100+ Free TNPSC Group 1 Practice Questions
Pass your TNPSC Combined Civil Services Examination - I (Group I Services), Preliminary exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), who audits the accounts of the Union and the states, is appointed by whom?
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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 test your TNPSC Group 1 exam readiness. 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?
2The TNPSC Group I Prelims paper of 200 items is split between which two components?
3What is the role of the TNPSC Group I Preliminary examination in the overall selection process?
4The standard composition of dry air is approximately 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. Which gas makes up the bulk of the remaining roughly 1%?
5Which vitamin, synthesised in the skin on exposure to sunlight, is essential for calcium absorption and the prevention of rickets?
6The SI unit of electric current is the ampere. Which quantity is measured in the SI unit 'pascal'?
7In photosynthesis, green plants convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose, releasing which gas as a by-product?
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?
9Which mountain range forms the western boundary of Tamil Nadu and includes the highest peak in the state, Doddabetta?
10Tamil Nadu receives the major part of its annual rainfall during which monsoon season, unlike most other Indian states?
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.
Questions
200 scored questions
Time Limit
3 hours
Passing Score
Qualifying marks: 120 for OC, 90 for other than OC (Prelims is screening only)
Exam Fee
Rs. 100 Preliminary examination fee (plus a one-time Rs. 150 OTR fee valid 5 years; exemptions apply) (Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC))
TNPSC Group 1 Exam Content Outline
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)
Indian Polity
Constitution, Fundamental Rights and Duties, Directive Principles, Union and State institutions, judiciary, federalism, elections, RTI, and anti-corruption bodies (~40 GS items)
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)
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)
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)
General Science
Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, ecology, technology, and science current affairs (~10 GS items)
Geography
Physical and economic geography of India and Tamil Nadu — relief, climate, monsoons, rivers, soils, and resources (~10 GS items)
How to Pass 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 fee: Rs. 100 Preliminary examination fee (plus a one-time Rs. 150 OTR fee valid 5 years; exemptions apply)
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
TNPSC Group 1 Study Tips from Top Performers
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.