TNPSC Combined Technical Services Examination 2026 – 170 Posts
- Last Date
- 06 Oct 2026 (Expired)
- Total Posts
- 170
- Apply Mode
- Online
- Job Type
- Direct Recruitment
TNPSC Combined Technical Services Examination 2026
Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) has invited online applications for direct recruitment to 170 posts, across 31 different post titles, through the Combined Technical Services Examination (Interview Posts). This article covers the vacancy details, eligibility, exam pattern, and how to apply.
TNPSC CTSE 2026 – Overview
Post-wise Vacancy Details (Selected Major Posts)
| Post | Department/Organization | Vacancies | Level of Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port Officer | Tamil Nadu Maritime Board | 1 | Level 30 |
| Unit Head – Deputy General Manager Cadre | Tamil Nadu Cements Corporation Limited | 1 | Level 28 |
| Veterinary Assistant Surgeon | Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services | 79 | – |
| Research Assistant | Institute of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Ranipet | 5 | Level 22 |
| Senior Entomologist | Public Health and Preventive Medicine | 13 | – |
| English Reporter | Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly | 6 | – |
| Tamil Reporter | Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly | 5 | – |
| Assistant Director of Industries and Commerce (Technical) | Industries and Commerce | 5 | – |
| District Library Officer | Public Libraries | 6 | – |
| Senior Officer (Technical) | The Tamilnadu Industrial Investment Corporation Limited | 10 | Level 22 |
| Senior Officer (Finance) | The Tamilnadu Industrial Investment Corporation Limited | 3 | – |
| Assistant Manager | State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu | 6 | Level 22 |
| Assistant Director of Statistics | Economics and Statistics | 4 | Level 22 |
| Deputy Manager (Instrumental) | Tamil Nadu Cements Corporation Limited | 2 | Level 25 |
| Total (across all 31 posts) | 170 | – | |
This table highlights the major posts; the full notification lists all 31 post titles and their category-wise distribution across General Turn, SC, SC(Arunthathiyar), ST, MBC/DC, BC(OBCM) and BC(Muslim) categories, along with PwBD and Ex-servicemen sub-quotas. The number of vacancies is tentative and may be revised before the written examination results are published.
Age Limit (As on 01 July 2026)
Candidates must have completed 21 years of age for all posts. The maximum age limit varies by post, ranging from 32 years (for posts like Assistant Manager and Tamil/English Reporter) up to 47 years (for posts like Assistant Director of Industries and Commerce, Assistant General Manager Finance), with several posts having no maximum age limit at all (capped at 60 years). SC, SC(A), ST, MBC/DC, BC(OBCM) and BCM candidates get relaxation of 3 to 5 years over the “Others” category age limit for most posts. Age concessions are also available for Persons with Benchmark Disability, Ex-servicemen, and Destitute Widows, varying by post.
Educational Qualification
Qualification requirements vary significantly by post, ranging from a relevant Degree/PG Degree in fields like Veterinary Science, Statistics, Town Planning, Commerce, or Engineering, to professional qualifications like Company Secretaryship for certain finance and secretarial posts. Since each of the 31 posts carries its own specific qualification and, for several posts, a minimum years of experience requirement, candidates should refer to the detailed notification for the exact qualification applicable to their post of interest.
Application Fee
Candidates belonging to special categories can avail exemption from the examination fee, as per eligibility criteria detailed in Annexure II of the notification. Fees paid for withdrawn subject papers are not refunded.
Scheme of Examination (For Posts Other Than Tamil/English Reporter)
| Paper | Subject | Standard | Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I – Part A | Tamil Eligibility Test | SSLC | 100 | 150 (Qualifying) | 3 hours |
| Paper I – Part B | General Studies | Degree | 75 | 150 (combined with Part C) | |
| Paper I – Part C | Aptitude and Mental Ability | SSLC | 25 | ||
| Paper II | Subject Paper (post-specific) | Degree/PG Degree | 200 | 300 | 3 hours |
| Interview | – | – | – | 60 | – |
| Grand Total (Written + Interview) | 510 | – | |||
The examination is a Computer Based Test (CBT), objective type. Minimum qualifying marks in the combined written examination (Part B and Part C of Paper I, plus Paper II) are 180 out of 450 for SCs, SC(A)s, STs, MBCs/DCs, BC(OBCM)s and BCMs, and 135 out of 450 (with 60 out of 150 for Part A/Tamil Eligibility Test) for Others.
Selection Process
- The examination has two stages: Written Examination and Interview.
- Onscreen certificate verification is conducted based on minimum qualifying marks and the rule of reservation, before candidates are admitted to physical certificate verification and interview.
- For posts not requiring experience, candidates are admitted to onscreen verification in the ratio of 1:3 or 1:4 of vacancies; for posts requiring experience, the ratio is 1:10.
