TNPSC Exam Pattern & Syllabus

The Tamilnadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) conducts Combined Civil Services Exam (Group I) for recruitment to various administrative positions in Kerala.

The recruitment process includes 3 stages -

1. Preliminary examination
2. Mains examination
3. Interview/ Personality test

TNPSC Group-1 Prelims Exam Pattern

The TNPSC Group-1 Prelims exam is a screening test used to shortlist candidates for the Mains. It includes two objective-type paper. Marks obtained in the preliminary exam are not counted for the final selection but are used to qualify for the mains exam.

Note: Minimum Qualifying Marks are -

• For SCs, SC(A)s, STs, MBCs/DCs, BC(OBCM)s and BCMs: 90 Marks
• For Others: 120 Marks

TNPSC Group-1 Prelims exam Syllabus

UNIT-I: GENERAL SCIENCE

1. Scientific Knowledge and Scientific Temper - Power of Reasoning - Rote Learning vs Conceptual Learning - Science as a tool to understand the past, present and future.
2. 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.
3. Elements and Compounds, Acids, Bases, Salts, Petroleum Products, Fertilisers, Pesticides.
4. Main concepts of Life Science, Classification of Living Organisms, Evolution, Genetics, Physiology, Nutrition, Health and Hygiene, Human Diseases.
5. Environment and Ecology.

UNIT-II: CURRENT EVENTS

1. History - Latest diary of events - National symbols - Profile of States - Eminent personalities and places in news – Sports - Books and authors.
2. Polity - Political parties and political system in India - Public awareness and General administration - Welfare oriented Government schemes and their utility, Problems in Public Delivery Systems.
3. Geography - Geographical landmarks.
4. Economics - Current socio - economic issues.
5. Science - Latest inventions in Science and Technology.
6. Prominent Personalities in various spheres – Arts, Science, Literature and Philosophy.

UNIT-III: GEOGRAPHY OF INDIA

1. Location – Physical features - Monsoon, Rainfall, Weather and Climate - Water Resources - Rivers in India - Soil, Minerals and Natural Resources - Forest and Wildlife - Agricultural pattern.
2. Transport - Communication.
3. Social Geography – Population density and distribution - Racial, Linguistic Groups and Major Tribes.
4. Natural calamity – Disaster Management – Environmental pollution: Reasons and preventive measures – Climate change – Green energy.

UNIT–IV: HISTORY AND CULTURE OF INDIA

1. Indus Valley Civilization - Guptas, Delhi Sultans, Mughals and Marathas - Age of Vijayanagaram and Bahmani Kingdoms - South Indian History
2. Change and Continuity in the Socio-Cultural History of India.
3. Characteristics of Indian Culture, Unity in Diversity – Race, Language, Custom.
4. India as a Secular State, Social Harmony.

UNIT-V: INDIAN POLITY

1. Constitution of India - Preamble to the Constitution - Salient features of the Constitution - Union, State and Union Territory.
2. Citizenship, Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties, Directive Principles of State Policy.
3. Union Executive, Union Legislature – State Executive, State Legislature – Local Governments, Panchayat Raj.
4. Spirit of Federalism: Centre - State Relationships.
5. Election - Judiciary in India – Rule of Law.
6. Corruption in Public Life – Anti-corruption measures – Lokpal and Lok Ayukta - Right to Information - Empowerment of Women - Consumer Protection Forums, Human Rights Charter.

UNIT-VI: INDIAN ECONOMY

1. Nature of Indian Economy – Five year plan models - an assessment – Planning Commission and Niti Ayog.
2. 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.
3. 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.

UNIT-VII: INDIAN NATIONAL MOVEMENT

1. 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.
2. Different modes of Agitation: Growth of Satyagraha and Militant Movements.
3. Communalism and Partition.

UNIT-VIII: History, Culture, Heritage and Socio - Political Movements in Tamil Nadu

1. History of Tamil Society, related Archaeological discoveries, Tamil Literature from Sangam Age till contemporary times.
2. Thirukkural : (a) Significance as a Secular Literature (b) Relevance to Everyday Life (c) Impact of Thirukkural on Humanity (d) Thirukkural and Universal Values - Equality, Humanism, etc (e) Relevance to Socio-Politico-Economic affairs (f) Philosophical content in Thirukkural
3. Role of Tamil Nadu in freedom struggle - Early agitations against British Rule - Role of women in freedom struggle.
4. 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.

