Group VA Services 2025: The Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) conducts the Combined Civil Services Examination (Group VA Services) for recruiting individuals into the post of Assistant Section Officer in various departments.
This recruitment is specifically targeted at candidates already serving as Junior Assistants or Assistants in the Tamil Nadu Ministerial Service or Tamil Nadu Judicial Ministerial Service, offering them a pathway to career advancement.
The TNPSC Group VA Services recruitment is based purely on merit, and the candidates are expected to meet the prescribed eligibility criteria, including education, age, and service qualifications.
TNPSC Group VA Services Recruitment 2024-25
The official notification for the Combined Civil Services Examination (Group VA Services) was released on 17th October 2024, marking the beginning of the recruitment process. The key dates for the submission of the application and other related events are highlighted below:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Date of Notification | 17th October 2024 (PDF Here) |
| Last Date for Online Application | 15th November 2024 (11:59 PM) |
| Application Correction Window | 19th – 21st November 2024 |
| Written Examination | 4th January 2025 |
| Paper-I (General Tamil) | 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM (4th January 2025) |
| Paper-II (General English) | 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM (4th January 2025) |
Candidates should ensure that they complete the application process before the specified deadline, as no applications will be accepted after the cut-off date. Additionally, the Application Correction Window allows candidates to make corrections to their submitted applications between 19th November and 21st November 2024.
TNPSC Group VA Services Posts and Vacancies
The recruitment for the Combined Civil Services Examination – Group VA Services focuses on the post of Assistant Section Officer in various departments under the Tamil Nadu Government. These posts are available across different departments of the Secretariat, except for the Law and Finance departments.
The distribution of vacancies, based on different reservation categories, is detailed below:
| Post | Department | GT | BC | MBC | SC | BCM | SC(A) | Total Vacancies | Pay Level (CPS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assistant Section Officer | Departments of Secretariat (Other than Law and Finance) | 12 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 35 | Level 16 |
GT – General Turn
BC – Backward Class
MBC – Most Backward Class
SC – Scheduled Caste
BCM – Backward Class Muslim
SC(A) – Scheduled Caste (Arunthathiyars)
CPS – Contributory Pension Scheme
The total number of vacancies is subject to modification before the final publication of results. Any changes in the number of vacancies will result in proportional adjustments in the number of candidates selected for each successive stage of the recruitment process. The vacancies are distributed following the rule of reservation, ensuring representation across various community categories as per Tamil Nadu Government norms.
Group VA Services 2025 Application Process
Candidates must apply for the TNPSC Combined Civil Services Examination via online mode through the official TNPSC website. The One Time Registration (OTR) system is employed for managing applications, which requires candidates to first register themselves in the system before applying for any examination. The One Time Registration is valid for a period of five years from the date of registration, and candidates need to pay a fee of ₹150 to complete this registration.
Once registered, candidates can proceed to apply for the Combined Civil Services Examination by logging in to the TNPSC portal. In the application form, essential details such as personal information, educational qualifications, and service details must be filled in. Candidates are required to upload a recent passport-size photograph and signature as part of the online application. Additionally, they must provide relevant documents, including service certificates, degree certificates, and date of birth proof.
The application fee for the examination is ₹100, which is to be paid online via net banking, credit card, or debit card. It is important to note that certain categories such as Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) are eligible for fee exemption.
Group VA Services 2025 Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for the TNPSC Combined Civil Services Examination (Group VA Services) cover age limits, educational qualifications, and service qualifications. Candidates must meet these requirements as of the specified date mentioned in the notification.
1. Group VA Services 2025 Age Limit
The age limit varies depending on the category of the candidates:
| Category | Maximum Age (as of 01.07.2024) |
|---|---|
| General Category (Others, BC, MBC, BCM) | 35 years |
| SC, SC(A), ST | 40 years |
There is no relaxation in the age limit for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) or Ex-servicemen.
