TNPSC Group 4 2026 –
VAO, Junior Assistant & Complete Guide
TNPSC Group 4 (CCSE IV) recruits VAO, Junior Assistant, Typist, Steno-Typist, Bill Collector, Forest Guard and other posts across Tamil Nadu government departments. 200 MCQ questions, 300 marks (1.5 marks each), no interview. Minimum qualification: SSLC (10th Pass). Salary: ₹32,000–₹41,000/month gross (Chennai, 2026 rates).
What is TNPSC Group 4 2026?
The TNPSC Group 4 Combined Civil Services Examination (CCSE IV) is conducted by the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission to recruit candidates for clerical and field-level posts in Tamil Nadu state government departments. It is one of the largest and most accessible state government exams in India, with 3,000–10,000+ vacancies per cycle. The 2025 cycle alone received over 23 lakh applications.
What makes TNPSC Group 4 unique is its SSLC (10th pass) eligibility for most posts, making it accessible to a very large segment of aspirants. There is no interview round — selection is entirely based on the written exam score and certificate verification. This transparency makes it one of the most trusted state recruitment examinations.
The Village Administrative Officer (VAO) post is the most competitive under Group 4, carrying field authority and administrative responsibilities. Junior Assistant is typically the largest in terms of vacancies. With a systematic 4–6 month preparation plan using Samacheer Kalvi textbooks and TNPSC previous papers, this exam is genuinely achievable for dedicated aspirants.
Important Dates 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| TNPSC Group 4 2022-23 Notification Released | ✅ November 2022 |
| TNPSC Group 4 2022-23 Written Exam | ✅ 22 January 2023 |
| TNPSC Group 4 2023-24 Notification Released | ✅ September 2023 |
| TNPSC Group 4 2023-24 Written Exam | ✅ June 2024 |
| TNPSC Group 4 2023-24 Vacancies (Revised) | ✅ 8,932 posts (increased from 6,244) |
| TNPSC Group 4 2025 Notification Released | ✅ 25 April 2025 |
| TNPSC Group 4 2025 Application Last Date | ✅ 24 May 2025 |
| TNPSC Group 4 2025 Written Exam | ✅ 12 July 2025 |
| TNPSC Group 4 2025 Answer Key Released | ✅ 21 July 2025 |
| TNPSC Group 4 2025 Result Declared | ✅ 22 October 2025 |
| TNPSC Group 4 2025 Total Vacancies (Revised) | ✅ 4,662 posts (increased from 3,935) |
| 🆕 TNPSC Group 4 2026 Notification | ⚠️ 6 October 2026 (Annual Planner) |
| TNPSC Group 4 2026 Application Period | ⚠️ October–November 2026 (Expected) |
| TNPSC Group 4 2026 Written Exam | ⚠️ 20 December 2026 (Annual Planner) |
| TNPSC Group 4 2026 Result | ⚠️ TBN |
⚠️ 2026 dates are from the official TNPSC Annual Planner released December 2025. Exact notification date, application window, and hall ticket dates will be confirmed in the official notification. Always verify from tnpsc.gov.in.