UNIT–IX: Development Administration in Tamil Nadu

1. 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.
2. Political parties and Welfare schemes for various sections of people – Rationale behind Reservation Policy and access to Social Resources - Economic trends in Tamil Nadu – Role and impact of social welfare schemes in the Socio - Economic Development of Tamil Nadu.
3. Social Justice and Social Harmony as the Cornerstones of SocioEconomic Development.
4. Education and Health Systems in Tamil Nadu.
5. Geography of Tamil Nadu and its impact on Economic growth.
6. Achievements of Tamil Nadu in various fields.
7. e-Governance in Tamil Nadu.

UNIT-X: APTITUDE AND MENTAL ABILITY

1. Simplification – Percentage - Highest Common Factor (HCF) - Lowest Common Multiple (LCM).
2. Ratio and Proportion.
3. Simple interest - Compound interest - Area - Volume - Time and Work.
4. Logical Reasoning - Puzzles-Dice - Visual Reasoning - Alpha numeric Reasoning – Number Series

TNPSC Group-1 Mains Exam Pattern
The 2nd Stage that is the Mains Exam of Tamilnadu PSC includes 1 Qualifying Paper and 7 merit papers of descriptive nature.

TNPSC Group-1 Mains Exam Syllabus

Paper I: Tamil Eligibility Test

1. த ொழிதபயர்த் ல் (i) மிழிலிருந்துஆங்கிலத்துக்கு த ொழிதபயர்த் ல் (ii) ஆங்கிலத்திலிருந்து மிழுக்கு த ொழிதபயர்த்தல்
2. சுருக்கி வரை ல்
3. தபொருள்உணர்திறன்
4. சுருக்கக் குறிப்பிலிருந்துவிரிவொக்கம் தெய் ல்
5. திருக்குறள் மதாடர்பானகட்டுரை வரைதல்

• ச் ெொர்பற்ற னித் ன்ர யுள்ள இலக்கியம்
• அன்றொட வொழ்வியலலொடு த ொடர்புத்தன்ர
• ானுடத்தின்மீதானதிருக்குறளின் தாக்கம்
• திருக்குறளும் ொறொ விழுமியங்களும் – ெ த்துவம், னி லேயம் மு லொனரவ
• ெமூக அைசியல் தபொருளொ ொை நிகழ்வுகளில் திருக்குறளின் தபொருத் ப்பொடு
• திருக்குறளில் த்துவக்லகொட்பொடுகள

1. கடி ம் வரை ல் (அலுவல் ெொர்ந் து)
2. தமிழ் ம ாழிஅறிவ

பொடத்திட்டம்

1. ற்காை நிகழ்வுகள்
2. சமுதாயப் பிைச்சரனகள்
3. சுற்றுச்சூழல் மதாடர்பானதரைப்புகள்
4. இந்தியப் மபாருளாதைம் மதாடர்பானதரைப்புகள்
5. அறிவியலும் மதாழில்நுட்பமும்
6. கரையும்பண்பாடும்
7. பகுத் றிவு இயக்கங்கள் - திைொவிட இயக்கம், சுய ரியொர இயக்கம்.
8. இக்கொலத் மிழ்த ொழி - கணினித் மிழ், வழக்கு ன்றத் மிழ், அலுவைக த ொழியொகத் மிழ், புதிய வரகர கள
9. மிழ்ேொட்டின் ெமூகப் தபொருளொ ொை முன்லனற்றம் ற்றும் தமிழக அைசின் ேலத்திட்டங்கள் (மபண்கள் விவசாயிகள்…), ெமூக ேலத்திட்டங்கரள ேரடமுரறப்படுத்து லில் ெமூக சீர்திருத் இயக்கங்களின் பங்கு - இட ஒதுக்கீடும் அ ன் பயன்களும் - மிழ்ேொட்டின் ெமூகப் தபொருளொ ொை வளர்ச்சியில் ெமூக நீதி ற்றும் ெமூக ஒற்றுர யின்பங்கு.
10. மசாந்த வாக்கியத்தில் அர த்து எழுதுக, மபாருள் தவறுபாடு அறிதல், பிரித்மதழுதுக, எதிர்ச்மசால், எதிர் ரற வாக்கியம் , பிரழநீக்கி எழுதுக.
11. திருக்குறளிலிருந்து கீழ்க்காணும் தரைப்புகள் மதாடர்பாக கட்டுரை எழுதுதல்

