Can candidates from other states apply for TNPSC?
Yes. Candidates from other states can apply, but they are treated as general category (OC) regardless of their community certificate, and Tamil language requirements still apply.
Since 2022, every TNPSC combined exam includes a Tamil Eligibility-cum-Scoring Test, so candidates who cannot read and answer in Tamil will find qualification difficult in practice.
Related questions
PSTM means Persons Studied in Tamil Medium. TNPSC reserves 20% of vacancies in each category, on a preferential basis, for candidates who studied the qualifying education in Tamil medium.
Yes. TNPSC Group 4 (including VAO, Junior Assistant and Typist posts) requires only SSLC (10th pass). Most other groups require a bachelor's degree.
For Group 4, there is no upper age limit for SC, SCA, ST, MBC/DNC, BC and BCM candidates who have the SSLC qualification. For degree-level exams, reserved categories get 5 years over the general limit.
No. TNPSC does not apply negative marking in Group 1, Group 2/2A or Group 4 exams. An unanswered question scores the same as a wrong one, so attempt all questions.
OTR is TNPSC's mandatory candidate profile. You register once, pay the registration fee, and it stays valid for 5 years, after which each exam application only needs the per-exam fee.
Yes. Since 2022, TNPSC combined exams include a Tamil Eligibility-cum-Scoring Test of 100 questions for 150 marks. You must score at least 40% (60 marks) for your paper to be evaluated further.
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This answer is verified against official TNPSC notifications and scheme documents. Sources: TNPSC official notifications. Figures are indicative and may change with each official notification. Data last reviewed: July 2026.
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