Group I is the topmost exam, conducted by the TNPSC to recruit personnel for the highest administrative positions under the State Government. Every year, lakhs of candidates apply for Group I exam. As it selects candidates for the topmost positions in the State Civil Services, one needs to learn the length and breadth of every topic in the syllabus. With increasing competition for the limited number of vacancies available, the exam has been made tougher over time. To crack Group I exam, one needs to work really hard and smart. Proper guidance and conceptual clarity will save the amount of invaluable time that the candidates invest in studying.
The Group I exam is conducted in three phases – The Preliminary, the Mains and the Interview level.
Services that are listed under Group I are
Deputy Collector
- Deputy Superintendent of Police
- Deputy Registrar of Co-operative Societies
- Assistant Director of Rural Development Department
- Assistant Commissioner in the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Administration Department
- Assistant Commissioner – Commercial Tax Officer
- District Registrar
- Divisional Officer in Fire and Rescue Services Department
- Assistant Conservator of Forest
- District Employment Officer
SYLLABI for TNPSC Group I
Preliminary level
- General Science
- Current Events
- Geography of India
- History and Culture of India
- Indian Polity
- Indian Economy
- Indian National Movement
- History, Culture, Heritage and Socio - Political Movements in Tamil Nadu
- Development Administration in Tamil Nadu
- Aptitude and Mental Ability
Scientific Knowledge and Scientific temper - Power of Reasoning - Rote Learning Vs Conceptual Learning - Science as a tool to understand the past, present and future.
Nature of Universe - General Scientific Laws – Mechanics - Properties of Matter, Force, Motion and Energy - Everyday application of the basic principles of Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, Light, Sound, Heat, Nuclear Physics, Laser, Electronics and Communications.
Elements and Compounds, Acids, Bases, Salts, Petroleum Products, Fertilizers, Pesticides.
Main concepts of Life Science, Classification of Living Organisms, Evolution, Genetics, Physiology, Nutrition, Health and Hygiene, Human diseases.
Environment and Ecology.
History - Latest diary of events - National symbols - Profile of States - Eminent personalities and places in news – Sports - Books and authors.
Polity - Political parties and political system in India - Public awareness and General administration - Welfare oriented Government schemes and their utility, Problems in Public Delivery Systems.
Geography - Geographical landmarks.
Economics - Current socio - economic issues.
Science - Latest inventions in Science and Technology.
Location – Physical features - Monsoon, rainfall, weather and climate - Water resources - Rivers in India - Soil, minerals and natural resources - Forest and wildlife - Agricultural pattern.
Transport - Communication.
Social geography – Population density and distribution - Racial, linguistic groups and major tribes.
Natural calamity – Disaster Management – Environmental pollution: Reasons and preventive measures – Climate change – Green energy.
Indus valley civilization - Guptas, Delhi Sultans, Mughals and Marathas - Age of Vijayanagaram and Bahmani Kingdoms - South Indian history.
Change and Continuity in the Socio - Cultural History of India.
Characteristics of Indian culture, Unity in diversity – Race, language, custom.
India as a Secular State, Social Harmony.
Constitution of India - Preamble to the Constitution - Salient features of the Constitution - Union, State and Union Territory.
Citizenship, Fundamental rights, Fundamental duties, Directive Principles of State Policy.
Union Executive, Union legislature – State Executive, State Legislature – Local governments, Panchayat Raj.
Spirit of Federalism: Centre - State Relationships.
Election - Judiciary in India – Rule of law.
Corruption in public life – Anti-corruption measures – Lokpal and LokAyukta - Right to Information - Empowerment of women - Consumer protection forums, Human rights charter.
Nature of Indian economy – Five year plan models - an assessment – Planning Commission and Niti Ayog.
Sources of revenue – Reserve Bank of India – Fiscal Policy and Monetary Policy - Finance Commission – Resource sharing between Union and State Governments - Goods and Services Tax.
