TNPSC Group 1 Prelims 2026 Question Paper and Answer Key; Download PDF
TNPSC Group 1 2026 Question Paper and Answer Key are available here to download in PDF format. TNPSC Group 1 2026 Prelims exam was conducted on September 27, 2026, from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM. TNPSC conducts the Combined Civil Services Examination-I, commonly known as Group I Services, to recruit candidates for posts such as Deputy Collector, District Registrar and Assistant Commissioner. Candidates can download the TNPSC Group 1 Prelims 2026 Question Paper, Answer Key and Detailed Solution from the table below.
TNPSC Group 1 Prelims 2026 Question Paper and Answer Key PDF
| Question Paper PDF | Answer Key PDF | Detailed Solution |
|---|---|---|
TNPSC Group 1 Prelims 2026 General Studies Question Paper and Answer Key PDF (Sep 27, 2026) |
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TNPSC Group 1 2026 Exam Analysis
TNPSC Group 1 Prelims 2026 was conducted on September 27, 2026, in a single shift from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM. The paper consisted of 200 objective-type questions for 300 marks, including 175 questions from General Studies and 25 questions from Aptitude and Mental Ability. Questions covered General Science, Current Events, Geography, Indian History and Culture, Tamil Nadu History and Culture, Indian Polity, Indian Economy, Development Administration in Tamil Nadu, the Indian National Movement, and Aptitude and Reasoning.
Candidates can use the TNPSC Group 1 2026 question paper and answer key to review the actual questions asked, identify topic-wise coverage and calculate their probable scores. The detailed difficulty level and good-attempt range should be considered after complete analysis of the question paper and candidate feedback.
TNPSC Group 1 Exam Pattern
TNPSC Group 1 selection consists of the Preliminary Examination, Main Written Examination and Interview. The Prelims is an objective screening examination, while the Mains papers are descriptive. There is no optional subject in the Main Examination.
| Stage | Paper | Type | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prelims | Single paper: General Studies (175 Q) and Aptitude & Mental Ability (25 Q) | Objective, screening test | 300 | 3 hours |
| Mains | Paper I, Tamil Eligibility Test | Descriptive, qualifying (minimum 40%) | 100 | 3 hours |
| Mains | Papers II to IV, General Studies | Descriptive | 250 each (750 total) | 3 hours each |
| Interview | Personality Test | Oral | 100 | As scheduled |
Prelims marks are used only for shortlisting candidates for the Main Examination and are not added to the final merit score. The final ranking is based on marks obtained in the merit-counting Main Examination papers and the Interview.
Section Wise Weightage in TNPSC Group 1 Prelims
TNPSC Group 1 Prelims 2026 consisted of 175 General Studies questions and 25 Aptitude and Mental Ability questions. As per the prescribed syllabus, the indicative unit-wise distribution is given below:
- Indian Economy and Development Administration in Tamil Nadu carries the highest indicative weightage with 50 questions.
- Indian Polity carries an indicative 40 questions.
- History, Culture, Heritage and Socio-Political Movements in Tamil Nadu carries an indicative 40 questions.
- History, Culture of India and Indian National Movement accounts for around 25 questions.
- General Science and Geography carry around 10 questions each.
- Aptitude and Mental Ability together account for 25 questions at SSLC standard.
Important Topics Asked in TNPSC Group 1 2026
The TNPSC Group 1 Prelims syllabus covers a broad mix of Tamil Nadu-specific and national topics. Candidates reviewing the 2026 paper should focus on the following areas:
- Tamil Nadu economy and development administration
- Indian Polity and Constitution
- Tamil Nadu history, culture, heritage and socio-political movements
- Indian history and the Indian National Movement
- General Science
- Geography of India and Tamil Nadu
- National and Tamil Nadu-specific current affairs
- Arithmetic, data interpretation and logical reasoning
Best Books for TNPSC Group 1 Preparation
Candidates preparing for upcoming TNPSC Group 1 examinations can use the 2026 question paper along with standard textbooks and previous year papers to understand the examination level and recurring topics:
- NCERT and Tamil Nadu State Board textbooks for foundational concepts across History, Polity, Economy, Geography and Science.
- A standard Indian Polity reference book for constitutional and governance topics.
- Dedicated Tamil Nadu history, culture, economy and administration study material.
- TNPSC current affairs material for national and Tamil Nadu-specific developments.
- Previous year TNPSC Group 1 Prelims and Mains question papers for timed practice and exam analysis.
TNPSC Group 1 2026 Question Paper FAQs
Ques: Has the TNPSC Group 1 2026 Prelims exam been conducted?
Ans: Yes. TNPSC Group 1 Prelims 2026 was conducted on September 27, 2026, from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM in a single three-hour session.
Ques: Where can I download the TNPSC Group 1 2026 Question Paper and Answer Key?
Ans: Candidates can download the TNPSC Group 1 Prelims 2026 Question Paper, Answer Key and Detailed Solution PDF from the download table provided above.
Ques: How many questions were asked in TNPSC Group 1 Prelims 2026?
Ans: TNPSC Group 1 Prelims 2026 consisted of 200 objective-type questions for 300 marks. General Studies had 175 questions, while Aptitude and Mental Ability had 25 questions.
Ques: What was the duration of TNPSC Group 1 Prelims 2026?
Ans: Candidates were given three hours to complete the TNPSC Group 1 Preliminary Examination, which was conducted from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM on September 27, 2026.
Ques: Are TNPSC Group 1 Prelims marks included in the final merit list?
Ans: No. The Preliminary Examination is used for shortlisting candidates for the Main Examination. Prelims marks are not added to the final merit score.
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