TNPSC Group 2 & 2A Recruitment 2026 for 821 Posts, Apply Online
TNPSC Group 2 & 2A Recruitment 2026 for 821 Assistant, Clerk and More Posts, Apply Online
TNPSC Group 2 & 2A Recruitment 2026 — 821 Assistant, Clerk and More Posts in Tamil Nadu
821 Government Posts Across Tamil Nadu — Assistant, Clerk, Inspector, Sub Registrar and More — Apply Online Before 9 September
I remember when TNPSC last had Group 2 recruitment with this many posts — it was way back. Now it is back with 821 vacancies under Combined Civil Services Examination-II (Group II and IIA Services). See, this is one of the biggest Tamil Nadu state government recruitments this year. The notification came on , and you can apply online at tnpscexams.in from the same date. Last date is . So you have about one month. And the best part — these are permanent government posts with good pay levels from Level 9 to Level 18. If you are a graduate living in Tamil Nadu, this is your shot. But here is the thing — you must know Tamil. That is mandatory for all posts.
Group II Has 41 Posts, Group IIA Has 780 Posts — Different Exam Patterns for Each
Now here is what makes this recruitment interesting. There are two groups — Group II with 41 posts and Group IIA with 780 posts. Group II posts include Assistant Inspector, Deputy Commercial Tax Officer, Junior Employment Officer, Probation Officer, Sub Registrar Grade-II, Jailor, and Assistant Section Officer. Group IIA has bulk vacancies — mostly Assistant posts across different departments like Police, School Education, Highways, and Rural Development. The preliminary exam is common for both, but the main exam is separate. For Group II, Paper II is descriptive. For Group IIA, Paper II is objective type with CBT. And Tamil eligibility test is qualifying in nature — you need minimum 40 marks out of 100. So if you are preparing, focus on General Studies and Tamil equally.
Application Fee is Just Rs. 100 — SC/ST/PwD Get Free Entry — OTR is Mandatory
And here is the fee part — Preliminary exam fee is only Rs. 100. Main exam fee is Rs. 150 separately. But if you are shortlisted for both Group II and Group IIA mains, you pay Rs. 300 total. SC, SC(A), ST candidates, Persons with Benchmark Disability, and Destitute Widows get full fee exemption. Ex-servicemen get two free chances, and Backward Classes get three free chances. One important thing — you need One Time Registration (OTR) on tnpscexams.in. If you already have OTR from previous TNPSC exams, you can directly apply. The correction window is from to . And the prelims exam is on from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM. So start preparing now.
Key Details
- Conducting Authority: Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC)
- Examination Name: Combined Civil Services Examination – II (Group II and IIA Services)
- Notification No: 07/2026
- Advertisement No: 740
- Total Vacancies: 821 (Group II: 41 + Group IIA: 780)
- Notification Date:
- Application Last Date: , 11:59 P.M.
- Application Mode: Online Only — tnpscexams.in
Eligibility & Exam
- Qualification: Degree from a UGC-recognised university (post-wise specific qualifications apply)
- Age Limit: 18–32 years (Others); No maximum for SC/ST/MBC/BC
- Prelims Exam: , 9:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.
- Main Exam: To be announced with prelims result
- Selection: Prelims → Main → Certificate Verification → Counselling
- Pay Level: Level 9 to Level 18 (Tamil Nadu Pay Matrix)
- Job Location: Tamil Nadu (various departments and districts)
- Official Website: tnpsc.gov.in
TNPSC Group 2 & 2A Recruitment 2026 — Important Dates and Application Fee
Apply Online from 11 August to 9 September 2026 — Prelims on 1 November 2026
The online application process for TNPSC Group 2 and 2A recruitment opened on itself, same day as the notification. And the last date to apply is at 11:59 P.M. So you have about one month from the notification date. The application correction window is available from (12:01 A.M.) to (11:59 P.M.). And the Preliminary Examination is scheduled for from 9:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. — that is a Sunday. The Main Examination date has not been announced yet. It will be declared along with the preliminary exam results. So basically, you have about two months between prelims and the result announcement to start preparing for mains.
Tip: Do not wait till the last date to apply. The tnpscexams.in portal tends to slow down near deadlines. Complete your One Time Registration first if you have not done it yet, then apply. And keep your photograph ready — it must be taken on or after (notification date). Old photographs will not be accepted.
