TNPSC Group 4 2026 –
VAO, Junior Assistant & Complete Guide
TNPSC Group 4 (CCSE IV) recruits VAO, Junior Assistant, Typist, Bill Collector and other clerical posts across Tamil Nadu government departments. 200 MCQ questions, 300 marks, no interview. Minimum qualification: 10th Pass. Salary: ₹32,000–₹52,000/month gross (Chennai, 2026 rates).
What is TNPSC Group 4 2026?
The TNPSC Group 4 Combined Civil Services Examination (CCSE IV) is conducted by the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission to recruit candidates for clerical and field-level posts in Tamil Nadu state government departments. It is one of the largest and most accessible state government exams in India, with 5,000–10,000+ vacancies per cycle, attracting 10–20 lakh applicants.
What makes TNPSC Group 4 unique is its 10th pass eligibility for most posts, making it accessible to a very large segment of aspirants. There is no interview round — selection is entirely based on the written exam score and certificate verification. This transparency makes it one of the most trusted state recruitment examinations.
The Village Administrative Officer (VAO) post is the most competitive under Group 4, carrying field authority and a higher pay scale. Junior Assistant is the largest in terms of vacancies. With a systematic 4–6 month preparation plan using Samacheer Kalvi textbooks and TNPSC previous papers, this exam is genuinely achievable for dedicated aspirants.
📅 TNPSC Group 4 2026 – Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| TNPSC Group 4 2022-23 Notification Released | November 2022 |
| TNPSC Group 4 2022-23 Application Last Date | December 2022 |
| TNPSC Group 4 2022-23 Written Exam | 22 January 2023 |
| TNPSC Group 4 2022-23 Result | April 2023 |
| TNPSC Group 4 2023-24 Notification Released | September 2023 |
| TNPSC Group 4 2023-24 Written Exam | 3 March 2024 |
| TNPSC Group 4 2023-24 Result & Certificate Verification | July–August 2024 |
| 🆕 TNPSC Group 4 2025–26 Notification | ⚠️Expected Mid-2026 (TBN) |
| TNPSC Group 4 2025–26 Application Opens | ⚠️TBN |
| TNPSC Group 4 2025–26 Written Exam | ⚠️Expected Late 2026 (TBN) |
| TNPSC Group 4 2025–26 Result | ⚠️TBN |
⚠️ = To Be Notified. All 2026 dates are estimates. Verify from tnpsc.gov.in.
🎓 Eligibility Criteria
Must be a citizen of India. Some posts require being a citizen of Tamil Nadu (resident for a specified period) — check the official notification for specific residency requirements per post.
10th Pass (SSLC) for most posts including Junior Assistant, Bill Collector, Field Surveyor, VAO. 12th Pass + Typewriting Higher Certificate (Tamil/English) for Typist posts. Diploma in Civil Engineering for Draftsman Grade III.
- Candidates must know Tamil (read/write) — it is a mandatory language requirement for most Group 4 posts
- PSTM Reservation (20%): Candidates who completed their 10th, 12th, or Diploma/Degree through Tamil medium are eligible for a 20% reservation in vacancies under the Persons Studied in Tamil Medium (PSTM) category. This is a critical advantage — ensure you apply for PSTM benefit if eligible and submit the required Tamil-medium study certificate at the time of certificate verification.
- Medical fitness as per TNPSC norms (certificate required at joining)
- No criminal record; must be of good character (certificate from Village Administrative Officer / Gazetted Officer)
- Typewriting speed requirement for Typist posts: 40 WPM (Tamil) or 50 WPM (English) Higher Grade
- Age is calculated as on the closing date for applications (as specified in official notification)
Posts, Vacancies & Pay Levels
| Post Name | Qualification | Pay Level |
|---|---|---|
| Village Administrative Officer (VAO) | 10th Pass | Pay Level 8 |
| Junior Assistant | 10th/12th Pass | Pay Level 5 |
| Typist | 12th Pass + Typewriting | Pay Level 5 |
| Bill Collector | 10th Pass | Pay Level 5 |
| Field Surveyor | 10th Pass | Pay Level 6 |
| Draftsman Grade III | Diploma (Civil) | Pay Level 7 |
| Junior Draughtsman | Diploma | Pay Level 7 |
| Wood Work & Upholstery Instructor | Diploma / ITI | Pay Level 7 |
Exam Pattern 2026
Written Examination (OMR / CBT) – 200 Questions | 300 Marks | 3 Hours
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Studies (GS) | 75 | 150 |
| General Tamil (Tamil Eligibility-cum-Scoring Test) | 100 | 100 |
| Aptitude & Mental Ability (AMAB) | 25 | 50 |
| Total | 200 | 300 |
✅ Key Facts
- Single paper – no separate Prelims and Mains
- Typically no negative marking (confirm in official notification)
- Medium: Tamil or English (candidate's choice)
- No interview round – merit list purely based on written score
⚠️ Important Note
TNPSC revised its exam pattern in 2023. For VAO and some posts, the pattern may include a 2-tier process. Always read the official notification carefully for the exact scheme applicable to each post in the 2026 cycle.
