State PSC · Updated Oct 2026
TNPSC Group 1 (Tamil Nadu): syllabus, topic-wise weightage and study plan
Every topic of the TNPSC Group 1 (Tamil Nadu) syllabus with its weightage and a first-pass study time, so preparation follows where the marks are.
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Exam pattern at a glance
- Prelims: Papers
- 1
- Prelims: Questions
- 200
- Prelims: Marks
- 300
- Prelims: Marking
- 1.5 marks per question; no negative marking (TNPSC standing practice; re-check notification)
- Prelims: Duration
- 3 hours
- Prelims: Parts General studies degree std
- 175
- Prelims: Parts Aptitude mental ability sslc std
- 25
- Prelims: Qualifying papers
- none; whole Prelims is a screening test, marks not counted for final merit
- Prelims: Mains shortlist
- about 1:50 of vacancies (re-check notification)
- Prelims: Medium
- English and Tamil
- Prelims: Typical exam month
- June-September (2024: Jul, 2025: Jun, 2026: 27 Sep after postponement from 6 Sep)
- Mains: Papers
- 4 descriptive: Paper I Tamil Eligibility Test (qualifying, 100, SSLC std) + Papers II-IV General Studies I-III (250 each, degree std)
- Mains: Merit papers Gs1
- 250
- Mains: Merit papers Gs2
- 250
- Mains: Merit papers Gs3
- 250
- Mains: Qualifying papers Tamil eligibility test
- 100
- Mains: Qualifying papers Pass mark
- 40 (re-check notification); GS papers evaluated only if Tamil test is passed
- Mains: Written total
- 750
- Mains: Interview marks
- 100
- Mains: Grand total
- 850
- Mains: Duration
- 3 hours per paper
- Mains: Marking
- descriptive; no negative marking
- Mains: Medium
- English or Tamil (Tamil test in Tamil); Paper III Unit III may be answered in Tamil or English
- Mains: Typical exam month
- about 4-6 months after Prelims (2024: Dec, 2025: Dec)
Check the latest notification before the exam. Official syllabus ↗
Chapter-wise weightage and study hours
Weightage is the chapter's share of past-paper questions, normalised within its subject; hours are a first pass without revision.
Unit-level weights are OFFICIAL: the TNPSC syllabus (code 497, dated 16.12.2024) fixes the number of questions per unit. Split of each unit into chapters is our estimate (*). Current affairs is listed inside every unit, not as a separate unit.
Unit marks are OFFICIAL (syllabus code 498, 16.12.2024: each unit's marks printed in the syllabus). Chapter split inside each unit is our estimate (*). No optional subjects: TNPSC Group I Mains has been all-General-Studies since the 2016-17 revision.
* Estimated weight: no reliable past-paper figure exists for this chapter, so the number is our estimate from the paper structure.
Prelims: Unit I: General Science 32 h
| # | Chapter / topic | Weightage (% of subject) | Avg. questions | Study hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Physics in everyday life (mechanics, electricity, light, sound, heat, nuclear, electronics)* | 40% | 4 | 12 |
| 2 | Chemistry: elements, compounds, acids, bases, fertilisers, pesticides* | 20% | 2 | 6 |
| 3 | Life science, nutrition, health and human diseases* | 30% | 3 | 10 |
| 4 | Environment, ecology and latest inventions* | 10% | 1 | 4 |
| Total | 32 |
Prelims: Unit II: Geography of India 27 h
| # | Chapter / topic | Weightage (% of subject) | Avg. questions | Study hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Location, physical features, monsoon, climate, rivers* | 40% | 4 | 10 |
| 2 | Soils, minerals, forests, wildlife, agriculture, transport* | 30% | 3 | 8 |
| 3 | Social geography: population, linguistic groups, tribes* | 15% | 1.5 | 4 |
| 4 | Disasters, pollution, climate change, green energy* | 15% | 1.5 | 5 |
| Total | 27 |
Prelims: Unit III: History, Culture of India and Indian National Movement 64 h
| # | Chapter / topic | Weightage (% of subject) | Avg. questions | Study hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indus Valley to Marathas; Vijayanagar, Bahmani and South Indian history* | 32% | 8 | 25 |
| 2 | National renaissance, INC, leaders (Gandhi, Ambedkar, Periyar, Bharathiar, V.O.C., Kamarajar...) and freedom struggle* | 40% | 10 | 25 |
| 3 | Indian culture, unity in diversity, secularism* | 12% | 3 | 6 |
| 4 | Personalities, national symbols, sports, books and authors* | 16% | 4 | 8 |