Application Fee
Preliminary Examination fee is Rs. 100, payable at the time of submitting the online application. Main Examination fee is Rs. 150, payable only if you are shortlisted for the mains for one service (Group II or Group IIA). If shortlisted for both Group II and Group IIA Main Examinations, the total fee is Rs. 300. Payment is online only — through Net Banking, Credit Card, Debit Card, or UPI. No offline payment modes accepted.
Fee Exemption: Full exemption for SC, SC(A), ST candidates, Persons with Benchmark Disability, and Destitute Widows. Ex-servicemen get two free chances. Backward Classes, Backward Class (Muslim), and Most Backward Classes/Denotified Communities get three free chances. So check your category and claim exemption if applicable.
TNPSC Group 2 & 2A Recruitment 2026 — Vacancy Details and Eligibility
821 Posts — Group II: 41, Group IIA: 780 — Across Multiple Tamil Nadu Departments
So there are 821 posts total. Group II has 41 posts across 14 different post codes, and Group IIA has 780 posts across 44 post codes. See, the bulk is in Group IIA — mostly Assistant posts in various departments. For example, Assistant in Rural Development and Panchayat Raj alone has 122 posts spread across all 32 districts. Assistant in School Education has 83 posts. Assistant in Highways has 50 posts. So if you are preparing for Assistant-level posts, your chances are actually decent because vacancy is high. And one thing — the vacancy count is tentative. TNPSC has clearly mentioned that numbers may change up to the preliminary exam result. So the actual vacancies could be higher or lower.
Post-Wise Vacancy Breakup
Group II Services (41 Posts): Assistant Inspector (7), Deputy Commercial Tax Officer (1), Junior Employment Officer PWD (1), Probation Officer (5), Sub Registrar Grade-II (3), Jailor Men (3), Jailor Special Prison for Women (1), Special Assistant (2), Special Branch Assistant (9), Assistant Section Officer (8), and Assistant Section Officer Programmer (1). These are mostly Level 16 to Level 18 posts — good pay and status.
Group IIA Services (780 Posts): This is where the bulk is. Senior Inspector (9), Audit Inspector (5), Handloom Inspector (3), Supervisor/Junior Superintendent (7), Senior Revenue Inspector (45), Assistant across various departments (600+), Accountant (33), Executive Officer Grade III (9), Executive Officer Grade II (4), Junior Accountant (2), Male Warden (1), Lower Division Clerk (3), and Assistant Grade III (5). District-wise and department-wise breakup runs across several pages of the notification.
Eligibility — Degree Required, Tamil Knowledge Mandatory
Most posts require a degree from a UGC-recognised university. But some posts have specific requirements. Assistant Section Officer (Post Code 1073) and Assistant (Post Code 1076) need a B.L. degree. Assistant Section Officer cum Programmer (Post Code 2215) needs MCA or M.Sc. in IT/CS. Assistant (Post Code 1077) needs B.Com, Economics, or Statistics degree. And Assistant (Post Code 2201) needs a Master's degree or B.G.L. Check the official notification for your specific post code.
Tamil Knowledge: You must know Tamil. Either you should have passed SSLC/HSC/Degree with Tamil as a language, studied in Tamil medium, or passed the Second Class Language Test in Tamil conducted by TNPSC. This is mandatory for all posts.
Age Limit: Minimum 18 years for most posts (20 years for Sub Registrar, 22 years for Probation Officer). Maximum age is 32 years for "Others" category. For SC/SC(A)/ST/MBC/DC/BC/BCM candidates, there is no maximum age limit for most posts. Additional relaxation for PwD, Ex-servicemen, and Destitute Widows. Age is reckoned as on .