2. Group VA Services 2025 Educational Qualification
To be eligible for the post of Assistant Section Officer, candidates must possess a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university. The degree should have been completed in a recognized order of studies, which includes:
- SSLC + HSC (or its equivalent) + Under Graduate Degree
Candidates must submit all required documents supporting their educational qualifications. In cases where the degree certificate has not been issued on time, provisional certificates or consolidated mark sheets may be accepted as evidence of qualification, provided they are issued before 1st August 2024.
3. Group VA Services 2025 Qualification
Candidates applying for this position must have a minimum of five years of drafting experience as a Junior Assistant or Assistant in the Tamil Nadu Ministerial Service or Tamil Nadu Judicial Ministerial Service. The service experience is calculated as of 1st August 2024, and candidates need to upload relevant documents to verify their work experience.
Group VA Services 2025 Examination Scheme
The selection process for the TNPSC Group VA Services consists of a written examination, followed by certificate verification for shortlisted candidates. The written examination includes two papers, each of which is designed to test the candidate’s proficiency in General Tamil and General English. The marks obtained in both papers are combined for ranking purposes.
Group VA Services 2025 Written Examination Structure
| Paper | Subject | Duration | Minimum Qualifying Marks | Type of Examination | Syllabus Standard | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-I & II | General Tamil | 3 hours | 60 | Descriptive | Degree Standard | 100 |
| General English | 3 hours | 60 | Descriptive | Degree Standard | 100 | |
| Total | 200 | |||||
Both Paper-I and Paper-II are descriptive in nature, with a focus on degree-level knowledge. The minimum qualifying marks required for all candidates is 60. Candidates who fail to appear for either of the papers will not be considered for further selection, even if they score well in the other paper.
The Group VA Services examination will be conducted in Chennai only, and candidates are expected to present themselves at the designated venue with their hall ticket and valid ID proof. The hall ticket will be available for download from the TNPSC website closer to the examination date.
Group VA Services 2025 Syllabus Overview
The written examination for the TNPSC Group VA Services consists of questions set at the degree standard level for both General Tamil and General English. Below is an outline of the topics covered in both papers:
General Tamil (Degree Standard)
- Essay Writing: Topics related to Tamil Nadu freedom fighters, environmental issues, social justice, and Tamil language and literature are included.
- Grammar: This section covers basic grammar topics such as sentence structure, correct usage of Tamil vocabulary, and syntax.
- Translation: Candidates are required to translate passages from English to Tamil and Tamil to English.
- Precis Writing: A passage will be provided, and candidates need to summarize it concisely.
- Letter Writing: Formal letter writing on topics related to government correspondence.
General English (Degree Standard)
- Essay Writing: Essays on topics such as argumentation, description, narration, and exposition are tested.
- Grammar: Focuses on transforming sentences, tenses, direct and indirect speech, active and passive voice, and sentence corrections.
- Reading Comprehension: Questions based on unseen passages, testing candidates on comprehension, analysis, and inference.
- Translation: Conversion of English news articles or government circulars into Tamil and vice versa.
Candidates should prepare thoroughly by studying the prescribed syllabus for both subjects to score well in the examination.
Instructions and Banned Items for Group VA Services
The TNPSC has laid down strict instructions for the examination. Candidates are prohibited from bringing banned items into the examination hall, such as mobile phones, smartwatches, bluetooth devices, or any electronic gadgets. If any candidate is found in possession of these items, their candidature may be disqualified, and they may face disciplinary action.
Additionally, candidates are expected to present a valid ID proof along with their hall ticket. This could be an Aadhaar card, passport, voter ID, or driving license. In case the photograph on the hall ticket is unclear or does not match the candidate’s appearance, a separate photograph, along with the relevant details, should be submitted to the Chief Invigilator.
Punctuality is mandatory, and candidates are expected to arrive at the venue at least one hour before the scheduled examination time. Entry will not be permitted beyond a certain point, and no candidate will be allowed to leave the examination hall until the end of the test.
