TNPSC Combined Civil Services Examination III-A (Junior Inspector of Cooperative Societies & Storekeeper) 2026: Official Notification, Pattern, Syllabus & Mock Tests
State subordinate services recruitment examination conducted by TNPSC for filling intermediate ministerial posts including Junior Inspector of Cooperative Societies and Storekeeper across Tamil Nadu.
Examination Overview
State subordinate services recruitment examination conducted by TNPSC for filling intermediate ministerial posts including Junior Inspector of Cooperative Societies and Storekeeper across Tamil Nadu.
| Exam Name | TNPSC Combined Civil Services Examination III-A (Junior Inspector of Cooperative Societies & Storekeeper) |
|---|---|
| Conducting Authority | Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) |
| Exam Level | State |
| Frequency | Periodic / Biennial |
| Mode of Examination | Computer Based Test (CBT) / Written Examination |
| Language of Exam | English, Hindi & State Regional Languages |
| Official Website | https://www.tnpsc.gov.in ↗ |
Important Dates & Events
Timeline confirmed from official notices issued by Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC).
| Event / Milestone | Important Date / Status |
|---|---|
| Official Group 3A Notification | Published on tnpsc.gov.in |
| Written Examination (OMR) | Conducted across all TN districts |
| Certificate Verification | TNPSC Headquarters, Chennai |
Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
Single Stage Written Examination (OMR): Single paper of 200 Questions, 300 Marks, 3 Hours Duration (Part A: General Tamil 100 Qs / 150 Marks; Part B: General Studies 75 Qs & Aptitude 25 Qs / 150 Marks). No interview stage.
| Examination Parameter | Scheme Details | Remarks / Evaluation |
|---|---|---|
| Question Format | Multiple Choice Questions (Objective MCQs) | 4 or 5 options per question |
| Evaluation Mode | Computer Based Test (CBT) / Offline OMR Sheet | Centralized Evaluation System |
| Negative Marking Scheme | Standard 1/3rd or 1/4th negative deduction | Penalized for incorrect responses |
| Language Medium | Bilingual (English & Hindi) + Regional State Languages | Language toggle available in CBT |
| Normalization | Equipercentile or Percentile method across shifts | Multi-shift normalization applied |
Selection Process & Stages
Candidate progression through sequential recruitment tiers:
Preliminary / Tier 1 Examination
Comprehensive objective screening test covering core aptitude, reasoning, general knowledge and language skills.
Mains / Tier 2 / Skill Test
Advanced written assessment or post-specific technical/descriptive examination determining the final merit order.
Document Verification & Medical
Scrutiny of original certificates, category credentials, age proofs and required medical fitness examination.
Eligibility Criteria (Age & Educational Qualification)
Higher Secondary (Class 12 / Intermediate) passed or Diploma in Commerce / Co-operation from recognized institution. Age: 18 to 32 years (Relaxation up to 37 years for SC/ST/MBC/BC).
| Parameter | Eligibility Condition | Relaxation Norms |
|---|---|---|
| Educational Criteria | Higher Secondary (Class 12 / Intermediate) passed or Diploma in Commerce / Co-operation from recognized institution. Age: 18 to 32 years (Relaxation up to 37 years for SC/ST/MBC/BC). | Recognized Board / University required |
| Age Requirement | As specified in official notification (General Category) | SC/ST: +5 Years | OBC: +3 Years | PwD: +10 Years |
| Citizenship | Citizen of India | Subject of Nepal/Bhutan as per Central/State rules |
| Language Proficiency | Regional / English & Hindi working knowledge | Applicable as per State / National jurisdiction |
Detailed Syllabus by Subject
General Tamil (Grammar, Literature, Tamil Authors and Works - SSLC Standard), General Studies (HSC standard: Science, Polity, Tamil Nadu History & Thirukkural, Indian Economy), and Aptitude & Mental Ability.
📖 General Studies & Current Affairs
- Current National & International Events
- Indian History & Freedom Struggle
- Indian & World Geography
- General Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
- Indian Polity, Constitution & Governance
- Basic Economic Concepts & Budget Highlights
🔢 Quantitative & Numerical Aptitude
- Simplification, Number System, HCF & LCM
- Percentage, Ratio & Proportion, Profit & Loss
- Simple & Compound Interest
- Time, Speed & Distance, Time & Work
- Data Interpretation (Tables, Bar & Pie Charts)
🧩 Reasoning & Mental Ability
- Analogies, Classification & Series Completion
- Coding-Decoding & Blood Relations
- Direction Sense Test & Ranking Order
- Syllogisms, Statements & Assumptions
- Non-Verbal Reasoning & Figure Counting
📝 Language Comprehension
- Reading Comprehension Passages
- Vocabulary, Synonyms & Antonyms
- Grammar, Error Spotting & Sentence Correction
- Cloze Test, Idioms & Phrases
- One Word Substitutions & Spelling Check
Preparation Strategy & Cut-Off Trends
Historical scoring benchmarks and safe score targets for TNPSC Combined Civil Services Examination III-A (Junior Inspector of Cooperative Societies & Storekeeper) based on competitive trends:
| Category | Safe Target Percentage | Preparation Focus | Benchmark Accuracy |
|---|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | 75% - 82% | Speed + Negative Control in Reasoning & Quant | 90%+ Accuracy |
| OBC / EWS | 70% - 76% | High Scoring in Current Affairs & Language | 88%+ Accuracy |
| SC / ST | 62% - 70% | Syllabus Coverage & Previous Year Papers | 85%+ Accuracy |
| PwD / Ex-SM | 55% - 65% | Sectional Cut-Off clearance + Accuracy | 82%+ Accuracy |
Official Mock Test Series & CBT Practice
Practice full-length CBT tests matching the exact TNPSC Group 3A pattern with bilingual questions and instant rank analysis.
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