TNPSC Group 2 & 2A Recruitment 2026 — Selection Process and Exam Pattern
Selection Stages
- Stage I: Common Preliminary Examination — 200 marks, screening only, marks not counted for merit
- Stage II: Main Examination — separate for Group II and Group IIA, two papers each
- Stage III: Onscreen Certificate Verification — based on Main Paper II marks, ratio 1:3 (General) and 1:2 (Reserved)
- Stage IV: Physical Certificate Verification and Counselling — ratio 1:3 (General) and 1:1.5 (Reserved)
Exam Pattern Details
- Prelims: 200 marks — General Studies (75 Qs) + Aptitude & Mental Ability (25 Qs) + Language General Tamil/English (100 Qs) — 3 hours, OMR
- Group II Main: Paper I Tamil Eligibility (100 marks, qualifying min 40) + Paper II General Studies (300 marks, min 90) — both descriptive, 3 hours each
- Group IIA Main: Paper I Tamil Eligibility (100 marks, qualifying min 40) + Paper II General Studies + Reasoning (300 marks, min 90) — Paper I descriptive, Paper II CBT objective
- PwD candidates may claim exemption from Paper I Tamil test by uploading disability certificate
TNPSC Group 2 & 2A Recruitment 2026 — Salary and Job Profile
Pay Level 9 to Level 18 in Tamil Nadu Pay Matrix — Permanent Government Posts
So the salary depends on which post you get. The notification specifies pay only as "Level of Pay" in the Tamil Nadu revised pay matrix — exact rupee figures are not mentioned. But here is the thing — Level 18 is the highest, which covers posts like Assistant Inspector, Deputy Commercial Tax Officer, Probation Officer, Sub Registrar Grade-II, and Jailor. These are good posts with decent pay. Level 16 is for most Assistant Section Officer posts. Level 12 is for Senior Inspector, Audit Inspector, Handloom Inspector. And Level 9 to Level 10 covers most Assistant, Accountant, and Lower Division Clerk posts. See, even the lowest Level 9 posts are permanent government jobs with pension, medical benefits, and regular increments. So this is not a contractual thing — you get full government employee benefits.
What You Will Do — Post-Wise Job Profile
- Assistant Inspector: Field inspection work, verifying compliance with government schemes, reporting to senior officers
- Deputy Commercial Tax Officer: Tax assessment, collection, and enforcement in commercial establishments
- Junior Employment Officer: Managing employment exchanges, assisting job seekers, maintaining records
- Probation Officer: Supervising probationers, preparing reports, rehabilitation work
- Sub Registrar Grade-II: Registration of documents, deeds, and property transactions
- Jailor: Prison management, inmate supervision, security operations
- Assistant Section Officer: Desk work, file management, correspondence in government offices
- Senior Inspector: Supervisory role in Dairy Development, Co-operative departments
- Assistant (various departments): Clerical work, data entry, file maintenance across 32 districts
Most of the Assistant posts are desk-based work in government offices across Tamil Nadu. You may get posted to any district depending on vacancy. And yes, transfers are possible based on department policy.
TNPSC Group 2 & 2A Recruitment 2026 — How to Apply
Online Application at tnpscexams.in — One Time Registration Required — Apply Before 9 September 2026
The application process is entirely online through the TNPSC portal at tnpscexams.in. And one thing — you need One Time Registration (OTR) first. If you have already registered for previous TNPSC exams, your OTR is valid for five years. Just log in and apply. But if you are a first-time candidate, you need to complete OTR by paying Rs. 150 registration fee. After that, you can apply for this recruitment. The application is straightforward — fill details, upload photo and signature, choose exam centres, pay fee, and submit. But make sure your photograph is taken on or after — the notification date. Old photographs will be rejected.
How to Apply
- Step 1: Visit the official TNPSC application portal www.tnpscexams.in
- Step 2: Complete One Time Registration (OTR) by paying Rs. 150/- if not already registered — OTR is valid for five years
- Step 3: Log in using your OTR User ID and Password, click "APPLY" against this recruitment
- Step 4: Verify auto-filled OTR details and fill additional details required for this recruitment
- Step 5: Upload photograph (taken on or after ) and signature in specified format
- Step 6: Choose two examination centres for Preliminary Examination (only one for PwD candidates)
- Step 7: Pay Preliminary Examination fee of Rs. 100/- online via Net Banking / Credit Card / Debit Card / UPI
- Step 8: Preview all details, click "SUBMIT" to finally submit the application
- Step 9: Note down the Application Number / Applicant ID generated after successful payment
Important Instructions
- Applications are accepted only through online mode — no offline or postal applications
- Linking Aadhaar with OTR is mandatory
- Application Correction Window: (12:01 A.M.) to (11:59 P.M.) — no changes after this
- The notification is published in Tamil and English — in case of doubt, English version is final
- Do not wait till the last date — portal tends to slow down near deadline
- For help, contact TNPSC through the official website or check the notification for helpline numbers
TNPSC Group 2 & 2A Recruitment 2026 — Documents Required
Documents to Upload with Application
- Recent colour photograph — taken on or after , white background
- Scanned signature — in prescribed format and size
- Aadhaar card — linking with OTR is mandatory
- Community certificate (if claiming reservation)
- Disability certificate (if applicable)
Documents to Carry for Certificate Verification
- All original educational certificates — SSLC, HSC, Degree, PG (if applicable)
- Community certificate in original — from competent authority
- Aadhaar card and photo ID proof
- Experience certificate (if required for specific post)
- Disability certificate from designated medical board (if applicable)
- Ex-servicemen certificate (if applicable)
- Destitute Widows certificate (if applicable)
- Printout of submitted application form
And one thing — carry extra photocopies of all documents. I have seen candidates struggling because they did not bring enough copies at verification. Also, if your name is different on certificates compared to application, bring gazette notification or affidavit.
