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TNPSC Group 5A Syllabus 2025: Exam Pattern, Marking Scheme & Preparation Strategy

The TNPSC Group 5A Syllabus 2025 is not just a document; it is your precise roadmap to success in one of Tamil Nadu’s most significant government examinations. The Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) conducts the Combined Civil Services Examination for Group 5A services, offering a key opportunity for administrative roles.

A thorough understanding of the official TNPSC Group 5A Syllabus 2025 and the exam pattern is the first and most crucial step in your preparation journey. This definitive guide provides a detailed breakdown of the syllabus, the descriptive exam structure, and proven strategies to help you craft an effective, rank-driving study plan.


TNPSC Group 5A Syllabus 2025: Key Highlights

FeatureDetails
Exam NameCombined Civil Services Examination – Group 5A Services
Exam TypeDescriptive (Written Examination)
Total Marks200 Marks
PapersPaper-I: General Tamil & Paper-II: General English
Duration3 Hours for each paper
Minimum Qualifying Marks120 out of 200 (60%) for all communities

TNPSC Group 5A Exam 2025: Key Dates at a Glance

Staying updated with the official timeline is crucial for your preparation strategy. The key dates for the TNPSC Group 5A 2025 recruitment cycle are as follows:

EventDate
Notification Release07 October 2025
Last Date to Apply21 december 2025
Written ExaminationTo be announced

TNPSC Group 5A Exam Pattern 2025

The TNPSC Group 5A exam is a single written examination consisting of two descriptive papers. Understanding the pattern is paramount for a strategic time and attempt management plan.

  • Type of Examination: Descriptive (written, essay/answer format, not multiple-choice).
  • Total Marks: 200 marks
  • Total Papers: Two (Paper-I: General Tamil & Paper-II: General English)
  • Duration: 3 hours for each paper
  • Minimum Qualifying Marks: 60% (i.e., 120 out of 200 marks) for all communities.

Note: Appearance in both papers is compulsory. Failure to appear for any one paper will result in disqualification.

Marks Distribution

PaperSubjectMaximum MarksDuration
Paper-IGeneral Tamil (Degree Standard)100 marks3 Hours
Paper-IIGeneral English (Degree Standard)100 marks3 Hours
Total200 marks

Download Official TNPSC Group 5A Syllabus PDFs for 2025

For seamless offline preparation, download the complete, officially compiled syllabus for both papers right here. Keep these PDFs on your devices for easy reference anytime.

📥 Download Official Syllabus PDFs

General Tamil Syllabus: Download TNPSC Group 5A General Tamil Syllabus 2025 PDF

General English Syllabus: Download TNPSC Group 5A General English Syllabus 2025 PDF


Detailed TNPSC Group 5A Syllabus 2025

For seamless offline preparation, download the complete, officially compiled syllabus for both papers right here. Keep these PDFs on your devices for easy reference anytime.

Paper-I: General Tamil (Degree Standard)

The Tamil paper is descriptive and divided into seven units, each focusing on essential language and administrative skills.

UnitTopicMarks AllottedDescription
1Essay Writing10 marks
More Details Write an essay on general topics like Tamil culture, environmental issues, social justice, media, etc.
2Answering Questions from a Given Passage10 marks
More Details Provide clear, correct, and concise answers to questions from a given passage.
3Precis Writing15 marks
More Details Summarize a given passage to one-third of its original length.
4Expansion of Hints5 marks
More Details Develop given hints or points into a detailed, readable passage.
5Translation15 marks
More Details Translate an English passage into Tamil, focusing on clarity and conceptual richness.
6Official Correspondence & Report Writing15 marks
More Details Demonstrate skills in writing official letters, reports, project assessment reports, and proposals.
7Language Proficiency30 marks
More Details This unit tests core language skills including sentence formation, using synonyms, alphabetical ordering, error correction, and forming technical/administrative Tamil terms as per the government glossary.


தமிழ்நாடு அரசுப்பணியாளர்‌ தேர்வாணையம்‌

General Tamil Syllabus

பாடத்திட்டம்‌
(விரிந்துரைக்கும்‌ வகை)
தொகுதி – 5A / குறியீடு.389
பொதுத்தமிழ்‌ (பட்டப்படிப்புத்‌ தரம்‌)
**********************

அலகு-1 (10 மதிப்பெண்கள்)

கட்டுரை எழுதும் திறன் 

கீழ்க்காணும்‌ பொதுவான தலைப்புகளில்‌ வினாக்கள்‌ அமைதல்‌ வேண்டும்‌.

  1. தமிழக விடுதலை வீரர்கள்‌ / தமிழர்‌ பண்பாடு
  2. அச்சு ஊடகம்‌ / மின்னணு ஊடகங்கள்‌
  3. சுற்றுச்சூழல்‌ / உணவும்‌ உடல்‌ நலமும்‌
  4. மனித உரிமைகள்‌ / பாலினச்‌ சமத்துவம்‌
  5. சமூக நீதி வரலாறு

அலகு-2 (10 மதிப்பெண்கள்)

கொடுக்கப்பட்ட பகுதியிலிருந்து கேட்கப்பட்ட வினாக்களுக்குத்‌
தெளிவான, சரியான, சுருக்கமான விடை தருதல்‌.