Eligibility Criteria
Age Limits by Category
| Category | Min Age | Max Age |
|---|---|---|
| OC (Open Competition) – General | 18 years | 32 years |
| BC / BC (Muslim) | 18 years | 35 years |
| MBC / DNC | 18 years | 35 years |
| SC / SCA / ST | 18 years | 37 years |
| Differently-Abled (PwD) | 18 years | 42 years |
| Widows / Destitute Women | 18 years | No upper limit |
| Ex-Servicemen | – | Military service + 3 yrs |
| Sportspersons (Govt recognised) | 18 years | 40 years (OC) |
| Forest Guard / Forest Watcher | 21 years | 31 years |
Posts & Vacancies
| Post Name | Qualification | Pay Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Village Administrative Officer (VAO) | SSLC (10th Pass) | ₹19,500 – ₹62,000 |
| Junior Assistant (Non-Security) | SSLC (10th Pass) | ₹19,500 – ₹62,000 |
| Typist | SSLC + Typewriting Certificate | ₹19,500 – ₹62,000 |
| Steno-Typist (Grade III) | SSLC + Shorthand & Typewriting | ₹19,500 – ₹62,000 |
| Bill Collector | SSLC (10th Pass) | ₹19,500 – ₹62,000 |
| Field Surveyor | SSLC (10th Pass) | ₹19,500 – ₹62,000 |
| Personal Clerk | SSLC + Typewriting | ₹19,500 – ₹62,000 |
| Forest Guard | HSC (12th Pass) with Science subjects | ₹19,500 – ₹62,000 |
| Forest Watcher | SSLC (10th Pass) | ₹19,500 – ₹62,000 |
| Junior Revenue Inspector | SSLC (10th Pass) | ₹19,500 – ₹62,000 |
Exam Pattern 2026
Written Examination (OMR-based Offline) – 200 Questions | 300 Marks | 3 Hours | 1.5 marks per question
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Part A – Tamil Eligibility-cum-Scoring Test (or General English) | 100 | 150 |
| Part B – General Studies (GS) | 75 | 112.5 |
| Part B – Aptitude & Mental Ability (AMAB) | 25 | 37.5 |
| Total | 200 | 300 |
✅ Key Facts
- Single paper – no separate Prelims and Mains
- No negative marking (confirmed in 2025 cycle)
- Each correct answer = 1.5 marks
- Language paper: Candidates choose Tamil OR English
- No interview round – merit purely on written score
- Minimum qualifying marks: 90 out of 300
⚠️ Important Notes
- Candidates must score 40% (60/150 marks) in Part A for Part B to be evaluated
- Exam is conducted offline (OMR-based, pen and paper)
- 5-mark penalty if Booklet Number not written on OMR sheet
- Forest Guard/Watcher posts may have a Physical Test in addition
- Always verify exam scheme in the official notification for your cycle
Detailed Syllabus 2026
🏛️ General Studies (GS)
- ▸Unit I – History of India: Indus Valley Civilisation, Vedic Period, Mauryan, Gupta, Delhi Sultanate, Mughal Empire, Bhakti & Sufi movements, Maratha, Colonial period, Freedom Movement
- ▸Unit II – Culture & Heritage: Temples of TN, Carnatic music, Bharatanatyam, arts and crafts, UNESCO heritage sites, important Tamil personalities
- ▸Unit III – Indian Polity: Constitution, Fundamental Rights & Duties, DPSP, Parliament & State Legislature, President, Governor, Judiciary, Panchayati Raj, 73rd & 74th Amendments
- ▸Unit IV – Indian Geography: Physical features, rivers, climate, soil types, agriculture, minerals, industries, human & economic geography
- ▸Unit V – Tamil Nadu Geography & Economy: Districts, rivers, dams, forest resources, industries, MSME, agriculture – crops & production
- ▸Unit VI – Indian Economy: Five Year Plans, NITI Aayog, taxation, banking & RBI, budget, poverty & welfare schemes, Make in India, Digital India
- ▸Unit VII – General Science: Physics (optics, motion, electricity), Chemistry (acids/bases, carbon compounds), Biology (nutrition, respiration, genetics, disease)
- ▸Unit VIII – Environment & Ecology: Biodiversity, climate change, pollution, renewable energy, conservation, National Parks in Tamil Nadu
- ▸Unit IX – Current Events: National and international events (last 12 months), TN government schemes, awards, sports, science & technology updates
- ▸Unit X – Aptitude (within GS): Series completion, analogy, coding-decoding, blood relations, direction sense, time & work, percentage, HCF/LCM, average
📖 General Tamil (Tamil Eligibility-cum-Scoring Test)
- ▸Tamil Language: Eluththu (letters), Sol (words), Pori & Punarithi, Idai Eluththu, Mozhi Payilchi
- ▸Tamil Literature: Sangam literature (Purananuru, Ainkurunuru), Silappathikaram, Kamba Ramayanam, Thirukkural, Manimekalai
- ▸Tamil Grammar: Seyyuliyal, Iyal, Isai, Naadam, Eluththatikaram, Collatikaram
- ▸Modern Tamil Literature: Short stories, novels, poetry of 20th & 21st century Tamil writers
- ▸Applied Tamil: Letter writing, essay, comprehension, vocabulary, antonyms/synonyms in Tamil
📝 General English (Alternative to Tamil — candidates choose one)
- ▸General English is available as an alternative to General Tamil. Candidates must choose ONE language paper (Tamil OR English) while applying.
