TNPSC CTSE (Non-Interview Posts) Answer Key 2026 Out — Latest Update
The TNPSC CTSE (Non-Interview Posts) 2026 answer key has been released on the TNPSC exam dashboard for Advertisement No. 734. If you wrote the exam, match your responses with the tentative key. Under Annexure IV of the notification, any challenge to the tentative key must be filed online only, through the ‘Answer Key Challenge’ window on tnpsc.gov.in, within seven days of publication of the key. Representations sent by post or e-mail will receive no attention, and nothing is accepted after the window closes. TNPSC CTSE (Non-Interview Posts) Answer Key – Exam Dashboard
TNPSC CTSE (Non-Interview Posts) 2026: 461 Vacancies Across 45 Technical Posts
Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) released Advertisement No. 734, Notification No. 04/2026 on 20 May 2026 for the Combined Technical Services Examination (Non-Interview Posts), announcing 461 vacancies spread over forty-five post codes in state departments and public-sector undertakings. It is one of the largest technical intakes of the year for Tamil Nadu government jobs.
The online application window ran from 27 May 2026 to 25 June 2026 (11:59 PM), with a correction window from 29 June to 01 July 2026. That window has now closed, and the recruitment has moved to the answer key stage. Posts sit on Tamil Nadu Pay Matrix Level 08 to Level 20 depending on the post. The full notification details stay below for reference.
What Are the Key Highlights of TNPSC CTSE Non-Interview Posts 2026?
The CTSE (Non-Interview Posts) is a single-stage written examination covering engineering, agriculture, geology, pharmacy, architecture, archaeology, statistics, IT and allied posts together.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) |
| Examination | Combined Technical Services Examination (Non-Interview Posts) 2026 |
| Advertisement / Notification | Advertisement No. 734, Notification No. 04/2026 dated 20.05.2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 461 (tentative), forty-five post codes |
| Pay | Level 08 to Level 20, Tamil Nadu pay matrix (post-wise) |
| Job Location | Tamil Nadu (Assistant General Manager / Regional Manager 3798: anywhere in India) |
| Application Window | 27.05.2026 to 25.06.2026 — closed |
| Current Stage | Answer key released on the TNPSC exam dashboard |
How Many Vacancies Are There in TNPSC CTSE 2026? (Post-wise)
The number of vacancies and their distribution are tentative and may be modified before physical certificate verification or counselling.
| Post (Code) | Department / Organisation | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Geologist (1863) | Geology and Mining | 8 |
| Assistant Geologist (1677) | Agricultural Engineering | 2 |
| Assistant Engineer (Agricultural Engineering) (1667) | Agricultural Engineering | 64 |
| Agriculture Officer (Extension) (1678) | Agriculture | 11 |
| Drug Inspector (1972) | Drug Control Administration | 9* |
| Horticultural Officer (3001) | Horticulture | 17*# |
| Assistant Engineer (1661) | Highways | 38 |
| Assistant Director (Industrial Safety and Health) (1664) | Industrial Safety and Health | 3 |
| Junior Assistant Director of Boilers (3008) | Public Works | 2 |
| Junior Architect (1860) | Public Works | 5* |
| Assistant Engineer (Civil) (3656) | Public Works | 14 |
| Assistant Engineer (Electrical) (1657) | Public Works | 13 |
| Assistant Engineer (1660) | Rural Development and Panchayat Raj | 50 |
| Assistant Engineer (Civil) (1656) | Water Resources | 33 |
| Assistant Geologist (1750) | Water Resources | 9 |
| Assistant Engineer (Civil) (3230) | TN Urban Habitat Development Board | 1 (only backlog) |
| Assistant Engineer (3269) | TN Pollution Control Board | 1 |
| Environmental Scientist (3606) | TN Pollution Control Board | 4 |
| Architectural Assistant / Planning Assistant (2108) | Town and Country Planning | 3 |
| Assistant Engineer (Industries) (1900) | Industries and Commerce | 1$ |
| Assistant Manager (IT) (3810) | ELCOT | 4 |
| Assistant Manager (Civil) (3811) | ELCOT | 2 |
| Assistant Manager (Electrical) (3812) | ELCOT | 2 |
| Assistant Accounts Officer (3814) | TN Medical Services Corporation | 1 |
| Archaeological Officer (1843) | Archaeology | 10 |
| Research Assistant (1861) | Evaluation and Applied Research | 2 |
| Junior Scientific Officer (1767) | Forensic Science | 6 (Chemistry 4, Biology 2) |
| Assistant Superintendent of Approved Schools (2078) | Child Welfare and Special Services | 2 (Men 1, Women 1) |
| Assistant Engineer (Civil) (3368) | SIPCOT | 2 |
| System Manager (3664) | Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection | 1 |
| Translator (3106) | Law | 2 |
| Librarian (1845) | Agriculture | 1 |
| Statistical Assistant (3125) | Food Safety and Drug Administration | 1 |
| Deputy Manager (Dairying) (3279) | TN Co-operative Milk Producers’ Federation | 2 (only backlog) |
| Assistant Engineer (Mechanical) (3611) | TN Magnesites Limited | 3 |
| Assistant Archaeological Officer (1842) | Archaeology | 10 |
| Assistant Tourist Officer, Grade II (3111) | Tourism | 4 |
| Assistant Statistical Investigator (1824) | Economics and Statistics | 13 |
| Block Health Statistician (2010) | Family Welfare | 62*@ |
| Junior Photographer (3805) | Tamil Development and Information | 23 |
| Assistant Librarian (2013) | Legal Studies | 5 |
| Assistant Warehouse Manager / Junior Assistant (3388) | TN Warehousing Corporation | 1$ |
| Junior Chemist (3609) | TN Magnesites Limited | 3 |
| Assistant Engineer (Mechanical) (3268) | TN Power Distribution Corporation | 1 (only backlog) |
| Assistant General Manager / Regional Manager (3798) | TN Handloom Weavers Co-operative Society | 10^# |
| Total | 461 |
*Including backlog vacancies. $Only shortfall vacancy. #Including shortfall vacancies. @Sports-quota vacancies deducted where applicable. ^Selected candidates for post 3798 should be ready to be posted anywhere in India.