Detailed Syllabus 2026
🏛️ General Studies (GS)
- ▸Unit I – History of India: Indus Valley Civilisation, Vedic Period, Mauryan, Gupta, Delhi Sultanate, Mughal Empire, Bhakti & Sufi movements, Maratha, Colonial period, Freedom Movement
- ▸Unit II – Culture & Heritage: Temples of TN, Carnatic music, Bharatanatyam, arts and crafts, UNESCO heritage sites, important Tamil personalities
- ▸Unit III – Indian Polity: Constitution, Fundamental Rights & Duties, DPSP, Parliament & State Legislature, President, Governor, Judiciary, Panchayati Raj, 73rd & 74th Amendments
- ▸Unit IV – Indian Geography: Physical features, rivers, climate, soil types, agriculture, minerals, industries, human & economic geography
- ▸Unit V – Tamil Nadu Geography & Economy: Districts, rivers, dams, forest resources, industries, MSME, agriculture – crops & production
- ▸Unit VI – Indian Economy: Five Year Plans, NITI Aayog, taxation, banking & RBI, budget, poverty & welfare schemes, Make in India, Digital India
- ▸Unit VII – General Science: Physics (optics, motion, electricity), Chemistry (acids/bases, carbon compounds), Biology (nutrition, respiration, genetics, disease)
- ▸Unit VIII – Environment & Ecology: Biodiversity, climate change, pollution, renewable energy, conservation, National Parks in Tamil Nadu
- ▸Unit IX – Current Events: National and international events (last 12 months), TN government schemes, awards, sports, science & technology updates
- ▸Unit X – Aptitude (within GS): Series completion, analogy, coding-decoding, blood relations, direction sense, time & work, percentage, HCF/LCM, average
📖 General Tamil (for Tamil-medium candidates)
- ▸Tamil Language: Eluththu (letters), Sol (words), Pori & Punarithi, Idai Eluththu, Mozhi Payilchi
- ▸Tamil Literature: Sangam literature (Purananuru, Ainkurunuru), Silappathikaram, Kamba Ramayanam, Thirukkural, Manimekalai
- ▸Tamil Grammar: Seyyuliyal, Iyal, Isai, Naadam, Eluththatikaram, Collatikaram
- ▸Modern Tamil Literature: Short stories, novels, poetry of 20th & 21st century Tamil writers
- ▸Applied Tamil: Letter writing, essay, comprehension, vocabulary, antonyms/synonyms in Tamil
📝 General English (⚠️ Removed from TNPSC Group 4 since 2022)
- ▸⚠️ Important: As per TNPSC reforms effective from the 2022 cycle, the General English option has been removed from TNPSC Group 4. Part A (Language Paper) is now exclusively the Tamil Eligibility-cum-Scoring Test for all candidates.
- ▸All candidates — regardless of their medium of study — must attempt the Tamil paper. There is no longer an option to choose English as the language paper for this exam.
- ▸Candidates who studied in English medium should focus their preparation entirely on General Tamil. Use Samacheer Kalvi Tamil textbooks (6th–10th standard) available free at textbooksonline.tn.gov.in.
🔢 Aptitude & Mental Ability (AMAB)
- ▸Logical Reasoning: Statements & conclusions, syllogisms, coding-decoding, blood relations, direction & distance
- ▸Data Interpretation: Tables, bar charts, pie charts, line graphs
- ▸Number Series: Missing number, wrong number in series
- ▸Arithmetic: Percentages, ratio & proportion, average, simple & compound interest, profit & loss, time & work, time speed distance
- ▸Geometry & Mensuration: Area, perimeter, volume of basic shapes
- ▸Mental Ability: Pattern recognition, analogy, classification, matrix-based problems
Previous Year Cut-offs (out of 300)
| Category | 2023–24 (est.) |
|---|---|
| OC (General) | ~190–200 / 300 |
| BC | ~178–188 / 300 |
| MBC / DNC | ~165–176 / 300 |
| SC / SCA | ~150–163 / 300 |
| ST | ~138–150 / 300 |
Cut-offs shown are approximate estimates based on community analysis and may vary by post (VAO cut-offs are typically 5–10 marks higher than the general Group 4 cut-off). Official cut-offs are published by TNPSC on tnpsc.gov.in post-result.