| Total | 64 |
Prelims: Unit IV: Indian Polity 58 h
| # | Chapter / topic | Weightage (% of subject) | Avg. questions | Study hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Constitution, Preamble, salient features, Union/State/UT, citizenship* | 20% | 8 | 10 |
| 2 | Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties, DPSP* | 20% | 8 | 10 |
| 3 | Union and State executive and legislature* High | 22% | 9 | 14 |
| 4 | Local government, Panchayat Raj, federalism, Centre-State relations* | 12% | 5 | 8 |
| 5 | Elections, judiciary, rule of law* | 12% | 5 | 8 |
| 6 | Corruption, Lokpal/Lok Ayukta, RTI, women, consumer forums, human rights, political parties* | 12% | 5 | 8 |
| Total | 58 |
Prelims: Unit V: Indian Economy and Development Administration in Tamil Nadu 72 h
| # | Chapter / topic | Weightage (% of subject) | Avg. questions | Study hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nature of Indian economy, five-year plans, Planning Commission and NITI Aayog* | 12% | 6 | 8 |
| 2 | Revenue, RBI, fiscal and monetary policy, Finance Commission, GST* | 16% | 8 | 12 |
| 3 | Structure of economy, employment, land reforms, agriculture, industry, rural welfare* | 16% | 8 | 12 |
| 4 | Social problems: population, education, health, employment, poverty* | 10% | 5 | 6 |
| 5 | Tamil Nadu: HDI comparison, social reform movements, welfare schemes, reservation, social justice* High | 20% | 10 | 14 |
| 6 | Tamil Nadu economic trends, education and health systems, geography and growth* | 12% | 6 | 10 |
| 7 | Tamil Nadu achievements, e-governance, public delivery issues, current socio-economic issues* | 14% | 7 | 10 |
| Total | 72 |
Prelims: Unit VI: History, Culture, Heritage and Socio-Political Movements in Tamil Nadu 72 h
| # | Chapter / topic | Weightage (% of subject) | Avg. questions | Study hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | History of Tamil society and archaeological discoveries* | 20% | 8 | 14 |
| 2 | Tamil literature from the Sangam age to contemporary times* | 20% | 8 | 18 |
| 3 | Thirukkural: secular literature, universal values, philosophy, relevance to life and affairs* High | 25% | 10 | 20 |
| 4 | Role of Tamil Nadu in freedom struggle, early agitations, women* | 15% | 6 | 8 |
| 5 | Justice Party, Self-Respect and Dravidian movements; Periyar and Anna* | 20% | 8 | 12 |
| Total | 72 |
Prelims: Part B: Aptitude and Mental Ability (SSLC standard) 50 h
| # | Chapter / topic | Weightage (% of subject) | Avg. questions | Study hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aptitude: simplification, percentage, HCF/LCM, ratio, interest, area, volume, time and work | 60% | 15 | 30 |
| 2 | Reasoning: logical, puzzles, dice, visual, alpha-numeric, number series | 40% | 10 | 20 |
| Total | 50 |
Mains: Paper I: Tamil Eligibility Test (qualifying) Qualifying · 50 h
| # | Chapter / topic | Weightage (% of subject) | Avg. questions | Study hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Translation Tamil to English and English to Tamil* | 20% | 20 | 10 |
| 2 | Precis, comprehension and expansion of hints* | 20% | 20 | 10 |
| 3 | Essay on Thirukkural themes* | 20% | 20 | 12 |
| 4 | Official letter writing* | 15% | 15 | 5 |
| 5 | Tamil grammar and usage (sentence making, antonyms, error correction)* High | 25% | 25 | 13 |
| Total | 50 |
Mains: Paper II: General Studies I (History, Social Issues, Ethics) 154 h
| # | Chapter / topic | Weightage (% of subject) | Avg. questions | Study hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Modern India: Europeans, British expansion, early revolts (South Indian rebellion, Vellore 1806, 1857)* | 8.0% | 20 | 18 |
| 2 | National movement, leaders, constitutional development 1773-1950, partition* High | 12% | 30 | 22 |
| 3 | Role of Tamil Nadu in freedom struggle (Subramania Siva, Bharathiyar, V.O.C., Rajaji, Periyar, Kamarajar)* | 6.0% | 15 | 10 |
| 4 | Socio-religious reform; social justice ideology and Justice Party in Tamil Nadu* | 8.0% | 20 | 14 |
| 5 | Indian culture, fine arts organisations, recent historical research in Tamil Nadu* | 6.0% | 15 | 10 |
| 6 | Population, migration, poverty, education, RTE, e-learning* | 8.0% | 20 | 10 |
