The Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) conducted the Combined Civil Services Examination-II (Group 2) Preliminary Examination 2026 on November 1 across Tamil Nadu. With the examination now over, candidates are awaiting the release of the provisional answer key to assess their performance and estimate their probable scores.The commission is expected to publish the TNPSC Group 2 Answer Key 2026 on its official website, tnpsc.gov.in. The answer key will enable candidates to compare their responses with the commission’s prescribed answers and calculate their expected marks before the declaration of the preliminary examination results.
TNPSC Group 2 prelims 2026: Exam pattern and marking scheme
The preliminary examination was conducted as a single-paper test carrying 300 marks. Candidates had to attempt 200 objective-type questions within three hours. The examination covered three sections, with General Tamil or General English accounting for half of the total questions.According to the examination scheme prescribed by TNPSC, the paper was divided as follows:
| Subject | Number of questions | Maximum marks |
| General Tamil or General English | 100 | 150 |
| General Studies | 75 | 112.5 |
| Aptitude and Mental Ability | 25 | 37.5 |
| Total | 200 | 300 |
The minimum qualifying mark for the preliminary examination is 90 out of 300 for all communities. The preliminary examination is a screening stage, and candidates who meet the prescribed qualifying criteria will be considered for the next stage of the selection process.
TNPSC Group 2 answer key 2026: Steps to download
Candidates can follow the steps elucidated here to download the TNPSC Group 2 answer key 2026 on the official website:
- Visit the official website, tnpsc.gov.in.
- Navigate to the examinations or answer key section.
- Look for the Combined Civil Services Examination-II (Group II and IIA Services) 2026 answer key notification.
- Select the relevant question paper or answer key link.
- Download the PDF and save it for reference.
- Match the answers with the responses marked in the examination.
What is the next stage after TNPSC Group 2 prelims?
The preliminary examination is the screening stage of the Combined Civil Services Examination-II recruitment process. Candidates who qualify will be shortlisted for the respective main examinations under Group II and Group IIA services.The main examination pattern differs between the two categories. Group II candidates have to appear for a descriptive General Studies paper, while Group IIA candidates take an objective-type General Studies and General Intelligence and Reasoning paper. Both categories also have a compulsory Tamil Eligibility Test.Candidates are advised to regularly visit the official TNPSC website for announcements concerning the provisional answer key, question paper, objection submission process and preliminary examination results.
