TNPSC CCSE-II 2026 – Apply Online for 821 Group II and Group IIA Services Posts

TNPSC Combined Civil Services Examination-II (CCSE-II) 2026

The Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) has released Notification No. 07/2026 (Advertisement No. 740) dated 11 August 2026 inviting online applications for the Combined Civil Services Examination-II (Group II and Group IIA Services), for Direct Recruitment to various posts under the Government of Tamil Nadu. A total of 821 vacancies are on offer – 41 under Group II Services and 780 under Group IIA Services, spread across numerous departments and, for several posts, across individual districts of Tamil Nadu. This article summarises the vacancy overview, eligibility criteria, examination pattern, fee structure and application procedure for TNPSC CCSE-II 2026.

TNPSC CCSE-II 2026 – Overview

Important Dates

Vacancy Overview

Group II Services cover 14 post types, including Assistant Inspector, Deputy Commercial Tax Officer, Junior Employment Officer, Probation Officer, Sub Registrar Grade-II, Jailor (Men and Special Prison for Women), Special Assistant, Special Branch Assistant, and Assistant Section Officer, totalling 41 vacancies. Group IIA Services cover a much larger set of posts, including Senior Inspector (Dairy Development and Cooperative), Audit Inspector, Handloom Inspector, Supervisor/Junior Superintendent (Agricultural Marketing), Senior Revenue Inspector, and Assistant (Rural Development and Panchayat Raj), among others, totalling 780 vacancies distributed across numerous districts of Tamil Nadu.

Given the very large number of individual district-wise vacancy rows in this notification (particularly for Senior Revenue Inspector and Assistant posts under Group IIA, which are notified separately for nearly every district of Tamil Nadu), candidates are strongly advised to check the detailed post/district-wise vacancy table in the official notification PDF for the exact number of vacancies in their preferred district and post. The number of vacancies notified is tentative and is liable for modification until the publication of the Preliminary Examination results.

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification: Qualification requirements vary by post. Most Group II and Group IIA posts require a Degree from a University recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC), while certain posts require specific qualifications – for example, Jailor (Men) and Jailor (Special Prison for Women) require a Degree, with a Master’s degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice Administration or Social Work attracting a relaxed age limit; Junior Superintendent (Cooperative Audit) requires a Commerce degree for certain posts. Candidates should refer to the post-wise qualification table in the detailed notification for the exact requirement of their chosen post.

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Restrictions: Persons professing the Hindu religion alone are eligible for the post of Audit Inspector (Hindu Religious Institutions Audit). Male candidates are not eligible for Jailor (Special Prison for Women), and female candidates are not eligible for Jailor (Men) and Male Warden posts. Persons with colour blindness and night blindness will be disqualified for certain posts. Persons with Benchmark Disabilities are not eligible for specified posts including Special Branch Assistant (Post Codes 2279 and 3116).

Age Limit (as on 01.07.2026)

Age limits vary significantly by post and reservation category. For most Group II and Group IIA posts (excluding a few specified posts), the general minimum age is 18 years, with maximum age limits ranging up to 32 years for candidates not belonging to SC/SC(A)/ST/MBC/DC/BC(OBCM)/BCM communities (“Others”), and several posts carrying no maximum age limit at all for this category. For example, Probation Officer has no maximum age limit; Deputy Commercial Tax Officer has a maximum age of 32 years (34 years for Law degree holders); and Jailor posts have a maximum age of 32-37 years depending on qualification.

For candidates belonging to SC, SC(A), ST, MBC/DC, BC(OBCM) and BCM communities, age relaxation applies over and above the “Others” limits – for instance, Deputy Commercial Tax Officer’s maximum age rises to 37 years (39 years for Law degree holders), and most other posts carry no maximum age limit at all for these reserved categories. Additional age concessions apply for Persons with Benchmark Disability (up to 42-52 years depending on post), Ex-servicemen (up to 50-55 years), and Destitute Widows (no maximum age limit for most posts). Candidates should refer to the detailed post-wise age table in the official notification for the exact limit applicable to their post and category.

Examination Fee

Candidates belonging to certain special categories can avail exemption from paying examination fees as per TNPSC rules. Fee must be paid online at the time of application submission, as detailed in the notification’s fee payment instructions.

Scheme of Examination

The Combined Civil Services Examination-II comprises two successive stages: a Common Preliminary Examination, followed by separate Main Examinations for Group II Services and Group IIA Services. The Preliminary Examination serves purely as a screening test – marks scored in it are not counted toward the final merit list.

Preliminary Examination (Single Paper, Objective, OMR Mode)

Minimum qualifying marks: 90 out of 300 (for all communities).