Structure of Indian Economy and Employment Generation, Land reforms and Agriculture - Application of Science and Technology in agriculture - Industrial growth - Rural welfare oriented programmes – Social problems – Population, education, health, employment, poverty.
National renaissance – Early uprising against British rule - Indian National Congress - Emergence of leaders – B.R.Ambedkar, Bhagat Singh, Bharathiar, V.O.Chidambaranar, Jawaharlal Nehru, Kamarajar, Mahatma Gandhi, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Thanthai Periyar, Rajaji, Subash Chandra Bose and others.
Different modes of Agitation: Growth of Satyagraha and Militant movements.
Communalism and partition.
History of Tamil Society, related Archaeological discoveries, Tamil Literature from Sangam age till contemporary times.
Thirukkural :
- Significance as a Secular literature
- Relevance to Everyday Life
- Impact of Thirukkural on Humanity
- Thirukkural and Universal Values - Equality, Humanism, etc
- Relevance to Socio - Politico - Economic affairs
- Philosophical content in Thirukkural
Role of Tamil Nadu in freedom struggle - Early agitations against British Rule - Role of women in freedom struggle.
Evolution of 19th and 20th Century Socio-Political movements in Tamil Nadu - Justice Party, Growth of Rationalism - Self Respect Movement, Dravidian movement and Principles underlying both these movements, Contributions of Thanthai Periyar and Perarignar Anna.
Human Development Indicators in Tamil Nadu and a comparative assessment across the Country – Impact of Social Reform movements in the Socio - Economic Development of Tamil Nadu.
Political parties and Welfare schemes for various sections of people – Rationale behind Reservation Policy and access to Social Resources - Economic trends in Tamil Nadu – Role and impact of social welfare schemes in the Socio - economic development of Tamil Nadu.
Social Justice and Social Harmony as the Cornerstones of Socio - Economic development.
Education and Health systems in Tamil Nadu.
Geography of Tamil Nadu and its impact on Economic growth.
Achievements of Tamil Nadu in various fields.
e-governance in Tamil Nadu.
Simplification – Percentage - Highest Common Factor (HCF) - Lowest Common Multiple (LCM).
Ratio and Proportion.
Simple interest - Compound interest - Area - Volume - Time and Work.
Logical Reasoning - Puzzles-Dice - Visual Reasoning - Alpha numeric Reasoning – Number Series.
Main Level
Paper I
Advent of European invasion ‐ Expansion and consolidation of British rule - Early uprising against British rule ‐ 1857 Revolt - Indian National Congress ‐ Growth of militant movements ‐ Different modes of agitations - Emergence of national leaders ‐ Gandhi, Nehru, Tagore, Netaji, Moulana Abulkalam Azad, Ambedkar and Patel ‐ Era of different Acts & Pacts ‐ Second World War & final phase struggle ‐ Communalism led to partition.
Effect of British rule on socio‐economic factors ‐ National renaissance - Socio religious reform movements.
India since independence ‐ Characteristics of Indian culture ‐ Unity in diversity ‐ Race, Language, Religion Custom ‐ India: a secular state ‐ Organizations for fine arts, dance, drama and music.
Role of Tamil Nadu in freedom struggle ‐ Bharathiar, VOC, Subramania Siva, Rajaji, Periyar and others - Political parties and Welfare schemes.
Latest diary of events: National and International ‐ National symbols- Eminent personalities & places in news ‐ Sports & Games ‐ Books & Authors ‐ Awards & Honours ‐ Cultural panorama ‐ Latest historical events - Latest terminology ‐ Appointments ‐ who is who?
Population Explosion ‐ Unemployment issues in India & Tamil Nadu ‐ Child Abuse & Child Labour - Poverty - Rural and Urban Sanitation – Illiteracy.
Women Empowerment ‐ Role of the Government in Women Empowerment - Social injustice to Women ‐ Domestic violence, Dowry menace, Sexual assault - Role of women and women’s organisations
Social changes in India - Urbanization and its impact on the society – Problems and remedies ‐ Impact of violence on Society – Religious violence, Terrorism and Communal violence ‐ Regional Disparities ‐ Problems of Minorities ‐ Human Rights issues.