| 7 | Child labour and abuse, sanitation (rural/urban)* | 6.0% | 15 | 8 |
| 8 | Women empowerment, violence against women, laws and schemes* | 8.0% | 20 | 10 |
| 9 | Urbanisation, communal violence, minorities, human rights, regional disparities (India and Tamil Nadu)* | 8.0% | 20 | 10 |
| 10 | Social development, health policy, vulnerable sections and welfare programmes* High | 10% | 25 | 12 |
| 11 | Ethics: definitions, Indian philosophy, ethics of Thirukkural, kinds of ethics* | 8.0% | 20 | 12 |
| 12 | Attitude: thought, behaviour, moral and political attitudes* | 4.0% | 10 | 6 |
| 13 | Ethics in public administration: codes of conduct, transparency, citizen's charter, corruption* | 8.0% | 20 | 12 |
| Total | 154 |
Mains: Paper III: General Studies II (Polity, Science and Technology, Tamil Society) 170 h
| # | Chapter / topic | Weightage (% of subject) | Avg. questions | Study hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Constitution: making, Preamble, features, FR/FD/DPSP, amendments, citizenship* High | 10% | 25 | 18 |
| 2 | Union and State government, judiciary, local government, UTs* High | 12% | 30 | 20 |
| 3 | Federalism, Centre-State relations, civil services, parties, media, NGOs* | 6.0% | 15 | 10 |
| 4 | Administrative reforms: CVC, Lokpal/Lokayukta, RTI, tribunals; profile of Indian states* | 4.0% | 10 | 8 |
| 5 | India and the world: foreign policy, security, nuclear policy, international organisations* | 8.0% | 20 | 14 |
| 6 | S&T role; chemistry in everyday life; energy and mineral exploration* | 8.0% | 20 | 12 |
| 7 | Space, nanotech, IT, AI, robotics, computer science basics* High | 10% | 25 | 16 |
| 8 | Agriculture S&T: organic farming, biotech, GM crops, IPR, horticulture* | 8.0% | 20 | 12 |
| 9 | Life science, health, diseases, genetic engineering, stem cells, forensics* High | 10% | 25 | 14 |
| 10 | S&T policy, DRDO, ocean research, achievements of Indians* | 4.0% | 10 | 6 |
| 11 | Tamil Society: origin of Tamils, manuscripts, excavations (Adichanallur, Arikamedu, Keeladi, Kondagai, Manalur, Sivakalai)* | 6.0% | 15 | 12 |
| 12 | Tamil arts, science and culture; Tamil society and trade (Sangam, medieval, modern)* | 6.0% | 15 | 12 |
| 13 | Rationalist and Dravidian movements and their socio-economic contribution* | 4.0% | 10 | 8 |
| 14 | Modern Tamil life, diaspora, print, translation, cinema, computing and media* | 4.0% | 10 | 8 |
| Total | 170 |
Mains: Paper IV: General Studies III (Geography, Environment, Economy) 142 h
| # | Chapter / topic | Weightage (% of subject) | Avg. questions | Study hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Earth and universe: solar system, atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere* | 4.0% | 10 | 8 |
| 2 | India and Tamil Nadu: physical divisions, drainage, climate, resources, irrigation projects* High | 12% | 30 | 18 |
| 3 | Agriculture, industries, population, migration, trade, border disputes* | 8.0% | 20 | 12 |
| 4 | Ocean relief, remote sensing, GIS, GNSS, map work* | 6.0% | 15 | 8 |
| 5 | Ecology, biodiversity, hotspots, CITES/IUCN/CBD, Biodiversity Act* High | 10% | 25 | 12 |
| 6 | Pollution, solid and hazardous waste, EIA and environmental audit* | 8.0% | 20 | 10 |
| 7 | SDGs, climate change (incl. Tamil Nadu monsoon), Paris Agreement, NDCs, environmental laws* | 6.0% | 15 | 8 |
| 8 | Disaster management, NDMA, Sendai framework, environmental health* | 6.0% | 15 | 6 |
| 9 | Indian economy features, national income, agriculture, MSP, PDS, food security* High | 10% | 25 | 14 |
| 10 | Industry, infrastructure, banking, RBI, financial markets* | 8.0% | 20 | 12 |
| 11 | Public finance, GST, fiscal policy, Finance Commission, fiscal federalism* | 6.0% | 15 | 8 |
| 12 | Poverty, unemployment, inflation, foreign trade, globalisation, IMF/World Bank/BRICS/SAARC/ASEAN* | 8.0% | 20 | 12 |
| 13 | Tamil Nadu economy: GSDP, demography, agriculture, industry, tourism, SHGs, regional disparities, welfare schemes* | 8.0% | 20 | 14 |
| Total | 142 |
A sample first week
A first week at 6 hours a day, built from the weightage above: each subject gets sessions in proportion to its marks, starting with its heaviest chapters, mixed so no day is one subject only. Your real plan in the app fits your own hours and exam date.
