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Exam Review

Key Facts: TNPSC Group 1 Exam

200 items

Objective Questions in Prelims

TNPSC official syllabus

300 marks

Total Prelims Marks (1.5 per item)

TNPSC official syllabus

175 + 25

General Studies + Aptitude Split

TNPSC official syllabus

3 hours

Prelims Duration

TNPSC official syllabus

120 / 90

Qualifying Marks (OC / Others)

TNPSC official notification

Rs. 100

Preliminary Examination Fee

TNPSC official notification

The TNPSC Group I Prelims is a single 200-item objective paper for 300 marks completed in 3 hours, with 175 General Studies items (degree standard) and 25 Aptitude & Mental Ability items (SSLC standard). Each correct answer earns 1.5 marks with no negative marking. The Preliminary fee is Rs. 100. Qualifying marks are 120 (OC) and 90 (others); it is a screening stage only.

Sample TNPSC Group 1 Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the TNPSC Group 1 exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1In the TNPSC Group I Preliminary examination, how many objective-type items make up the single General Studies paper, and what is the total marks allotted?
A.200 items for 300 marks
B.175 items for 300 marks
C.200 items for 200 marks
D.100 items for 200 marks
Explanation: The TNPSC Group I Prelims is a single objective paper of 200 items carrying 300 marks, to be completed in 3 hours. Each correct answer earns 1.5 marks and there is no negative marking.
2The TNPSC Group I Prelims paper of 200 items is split between which two components?
A.175 General Studies (Degree Standard) + 25 Aptitude & Mental Ability (SSLC Standard)
B.100 General Studies + 100 Tamil language
C.150 General Studies + 50 Current Affairs
D.175 Aptitude + 25 General Studies
Explanation: Of the 200 items, 175 test General Studies at degree standard and 25 test Aptitude & Mental Ability at SSLC (matriculation) standard. There is no Tamil language paper in the Prelims; the Tamil Eligibility Test appears only in the Main examination.
3What is the role of the TNPSC Group I Preliminary examination in the overall selection process?
A.It is only a screening test; its marks are not counted in the final merit list
B.Its marks are added directly to the Mains marks for ranking
C.It is the final qualifying stage before appointment
D.It determines posting location but not selection
Explanation: The Prelims serves purely as a screening test to shortlist candidates for the Main examination. The final merit is based on Mains Papers II, III, IV and the interview taken together; Prelims marks are not carried forward.
4The standard composition of dry air is approximately 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. Which gas makes up the bulk of the remaining roughly 1%?
A.Argon
B.Carbon dioxide
C.Hydrogen
D.Helium
Explanation: After nitrogen (~78%) and oxygen (~21%), argon is the third most abundant gas in dry air at about 0.93%. Carbon dioxide is only about 0.04%, far less than argon.
5Which vitamin, synthesised in the skin on exposure to sunlight, is essential for calcium absorption and the prevention of rickets?
A.Vitamin D
B.Vitamin C
C.Vitamin A
D.Vitamin K
Explanation: Vitamin D is produced when ultraviolet sunlight acts on a cholesterol derivative in the skin. It promotes intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphorus; its deficiency causes rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults.
6The SI unit of electric current is the ampere. Which quantity is measured in the SI unit 'pascal'?
A.Pressure
B.Energy
C.Power
D.Electric charge
Explanation: The pascal (Pa) is the SI unit of pressure, equal to one newton per square metre. Energy is measured in joules, power in watts, and electric charge in coulombs.
7In photosynthesis, green plants convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose, releasing which gas as a by-product?
A.Oxygen
B.Carbon dioxide
C.Nitrogen
D.Methane
Explanation: During photosynthesis, chlorophyll-bearing plants use light energy to split water and combine CO2 with hydrogen to form glucose, releasing oxygen as a by-product. This process is the primary source of atmospheric oxygen.
8Which of the following is a renewable source of energy widely promoted in Tamil Nadu, where the Muppandal area near Kanyakumari is a major generating site?
A.Wind energy
B.Coal
C.Natural gas
D.Diesel
Explanation: Tamil Nadu is one of India's leading states in wind power, with the Muppandal wind farm near Kanyakumari among the largest onshore wind clusters in the country. Wind is renewable, while coal, natural gas, and diesel are non-renewable fossil fuels.
9Which mountain range forms the western boundary of Tamil Nadu and includes the highest peak in the state, Doddabetta?
A.Western Ghats
B.Eastern Ghats
C.Aravalli Range
D.Satpura Range
Explanation: The Western Ghats run along Tamil Nadu's western edge and include the Nilgiri hills, where Doddabetta (about 2,637 m) is the highest peak in the state. The Western Ghats are a UNESCO World Heritage biodiversity hotspot.
10Tamil Nadu receives the major part of its annual rainfall during which monsoon season, unlike most other Indian states?
A.North-East (retreating) monsoon, October to December
B.South-West monsoon, June to September
C.Pre-monsoon showers in March
D.Winter western disturbances in January
Explanation: Tamil Nadu is unusual among Indian states in receiving most of its rain from the North-East or retreating monsoon between October and December, when winds pick up moisture over the Bay of Bengal. The South-West monsoon brings most rain to the rest of India.

