TNPSC Group 1 Recruitment 2026

About This Job

TNPSC is hiring for 26 Group I posts through the Combined Civil Services Examination-I (Notification No. 05/2026). If you are a graduate in any subject, you can apply online for top jobs like Deputy Collector and Assistant Commissioner. The last date to apply is 29 July 2026. The salary is Pay Level 22 (Rs. 56,100 to Rs. 2,05,700 per month) and these are among the most powerful administrative jobs in Tamil Nadu. As a Group I officer, you get to shape district administration, revenue, tax and labour policy right from the start of your career.

Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) Group I Recruitment 2026 - 26 Posts

The Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) has released Notification No. 05/2026 (Advertisement No. 736) for 26 vacancies under the Combined Civil Services Examination-I (Group-I Services). Deputy Collector is the top post with 12 vacancies, followed by District Registrar and other senior officer posts. Any graduate aged 21 and above can apply, and you do not need any qualification beyond your degree. The written Preliminary Examination is scheduled for 6 September 2026, so you get enough time to prepare after applying.

Vacancy Breakdown

• Deputy Collector: 12 posts
• District Registrar: 8 posts
• Deputy Registrar of Co-operative Societies: 3 posts
• Assistant Commissioner (Commercial Taxes): 2 posts
• Assistant Commissioner of Labour: 1 post

These are Group I services - the most senior posts you can get directly through a TNPSC exam. Vacancies are filled as per the Tamil Nadu communal reservation roster (General, BC, BCM, MBC/DNC, SC, SCA and ST). Note: Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) is not part of the 2026 notification.

Who Can Apply?

• Qualification: You must hold a Bachelor's Degree in any subject from a recognized university.
• Language: You should have adequate knowledge of Tamil. A Tamil Eligibility Test is part of the Main Examination.
• Candidates with a Law (B.L.) degree get a higher age limit for the District Registrar post. Check the official notification for post-specific requirements.
• Your degree can be from any recognized university, including open universities recognized by the UGC.
• There is no limit on the number of times you can apply, as long as you meet the age rule.

Age Limit

• Minimum age: 21 years (as on 1 July 2026).
• Maximum age for 'Others' category: 34 years (35 years for B.L. degree holders for the District Registrar post).
• Age Relaxation: SC / ST / MBC / BC and Destitute Widows get relaxation of up to 5 years (maximum 39 years), as per TNPSC rules.
• Your age is counted as on 1 July 2026, so check your eligibility before you apply.

Salary

• All posts are in Pay Level 22 with a monthly pay of Rs. 56,100 to Rs. 2,05,700.
• You will also get Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, medical allowance and city compensatory allowance as per Tamil Nadu Government rules.
• These posts come with strong job security, pension benefits and the chance to serve as a senior officer across districts of Tamil Nadu.

Application Fee

• One-Time Registration (OTR) fee: Rs. 150 (valid for 5 years; skip if already registered).
• Preliminary Examination fee: Rs. 100.
• Fee exemption: SC / ST / MBC / BC, Persons with Disability, Ex-servicemen and Destitute Widows of Tamil Nadu get concession as per TNPSC rules.
• Payment mode: Online (Net Banking / Credit Card / Debit Card) or at an SBI branch.

Selection Process

The selection is done in three stages, followed by verification:

1. Preliminary Examination (Screening): One objective (MCQ) paper of 300 marks covering General Studies and Aptitude. Your Prelims marks are only used to shortlist you for the Mains and are not added to the final score.
2. Main Written Examination (Descriptive): You write a qualifying Tamil Eligibility Test plus three General Studies papers of 250 marks each (750 marks total). These are hand-written papers that test your knowledge and writing skill.
3. Oral Test (Interview): Shortlisted candidates face an interview board for 100 marks that checks your personality and general awareness.
4. Medical Examination and Certificate Verification.

The final merit is based on the Main Examination (750 marks) plus the Interview (100 marks), for a total of 850 marks.

How to Apply

1. Complete your One-Time Registration (OTR) on the TNPSC portal at tnpscexams.in. The OTR is a one-time step and stays valid for five years.
2. Log in and open the Group I (Notification 05/2026) application.
3. Fill in the online application form.
4. Upload your photo, signature and certificates.
5. Pay the fee online.
6. Submit the form before 29 July 2026 and save a printout.

Important Dates

• Notification Date: 23 June 2026
• Application Start: 30 June 2026
• Last Date to Apply: 29 July 2026
• Preliminary Exam Date: 6 September 2026
• Main Exam Date: To be announced

Apply early so you get enough time to prepare for the Preliminary Examination on 6 September 2026.

• Handle revenue administration, land records and district-level coordination as a Deputy Collector
• Oversee registration of documents, properties and marriages as a District Registrar
• Manage co-operative societies and monitor their functioning as a Deputy Registrar
• Assess and collect commercial taxes and check tax compliance
• Enforce labour welfare laws and settle industrial disputes
• Implement government schemes and maintain law and order in the assigned area
• Supervise subordinate staff and prepare official reports for senior officers