- ▸If choosing English: Topics include Grammar (tenses, voice, articles, prepositions), Comprehension, Vocabulary (synonyms, antonyms, idioms), Sentence correction, Cloze tests.
- ▸The 2025 TNPSC Group 4 exam released separate answer keys for both "General English with General Studies" and "Tamil Eligibility-cum-Scoring Test with General Studies" — confirming both options are active.
- ▸⚠️ Note: Most TNPSC Group 4 aspirants choose Tamil as it aligns better with the SSLC-standard syllabus. If you studied in English medium, evaluate both options carefully before deciding.
🔢 Aptitude & Mental Ability (AMAB)
- ▸Logical Reasoning: Statements & conclusions, syllogisms, coding-decoding, blood relations, direction & distance
- ▸Data Interpretation: Tables, bar charts, pie charts, line graphs
- ▸Number Series: Missing number, wrong number in series
- ▸Arithmetic: Percentages, ratio & proportion, average, simple & compound interest, profit & loss, time & work, time speed distance
- ▸Geometry & Mensuration: Area, perimeter, volume of basic shapes
- ▸Mental Ability: Pattern recognition, analogy, classification, matrix-based problems
Previous Year Cut-offs (out of 300)
| Category | 2025 (est.) |
|---|---|
| OC (General) | ~160–175 / 300 |
| BC | ~148–162 / 300 |
| MBC / DNC | ~138–152 / 300 |
| SC / SCA | ~125–140 / 300 |
| ST | ~115–130 / 300 |
Cut-offs shown are approximate estimates based on community analysis and coaching centre projections. VAO cut-offs are typically 5–10 marks higher than the general Group 4 cut-off. Official cut-offs are published by TNPSC on tnpsc.gov.in post-result. The 2025 cut-offs appear lower than 2023-24 due to higher vacancies (4,662 vs 8,932) and different competition dynamics.
💰 Salary & Benefits 2026
| Salary Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay (All Group 4 posts — Level 8, TN Pay Matrix) | ₹19,500/month |
| Dearness Allowance (DA) — 60% of Basic Pay (w.e.f. 1 Jan 2026) | ₹11,700/month |
| House Rent Allowance (HRA) — Chennai: 24% | Other cities: 8–16% | ₹4,680/month (Chennai) |
| Other Allowances (Transport, Medical, CCA, etc.) | ₹1,500–₹3,000/month |
| Gross Estimated Salary (Chennai, before deductions) | ~₹37,000–₹41,000/month |
| Approximate In-Hand (after NPS, Professional Tax, etc.) | ~₹32,000–₹36,000/month |
Government Health Insurance Scheme (GHIS) for employee and immediate family members.
Earned Leave, Casual Leave, Medical Leave. 180 days paid maternity leave for women employees.
Tamil Nadu Government Servants Contributory Pension Scheme (NPS-equivalent). Gratuity on retirement.
How to Apply for TNPSC Group 4
Applications are submitted online via the TNPSC ONE-TIME REGISTRATION (OTR) portal at tnpscexams.in. Steps below are based on the 2025 application process:
Register on TNPSC One-Time Registration Portal
Visit tnpsc.gov.in → "One Time Registration". Create your profile with personal details, educational qualifications, photo, and signature. One-Time Registration (OTR) fee: ₹150 (paid once, valid for 5 years — not per exam). This OTR ID is used for all future TNPSC applications. Existing registered candidates skip this fee.