• ச் ெொர்பற்ற னித் ன்ர யுள்ள இலக்கியம்
• அன்றொட வொழ்வியலலொடு த ொடர்புத்தன்ர
• ானுடத்தின்மீதானதிருக்குறளின் தாக்கம்
• திருக்குறளும் ொறொ விழுமியங்களும் – ெ த்துவம், னி லேயம் மு லொனரவ
• ெமூக அைசியல் தபொருளொ ொை நிகழ்வுகளில் திருக்குறளின் தபொருத் ப்பொடு
• திருக்குறளில் த்துவக்லகொட்பொடுகள

Paper II: General Studies

UNIT- I: MODERN HISTORY OF INDIA AND INDIAN CULTURE

• Advent of European invasion ‐ Expansion and consolidation of British rule - Early uprising against British rule ‐ 1857 Revolt - Indian National Congress ‐ Growth of militant movements ‐ Different modes of agitations - Emergence of national leaders ‐ Gandhi, Nehru, Tagore, Netaji, Moulana Abulkalam Azad, Ambedkar and Patel ‐ Era of different Acts & Pacts ‐ Second World War & final phase struggle ‐ Communalism led to partition.
• Effect of British rule on socio‐economic factors ‐ National renaissance - Socio religious reform movements.
• India since independence ‐ Characteristics of Indian culture ‐ Unity in diversity ‐ Race, Language, Religion Custom ‐ India: a secular state ‐ Organizations for fine arts, dance, drama and music.
• Role of Tamil Nadu in freedom struggle ‐ Bharathiar, VOC, Subramania Siva, Rajaji, Periyar and others - Political parties and Welfare schemes.
• Latest diary of events: National and International ‐ National symbols- Eminent personalities & places in news ‐ Sports & Games ‐ Books & Authors ‐ Awards & Honours ‐ Cultural panorama ‐ Latest historical events - Latest terminology ‐ Appointments ‐ who is who?

UNIT- II: SOCIAL ISSUES IN INDIA AND TAMIL NADU

• Population Explosion ‐ Unemployment issues in India & Tamil Nadu ‐ Child Abuse & Child Labour - Poverty - Rural and Urban Sanitation – Illiteracy.
• Women Empowerment ‐ Role of the Government in Women Empowerment - Social injustice to Women ‐ Domestic violence, Dowry menace, Sexual assault - Role of women and women’s organisations
• Social changes in India - Urbanization and its impact on the society – Problems and remedies ‐ Impact of violence on Society – Religious violence, Terrorism and Communal violence ‐ Regional Disparities ‐ Problems of Minorities ‐ Human Rights issues.
• Education – Linkage between Education and Social Development ‐ Community Development Programmes ‐ Employment Guarantee Schemes ‐ Self Employment and Entrepreneurship Development ‐ Role of N.G.Os in Social Welfare – Government Policy on Health.
• Welfare Schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Central and State governments and their performance.
• Current Affairs

UNIT-III: GENERAL APTITUDE & MENTAL ABILITY (SSLC Standard)

• Conversion of information to data ‐ Collection, compilation and presentation of data ‐ Tables, Graphs, Diagrams ‐ Parametric representation of data ‐ Analytical interpretation of data ‐ Percentage ‐ Highest Common Factor (HCF) ‐ Lowest Common Multiple (LCM) ‐ Ratio and Proportion ‐ Simple interest ‐ Compound interest ‐ Area ‐ Volume‐ Time and Work - Probability.
• Information technology ‐ Basic terms, Communications ‐ Application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) ‐ Decision making and problem solving ‐ Basics in Computers / Computer terminology.

