TNPSC Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 461 CTS (Non-Interview) Posts

Are you a technical graduate or postgraduate looking to build a highly secure, prestigious, and rewarding career with the Tamil Nadu State Government? The Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) has officially rolled out a major employment notification that presents an unparalleled career transition opportunity. In its latest recruitment cycle, the commission is inviting online applications for the Combined Technical Services Examination (CTS) to fill various sought-after non-interview posts.

The TNPSC is currently accepting applications to fill 461 vacancies across 45 unique technical and specialized roles under various state departments. This recruitment includes highly coveted positions such as Assistant Engineer (Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, and Agricultural), Horticultural Officer, Assistant Geologist, Block Health Statistician, Junior Photographer, and Assistant Librarian. Because these are strictly Non-Interview Posts, selection relies entirely on your written examination merit, completely removing the pressure of a personal interview round!

The online application portal became active on May 27, 2026, and candidates have a tight window to complete their registrations. The absolute deadline to submit online forms and pay the examination fee is strictly set for June 25, 2026. Read through the comprehensive guide below to learn more about eligibility parameters, physical standards, the exam pattern, and the step-by-step application instructions!

About the Recruiter

The Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) is a constitutional body responsible for governing the recruitment of personnel into Tamil Nadu's public services. Operating under Article 315 of the Constitution of India, the commission is highly regarded for its structured, fair, and merit-based recruitment processes. Recruits through the Combined Technical Services Exam will be posted in vital state machinery departments, including the Highways Department, Public Works Department (PWD), Water Resources Department, Agriculture Department, and state public sector undertakings (PSUs) like ELCOT.

Posts and Breakdown: Qualification, Age, & Salary Overview

Due to the diverse nature of the Combined Technical Services (CTS) Exam, the educational qualifications, age limits, and pay scales vary significantly by post. Here is a comprehensive overview of the primary positions:

• Assistant Engineer (Civil / Electrical / Mechanical / Agricultural):

  • Educational Qualification: Must possess a B.E. / B.Tech in the respective engineering discipline (Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Agricultural, or equivalent) from a recognized University.

  • Age Limit (General/Others): Maximum 32 years of age.

  • Age Limit (SC/ST/MBC/BC/BCM): No maximum age limit.

  • Salary Structure: Pay Matrix Level 20 (Scale: Rs. 37,700 – Rs. 1,38,500 basic, with starting gross usually around Rs. 52,000+ along with allowances).

• Horticultural Officer / Agriculture Officer (Extension):

  • Educational Qualification: Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture (B.Sc. Hort.) or Agriculture (B.Sc. Agri.) from a university recognized by ICAR.

  • Age Limit (General/Others): Maximum 32 years (Relaxed to 34 years for Postgraduates/Ph.D. holders).

  • Age Limit (Reserved Categories): No maximum age limit.

  • Salary Structure: Pay Matrix Level 20 (Starting Basic: Rs. 56,900/- plus state allowances).

• Block Health Statistician / Assistant Statistical Investigator:

  • Educational Qualification: Bachelor's degree in Statistics, Mathematics, or Economics from a recognized university.

  • Age Limit: Maximum 32 years for General category. No maximum age limit for reserved categories native to Tamil Nadu.

  • Salary Structure:

    • Block Health Statistician: Pay Matrix Level 10 (Starting Basic: Rs. 20,600 – Rs. 75,900 scale, with initial gross around Rs. 28,480+).

    • Assistant Statistical Investigator: Pay Matrix Level 13 (Starting Basic: Rs. 35,900 – Rs. 1,13,500 scale, with initial gross around Rs. 41,500+).

• Other Technical Posts (System Manager, Archaeological Officer, Librarian, Drug Inspector, etc.):

  • Educational Qualification: Post-specific professional degrees (e.g., LL.B for Translator, M.Sc in Forensic Science for Junior Scientific Officer, Degree in Pharmacy for Drug Inspector, B.Lib.Sc for Librarian).

  • Note: Age relaxations and concessions apply to Ex-Servicemen and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwD) as per standard Tamil Nadu government norms.

Detailed Overview of the Job Profile

Joining the Combined Technical Services of Tamil Nadu puts you in specialized, high-impact administrative and technical roles:

• Assistant Engineer: You will be responsible for planning, estimating, executing, and supervising public infrastructure projects. This includes designing highways, overseeing state-owned building construction, maintaining water supply lines, or managing irrigation channels.

• Block Health Statistician: Stationed under the Department of Family Welfare, you will collect, analyze, and maintain vital demographic and health metrics. This data is critical for monitoring public health programs, immunization coverage, and designing healthcare policies at the block level.

