TNPSC Group 2 and Group 2A exams, part of the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission’s Combined Civil Services Examination-II (CCSE-II), are gateways to prestigious government jobs in Tamil Nadu. These exams recruit candidates for administrative and clerical roles, with Group 2 offering authoritative positions like Sub Registrar and Group 2A focusing on supportive roles like Revenue Assistant. Both share a common Preliminary Exam but differ in the Mains format, selection process, and job responsibilities.
With the 2025 notification expected on July 15, 2025, and the Prelims scheduled for September 28, 2025, understanding their syllabus and exam pattern is key to cracking these competitive exams. Dive into this guide to explore the TNPSC Group 2 and Group 2A syllabus 2025 and exam pattern for effective preparation.
TNPSC Group 2 Exam Pattern
The Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) conducts the Combined Civil Services Examination-II (CCSE-II) for Group 2 and Group 2A services. Below is the detailed exam pattern for both, based on the official TNPSC notification.
Preliminary Examination (Group 2 and Group 2A)
The Prelims is common for both Group 2 and Group 2A.
Common Preliminary Examination (Group II and Group IIA Services)
- Purpose: Screening test for both Group 2 and Group 2A services.
- Total Marks: 300
- Total Questions: 200 (Objective type)
- Duration: 3 Hours
- Subjects and Standards:
- A. General Studies – 75 Questions (Degree Standard)
- B. Aptitude & Mental Ability – 25 Questions (SSLC Standard)
- C. General Tamil / General English – 100 Questions (SSLC Standard)
- Minimum Qualifying Marks (All Categories): 90
- Mode of Exam: OMR (Offline)
- Language of Questions: Questions on General Studies will be set in both Tamil and English.
- Note: Marks from the Preliminary Exam are not counted in the final merit list.
TNPSC Group 2 தேர்வுக்கான அதிகாரப்பூர்வ அறிவிப்பு வெளியிடப்பட்டுள்ளது. முழுமையான விவரங்களைப் பெற, TNPSC Group 2 அறிவிப்பு 2025 பக்கத்தைப் பார்வையிடவும்..
TNPSC Group 2 Mains Exam Pattern (Interview Posts)
- Appearance in both papers of the Main Examination is compulsory. Candidates who do not appear for any one of the two papers will not be considered for selection, even if they secure minimum qualifying marks.
Structure: Paper I + Paper II + Interview
- Stage 1: Paper I – Tamil Eligibility Test
- Type: Descriptive
- Standard: SSLC
- Marks: 100
- Duration: 3 Hours
- Minimum Qualifying Marks: 40 (for all communities)
- Note: Qualifying in nature; candidates must secure minimum marks for Paper II to be evaluated.
- Stage 2: Paper II – General Studies
- Type: Descriptive
- Standard: Degree
- Marks: 300
- Duration: 3 Hours
- Minimum Qualifying Marks: 90 (for all communities)
- Stage 3: Interview (Oral Test)
- Conducted after Mains Exam
- Marks: 40
- Final selection based on Mains + Interview score
TNPSC Group 2A Mains Exam Pattern (Non-Interview Posts)
- Appearance in both papers of the Main Examination is compulsory. Candidates who do not appear for any one of the two papers will not be considered for selection, even if they secure minimum qualifying marks.
Structure: Paper I + Paper II
- Stage 1: Paper I – Tamil Eligibility Test
- Type: Descriptive
- Standard: SSLC
- Marks: 100
- Duration: 3 Hours
- Minimum Qualifying Marks: 40 (for all communities)
- Note: Qualifying in nature; candidates must secure minimum marks for Paper II to be evaluated.
- Stage 2: Paper II: General Studies, General Intelligence, and Language
- Standard:
- General Studies: Degree
- General Intelligence and Reasoning: SSLC
- Language (General Tamil or General English): SSLC
- Type: Objective Type (Computer-Based Test – CBT)
- Total Marks: 300
- Duration: 3 Hours
- Sections:
- A. General Studies – 100 Questions (Degree Standard)
- B. General Intelligence & Reasoning – 40 Questions (SSLC Standard)
- C. General Tamil / General English – 60 Questions (SSLC Standard)
- Minimum Qualifying Marks: 90 (for all communities)
- Mode: CBT (Online Exam)
- Standard:
- Note: No interview for Group 2A; selection is based solely on written exams.
Additional Notes
- Language Exemption: Differently-abled candidates can seek exemption from the Tamil Eligibility Test (Paper I) by submitting a prescribed certificate (as per Annexure IV of the notification) during the application process.
- Certificate Verification (Group 2A):
- Onscreen Certificate Verification: Conducted in a 1:3 ratio for General Turn and 1:2 for Reserved categories.
- Physical Certificate Verification: Conducted in a 1:3 ratio for General Turn and 1:1.5 for Reserved categories.
- Language of Questions: General Studies questions in both Preliminary and Main exams are set in Tamil and English.