💰 Salary & Benefits 2026
| Salary Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay – Pay Level 5 (Junior Assistant / Typist / Bill Collector) | ₹19,500/month |
| Basic Pay – Pay Level 6 (Field Surveyor) | ₹21,700/month |
| Basic Pay – Pay Level 7 (Draftsman / Draughtsman) | ₹25,300/month |
| Basic Pay – Pay Level 8 (VAO) | ₹29,200/month |
| Dearness Allowance (DA) – approx. 38.0% of Basic Pay (Jan 2026) | Varies by post |
| House Rent Allowance (HRA) – Chennai metro: 24% | Others: 8–16% | Varies by posting city |
| Other Allowances (Transport, Medical, etc.) | ₹1,500–₹3,000/month |
| Gross Estimated In-Hand – Junior Assistant (Chennai) | ~₹32,000–₹38,000/month |
| Gross Estimated In-Hand – VAO (Chennai) | ~₹45,000–₹52,000/month |
Government Health Insurance Scheme (GHIS) for employee and immediate family members.
Earned Leave, Casual Leave, Medical Leave. 180 days paid maternity leave for women employees.
Tamil Nadu Government Servants Contributory Pension Scheme (NPS-equivalent). Gratuity on retirement.
How to Apply for TNPSC Group 4
Applications are submitted online via the TNPSC ONE-TIME REGISTRATION (OTR) portal. Steps below are based on the standard TNPSC application process:
Register on TNPSC One-Time Registration Portal
Visit tnpsc.gov.in → "One Time Registration". Create your profile with personal details, educational qualifications, photo, and signature. One-Time Registration (OTR) fee: ₹150 (paid once by new users — not per exam). This OTR ID is used for all future TNPSC applications. Existing registered candidates skip this fee.
Apply for TNPSC Group 4 Notification
Log in to your OTR account → select the active Group 4 notification → verify pre-filled details → select your preferred post and preferred exam centre (district).
Pay Exam Application Fee
Exam application fee: ₹100 (General) per notification cycle. SC/ST and Other Backward Classes (first application in a year) may be exempt — check official notification. Payment via Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card, or Common Service Centre. Note: This ₹100 is separate from the one-time OTR registration fee of ₹150.
Upload Photo & Signature
Passport-size photo: JPEG, max 80 KB, white background. Signature: JPEG, max 40 KB, on white paper with black/blue ink. Both must be recent.
Submit & Take Printout
Review all details carefully before final submission. Download and print the confirmation page. Keep it safe — you will need it for certificate verification.
6-Month Study Plan
Cover Indian history from Indus Valley to Independence with a focus on Tamil Nadu context. Use Samacheer Kalvi textbooks (6th–10th standard) as the primary source — TNPSC sets 40–50% of questions directly from these books. Study Indian Constitution basics: Fundamental Rights, Preamble, DPSP, Parliament, Panchayati Raj. Read for 2–3 hours daily.
Cover Indian and TN geography: physical features, rivers (especially TN rivers — Cauvery, Palar, Vaigai), agriculture, forests. Study General Tamil grammar (Eluththu, Sol, Mozhi Payilchi) or General English grammar depending on your medium. Practice Tamil literature (Thirukkural, Sangam) or English comprehension daily.
Cover General Science thoroughly — TNPSC tests Class 6–10 science concepts. Focus on Physics (optics, electricity), Chemistry (acids/bases, carbon compounds), Biology (human body, diseases). Start AMAB: number series, coding-decoding, blood relations. AMAB carries 50 marks — do not ignore it. Practice 25 AMAB questions daily.
Study Indian and TN economy: Five Year Plans, NITI Aayog, poverty schemes, budget highlights. Environment: biodiversity, climate change, National Parks. Begin current affairs — focus on TN government news, national appointments, welfare schemes launched in last 6–12 months. Read "The Hindu" or follow free Telegram channels for daily updates.
Revise all GS units using your notes. Solve 2 full-length mock tests per week (200 questions, 3 hours). Analyse every mock carefully — identify which units are weak. Revise Samacheer Kalvi books for high-yield chapters. Focus on TN-specific GK: dams, districts, Governors, Chief Ministers, wildlife sanctuaries.