• Horticultural / Agriculture Officer: You will work directly with farming communities, providing technical guidance on modern agricultural practices, crop management, distribution of high-yielding seeds, and implementing government subsidy schemes.

Important Dates

Staying updated on key dates is essential to avoid missing critical milestones:

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted exclusively online through the official TNPSC portals. Follow these clear steps to apply:

1. One Time Registration (OTR): If you are a new applicant, visit the TNPSC online portal (tnpscexams.in) and complete the OTR process. This requires uploading your photograph, signature, and paying a registration fee of Rs. 150/- (valid for 5 years).

2. Log In: Access your candidate dashboard using your newly generated OTR User ID and Password.

3. Choose the Advertisement: Locate the link for "Combined Technical Services Examination (Non-Interview Posts) 2026" (Advt No: 734 / Notification No: 04/2026) and click "Apply."

4. Fill Application Details: Select your preferred technical posts, upload required academic and professional certificates, and fill in your personal information.

5. Pay Examination Fee: Pay the examination fee of Rs. 100/- per post/subject paper online via Net Banking, Credit Card, or Debit Card. Candidates from SC, ST, MBC, and BC categories may be eligible for standard free chances or complete fee waivers.

6. Verify & Submit: Thoroughly preview your filled-out application to ensure all data points (especially educational qualification codes) are correct. Click "Submit" to complete the application.

7. Download PDF: Download and print a copy of the generated application confirmation page for your records.

Selection Process

Since these positions are strictly "Non-Interview" posts, the selection process is highly direct and transparent:

1. Written Examination: A single-stage, OMR-based or Computer Based Test (CBT). It features two main parts:

   • Paper I: Divided into Part A (Tamil Eligibility Test - SSLC Standard, 100 questions, qualifying in nature) and Part B (General Studies & Aptitude - Degree Standard, 100 questions).

   • Paper II (Subject Paper): Post-specific technical paper containing 200 questions of Degree or PG standard depending on the job.

2. Onscreen Certificate Verification: Shortlisted candidates based on written exam scores must upload scanned original documents on the TNPSC portal.

3. Physical Certificate Verification & Counselling: Candidates whose documents are successfully verified will be invited to the physical counselling round in Chennai, where departments and posts will be allocated based on merit and category reservation.

Important Links

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the total number of vacancies announced for the TNPSC CTS (Non-Interview) Exam 2026? The TNPSC has announced a total of 461 vacancies across 45 different technical and specialized non-interview posts.

2. What is the last date to register and submit the online application form? The final deadline to complete your registration, submit the form, and pay the examination fee online is strictly June 25, 2026.

3. Is there an interview stage for these Combined Technical Services posts? No, these specific 461 posts are designated as "Non-Interview Posts." The final selection is based solely on your written exam scores and document verification.

4. What is the One Time Registration (OTR) fee and how long is it valid? The TNPSC OTR fee is Rs. 150/-, and it is valid for 5 years. Once registered, you can apply for multiple TNPSC recruitment exams by simply paying the specific exam fee.

5. What is the examination fee for the TNPSC CTS Exam 2026? The examination fee is Rs. 100/-. However, SC, ST, MBC, and BC candidates native to Tamil Nadu are eligible for complete fee exemptions or a set number of free chances as per commission rules.

6. I do not belong to Tamil Nadu. Am I eligible to apply? Yes, candidates from other states can apply. However, they will be treated under the "Others" (General/Unreserved) category and will not be eligible for category-based concessions or age relaxations.

7. Is passing the Tamil Language Eligibility Test mandatory? Yes, Paper I (Part A) is the Tamil Eligibility Test. Candidates must score a minimum of 40% (60 marks out of 150) in this section for their Paper II and Part B of Paper I to be evaluated.

8. Is there any age limit for reserved category candidates (BC, MBC, SC, ST)? For the majority of the technical posts in this recruitment, there is no maximum age limit for candidates belonging to SCs, SC(A)s, STs, MBCs/DCs, BCs, and BCMs.

9. Can I make corrections to my submitted application form? Yes, TNPSC will open an online application correction window from June 29, 2026, to July 1, 2026, allowing candidates to rectify errors in their submitted forms.

10. What is the salary of an Assistant Engineer (AE) recruited through this exam? An Assistant Engineer is placed in Pay Matrix Level 20 of the Tamil Nadu government rules, with a starting basic salary of Rs. 37,700/-, scaling up to Rs. 1,38,500/- along with allowances.