PAPER – III - General studies

UNIT – I: INDIAN POLITY AND EMERGING POLITICAL TRENDS ACROSS THE WORLD AFFECTING INDIA

• Constitution of India: Historical background - Making of the Indian Constitution - Preamble - Salient features of the Indian Constitution - Fundamental Rights and Fundamental Duties - Directive Principles of State Policy - Schedules to the Indian Constitution.
• Union Executive: President, Vice - President, Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Attorney General of India.
• Union Legislature: Parliament: Lok - Sabha and Rajya - Sabha - Composition, Powers, Functions and Legislative procedures.
• Union Judiciary: Structure, Powers and Functions of the Supreme Court - Judicial Review - Latest Verdicts.
• State Executive: Governor, Chief Minister - Speaker and Council of Ministers, Advocate General of the State.
• State Legislature: State Legislative Assembly - Organization, Powers and Functions. State Judiciary: Organisation, Powers and Functions of High Courts, District Courts and Subordinate Courts.
• Local Government: Historical Development - Features and working of 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992.
• Union Territories: Evolution of States and Union Territories - Administration of Union Territories. Federalism in India: Centre - State Relations - Centre - State Administrative Relations - Centre - State Legislative Relations and Centre - State Financial Relations.
• Federalism in India: Centre - State Relations - Centre - State Administrative Relations - Centre - State Legislative Relations and Centre - State Financial Relations.
• Civil Services in India: Historical background - Classification of Civil Services – Recruitment & Training of Civil Servants.
• State Services: Classification of State Services and Recruitment.
• Official Language: Constitutional provision - Official Language Act, VIII Schedule to the Constitution. Amendments: Major Amendments to the Indian Constitution.
• Special Status to Jammu & Kashmir: Art 370.
• Political Parties: National & Regional parties, Pressure Groups, Interest Groups, Public Opinion, Mass Media, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and their role.
• Issue Areas in Indian Administration: Corruption in India - Anti - Corruption Measures - CVC - Lok Adalats - Ombudsman - RTI Act - Minister - Secretary Relationship - Generalist vs. Specialist controversy.
• Constitutional and Non-Constitutional Bodies - Composition, Powers and Functions.
• Profile of States - Defence, National Security and Terrorism - World Organisations - Pacts and Summits.
• India's Foreign Policy: Foreign Affairs with Special emphasis on India's relations with neighbouring countries and in the region - Security and defence related issues - Nuclear Policy - Issues and conflicts. The Indian Diaspora and its contribution to India and to the World.
• Current Affairs

UNIT – II: ROLE AND IMPACT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDIA

• Science and Technology – Role, Achievements and Developments - Their applications and effects in everyday life ‐ Energy ‐ Conventional and Non-conventional – Self sufficiency ‐ Oil exploration ‐ Defence Research Organizations and other science and technology institutions - Ocean Research and Development - Role and Functions.
• Advancements in the fields of I.T., Space, Computers, Robotics, Nano-Technology ‐ Mobile Communication - Remote sensing and its benefits. Health and hygiene ‐ Human diseases - Prevention and remedies ‐ Communicable diseases and non‐communicable diseases - Genetic Engineering - Organ transplantation - Stem cell Technology - Medical Tourism - Advancements in Horticulture & Agriculture.
• Achievements of Indians in the fields of Science and Technology.
• Latest inventions in science & technology.

UNIT – III: TAMIL SOCIETY - ITS CULTURE AND HERITAGE

Candidates may answer the questions in this unit EITHER in Tamil OR in English.

• Tamil Society: Origin and expansion.
• Art and Culture: Literature, Music, Film, Drama, Architecture, Sculpture, Paintings and Folk Arts.
• Socio - economic history of Tamil Nadu from Sangam age to till date.
• Growth of Rationalist, Dravidian movements in Tamil Nadu - Their role in the socio – economic development of Tamil Nadu.
• Social and cultural life of contemporary Tamils: Caste, Religion, Women, Politics, Education, Economy, Trade and relationship with other countries.
• Tamil and other Disciplines: Mass Media, Computer etc.