What Is the Eligibility for TNPSC CTSE 2026?
Educational Qualification
Each post carries its own qualification under para 4.2 of the notification — for example B.E./B.Tech in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical or Agricultural Engineering, M.Sc. Geology or Applied Geology, B.Sc. Agriculture or Horticulture, B.Arch, B.Pharm, PG degrees in Statistics, Archaeology or Business Administration, and Intermediate in Financial and Cost Accountancy. Equivalence claims need the Government order, uploaded or produced when called for, failing which candidature is rejected.
Aspirants with engineering qualifications hold the largest share of the seats. PG science and statistics candidates can also track post-graduate government jobs.
Knowledge of Tamil: candidates must possess adequate knowledge of Tamil on the notification date. A candidate without the prescribed proof must pass the Second Class Language Test (Full Test) in Tamil within two years of appointment, failing which he or she shall be discharged from service. This does not apply to some posts, such as 1678 and 3111.
Eye fitness and vision: for the posts that require it, the Annexure V eye fitness certificate had to be uploaded with the application; otherwise the application will not be considered. Prescribed vision standards apply to several posts: colour blindness is a disqualification for Junior Scientific Officer (1767), and colour-vision defect or night blindness disqualifies for posts such as 3268, 3810 and 3811.
ELCOT Assistant Manager posts additionally require an overall first class (or equivalent CGPA) at SSLC and the other levels listed in para 4.2.
Reservation: persons belonging to other states are not treated as SC or ST in Tamil Nadu, even if their community appears in the list.
Age Limit (as on 01.07.2026)
| Category | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| Minimum (all posts) | 21 years |
| Others — most posts | 32 years |
| Others — Junior Photographer (3805) | 42 years |
| Others — Assistant Engineer (Industries) (1900) | 37 years |
| Others — System Manager (3664) | 35 years |
| Others — Agriculture Officer (1678) / Horticultural Officer (3001) | 32 years (34 with PG / Ph.D in the subject) |
| SC, SC(A), ST, MBC/DC, BC(OBCM), BCM — most posts | No maximum age limit (must not have completed 60 years) |
| Same categories — posts 3269 and 3606 | 37 years |
| Posts 3368 / 3268 / 3798 — BC(OBCM), BCM, MBC/DC | 34 years |
| Posts 3368 / 3268 / 3798 — SC, SC(A), ST | 37 years |
| PwBD | 10 years extra (PwBD not eligible for some posts, e.g. 3125, 1767, 3814) |
What Is the Salary for TNPSC CTSE 2026 Posts?
Each post carries its own level on the Tamil Nadu pay matrix; the notification does not print rupee amounts for most levels, so check the post-wise table in the official PDF.
| Pay Level | Posts |
|---|---|
| Level 20 | Twenty-three codes incl. Assistant Engineers, Assistant Geologists, Drug Inspector, Horticultural Officer, Junior Architect, Environmental Scientist (ELCOT posts under EPF) |
| Level 19 (EPF) | Assistant Accounts Officer (3814) |
| Level 18 | Archaeological Officer, Research Assistant, Junior Scientific Officer |
| Level 17 | Assistant Superintendent of Approved Schools, Assistant Engineer (Civil) SIPCOT (3368) |
| Level 16 | System Manager, Translator |
| Level 15 | Librarian (1845) |
| Level 13 | Statistical Assistant (3125), Deputy Manager (Dairying) (EPF) |
| Level 12 (EPF) | Assistant Engineer (Mechanical) (3611) |
| Level 11 | Assistant Archaeological Officer |
| Level 10 | Assistant Tourist Officer Gr. II, Assistant Statistical Investigator, Block Health Statistician |
| Level 09 | Junior Photographer |
| Level 08 | Assistant Librarian, Assistant Warehouse Manager (EPF), Junior Chemist (EPF) |
| Post 3268 | Rs 39,800 – 1,26,500 (as printed) |
| Post 3798 | Rs 28,480 – 90,570 (EPF) |
What Is the Selection Process for TNPSC CTSE 2026?
