Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) conducted the Combined Civil Services Examination-II (Group II and IIA Services) Preliminary Exam on 1 November 2026 from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM. The provisional answer key is expected in the first week of November 2026 on tnpsc.gov.in. The exact release date has not been announced yet. Candidates who appeared in the exam should check tnpsc.gov.in regularly and download the key as soon as it is published.
Important Note
1. The provisional answer key has not been released yet as of this update. The expected release window is the first week of November 2026. Check tnpsc.gov.in regularly for the official link.
2. There is no negative marking in the TNPSC Group 2 Prelims. Each correct answer carries 1.5 marks. The minimum qualifying mark is 90 out of 300.
3. Download the answer key only from tnpsc.gov.in. Answer keys circulated by third-party websites are unofficial and must not be used to judge your result.
TNPSC Group 2 Prelims Answer Key 2026: Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) |
| Examination Name | Combined Civil Services Examination-II (Group II and IIA Services) – Preliminary Exam |
| Total Vacancies | 821 (Group II and IIA posts combined) |
| Exam Date | 1 November 2026 |
| Exam Timing | 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM |
| Provisional Answer Key | Expected first week of November 2026 |
| Exact Release Date | Not yet announced |
| Objection Window | Not yet announced |
| Final Answer Key | Not yet announced |
| Prelims Result | Not yet announced |
| Answer Key Mode | Online |
| Official Website | tnpsc.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification and Application Start | 11 August 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 9 September 2026 |
| Application Correction Window | 13 to 15 September 2026 |
| Preliminary Exam | 1 November 2026 |
| Provisional Answer Key | First week of November 2026 (exact date not announced) |
| Objection Window | Not yet announced |
| Final Answer Key | Not yet announced |
| Prelims Result | Not yet announced |
Exam Pattern
The TNPSC Group 2 Prelims is an objective-type exam of 200 questions carrying 300 marks, held in a single forenoon session of 3 hours.
| Section | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| General Studies | 75 |
| Aptitude and Mental Ability | 25 |
| General Tamil or General English (candidate’s choice) | 100 |
| Total | 200 |
Marking Scheme and Minimum Qualifying Marks
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Marks | 300 |
| Marks per Correct Answer | 1.5 |
| Negative Marking | None |
| Minimum Qualifying Marks | 90 out of 300 (all categories) |
How to Calculate Your Prelims Score
Use the official provisional answer key once released to estimate your score.
Formula: Total Marks = Number of Correct Answers x 1.5
- Open the provisional answer key on tnpsc.gov.in.
- Compare each of your marked answers with the official key.
- Count the total number of correct answers.
- Multiply the count by 1.5 to get your estimated score.
- Compare your score against the minimum qualifying mark of 90 out of 300.
There is no deduction for wrong or unattempted answers.
How to Download TNPSC Group 2 Prelims Answer Key 2026
Follow these steps once TNPSC publishes the provisional answer key on tnpsc.gov.in.
- Open the official TNPSC website at tnpsc.gov.in.
- Go to the Recruitment section or look for the Question Papers and Answer Keys link on the homepage.
- Open the objective type papers with answer keys list.
- Find Combined Civil Services Examination-II (Group II and Group IIA Services).
- Click to open the answer key for the Preliminary Exam held on 1 November 2026.
- Compare the key with your answers and note any questions you wish to challenge.
- Download the PDF and keep a printout for reference.
Objection Process
TNPSC will announce the objection window after the provisional answer key is published. Candidates who disagree with any answer in the provisional key can submit objections through the official portal within the announced window. Supporting documentary evidence will be required. The dates and process for raising objections have not been announced yet. Check tnpsc.gov.in for the official instructions once the key is live.
What Candidates Should Do Now
- Keep your hall ticket and question paper from the 1 November 2026 exam ready for comparison.
- Check tnpsc.gov.in regularly in the first week of November 2026 for the provisional answer key.
- Once the key is out, estimate your score using the 1.5 marks per correct answer formula.
- Note down any answers you believe are incorrect and prepare documentary evidence in case you wish to raise an objection.
- Do not rely on unofficial answer keys from coaching institutes or third-party websites.
Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| TNPSC Official Website (for Answer Key) | Click Here |
| TNPSC Exams Portal | Click Here |
FAQs
Has the TNPSC Group 2 Prelims Answer Key 2026 been released?
No. The provisional answer key had not been released as of this update. It is expected in the first week of November 2026. Check tnpsc.gov.in for the official link.
When was the TNPSC Group 2 Prelims exam held?
The Preliminary Exam was held on 1 November 2026 from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM.
How many vacancies are there under TNPSC Group 2 and IIA 2026?
There are 821 vacancies across Group II and IIA posts combined.
Is there negative marking in the TNPSC Group 2 Prelims?
No. There is no negative marking. Each correct answer carries 1.5 marks and wrong or unattempted answers carry no deduction.
What are the minimum qualifying marks for TNPSC Group 2 Prelims 2026?
The minimum qualifying mark is 90 out of 300 for all categories.
Where can I download the TNPSC Group 2 Prelims Answer Key 2026?
Once released, it will be available at tnpsc.gov.in under the Question Papers and Answer Keys section. No direct download link is available yet.
How do I calculate my TNPSC Group 2 Prelims score?
Multiply the number of correct answers by 1.5. There is no deduction for wrong answers.
Disclaimer
This article is based on information available on tnpsc.gov.in and the TNPSC Group 2 and IIA recruitment notification. The provisional answer key had not been released at the time of this update. The expected release window of the first week of November 2026 is based on the information available and not an official TNPSC announcement of a specific date. The objection process, final answer key date and result date must be checked on tnpsc.gov.in once announced. JobShouter is not associated with Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC). This article is for informational purposes only.