✅ Download Group 2 General Tamil Previous Year Papers (PDF)
Summary: TNPSC Group 2 vs Group 2A
| Component | Group 2 | Group 2A |
|---|---|---|
| Prelims | Common for both | Common for both |
| Mains Paper I | Tamil Eligibility Test (Descriptive) | Tamil Eligibility Test (Descriptive) |
| Mains Paper II | General Studies (Descriptive) | GS + Reasoning + Language (Objective – CBT) |
| Interview | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Final Selection Based On | Mains + Interview | Mains Score Only |
👉 Confused between TNPSC Group 2 and Group 2A? Check this detailed comparison of the selection process, job roles, salary, and exam difficulty here.
TNPSC Group 2 Syllabus 2025 – Download PDFs
Prelims Syllabus for Group 2 Exam 2025
- Preliminary Examination Syllabus (Group 2 & 2A Services) – Download TNPSC Group 2 Prelims Syllabus 2025 PDF
Mains Examination Syllabus (Group 2 – Interview Posts) – 2025
- Tamil Eligibility Test (Paper I) – Download TNPSC Group 2 Tamil Eligibility Test Syllabus 2025 PDF
- General Studies (Paper II) – Download TNPSC Group 2 Mains General Studies Syllabus 2025 PDF
- Group 2 Paper-II Question Pattern (Degree Standard, Descriptive Type) – Download TNPSC Group 2 Paper-II General Studies Question Paper Pattern 2025 PDF
Mains Examination Syllabus (Group 2A – Non-Interview Posts) – 2025
- Tamil Eligibility-cum-Scoring Test (Paper I) – Download TNPSC Group 2A Tamil Test Syllabus 2025 PDF
- General Studies + Reasoning + General Tamil/English (Paper II) – Download TNPSC Group 2A Mains Syllabus 2025 PDF
Additional Resources:
For the latest and official syllabus updates, visit the TNPSC Syllabus Page on tnpsc.gov.in.
For a detailed breakdown of the TNPSC Group 2 best books for the upcoming exam, refer to our comprehensive guide.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about TNPSC Group 2 & 2A Syllabus 2025 and Exam Pattern
When is the TNPSC Group 2 & 2A 2025 notification expected?
The TNPSC Group 2 & 2A 2025 notification is expected on July 15, 2025.
What is the date for the TNPSC Group 2 & 2A Prelims 2025 exam?
The Preliminary Examination for TNPSC Group 2 & 2A services in 2025 is scheduled for September 28, 2025.
Is the Preliminary Exam common for both TNPSC Group 2 and Group 2A?
Yes, the Preliminary Examination is a common screening test for both TNPSC Group 2 (Interview Posts) and Group 2A (Non-Interview Posts).
What is the main difference between TNPSC Group 2 and Group 2A exam patterns?
The primary difference lies in the Mains exam format and the selection process. Group 2 Mains includes a descriptive Paper II (General Studies) followed by an Interview, leading to final selection based on Mains + Interview scores. Group 2A Mains has an objective-type Paper II (General Studies, Reasoning, Language) and no interview; selection is based solely on Mains scores.
Are there any qualifying marks for the TNPSC Group 2 & 2A exams?
Yes, for the Preliminary Exam, the minimum qualifying marks for all categories is 90 out of 300. For the Mains Exam, Paper I (Tamil Eligibility Test) requires a minimum of 40 marks (qualifying in nature), and Paper II requires 90 marks for all communities.
What is the TNPSC Group 2 syllabus for 2025?
The TNPSC Group 2 syllabus 2025 includes General Studies, Aptitude & Mental Ability, and General Tamil/English in the Prelims. The Mains consists of a Tamil Eligibility Test (Paper I) and a General Studies paper (Paper II) for interview posts.
Do marks from the Preliminary Exam count towards the final merit list?
No, marks obtained in the Preliminary Exam are for screening purposes only and are not counted in the final merit list for either Group 2 or Group 2A services.
Can differently-abled candidates be exempted from the Tamil Eligibility Test?
Yes, differently-abled candidates can seek exemption from the Tamil Eligibility Test (Paper I of Mains) by submitting a prescribed certificate during the application process, as per Annexure IV of the official notification.
In which languages will the TNPSC Group 2 & 2A exam questions be set?
Questions for General Studies in both Preliminary and Main exams will be set in both Tamil and English.
What is the exam pattern for TNPSC Group 2 Prelims?
The TNPSC Group 2 Prelims is a 300-mark objective exam with 200 questions covering:
* General Studies (75 questions – Degree level)
* Aptitude & Mental Ability (25 questions – SSLC level)
* General Tamil/English (100 questions – SSLC level)Is the Tamil Eligibility Test compulsory for TNPSC Group 2?
Yes. The Tamil Eligibility Test (Paper I) is compulsory for both Group 2 and 2A. However, differently-abled candidates may be exempt if they provide the required certificate.
How can I download the TNPSC Group 2 syllabus 2025 PDF?
You can download the official TNPSC Group 2 and 2A syllabus PDFs for Prelims and Mains (all papers) from this page using the direct links provided in the syllabus section.
Is there a negative marking system in TNPSC Group 2 Exam?
No, there is no negative marking in the TNPSC Group 2 Preliminary or Main Examinations. Candidates can attempt all questions without the fear of losing marks for incorrect answers. This encourages a more confident approach during the exam.