TNPSC Group 2 & 2A Recruitment 2026 — Important Links and Follow Us
Official Recruitment Links
- Official Notification PDF — Download PDF
- Apply Online — tnpscexams.in
- Official Website — tnpsc.gov.in
Join Our Job Community
- Telegram Channel — Join Channel
- Facebook Page — Follow Page
- Twitter / X — Follow Updates
- Blogs — Visit Blog
TNPSC Group 2 & 2A Recruitment 2026 — Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is TNPSC Group 2 Recruitment 2026?
TNPSC Group 2 Recruitment 2026 is the Combined Civil Services Examination-II (Group II and IIA Services), Notification No. 07/2026, for 821 vacancies across Group II (41 posts) and Group IIA (780 posts) in Tamil Nadu Government departments.
Q2. How many vacancies are there in TNPSC Group 2 Recruitment 2026?
There are 821 total vacancies — 41 in Group II Services and 780 in Group IIA Services, spread across multiple departments and districts in Tamil Nadu.
Q3. What is the last date to apply for TNPSC Group 2 Recruitment 2026?
The last date to submit the online application is , 11:59 P.M. The application window opened on .
Q4. What is the qualification for TNPSC Group 2 Recruitment 2026?
Most posts require a degree from a UGC-recognised university. Some posts have specific requirements — B.L. degree for Law posts, MCA/M.Sc. for Programmer post, B.Com for Accountant posts. Check the official notification for your post code.
Q5. What is the age limit for TNPSC Group 2 Recruitment 2026?
Age is reckoned as on . Minimum age is 18 years (up to 22 years for Probation Officer). Maximum age is 32 years for "Others" category. No maximum age limit for SC/SC(A)/ST/MBC/DC/BC/BCM candidates for most posts.
Q6. What is the application fee for TNPSC Group 2 Recruitment 2026?
Preliminary Examination fee is Rs. 100. Main Examination fee is Rs. 150 (or Rs. 300 if shortlisted for both Group II and IIA mains). Full fee exemption for SC/SC(A)/ST, PwD, and Destitute Widows.
Q7. How to apply online for TNPSC Group 2 Recruitment 2026?
Complete One Time Registration (OTR) on tnpscexams.in and then apply online. Upload photo taken after , choose exam centres, pay Rs. 100 fee, and submit before .
Q8. What is the selection process for TNPSC Group 2 Recruitment 2026?
Selection involves Preliminary Examination (screening, 200 marks), Main Examination (separate for Group II and IIA, two papers each), Onscreen Certificate Verification, and Physical Certificate Verification with Counselling.
Q9. When is the TNPSC Group 2 Preliminary Exam 2026?
The TNPSC Group 2 Preliminary Examination is scheduled for (Sunday), from 9:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. The Main Examination date will be announced with the preliminary result.
Q10. What is the salary for TNPSC Group 2 posts?
The notification specifies pay as Level 9 to Level 18 in the Tamil Nadu revised pay matrix, depending on the post. Level 18 is the highest (for Assistant Inspector, DCTO, Probation Officer, Sub Registrar, Jailor). Exact rupee figures are not mentioned in the notification.
Q11. Is Tamil knowledge mandatory for TNPSC Group 2?
Yes, Tamil knowledge is mandatory for all posts. You must have passed SSLC/HSC/Degree with Tamil as a language, studied in Tamil medium, or passed the Second Class Language Test in Tamil conducted by TNPSC.
Q12. Can candidates from other states apply for TNPSC Group 2?
TNPSC does not explicitly restrict to Tamil Nadu domicile, but Tamil knowledge is mandatory. Candidates from other states who know Tamil and meet eligibility can apply. However, reservation benefits apply only to Tamil Nadu domicile candidates.
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