Combined Technical Services Examination (Diploma / ITI Level)
TNPSC CTSE Diploma / ITI · 2026
The TNPSC Combined Technical Services Examination (Diploma / ITI Level) 2026 is a state-level recruitment drive for skilled technical professionals holding ITI certificates, engineering diplomas, or technical degrees. It fills critical vacancies across key departments like Transport, Fisheries, Highways, and Public Works. Candidates must register through the One Time Registration (OTR) platform to apply online
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TNPSC CTSE Diploma / ITI 2026
Admit Card
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City Intimation
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Answer Key
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Result
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Syllabus & Pattern
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Previous Papers
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Date Sheet
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Salary & Job Profile
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Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit
18
Min. Age
24
Max. Age
Qualifications Required
- SSLC / Class 10 Pass: Required as a foundational block for all ITI and trade-level posts.
- Higher Secondary (+2): Specifically required for agricultural and horticultural assistant entries.
- ITI Certificate / NTC / NAC: Mandatory in designated trades (e.g., Fitter, Electrician, Machinist, Diesel Mechanic, Draughtsman Civil) for Junior Training Officer (JTO) and Skilled Assistant roles.
- Diploma: A 3-year diploma in Civil, Mechanical, Automobile, Textile, Mining, or Fisheries Engineering from a recognized board for Inspector, Foreman, and Draughting Officer posts.
- Undergraduate Degree: Accepted as an eligible higher qualification in relevant subject domains (except for designated assistant posts where a strict 2-year technical diploma is mandatory).
Age Relaxation
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SCs, SC(A)s, STs, MBCs/DCs, BC(OBCM)s, BCMs | No Maximum Age Limit (Maximum age up to 60 years at appointment) |
| Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD - Others category) | 10 Years (Concession over standard unreserved age limits) |
| Ex-Servicemen (Others category) | Maximum age extension up to 50 years (after deducting defense service period) |
| Destitute Widow (All categories) | No Maximum Age Limit for eligible posts up to Pay Level 10 |
Selection Process
Written Examination
A objective type examination consisting of two compulsory papers. Paper I evaluates Tamil Eligibility (Part A), General Studies (Part B), and Aptitude (Part C) using an OMR-based layout. Paper II is a technical subject paper corresponding to the candidate's Diploma or ITI trade qualification administered via a Computer Based Test (CBT)
Onscreen Certificate Verification
A preliminary digital review of uploaded credentials mapped to the candidate's One Time Registration (OTR). Candidates are shortlisted based on written exam scores and community reservation parameters in ratios ranging from 1:2 to 1:5 depending on the specific post's structural experience requirements.
Physical Certificate Verification & Counselling
The final evaluation phase involving in-person cross-checking of original documents and credentials. Successful candidates are allocated available structural vacancies across state departments based purely on final cumulative merit ranking and reservation rules.
Exam Pattern
Mode
CBT (Computer-Based)
Duration
3 Hours
Duration per Stage
Salary & Pay Scale
Pay Level
Level 5 to Level 15 (Also includes specific non-standard EPF scales like ₹26,500 - 84,180)
Basic Pay Range
₹18,200 – ₹114,800
In-Hand Salary
₹25,000 to ₹58,000 (Approximate starting net take-home pay based on initial basic, DA, HRA, and standard deductions; increases significantly with tenure)
Allowances Included
Syllabus Overview
Paper I: Core & General Competency
Part A: Tamil Eligibility Test (SSLC Standard)
- Tamil Grammar, Vocabulary, and Word Formation.
- Comprehension, Sentence Structure, and Error Detection.
- Proverbs, Idioms, and general usage of the Tamil Language.
Part B: General Studies (SSLC Standard)
- General Science: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Environmental Science.
- History & Culture: Ancient to Modern India, Indian National Movement (INM), and the specific History, Culture, and Heritage of Tamil Nadu.
- Indian Polity: Indian Constitution, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, Parliament, and Local Self-Government.
- Economy & Geography: Indian Economy, Development Administration in Tamil Nadu, and Geographical landmarks/resources.
- Current Affairs: National and International events, Awards, Sports, and Government Initiatives.
Part C: Aptitude & Mental Ability (SSLC Standard)
- Simplification, Ratio and Proportion, Time and Work, and Profit and Loss.
- Speed, Time, and Distance, along with HCF and LCM.
- Logical Reasoning, Number Series, Data Interpretation, Syllogism, and Visual Reasoning (Venn Diagrams, Paper Folding, etc.).
Paper II: Subject-Specific Technical Paper (Diploma / ITI Standard)
This paper is exclusively tailored to the candidate's core technical discipline and educational background.
- Diploma Standard Subjects: Includes core engineering and technical disciplines such as Civil Engineering, Mechanical & Automobile Engineering, Agriculture, Horticulture, Fisheries Technology, Handloom & Textile Technology, and Town & Country Planning.
- ITI Standard Trades: Covers specialized vocational trades including Fitter, Electrician, Welder, Machinist, Turner, Mechanic (Motor Vehicle/Diesel), Wireman, Plumber, Desktop Publishing Operator, and Advanced CNC Machining Technician.
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Key Subjects
Official Resources
TNPSC CTSE Diploma / ITI — Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about eligibility, exam pattern, application, and results.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a state-level recruitment examination conducted by the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) to select qualified technical experts holding engineering diplomas, ITI certificates, or equivalent technical qualifications for specialized technical posts across various government departments in Tamil Nadu.
Yes, appearance in both Paper I and Paper II is completely mandatory. Candidates who fail to appear for either of the papers will not be considered for the final selection ranking process, even if they secure the minimum qualifying marks in one paper.
Part A of Paper I (Tamil Eligibility Test) is purely qualifying in nature. Candidates must secure a minimum score of 40% (60 marks out of 150) for their other exam sheets (Paper I Parts B & C, and Paper II) to be evaluated. The marks scored in the Tamil Eligibility Test are not added to the final selection merit rank
Generally, for posts where a Diploma is the baseline requirement, a relevant higher degree in that specific subject domain is accepted as a valid higher qualification. However, this relaxation strictly excludes specified positions like Assistant Agricultural Officer and Assistant Horticultural Officer, where possessing the specific 2-year technical diploma is an absolute mandatory condition regardless of higher qualification titles.
In the event of a tie-breaker situation, TNPSC applies a strict sequential resolution order: The candidate possessing the higher educational qualification is placed higher. If qualifications match, the candidate senior in age takes precedence. If age is identical, precedence is determined based on whoever submitted their online application earlier to the Commission (validated via the application number tracking sequence).