The examination is a single-stage written test, followed by certificate verification.
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Paper I (OMR, 3 hours) | Part A: Tamil Eligibility Test, 100 questions, 150 marks, qualifying 60. Part B + C: General Studies (75 Q) + Aptitude and Mental Ability (25 Q), 150 marks |
| Paper II (CBT, 3 hours) | Subject paper, Degree / PG standard, 200 questions, 300 marks |
| Translator (3106) | Paper II is descriptive translation, 2½ hours, 100 marks (Paper I Parts B + C and Paper II = 250 marks); qualifying 75 (reserved) / 100 (Others) |
| Minimum qualifying marks (other posts) | 135 (SC, SC(A), ST, MBC/DC, BC(OBCM), BCM) / 180 (Others), out of 450 marks |
| Onscreen Certificate Verification | 1:3 (General) / 1:2 (reserved) |
| Physical Certificate Verification and Counselling | 1:3 (General) / 1:1.5 (reserved) for posts with counselling; 1:1.2 (all categories) for other posts |
Paper II and Parts B and C of Paper I are evaluated only if you score at least 60 marks in Part A. Appearance in both Paper I and Paper II is compulsory; a candidate absent from either will not be considered for selection, even with the qualifying marks. Requests for revaluation of answer sheets will not be entertained. For preparation material, see our exam syllabus page, and track further keys on the answer keys page.
How to Apply for TNPSC CTSE 2026? (Window Closed)
Applications were accepted online only, and the window closed on 25 June 2026. For reference, the process was:
- One Time Registration (OTR) on the TNPSC application portal (Rs 150, valid five years), unless already registered.
- Fill the CTSE (Non-Interview Posts) application, choosing the subject paper(s), and upload the documents for every claim made.
- Pay the examination fee online and submit before 25.06.2026, 11:59 PM; corrections were allowed from 29.06.2026 to 01.07.2026.
Documents not uploaded within the stipulated time lead to rejection of candidature after due process; onscreen verification allows 10 calendar days to re-upload defective documents.
How to Check the TNPSC CTSE Answer Key 2026 and Raise Objections?
- Open the TNPSC CTSE (Non-Interview Posts) answer key link on the exam dashboard (Essential Links).
- Open the tentative answer key for your paper and compare it with your responses.
- To challenge an answer, use the ‘Answer Key Challenge’ window on tnpsc.gov.in (Recruitment → Answer Keys) within seven days of the key’s publication.
- Do not send objections by post or e-mail — only online representations made on time are referred to the expert committee.
The expert committee’s recommendations decide the final answer key, and evaluation of answer sheets begins after that.
What Are the Important Dates for TNPSC CTSE 2026?
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 20/05/2026 |
| Online Application | 27/05/2026 to 25/06/2026 (11:59 PM) — closed |
| Correction Window | 29/06/2026 to 01/07/2026 |
| Age Reckoning Date | 01/07/2026 |
| Tentative Answer Key | Released on the TNPSC exam dashboard |
| Answer Key Challenge | Online only, within 7 days of the key’s publication |
What Is the Application Fee for TNPSC CTSE 2026?
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| One Time Registration (valid five years) | Rs 150 |
| Examination Fee | Rs 100 (Rs 100 for each additional subject paper) |
| SC / SC(A) / ST, PwBD, Destitute Widow | Full exemption |
| BC(OBCM) / BCM / MBC / DC | Three free chances |
| Ex-Servicemen | Two free chances |
Fees were payable online only, plus applicable service charges.
TNPSC CTSE Answer Key 2026 — Essential Links
- TNPSC CTSE (Non-Interview Posts) Answer Key – Exam Dashboard
- Download Official Notification PDF
- Visit TNPSC CTSE (Non-Interview Posts) Official Website
- Join WhatsApp Channel for Government Jobs
- Join Telegram Channel for Government Jobs
- Tamil Nadu Govt Jobs Telegram Channel
TNPSC CTSE is one of the biggest gateways into a permanent Tamil Nadu technical job. With the answer key out, check your responses carefully and file any challenge online before the seven-day window shuts. For more openings, keep checking the Tamil Nadu government jobs section on GovtJobsAlert.in.