice used a common Preliminary examination and separate Group II and Group IIA Main examinations, with no interview in the stated plan.
Latest TNPSC Group II and IIA Updates
Verified updates, newest first
TNPSC Group II and IIA Highlights
Key verified exam details
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| 2026 notification | Planned 11 August |
| 2026 Prelims | Tentatively 25 October |
| Current vacancies | Await notification |
| Reference Prelims | Single 300-mark paper |
| Reference Mains | Separate Group II and IIA papers |
| Reference final merit | Main Paper II; no interview in Notification 11/2025 |
TNPSC Group II and IIA 2026 Important Dates
Official notification and exam timeline
| Milestone | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Planned notification | Tentative annual-planner date | |
| Planned Preliminary examination | Tentative annual-planner date |
TNPSC Group II and IIA Application Process and Fees
Official application route and fee details
The 2026 application had not opened as of verification. Use only the link published with the detailed notification.
TNPSC requires One Time Registration and a separate examination application; OTR by itself does not enter a candidate in Group II/IIA.
The prior notice used ₹150 OTR, ₹100 Preliminary fee and ₹150 Main fee for either group (₹300 if shortlisted for both), subject to exemption. Recheck all 2026 amounts.
| Item | Reference amount | 2026 status |
|---|---|---|
| OTR | ₹150 | Recheck |
| Preliminary fee | ₹100 unless exempt | Await notice |
| Main fee | ₹150 for one Main; ₹300 for both | Await notice |
- Exemption categories and free chances are notification-specific.
TNPSC Group II and IIA Eligibility Criteria
Qualification, age and other requirements
2026 post eligibility
Notification awaited
- Match every selected post to its qualification and technical conditions.
- The annual planner does not establish eligibility.
Age
Post/category-specific
- Use the age date and bands in the 2026 notice.
- Do not carry the 1 July 2025 reference date forward.
Degree and technical criteria
Varies by post
- The prior notice included general-degree and specialised posts.
- Results had to be declared by the relevant notification date in that cycle.
Physical/endurance standards
Only listed posts
- Read the current post list before assuming a physical test.
- Reference Forester conditions are not automatically a 2026 fact.
TNPSC Group II Admit Card Status
Verified current-cycle status
Current status: The 2026 detailed notification and application were not yet published, so no admit card is current.
Use only the TNPSC link issued after a valid application window.
TNPSC Group II and IIA Exam Pattern and Selection Process
Stages, papers and qualifying rules
- Common Preliminary examinationTentatively 25 October 2026
- Separate Main examinationsReference cycle split Group II descriptive and Group IIA CBT Paper II
- Verification/counsellingPost-specific process under the current notification
Common Preliminary reference pattern
| Component | Questions | Total marks/time |
|---|---|---|
| General Tamil or General English | 100 | Within 300 marks; 3 hours |
| General Studies | 75 | Within 300 marks; 3 hours |
| Aptitude and Mental Ability | 25 | Within 300 marks; 3 hours |
- Reference minimum qualifying mark was 90 for all communities.
Main reference pattern
| Route | Paper I | Paper II |
|---|---|---|
| Group II | Tamil Eligibility, 100 marks, qualifying | General Studies descriptive, 300 marks |
| Group IIA | Tamil Eligibility, 100 marks, qualifying | CBT objective: 150 GS + 50 reasoning questions, 300 marks |
- Reference Paper II alone determined ranking.
TNPSC Group II and IIA Syllabus Overview
Subjects and stages in the official syllabus
- Reference Preliminary areas were language, General Studies, aptitude and mental ability.
- Reference Main Paper I was a Tamil Eligibility Test; Group II Paper II was descriptive General Studies, while Group IIA Paper II was objective CBT.
- Use the syllabus annexure in the 2026 notification when published.
Language
General Tamil or General English in the reference Preliminary paper.
General Studies
Degree-standard component in the reference scheme.
Aptitude and reasoning
Preliminary and Group IIA components under the reference notice.
Tamil Eligibility Test
Qualifying Main Paper I in both reference routes.
TNPSC Group II Answer Key Status
Verified current-cycle status
Current status: No 2026 answer key exists before the examination and official release.
Use TNPSC's answer-key page after the exam.
TNPSC Group II Result Status
Verified current-cycle status
Current status: No 2026 Group II/IIA result exists at the pre-notification stage.
Each stage result should be checked on the official dashboard.
TNPSC Group II Cut-off Status
Verified current-cycle status
Current status: No 2026 official cut-off is available.
Reference minimum marks are not a predicted competitive cut-off.
Routes, Posts and Outcomes
Where successful candidates may progress
Group II and IIA cover different interview/non-interview-style state and subordinate posts, but the exact 2026 roster is not in the planner.
- The detailed notice will identify Group II and Group IIA posts separately.
- Post-specific degree, technical and physical conditions must be checked before selection.
TNPSC Group II/IIA current-cycle check
| Item | Current position |
|---|---|
| Notification | Planned 11 August 2026 |
| Vacancies/post list | Await detailed notification |
| Preliminary examination | Tentatively 25 October 2026 |
TNPSC Group II and IIA Preparation Strategy
A syllabus-first preparation route
- Wait for the 2026 post roster before choosing post-specific preparation.
- Use previous papers to practise the reference common Preliminary format.
- Prepare Tamil eligibility alongside Group II descriptive or Group IIA objective practice according to intended posts.
- Remap the plan immediately after the detailed notification appears.
TNPSC Group II and IIA Previous Question Papers
Official question-paper resources
Use TNPSC's official previous-question and descriptive-paper archives; match Group II/IIA and the correct year.
TNPSC Group II and IIA Frequently Asked Questions
When is the TNPSC Group II 2026 notification planned?
11 August 2026 in the annual planner.
When is TNPSC Group II Prelims planned?
25 October 2026, tentatively.
How many 2026 vacancies are there?
The annual planner does not state them; wait for the detailed notification.
Is the application open?
It was not open as of 2 August 2026 because the notification was planned for 11 August.
What is the reference selection route?
A common Preliminary exam followed by separate Group II and Group IIA Main exams.
Is there an interview?
Notification 11/2025 did not use an interview in its stated Group II/IIA plan; the 2026 notice must confirm the current route.
What was the reference fee?
₹100 Preliminary and ₹150 per Main route for non-exempt candidates, plus OTR if needed; recheck 2026.
Is OTR enough to apply?
No. Submit the separate examination application after the notification opens.
Official Information and Sources
Primary notice and authority links
Related Tamil Nadu and State PSC Examinations
Compare posts only after the detailed notification establishes the current roster.
Verify Before You Apply
Eligibility, dates, fees, vacancies, pattern and status can change. Read the latest notice on the official authority’s website before applying. NeelGyan does not collect application fees or guarantee admission or selection.