Apply for TNPSC Group 4 Notification
Log in to your OTR account at tnpscexams.in → select the active Group 4 notification → verify pre-filled details → select your preferred post(s) and preferred exam centre (district). You may also need to select whether you want Tamil or English as your language paper.
Pay Exam Application Fee
Exam application fee: ₹100 per notification cycle. SC/ST, PwBD, Destitute Widows, and Ex-Servicemen are exempt from the exam fee. Payment via Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card, or UPI. Note: This ₹100 is separate from the one-time OTR registration fee of ₹150.
Upload Photo & Signature
Passport-size photo: JPEG, max 80 KB, white background — must be taken on or after the notification date with name & date printed. Signature: JPEG, max 40 KB, on white paper with black/blue ink. Both must be recent.
Submit & Take Printout
Review all details carefully before final submission. Download and print the confirmation page. Keep it safe — you will need it for certificate verification if selected.
6-Month Study Plan
Cover Indian history from Indus Valley to Independence with a focus on Tamil Nadu context. Use Samacheer Kalvi textbooks (6th–10th standard) as the primary source — TNPSC sets 40–50% of questions directly from these books. Study Indian Constitution basics: Fundamental Rights, Preamble, DPSP, Parliament, Panchayati Raj. Read for 2–3 hours daily.
Cover Indian and TN geography: physical features, rivers (especially TN rivers — Cauvery, Palar, Vaigai), agriculture, forests. Study General Tamil grammar (Eluththu, Sol, Mozhi Payilchi) or General English grammar depending on your chosen medium. Practice Tamil literature (Thirukkural, Sangam) or English comprehension daily.
Cover General Science thoroughly — TNPSC tests Class 6–10 science concepts. Focus on Physics (optics, electricity), Chemistry (acids/bases, carbon compounds), Biology (human body, diseases). Start AMAB: number series, coding-decoding, blood relations. AMAB carries 37.5 marks — do not ignore it. Practice 25 AMAB questions daily.
Study Indian and TN economy: Five Year Plans, NITI Aayog, poverty schemes, budget highlights. Environment: biodiversity, climate change, National Parks. Begin current affairs — focus on TN government news, national appointments, welfare schemes launched in last 6–12 months. Read "The Hindu" or follow free Telegram channels for daily updates.
Revise all GS units using your notes. Solve 2 full-length mock tests per week (200 questions, 3 hours). Analyse every mock carefully — identify which units are weak. Revise Samacheer Kalvi books for high-yield chapters. Focus on TN-specific GK: dams, districts, Governors, Chief Ministers, wildlife sanctuaries.
Solve previous year TNPSC Group 4 papers from 2018–2025 (including the July 2025 paper). These are the single most effective practice resource. Notice recurring question patterns. Revise weak areas identified in mock tests. Brush up on current affairs for the last 3 months. Focus on accuracy over speed — TNPSC Group 4 has no negative marking, so attempt all 200 questions.
Best Books for TNPSC Group 4
| Subject | Book Title |
|---|---|
| GS – History, Polity, Geography, Science | Samacheer Kalvi Textbooks (6th–10th Std) |
| Tamil / English Language | Samacheer Kalvi Tamil / English (6th–12th Std) |
| General Studies (Comprehensive) | TNPSC Group 4 Study Material (Tamil & English) |
| AMAB – Aptitude & Mental Ability | Analytical Reasoning & Mental Ability for TNPSC |
| Previous Year Papers (Essential) | TNPSC Group IV Previous Year Papers (2018–2025) |
| Current Affairs (TN focus) | Monthly Current Affairs Capsule for TNPSC |
| Full Mock Tests | TNPSC Group 4 Practice Sets – 30 Tests |
Free Preparation Resources
TNPSC Official Website
Official notifications, previous year question papers, model questions, hall ticket download, results — the single most important resource.