About the TNPSC Group 1 Exam

The TNPSC Combined Civil Services Examination - I (Group I Services) Preliminary is the screening stage for Tamil Nadu's most senior state civil service posts, including Deputy Collector, Deputy Superintendent of Police, and Assistant Commissioner. The Prelims is a single objective paper of 200 multiple-choice items carrying 300 marks, completed in 3 hours, with each correct answer worth 1.5 marks and no negative marking. Of the 200 items, 175 test General Studies at degree standard and 25 test Aptitude & Mental Ability at SSLC standard. The Prelims only shortlists candidates for the descriptive Main examination; its marks are not counted in the final merit list, which is based on the Mains and interview.

Exam sponsor: Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

200 questions

Time Limit

3 hours

Passing Score

Qualifying marks: 120 for OC, 90 for other than OC (Prelims is screening only)

Exam / Certification Fees

Rs. 100 Preliminary examination fee (plus a one-time Rs. 150 OTR fee valid 5 years; exemptions apply)

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: Not published. TNPSC does not publish a first-time pass-rate percentage for the Group I Prelims; it is a screening test and its marks are not counted in the final merit. Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

~25%

Indian Economy & Development Administration in Tamil Nadu

Planning and NITI Aayog, RBI and banking, fiscal and monetary policy, GST, Finance Commission, agriculture, industry, welfare schemes, and Tamil Nadu development programmes (~50 of 175 GS items)

~20%

Indian Polity

Constitution, Fundamental Rights and Duties, Directive Principles, Union and State institutions, judiciary, federalism, elections, RTI, and anti-corruption bodies (~40 GS items)

~20%

History, Culture, Heritage & Socio-Political Movements in Tamil Nadu

Sangam-age society, Thirukkural, Chola and Pallava heritage, Tamil Nadu in the freedom struggle, the Justice Party, and the Dravidian and Self-Respect Movements (~40 GS items)

~13%

History & Culture of India and Indian National Movement

Indus Valley to modern India, religions, art and architecture, and the freedom struggle from 1857 to 1947 (~25 GS items)

~13%

Aptitude & Mental Ability (SSLC Standard)

Numeracy (simplification, percentage, ratio, profit and loss, time and work, speed and distance, interest) and reasoning (series, coding, blood relations) (25 items)

~6%

General Science

Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, ecology, technology, and science current affairs (~10 GS items)

~6%

Geography

Physical and economic geography of India and Tamil Nadu — relief, climate, monsoons, rivers, soils, and resources (~10 GS items)

Preparing for the TNPSC Group 1 Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Qualifying marks: 120 for OC, 90 for other than OC (Prelims is screening only)
  • Exam length: 200 questions
  • Time limit: 3 hours
  • Exam / certification fees: Rs. 100 Preliminary examination fee (plus a one-time Rs. 150 OTR fee valid 5 years; exemptions apply) Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

TNPSC Group 1: Suggested Study Strategy

1Anchor every subject in the Tamil Nadu State Board textbooks (Classes 6-12), which cover most of the General Studies syllabus directly.
2Give the most preparation time to Indian Economy & Development Administration in Tamil Nadu and the two history units, since together they carry the largest share of the 175 GS items.
3Keep a running current-affairs note focused on both national and Tamil Nadu developments, as these are tested across General Studies.
4Drill SSLC-level aptitude and reasoning daily; with 25 quick items and no negative marking, these are reliable marks to lock in.
5Practise full 3-hour, 200-item mock tests to build the stamina and pacing the actual Prelims demands.
6Since there is no negative marking, attempt every question and use elimination on items you are unsure about.
7Track the TNPSC Annual Planner and official notification for the exact cycle dates, fees, and application window on tnpsc.gov.in.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TNPSC Group 1 Preliminary examination?

It is the screening stage of the TNPSC Combined Civil Services Examination - I (Group I Services). It is a single objective paper of 200 multiple-choice items for 300 marks, completed in 3 hours, covering General Studies (175 items) and Aptitude & Mental Ability (25 items).

How is the Prelims paper structured and marked?

There are 200 items totalling 300 marks, with each correct answer worth 1.5 marks. General Studies is at degree standard (175 items) and Aptitude & Mental Ability is at SSLC standard (25 items). There is no negative marking.

What are the minimum qualifying marks for the Prelims?

The minimum qualifying marks are 120 for OC candidates and 90 for candidates other than OC. The Prelims is only a screening test, and these marks are not counted in the final merit list.

How much does the TNPSC Group 1 exam cost?

The Preliminary examination fee is Rs. 100, in addition to a one-time registration (OTR) fee of Rs. 150 valid for five years. SC/SC(A)/ST/PwBD and Destitute Widows are exempt, while BC/MBC/DNC candidates and Ex-Servicemen get a set number of free chances.

Who is eligible to take the TNPSC Group 1 exam?

A degree from a recognised university is required, with post-specific qualifications and age limits set in the notification. Final-year students may sit the Prelims but must prove they have passed before the Main examination.

What posts can I be appointed to through TNPSC Group 1?

Group I posts include Deputy Collector, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Category-1), Assistant Commissioner (Commercial Taxes), Assistant Director of Rural Development, District Employment Officer, and other senior state civil service roles.

Is Tamil language tested in the Prelims?

No. The Preliminary examination has no separate Tamil language paper. Tamil proficiency is tested as a qualifying paper (the Tamil Eligibility Test) at the Main examination stage for most posts.

What comes after clearing the Prelims?

Candidates who clear the Prelims are shortlisted for the descriptive Main examination of three General Studies papers (750 marks) plus a Tamil Eligibility Test, followed by an interview (100 marks). Final merit is based on the Mains and interview only.