அலகு-3 (15 மதிப்பெண்கள்)

கொடுக்கப்பட்ட பகுதியை மூன்றில்‌ ஒரு பங்காகச்‌ சுருக்கி
எழுதும்‌ திறனை வெளிப்படுத்துதல்‌

அலகு-4 (5 மதிப்பெண்கள்)

கொடுக்கப்பட்ட சுருக்கக்‌ குறிப்புகளிலிருந்து விரிவாக்கம்‌
செய்து எழுதும்‌ திறனைக்‌ கண்டறிதல்‌

அலகு-5 (15 மதிப்பெண்கள்)

மொழிபெயர்ப்பு

ஆங்கிலப்‌ பகுதியைத்‌ தமிழில்‌ மொழிபெயர்ப்பு செய்தல்‌.
கருத்துச்‌ செறிவும்‌ தெளிவும்‌ வெளிப்படும்‌ வகையில்‌ மொழிபெயர்ப்பு
அமைதல்‌ வேண்டும்‌.

அலகு-6 (15 மதிப்பெண்கள்)

அலுவலகக்‌ கடிதம்‌
  1. அறிக்கை எழுதும்‌ திறன்‌ வெளிப்படல்‌
  2. திட்ட மதிப்பீட்டறிக்கை உருவாக்கல்‌
  3. கருத்துரு (Proposal) எழுதும்‌ திறன்‌ வெளிப்படல்‌

அலகு-7 (30 மதிப்பெண்கள்)

மொழித்திறன்‌ கண்டறிதல்‌

அ) வாக்கியத்தில்‌ அமைத்து எழுதுதல்‌
ஆ) இணைச்சொற்களைப்‌ பயன்படுத்தி ஒரே தொடரமைத்தல்‌
இ) அகர வரிசைப்படுத்துதல்‌

  1. உயிர்‌ எழுத்தில்‌ தொடங்கும்‌ நான்கு சொற்கள்‌
  2. உயிர்மெய்‌ எழுத்தில்‌ தொடங்கும்‌ நான்கு சொற்கள்‌
  3. உயிரும்‌ உயிர்மெய்யும்‌ கலந்த நான்கு சொற்கள்‌ இடம்பெறல்‌ வேண்டும்‌.

ஈ) பிழை நீக்கி எழுதுதல்‌
எழுத்துப்பிழை, ஒற்றுப்பிழை, தொடர்ப்பிழை,
கருத்துப்பிழை நீக்கி எழுதும்‌ வகையில்‌ மூன்று வினாக்கள்‌
அமைதல்‌ வேண்டும்‌.
௨) கலைச்‌ சொல்லாக்கம்‌
தமிழக அரசின்‌ தமிழ்‌ வளர்ச்சித்‌ துறை வெளியிட்ட ஆட்சத்தமிழ்‌ அகராதியை மையமிட்டு, துறைசார்‌ ஆட்சித்‌ தமிழ்ச்‌ சொற்கள்‌ குறித்த அறிவை வெளிப்படுத்தும்‌ வகையில்‌ வினாக்கள்‌ அமைதல்‌ வேண்டும்‌. அகராதியிலுள்ள ஆங்கிலச்‌ சொற்களுக்கு நிகரான தமிழ்க்‌கலைச்சொற்களை எழுதும்‌ வகையில்‌ வினாக்கள்‌அமைதல்‌ வேண்டும்‌.


Paper-II: General English (Degree Standard)

The English paper is structured into eight units to evaluate your command of the language, writing clarity, and official drafting skills.

UnitTopicMarks AllottedDescription
1Essay Writing (300 words)10 marks
More Details Write different types of essays: Argumentative, Descriptive, Narrative, Critical, Expository, and Persuasive.
2Letter Writing10 marks
More Details Draft formal letters, such as letters of enquiry, order, response to enquiries, and letters expressing demands.
3Precis Writing15 marks
More Details Condense an unseen passage of about 200 words into a summary of approximately 70 words.
4Reading Comprehension10 marks
More Details Answer questions based on an unseen passage (200 words). Questions will be framed using Barrett’s Taxonomy (e.g., inferential, analytical, critical, creative).
5Translation15 marks
More Details Translate a Government Order/Circular from Tamil to English and news articles/complex sentences from English to Tamil.
6Hints Development5 marks
More Details Develop given hints into a coherent and readable passage.
7Drafting Notifications20 marks
More Details Draft announcements, advertisements, explanations, and circulars.
8Grammar15 marks
More Details Apply advanced grammar rules, including voice change, direct/indirect speech, sentence transformation, homophones, prepositions, degrees of comparison, and error correction.