TN Textbooks Online (Free PDFs)
Free official Samacheer Kalvi textbooks (6th–12th) in PDF — covers 40–50% of TNPSC Group 4 GS questions directly.
Winmeen TNPSC YouTube
Free TNPSC Group 4 coaching videos in Tamil — GS, AMAB, and language paper tips by experienced educators.
TNPSC Thervupettagam (YouTube)
Tamil-medium free classes for Group 1, 2, and 4 — one of the top TNPSC YouTube channels in Tamil Nadu.
TNPSC Previous Year Question Papers
Official previous year question papers for Group 4 from tnpsc.gov.in — the most accurate exam preparation resource available.
Winmeen Online Mock Tests
Free and paid TNPSC Group 4 mock tests in Tamil. Free tier includes chapter-wise tests and previous year papers.
TN e-District (Current Affairs)
Reference for Tamil Nadu government schemes, welfare programmes, and district-level developments useful for current affairs.
Expert Preparation Tips
Samacheer Kalvi textbooks are the most important resource for TNPSC Group 4. Around 40–60 questions in each exam are directly or indirectly based on Class 6–10 Samacheer books. Download free PDFs from textbooksonline.tn.gov.in and read them cover to cover at least twice.
Solve all previous year TNPSC Group 4 papers from 2018 to 2025 (including the July 2025 exam paper). These are freely available on tnpsc.gov.in. TNPSC frequently repeats questions or tests the same concept in different wording — recognising these patterns is a major scoring advantage.
No negative marking in TNPSC Group 4 (confirmed in the 2025 notification). Attempt all 200 questions. Each question carries 1.5 marks — even guessing a topic you partly remember gives you a 25% chance of getting it right, and the expected gain is positive.
Tamil Nadu-specific GK is heavily tested. Know your state: all 38 districts, important rivers (Cauvery, Vaigai, Tamiraparani, Palar), dams (Mettur, Papanasam), wildlife sanctuaries, UNESCO sites like Brihadeeswarar Temple, and current Chief Minister/Governor.
AMAB (Aptitude & Mental Ability) carries 37.5 marks out of 300. Many candidates ignore this section, which gives serious aspirants an edge. Practise 25 AMAB questions daily from Month 3 onwards to score 30+ in this section reliably.
For current affairs, focus on Tamil Nadu news: new government schemes, welfare programmes, recent Sports/Awards (TN players), and Centre–State policy news. Reading "The Hindu" Tamil edition or following Winmeen Telegram for 15 minutes daily is sufficient.
As per the TNPSC Annual Planner 2026, the next Group 4 notification is scheduled for 6 October 2026 with the exam on 20 December 2026. Keep the official website tnpsc.gov.in bookmarked and enable browser notifications so you don't miss the announcement.
The language paper (Part A) carries 150 marks (100 questions × 1.5 marks) — it is the highest-scoring section. Candidates can choose either Tamil or English. If choosing Tamil, master grammar topics (Eluththu, Sol, Mozhi Payilchi) as they are highly predictable. If choosing English, focus on grammar and comprehension.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is TNPSC Group 4 2026 – when is the notification expected?
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What is the exam pattern for TNPSC Group 4?
What is the TNPSC Group 4 salary in 2026?
Is there negative marking in TNPSC Group 4?
Is General English still available in TNPSC Group 4?
📅 Last Updated: 9 June 2026
Disclaimer: Information on this page is based on the TNPSC Annual Planner 2026, the 2025 official notification (No. 07/2025), and previous official notifications. Dates, vacancies, exam pattern, and eligibility conditions may change in the official 2026 notification. Always verify the latest details from tnpsc.gov.in before applying. TaiyarHo.in is an independent free exam preparation guide and is not affiliated with TNPSC or the Tamil Nadu Government.