Education – Linkage between Education and Social Development ‐ Community Development Programmes ‐ Employment Guarantee Schemes ‐ Self Employment and Entrepreneurship Development ‐ Role of N.G.Os in Social Welfare – Government Policy on Health.
Highest Common Factor (HCF) and Lowest Common Multiple (LCM).
Welfare Schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Central and State governments and their performance.
Conversion of information to data ‐ Collection, compilation and presentation of data ‐ Tables, Graphs, Diagrams ‐ Parametric representation of data ‐ Analytical interpretation of data ‐ Percentage ‐ Highest Common Factor (HCF) ‐ Lowest Common Multiple (LCM) ‐ Ratio and Proportion ‐ Simple interest ‐ Compound interest ‐ Area ‐ Volume‐ Time and Work - Probability.
Information technology ‐ Basic terms, Communications ‐ Application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) ‐ Decision making and problem solving ‐ Basics in Computers / Computer terminology.
Paper II
Constitution of India: Historical background - Making of the Indian Constitution - Preamble - Salient features of the Indian Constitution - Fundamental Rights and Fundamental Duties - Directive Principles of State Policy - Schedules to the Indian Constitution.
Union Executive: President, Vice - President, Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Attorney General of India
Union Legislature: Parliament: Lok - Sabha and Rajya - Sabha - Composition, Powers, Functions and Legislative procedures.
Union Judiciary: Structure, Powers and Functions of the Supreme Court - Judicial Review - Latest Verdicts.
State Executive: Governor, Chief Minister - Speaker and Council of Ministers , Advocate General of the State.
State Legislature: State Legislative Assembly - Organization, Powers and Functions.
State Judiciary: Organisation, Powers and Functions of High Courts, District Courts and Subordinate Courts.
Local Government: Historical Development - Features and working of 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992.
Union Territories: Evolution of States and Union Territories - Administration of Union Territories.
Federalism in India: Centre - State Relations - Centre - State Administrative Relations - Centre - State Legislative Relations and Centre - State Financial Relations.
Civil Services in India: Historical background - Classification of Civil Services – Recruitment & Training of Civil Servants.
State Services: Classification of State Services and Recruitment.
Official Language: Constitutional provision - Official Language Act, VIII Schedule to the Constitution.
Amendments: Major Amendments to the Indian Constitution.
Special Status to Jammu & Kashmir: Art 370.
Political Parties: National & Regional parties, Pressure Groups, Interest Groups, Public Opinion, Mass Media, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and their role.
Issue Areas in Indian Administration: Corruption in India - Anti - Corruption Measures - CVC - Lok Adalats - Ombudsman - RTI Act - Minister - Secretary Relationship - Generalist Vs. Specialist controversy. Constitutional and Non-Constitutional Bodies - Composition, Powers and Functions. Profile of States - Defence, National Security and Terrorism - World Organisations - Pacts and Summits.
India's Foreign Policy: Foreign Affairs with Special emphasis on India's relations with neighbouring countries and in the region - Security and defence related issues - Nuclear Policy - Issues and conflicts. The Indian Diaspora and its contribution to India and to the World.
Current Affairs
Science and Technology – Role, Achievements and Developments - Their applications and effects in everyday life ‐ Energy ‐ Conventional and Non-conventional - Self sufficiency ‐ Oil exploration ‐ Defence Research Organizations and other science and technology institutions - Ocean Research and Development - Role and Functions.
Advancements in the fields of I.T., Space, Computers, Robotics, Nano-Technology ‐ Mobile Communication - Remote sensing and its benefits.
Health and hygiene ‐ Human diseases - Prevention and remedies ‐ Communicable diseases and non‐communicable diseases - Genetic Engineering - Organ transplantation - Stem cell Technology - Medical Tourism - Advancements in Horticulture & Agriculture.
Achievements of Indians in the fields of Science and Technology.
Latest inventions in science & technology.
Candidates may answer the questions in this unit EITHER in Tamil OR in English.
