What is communal rotation in TNPSC?
Quick answer
Communal rotation is the 200-point roster Tamil Nadu uses to distribute vacancies across categories: GT, BC, BCM, MBC/DNC, SC, SCA and ST, in a fixed repeating order.
Each vacancy position on the roster is earmarked for a category, which is why two candidates with identical marks in different categories can have different outcomes. Reservation for women and PSTM applies within this roster.
Worth knowing
- A 200-point roster: every vacancy position is earmarked for one category in a fixed repeating order
- BC holds 26.5% of vacancies, with 3.5% carved out of it for BCM
- MBC/DNC hold 20%, SC 15% (with 3% for SCA within it), ST 1%
- GT (General Turn) points are open to all candidates purely on merit
- Reserved-category candidates who make the general merit are counted against GT, not their quota
- Reservation for women, PSTM and PwBD applies horizontally within each category
The percentages
- BC (Backward Class): 26.5%, excluding BCM
- BCM (Backward Class Muslim): 3.5%, carved out of the BC quota
- MBC/DNC (Most Backward Classes and Denotified Communities): 20%
- SC (Scheduled Caste): 15%, excluding SCA
- SCA (Scheduled Caste Arunthathiyar): 3%, within the SC quota on a preferential basis
- ST (Scheduled Tribe): 1%
- GT (General Turn): open to every candidate on merit alone
Why identical marks give different outcomes
Selection is not one ranked queue. Each vacancy sits on a roster point earmarked for a category, so two candidates with the same total compete for different sets of points. The cut off, the mark of the last selected candidate, therefore lands differently in each category and gender, and a mark that selects in one category can miss in another.
Related questions
What is certificate verification (CV) in TNPSC?
CV is the stage where TNPSC checks your original certificates, education, age, community, PSTM and any special claims, against what you entered at application.
How does TNPSC counselling work?
After certificate verification, candidates are called in rank order to choose from available posts and departments. Your final allotment depends on rank, category, communal rotation and the preferences you submit.
How do I challenge the TNPSC answer key?
TNPSC publishes a tentative answer key after the exam and opens an objection window, usually about a week, where you submit representations with evidence through the official portal.
What happens after clearing TNPSC prelims?
For Group 1 and Group 2, prelims qualifiers write a descriptive mains exam. Group 4 is a single-stage exam, so qualifiers go directly to certificate verification and counselling.
Which TNPSC posts have interviews?
Group 1 posts and Group 2 (interview posts) include an oral test after mains. Group 2A and Group 4 have no interview; selection is written marks plus certificate verification.
How is the TNPSC merit list prepared?
Total marks in the qualifying papers decide rank, and the communal rotation roster distributes vacancies across categories. Post allotment then follows rank plus your submitted preferences.
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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