Solve previous year TNPSC Group 4 papers from 2018–2024. These are the single most effective practice resource. Notice recurring question patterns. Revise weak areas identified in mock tests. Brush up on current affairs for the last 3 months. Focus on accuracy over speed — TNPSC Group 4 has no negative marking (confirm in the official notification), so attempt all 200 questions.
Best Books for TNPSC Group 4
| Subject | Book Title |
|---|---|
| GS – History, Polity, Geography, Science | Samacheer Kalvi Textbooks (6th–10th Std) |
| Tamil / English Language | Samacheer Kalvi Tamil / English (6th–12th Std) |
| General Studies (Comprehensive) | TNPSC Group 4 Study Material (Tamil & English) |
| AMAB – Aptitude & Mental Ability | Analytical Reasoning & Mental Ability for TNPSC |
| Previous Year Papers (Essential) | TNPSC Group IV Previous Year Papers (2018–2024) |
| Current Affairs (TN focus) | Monthly Current Affairs Capsule for TNPSC |
| Full Mock Tests | TNPSC Group 4 Practice Sets – 30 Tests |
Free Preparation Resources
TNPSC Official Website
Official notifications, previous year question papers, model questions, hall ticket download, results — the single most important resource.
TN Textbooks Online (Free PDFs)
Free official Samacheer Kalvi textbooks (6th–12th) in PDF — covers 40–50% of TNPSC Group 4 GS questions directly.
Winmeen TNPSC YouTube
Free TNPSC Group 4 coaching videos in Tamil — GS, AMAB, and language paper tips by experienced educators.
TNPSC Thervupettagam (YouTube)
Tamil-medium free classes for Group 1, 2, and 4 — one of the top TNPSC YouTube channels in Tamil Nadu.
Adda247 Tamil – TNPSC Channel
Free daily classes for TNPSC Group 4 in Tamil — covers current affairs, AMAB, and GK topics.
TNPSC Previous Year Question Papers
Official previous year question papers for Group 4 from tnpsc.gov.in — the most accurate exam preparation resource available.
Winmeen Online Mock Tests
Free and paid TNPSC Group 4 mock tests in Tamil. Free tier includes chapter-wise tests and previous year papers.
TN e-District (Current Affairs)
Reference for Tamil Nadu government schemes, welfare programmes, and district-level developments useful for current affairs.
Expert Preparation Tips
Samacheer Kalvi textbooks are the most important resource for TNPSC Group 4. Around 40–60 questions in each exam are directly or indirectly based on Class 6–10 Samacheer books. Download free PDFs from textbooksonline.tn.gov.in and read them cover to cover at least twice.
Solve all previous year TNPSC Group 4 papers from 2018 to 2024. These are freely available on tnpsc.gov.in. TNPSC frequently repeats questions or tests the same concept in different wording — recognising these patterns is a major scoring advantage.
No negative marking in TNPSC Group 4 (verify in the official notification for your cycle). If there is no penalty, attempt all 200 questions. Even guessing a topic you partly remember gives you a 25% chance of getting it right, and the expected gain is positive.
Tamil Nadu-specific GK is heavily tested. Know your state: all districts, important rivers (Cauvery, Vaigai, Tamiraparani, Palar), dams (Mettur, Papanasam), wildlife sanctuaries, UNESCO sites like Brihadeeswarar Temple, and current Chief Minister/Governor.
AMAB (Aptitude & Mental Ability) carries 50 marks out of 300 — roughly 1 in 6 marks. Many candidates ignore this section, which gives serious aspirants an edge. Practise 25 AMAB questions daily from Month 3 onwards to score 40+ in this section reliably.
For current affairs, focus on Tamil Nadu news: new government schemes (CM Announces), welfare programmes (Dravidam model), recent Sports/Awards (TN players), and Centre–State policy news. Reading "The Hindu" Tamil edition or following Winmeen Telegram for 15 minutes daily is sufficient.
TNPSC Group 4 notifications come irregularly — sometimes annually, sometimes every 18–24 months. Keep the official website tnpsc.gov.in bookmarked. Enable browser notifications or follow TNPSC on its official Telegram channel so you don't miss the announcement.
General Tamil (the language paper) carries 100 marks (100 questions) — more than any individual GS unit. Note: Since the 2022 reforms, General English has been removed. All candidates must attempt Tamil, making strong Tamil grammar preparation non-negotiable. Grammar topics (Eluththu, Sol, Mozhi Payilchi, tense equivalents) are highly predictable. Master grammar first, then move to Tamil literature.