Tamil Society : Origin and expansion.
Art and Culture : Literature, Music, Film, Drama, Architecture, Sculpture, Paintings and Folk Arts.
Socio - economic history of Tamil Nadu from Sangam age to till date..
Growth of Rationalist, Dravidian movements in Tamil Nadu - Their role in the socio – economic development of Tamil Nadu.
Social and cultural life of contemporary Tamils : Caste, Religion, Women, Politics, Education, Economy, Trade and relationship with other countries.
Tamil and other Disciplines: Mass Media, Computer etc.
Paper III
Location - Physical features - Major Rivers - Weather & Climate - Monsoon, Rainfall ‐ Natural resources:- Soil, Water, Forest, Minerals and Wild life - Agricultural pattern – Livestock - Fisheries - Industries; Major industries - Growth and Development - Social- Cultural geography - Population : Growth, Density and Distribution - Racial, linguistic and major tribes.
Oceanography - Bottom relief features of Indian Ocean, Arabian sea and Bay of Bengal.
Basics of Geospatial Technology: Geographical Information System (GIS) and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS).
Map: Geographical landmarks - India and its neighbours.
Current Affairs
Ecology: Structure and function of Ecosystem – Ecological succession - Biodiversity conservation: Types – Biodiversity Hot Spots in India – Biodiversity : Significance and Threats – In situ and Ex situ conservation measures – Roles of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) & Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
Environmental Pollution and Management: Air, Water, Soil, Thermal and Noise pollution and control strategies – Solid and Hazardous waste management - Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): Steps in EIA process – Environmental Clearance – Environmental Auditing.
Climate Change: Global Environmental Issues and Management – Changes in monsoon pattern in Tamil Nadu and India – Environmental consequences of climate change and mitigation measures – Clean and Green Energy – Environmental Sustainability.
Environmental Laws, Policies & Treaties in India and Global scenario - Natural calamities and Disaster Management – Environmental Health and Sanitation.
Features of Indian Economy – Demographical profile of India – National Income – Capital formation - NEP (New Economic Policy) – NITI AYOG – National Development Council.
Agriculture – Role of Agriculture – Land reforms – New Agricultural Strategy – Green Revolution – Price Policy, Public Distribution System (PDS), Subsidy, Food Security– Agricultural Marketing, Crop Insurance, Labour – Rural credit & indebtness – WTO & Agriculture.
Industry - Growth ‐ Policy – Role of public sector and disinvestment – Privatisation and Liberalization – Public Private Partnership (PPP) – SEZs. – MSMEs. – Make in India.
Infrastructure in India – Transport System - Energy – Power – Communication - Social Infrastructure - Science & Technology - R&D.
Banking & Finance – Banking, Money & Finance – Central Bank – Commercial Bank – NBFIs. - Stock Market – Financial Reforms – Financial Stability – Monetary Policy – RBI & Autonomy.
Public Finance – Sources of Revenue – Tax & Non-Tax Revenue – Canons of taxation – GST – Public expenditure – Public debt – Finance Commission – Fiscal Policy.
Issues in Indian Economy – Poverty & inequality – Poverty alleviation programmes – MGNREGA – New Welfare programmes for rural poverty – Unemployment – Inflation – Inflation targeting – Sustainable economic growth – Gender issues.
India’s Foreign Trade – BOP, EX-IM Policy, FOREX Market, FDI; Globalization & its impact – Global economic crisis & impact on Indian economy.
International Agencies – IMF (International Monetary Fund) World Bank - BRICS - SAARC - ASEAN.
Tamil Nadu Economy & Issues – Gross State Domestic Product – Trends in State’s economic growth – Demographic profile of Tamil Nadu – Agriculture – Industry & entrepreneurship development in Tamil Nadu – Infrastructure – Power, Transportation systems – Social Infrastructure – SHGs. & Rural Women empowerment – Rural poverty & unemployment – Environmental issues – Regional economic disparities – Local Government - Recent government welfare programmes.
Current Affairs
