The Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) has released the tentative answer key for the Combined Civil Services Examination-II (Group II and Group IIA) held on 1 November 2026. Candidates who participated in the preliminary exam can now download and verify their responses, and submit objections if they believe any answer is incorrect.
Overview
The TNPSC Group 2 recruitment (Notification 07/2026, Advertisement 740) aims to fill positions in Group II and Group IIA services across Tamil Nadu. The preliminary examination was conducted in offline mode using OMR (Optical Mark Recognition) sheets on 1 November 2026. The answer key has been made available in two language options—General English and General Tamil—to accommodate all candidates.
This is a tentative answer key, meaning it is subject to revision based on valid objections raised by candidates. The final answer key will be published after all objections are reviewed and resolved by the commission.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Recruitment Notification Released | 11 August 2026 |
| Online Application Submission Deadline | 9 September 2026 |
| Application Correction Window | 13–15 September 2026 |
| Preliminary Exam Hall Ticket Published | 21 October 2026 |
| Preliminary Examination | 1 November 2026 |
| Tentative Answer Key Released | 10 November 2026 |
| Objection Submission Deadline | 17 November 2026 |
| Objection Closing Time | 5:45 PM IST |
Exam Details & Marking Scheme
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 200 |
| Maximum Marks | 300 |
| Exam Duration | 3 Hours |
| Examination Mode | Offline (OMR) |
| Marks per Correct Answer | +1.5 |
| Marks per Incorrect Answer | 0 |
| Marks per Unanswered Question | 0 |
| Negative Marking | No |
Qualifying Marks
| Criterion | Score Required |
|---|---|
| Maximum Marks | 300 |
| Minimum Qualifying Marks | 90 |
| Minimum Percentage | 30% |
Downloading the Answer Key
The tentative answer key is now available for download in two language versions on the official TNPSC website. Candidates should download the answer key corresponding to the language medium they used during the examination. Both PDFs contain the same questions and answers; only the language of presentation differs.
How to Submit Objections
If you believe any answer in the key is incorrect, you have until 17 November 2026 at 5:45 PM to submit an objection online. Follow these steps:
- Download the answer key PDF in your chosen language and carefully compare it with your responses.
- Identify the specific question number(s) where you disagree with the official answer.
- Gather supporting evidence such as textbook references, government publications, or other authoritative sources that justify your objection.
- Visit the official objection portal.
- Log in using your application registration number and password.
- Enter the question number and your detailed objection with supporting documentation.
- Submit your objection before the deadline (17 November 2026, 5:45 PM IST).
- Only online objections are accepted; no offline or postal submissions are permitted.
- Keep your objection confirmation for reference.
Objection Guidelines
When raising an objection, ensure you provide clear and substantial supporting evidence. The TNPSC will evaluate all objections based on the documentation and references you provide. Objections without supporting material or those based solely on personal opinion may not be considered. You may submit objections for multiple questions, provided each is properly documented and submitted within the deadline window.
Selection Process After Preliminary Results
Once the final answer key is published and preliminary results are announced, candidates who qualify will be called for the main examination. The main exam will assess deeper knowledge in General Studies, Current Affairs, Indian History, Geography, Polity, and other related subjects. Qualifying the preliminary exam does not guarantee selection; it only permits advancement to the next stage of the recruitment process.
Important Documents Checklist for Objections
- Copy of the downloaded tentative answer key PDF
- Your OMR sheet or scanned copy (if retained)
- Reference materials supporting your objection (textbooks, official publications)
- Screenshots or links to authoritative sources (if relevant)
- Clear explanation of why you believe the official answer is incorrect
Important Links
- Download English Answer Key PDF
- Download Tamil Answer Key PDF
- Submit Objection Against Answer Key
- TNPSC Official Answer Key Page
- TNPSC Official Website
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the final answer key be published?
The final answer key will be released after the objection submission period closes on 17 November 2026 at 5:45 PM. The TNPSC will review all objections received and make necessary corrections before publishing the final key.
What happens to my objection after I submit it?
All objections submitted with supporting evidence will be carefully evaluated by a committee of subject experts. If your objection is found to be valid, the answer will be corrected in the final key. You will be notified of the outcome once the final key is released.
Is negative marking applied in the preliminary exam?
No, there is no negative marking in the TNPSC Group 2 preliminary exam. Only correct answers earn 1.5 marks each; incorrect and unanswered questions carry zero marks.
What is the minimum score needed to qualify?
The minimum qualifying mark is 90 out of 300 total marks, which equals 30%. You must score at least this much to proceed to the main examination.
Can I submit objections for multiple questions?
Yes, you can submit objections for as many questions as you believe are incorrect, provided each objection is supported by valid evidence and submitted before the 17 November 2026 deadline at 5:45 PM IST.
When will the preliminary exam results be declared?
The preliminary results will be announced after the final answer key is published. Check the official TNPSC website for the exact result announcement date and download link.
Disclaimer: Candidates must verify all details, including dates, qualifying marks, and objection procedures, on the official TNPSC website before taking any action.