Main Examination – Group II Services

Paper I (Tamil Eligibility Test, SSLC standard, 100 marks, descriptive, qualifying in nature – minimum 40 marks required) and Paper II (General Studies, Degree standard, 300 marks, descriptive – minimum 90 marks required). Only marks from Paper II are counted for final ranking.

Main Examination – Group IIA Services

Paper I (Tamil Eligibility Test, SSLC standard, 100 marks, descriptive – minimum 40 marks required) and Paper II (General Studies 150 marks + General Intelligence and Reasoning 50 marks = 300 marks, Degree/SSLC standard, Computer-Based Test, objective – minimum 90 marks required). Only marks from Paper II are counted for final ranking. Paper II answer sheets are evaluated only if the candidate secures the minimum qualifying marks in Paper I.

Selection Process

Candidates are admitted to the Main Examination in a ratio of 1:10 (10 times the number of vacancies) based on the reservation rules, for both Group II and Group IIA Services separately. Based on the final rank list from Paper II of the Main Examination, candidates are admitted to Onscreen Certificate Verification in a ratio of 1:3 (General category) and 1:2 (Reserved categories), followed by Physical Certificate Verification and Counselling in a ratio of 1:3 (General) and 1:1.5 (Reserved categories). Candidates already selected for a Group II Services post will not be considered for, or allowed to participate in, the counselling for Group IIA Services posts under this same notification.

In case of a tie in marks, the candidate with the higher qualification is placed higher in the merit list; if qualifications are also equal, the older candidate is placed higher; if age is also equal, the candidate who submitted their application earlier is placed higher.

How to Apply

1. Visit the TNPSC examination application portal at tnpscexams.in.
2. Complete One Time Registration (OTR) if not already registered, then proceed to fill the online application for CCSE-II 2026.
3. Fill in all required personal, educational and category details carefully, and select the posts you wish to be considered for.
4. Upload the required documents/photographs as specified in Annexure I of the notification.
5. Pay the applicable examination fee online.
6. Submit the application on or before 9 September 2026, 11:59 PM. Use the Correction Window (13-15 September 2026) if any details need to be edited after submission – no modification is allowed after this window closes.

Important Instructions

• Admission to all stages of the examination is purely provisional, subject to the candidate satisfying all eligibility conditions; mere admission to any stage does not confer any right to appointment.
• Mobile phones, pagers, electronic devices, smartwatches, and even non-electronic items such as books, notes, log tables and handbags are banned inside the examination hall.
• TNPSC cautions candidates against touts and agents making false promises of securing jobs through unfair means; the Commission is not responsible for losses arising from dealings with such elements.
• Candidates are solely responsible for the accuracy of their online application; mistakes made while applying through internet cafes or common service centres cannot be attributed to the service provider.
• Date of birth will be verified against SSLC or HSC mark sheets; candidates claiming age concessions must upload supporting documents.
• The Commission reserves the right to reject candidature at any stage, even after selection, if a wrong claim or rule violation is confirmed.

Important Links

• Notification PDF
• Official Website
• NaukriPatra App
• WhatsApp Channel
• Telegram Channel

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How many total vacancies are advertised in TNPSC CCSE-II 2026?

821 vacancies in total – 41 under Group II Services and 780 under Group IIA Services.

2. What is the last date to apply online?

9 September 2026, 11:59 PM. A correction window is available from 13 to 15 September 2026.

3. When is the Preliminary Examination?

1 November 2026, from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM. The Main Examination date will be announced along with the Preliminary Examination results.

4. What is the examination fee?

Rs.100/- for the Preliminary Examination; Rs.150/- for the Main Examination of one Group, or Rs.300/- if appearing for the Main Examination of both Group II and Group IIA Services.

5. What is the minimum educational qualification?

Varies by post – most posts require a UGC-recognized Degree, though specific posts have additional or different requirements (e.g., Commerce degree, Law degree, Master’s in Criminology for certain posts).

6. What is the exam pattern for the Preliminary Examination?

A single objective-type paper of 200 questions/300 marks covering General Studies, Aptitude and Mental Ability, and Language (Tamil or English), in 3 hours, with 90 marks minimum qualifying score.

7. Can a candidate selected for Group II also be considered for Group IIA?

No. Candidates already selected for a post in Group II Services will not be considered for, or allowed to participate in, the counselling for Group IIA Services under this notification.

8. Is there an age limit relaxation for reserved categories?

Yes, SC/SC(A)/ST/MBC/DC/BC(OBCM)/BCM candidates get relaxed maximum age limits compared to “Others,” with several posts carrying no maximum age limit for reserved categories.

9. What documents are needed to verify date of birth?

The SSLC (10th standard) or HSC (12th standard) mark sheet is used to verify date of birth.

10. How is the final merit list prepared?

Based solely on marks obtained in Paper II of the Main Examination (Group II or Group IIA as applicable); Paper I is only qualifying in nature and its marks are not counted for ranking.