| Day | Session 1 (2 h) | Session 2 (2 h) | Session 3 (2 h) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Prelims: Unit I: General SciencePhysics in everyday life (mechanics, electricity, light, sound, heat, nuclear, electronics) | Prelims: Unit III: History, Culture of India and Indian National MovementNational renaissance, INC, leaders (Gandhi, Ambedkar, Periyar, Bharathiar, V.O.C., Kamarajar...) and freedom struggle | Prelims: Unit IV: Indian PolityUnion and State executive and legislature |
| Tue | Prelims: Unit V: Indian Economy and Development Administration in Tamil NaduTamil Nadu: HDI comparison, social reform movements, welfare schemes, reservation, social justice | Prelims: Unit VI: History, Culture, Heritage and Socio-Political Movements in Tamil NaduThirukkural: secular literature, universal values, philosophy, relevance to life and affairs | Prelims: Part B: Aptitude and Mental AbilityAptitude: simplification, percentage, HCF/LCM, ratio, interest, area, volume, time and work |
| Wed | Mains: Paper II: General Studies INational movement, leaders, constitutional development 1773-1950, partition | Mains: Paper III: General Studies IIUnion and State government, judiciary, local government, UTs | Mains: Paper IV: General Studies IIIIndia and Tamil Nadu: physical divisions, drainage, climate, resources, irrigation projects |
| Thu | Prelims: Unit IV: Indian PolityUnion and State executive and legislature (contd.) | Prelims: Unit V: Indian Economy and Development Administration in Tamil NaduTamil Nadu: HDI comparison, social reform movements, welfare schemes, reservation, social justice (contd.) | Prelims: Unit VI: History, Culture, Heritage and Socio-Political Movements in Tamil NaduThirukkural: secular literature, universal values, philosophy, relevance to life and affairs (contd.) |
| Fri | Mains: Paper II: General Studies INational movement, leaders, constitutional development 1773-1950, partition (contd.) | Mains: Paper III: General Studies IIUnion and State government, judiciary, local government, UTs (contd.) | Mains: Paper IV: General Studies IIIIndia and Tamil Nadu: physical divisions, drainage, climate, resources, irrigation projects (contd.) |
| Sat | Mains: Paper II: General Studies INational movement, leaders, constitutional development 1773-1950, partition (contd.) | Mains: Paper III: General Studies IIUnion and State government, judiciary, local government, UTs (contd.) | Mains: Paper IV: General Studies IIIIndia and Tamil Nadu: physical divisions, drainage, climate, resources, irrigation projects (contd.) |
| Sun | Revise this week's chapters, take one timed mock or sectional test, and log the score. | ||
How Daily Tayyari plans your day
Pick your exam and date
Choose the exam (and GATE paper or UPSC optional) and your exam date. The full official syllabus loads with every chapter listed above.
Tell it your daily hours
Say how many hours you can study on weekdays and weekends. The plan only ever fills that time.
Get today's tasks
Each morning you see a short list of tasks: new chapters weighted by marks, plus practice and revision, sized to fit your day.
Spaced revision, automatically
Finished chapters come back after 1, 3, 7, 15, 30 and 60 days, and sooner if a chapter felt hard.
Green, yellow, red status
See whether you are on track, slightly behind or behind, and when the syllabus will be finished at your real pace.
Mock test tracking
Log scores from any test series. Chapters that went badly are marked weak and revised sooner.
Frequently asked questions
Which chapters carry the most weight in TNPSC Group 1?
Going by our compiled weightage, the heaviest chapters are National renaissance, INC, leaders (Gandhi, Ambedkar, Periyar, Bharathiar, V.O.C., Kamarajar...) and freedom struggle, Tamil Nadu: HDI comparison, social reform movements, welfare schemes, reservation, social justice, Thirukkural: secular literature, universal values, philosophy, relevance to life and affairs, Union and State executive and legislature, Indus Valley to Marathas; Vijayanagar, Bahmani and South Indian history. They are worth starting early, but past papers vary from year to year, so plan to cover the whole syllabus.
Is this TNPSC Group 1 weightage official?
No. Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) publishes the syllabus, not chapter weightage. These numbers come from analyses of previous years' papers, so treat them as a guide to priority, not a promise of what will be asked.
How many hours does the TNPSC Group 1 syllabus take?
Our first-pass estimate adds up to about 890 hours of study, before revision and mock tests. At 6 hours a day, 6 days a week, that is roughly 5.7 months. Daily Tayyari replaces these defaults with your actual pace after the first week or two.
Is Daily Tayyari free, and does it work in Hindi?
Yes. It is free with no ads and no payment; you sign in with Google only so your plan is saved. You can switch between Hindi and English at any time, and chapter names are shown in both.