PAPER – IV ‐ General studies

UNIT-I: GEOGRAPHY OF INDIA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO TAMILNADU

• Location - Physical features - Major Rivers - Weather & Climate - Monsoon, Rainfall ‐ Natural resources:- Soil, Water, Forest, Minerals and Wild life - Agricultural pattern – Livestock - Fisheries - Industries; Major industries - Growth and Development - Social- Cultural geography - Population : Growth, Density and Distribution - Racial, linguistic and major tribes.
• Oceanography - Bottom relief features of Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal.
• Basics of Geospatial Technology: Geographical Information System (GIS) and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). Map: Geographical landmarks - India and its neighbours.
• Current Affairs

UNIT II: ENVIRONMENT, BIODIVERSITY AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT

• Ecology: Structure and function of Ecosystem – Ecological succession - Biodiversity conservation: Types – Biodiversity Hot Spots in India – Biodiversity : Significance and Threats – In situ and Ex situ conservation measures – Roles of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) & Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
• Environmental Pollution and Management: Air, Water, Soil, Thermal and Noise pollution and control strategies – Solid and Hazardous waste management - Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): Steps in EIA process – Environmental Clearance – Environmental Auditing.
• Climate Change: Global Environmental Issues and Management – Changes in monsoon pattern in Tamil Nadu and India – Environmental consequences of climate change and mitigation measures – Clean and Green Energy – Environmental Sustainability.
• Environmental Laws, Policies & Treaties in India and Global scenario - Natural calamities and Disaster Management – Environmental Health and Sanitation.
• Current Affairs

UNIT III: INDIAN ECONOMY - CURRENT ECONOMIC TRENDS AND IMPACT OF GLOBAL ECONOMY ON INDIA

• Features of Indian Economy – Demographical profile of India – National Income – Capital formation - NEP (New Economic Policy) – NITI AYOG – National Development Council.
• Agriculture – Role of Agriculture – Land reforms – New Agricultural Strategy – Green Revolution – Price Policy, Public Distribution System (PDS), Subsidy, Food Security– Agricultural Marketing, Crop Insurance, Labour – Rural credit & indebtness – WTO & Agriculture.
• Industry - Growth ‐ Policy – Role of public sector and disinvestment – Privatisation and Liberalization – Public Private Partnership (PPP) – SEZs. – MSMEs. – Make in India.
• Infrastructure in India – Transport System - Energy – Power – Communication - Social Infrastructure - Science & Technology - R&D.
• Banking & Finance – Banking, Money & Finance – Central Bank – Commercial Bank – NBFIs. - Stock Market – Financial Reforms – Financial Stability – Monetary Policy – RBI & Autonomy.
• Public Finance – Sources of Revenue – Tax & Non-Tax Revenue – Canons of taxation – GST – Public expenditure – Public debt – Finance Commission – Fiscal Policy.
• Issues in Indian Economy – Poverty & inequality – Poverty alleviation programmes – MGNREGA – New Welfare programmes for rural poverty – Unemployment – Inflation – Inflation targeting – Sustainable economic growth – Gender issues.
• India’s Foreign Trade – BOP, EX-IM Policy, FOREX Market, FDI; Globalization & its impact – Global economic crisis & impact on Indian economy.
• International Agencies – IMF (International Monetary Fund) World Bank - BRICS - SAARC - ASEAN.
• Tamil Nadu Economy & Issues – Gross State Domestic Product – Trends in State’s economic growth – Demographic profile of Tamil Nadu – Agriculture – Industry & entrepreneurship development in Tamil Nadu – Infrastructure – Power, Transportation systems – Social Infrastructure – SHGs. & Rural Women empowerment – Rural poverty & unemployment – Environmental issues – Regional economic disparities – Local Government - Recent government welfare programmes.
• Current Affairs

• The interview or Personality test is the final stage of the Tamilnadu PSC Group-1 Services examination process.
• This stage carries 100 marks.
• Candidates' overall personality, communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and general awareness are evaluated.
• The test is intended to judge the mental calibre of candidate. In broad terms, this is really an assessment of not only the intellectual qualities but also social traits and interest in current affairs including the knowledge of customs, manners and dialects of Tamilnadu.
• Some of the qualities to be judged are mental alertness, critical powers of assimilation, care, and logical exposition, the balance of judgments, variety, and depth of interest, ability for social cohesion and leadership, intellectual and moral integrity
• The marks obtained in the interview (out of 100) are added to the Mains marks (out of 300) for the final merit ranking (out of 750).