TAMIL NADU PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

SYLLABUS
(Descriptive Type)
Group-5A / Code: 390
General English (Degree Standard)
**********************

Unit I. Essay Writing in 300 words (10 Marks)

  1. Argumentative Essay
  2. Descriptive Essay
  3. Narrative Essay
  4. Critical Essay
  5. Expository Essay
  6. Persuasive Essay

Unit II. Letter Writing (10 Marks)

  1. Letter expressing demands / needs
  2. Enquiry letter
  3. Order letter
  4. Letter responding to Enquiries

Unit III. Precis Writing (15 Marks)

  • An unseen passage in 200 words is to be given.
  • It has to be briefed in around 70 words.

Unit IV. Reading Comprehension (10 Marks)

  • An unseen passage in 200 words is to be given.
  • Questions are to framed following K 5 Model Barrett’s Taxonomy
  1. Understanding Question
  2. Appreciation Question
  3. Interpretative Question
  4. Analytical Question
  5. Organising Question
  6. Inferential Question
  7. Critical Question
  8. Explanatory Question
  9. Descriptive Question
  10. Creative Question

Unit V. Translation (15 Marks)

(a) From Tamil to English Government Order/ circular and

(b) From English to Tamil News articles / 5 sentences of complex structure

Unit VI. Hints Development (5 Marks)

Developing the hints into a readable passage


Unit VII. Notification (20 Marks)

Drafting Announcements / Advertisements and Writing Explanations / Circulars

Unit VIII. Grammar (15 Marks)

  1. Active to Passive.
  2. Passive to Active.
  3. Direct to Indirect Speech.
  4. Indirect to Direct Speech.
  5. Rewrite Compound Sentence as Simple sentence.
  6. Rewrite Simple Sentence as Complex sentence.
  7. Transform statement into a strong question.
  8. Transform statement into a weak question.
  9. Transform assertive sentence into a negative sentence.
  10. Add a suitable question tag.
  11. Use the homophones in meaningful sentence.
  12. Use the right adverb.
  13. Fill in the blank with right preposition.
  14. Rewrite the sentence in comparative degree.
  15. Rewrite the sentence in past tense.
  16. Change the underlined phrase into clause.
  17. Change the underlined clause into phrase.
  18. Identify the pattern of the given sentence.
  19. Fill in the blanks with a suitable Article.
  20. Rewrite the sentence correcting the error.

Expert Preparation Strategy for TNPSC Group 5A

Your preparation for this descriptive exam must focus on consistent writing practice and accuracy, not just rote memorisation.

  • Deep Syllabus Analysis: Go through the official TNPSC Group 5A Syllabus 2025 again. Identify high-weightage topics (like Translation and Grammar).
  • Practice Descriptive Writing: This is a descriptive exam. Dedicate 60% of your study time to writing essays, précis, and reports under timed conditions.
  • Master Translation: Daily practice of translating official documents (Tamil to English and vice-versa) is non-negotiable for the 30 marks allocated.
  • Refer to Quality Material: Use reliable textbooks, online resources, and previous year question papers.
  • Time Management: Practice time management during your mock tests. Focus on allocating time based on the marks distribution of each question.

Remember, consistent effort and a well-structured study plan are the indisputable keys to success in the TNPSC Group 5A Exam.


For more information and updates, visit the official TNPSC website.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about TNPSC Group 5A Syllabus 2025

  • What is the TNPSC Group 5A Syllabus 2025?

    The TNPSC Group 5A Syllabus 2025 is the detailed curriculum released by the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission for the Combined Civil Services Examination (Group 5A). It consists of two descriptive papers: General Tamil and General English, both of Degree Standard.

  • Is the TNPSC Group 5A Exam an objective (MCQ) or descriptive paper?

    The TNPSC Group 5A exam is a descriptive (written) examination, not an objective (MCQ) test. Candidates must write answers, essays, précis, and translations.

  • What is the marking scheme for the TNPSC Group 5A 2025 exam?

    The exam is for a total of 200 marks, with 100 marks allocated to Paper-I (General Tamil) and 100 marks to Paper-II (General English). The minimum qualifying mark is 60% (120 marks) for all communities.

  • Where can I download the official TNPSC Group 5A Syllabus 2025 PDF?

    You can download the official TNPSC Group 5A Syllabus 2025 PDFs for both General Tamil and General English from the designated download section of this post or the official TNPSC website.


Essential Resources: Previous Year Papers & Notification

To accelerate your preparation, refer to the previous year’s actual question papers to understand the descriptive question style and difficulty level.



Ameer M, Founder & Content Strategist at DigiTekLab and founder of GovtJobsNet.com

Ameer M, founder of GovtJobsNet.com, helps job seekers with accurate govt job updates and exam tips. | அரசு வேலை வழிகாட்டி, நம்பகமான தகவல்களை வழங்குபவர்.