- The Interview assesses the candidate’s personality, aptitude, general knowledge and technical knowledge, out of 60 marks.
- Final ranking is based on the combined marks of the Written Examination (Part B and Part C of Paper I, and Paper II) and the Interview.
- In case of a tie, the candidate senior in age is ranked higher; if age is also equal, the candidate with higher written exam marks is ranked higher.
- Appearance in Paper I, Paper II, and the Interview is compulsory for consideration.
How to Apply
- Visit the TNPSC official website: www.tnpscexams.in.
- Complete One Time Registration (OTR), if not already registered, by paying Rs. 150/-. OTR is valid for 5 years.
- Keep your scanned photograph (20-50 KB, taken within the last 3 months) and signature (10-20 KB) ready in JPG format at 200 DPI resolution.
- Log in to your OTR dashboard and fill a separate online application for this examination, selecting your post(s) of interest.
- Pay the examination fee of Rs. 200/-, plus Rs. 200/- for each additional subject paper opted, unless fee exemption applies.
- Submit the application on or before 06 October 2026, 11:59 PM.
Important Terms and Conditions
- Admission to all stages of the examination is purely provisional, subject to satisfying eligibility conditions; mere admission does not confer any right to appointment.
- The number and distribution of vacancies are tentative and may be modified before the written examination results are published.
- Date of birth will be verified against the SSLC or HSC mark sheet; candidates whose mark sheet does not mention date of birth must upload a Birth Certificate, Transfer Certificate, or Degree Mark Sheet instead.
- A candidate is considered to have applied only after clicking the final “SUBMIT” button; a preview alone does not count as an application.
- Candidates should read the “Instructions to Applicants” on the TNPSC website carefully before applying.
About This Recruitment
The Combined Technical Services Examination (Interview Posts) is TNPSC’s mechanism for filling specialised, often experience-linked posts across Tamil Nadu Government departments and state-run corporations, in a single combined recruitment cycle rather than separate individual notifications for each post. This round covers 170 posts across 31 different titles, spanning veterinary science, statistics, town planning, industrial finance, library science, legislative reporting, and various technical management roles in public sector undertakings like the Tamil Nadu Cements Corporation and the Tamilnadu Industrial Investment Corporation. Since many of these posts pay at senior Level 22 and above, this examination attracts candidates with specialised postgraduate qualifications and, for several posts, prior relevant work experience.
Why Some Posts Require Experience
Unlike typical entry-level government recruitment, several posts in this notification, especially management and senior officer roles in corporations like the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation and State Industries Promotion Corporation, require candidates to already hold relevant professional experience alongside their qualification. This is reflected in the tighter certificate-verification ratio, 1:10 for posts requiring experience compared to 1:3 or 1:4 for posts that do not, since TNPSC needs to verify a genuine and substantial work history for these more senior, specialised roles before admitting candidates to interview.
Important Links
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many total posts are advertised in TNPSC CTSE 2026?
170 posts, across 31 different post titles.
2. What is the last date to apply?
06 October 2026, 11:59 PM.
3. What is the minimum age to apply?
21 years, as on 01 July 2026, for all posts.
4. What is the examination fee?
Rs. 200/-, plus Rs. 200/- for each additional subject paper, along with a one-time Rs. 150/- OTR fee if not already registered.
5. What is the selection process?
A Written Examination (Computer Based Test), followed by certificate verification and an Interview.
6. Which post has the highest number of vacancies?
Veterinary Assistant Surgeon, under Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, with 79 vacancies.
7. How many marks does the Interview carry?
60 marks, out of a grand total of 510 marks (written examination plus interview).
8. What is the minimum qualifying mark in the written exam?
135 out of 450 for Others category, and 180 out of 450 for SC/SC(A)/ST/MBC/DC/BC(OBCM)/BCM candidates, apart from a separate qualifying mark in the Tamil Eligibility Test.
9. Can a candidate apply for more than one post/subject paper?
Yes, but Rs. 200/- is charged for each additional subject paper opted.
10. Is prior experience required for all posts?
No, only some posts require experience; those posts have a tighter certificate-verification ratio of 1:10.
11. What happens if a candidate misses the Interview?
They will not be considered for selection, even if they secured the minimum qualifying marks in the written exam.
12. How are ties in the merit list resolved?
By age (older candidate ranked higher), then by written exam marks, then by earlier application submission.
13. Is the vacancy count final?
No, the number and distribution of vacancies are tentative and may be modified before the written examination results are published.
14. What is the OTR registration fee?
Rs. 150/-, valid for 5 years from the date of registration.
15. Where can candidates apply?
Online, at the TNPSC website, www.tnpscexams.in.
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