TNPSC raises Group I vacancies to 46 after candidates complain of low numbers

The Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) has increased the number of vacancies for the Group I examination from 26 to 46, following widespread complaints from aspirants about the steep reduction in posts notified this year. The revision was announced through an addendum published on the commission's official website on Thursday.

The initial notification for the Combined Civil Services Examination – I (Group I) had listed only 26 vacancies, the lowest in recent years. This included 12 posts in the Tamil Nadu Civil Service, two for Assistant Commissioner (Commercial Taxes), three for Deputy Registrar of Cooperative Societies, eight for District Registrar, and one for Assistant Commissioner of Labour.

According to the addendum, the number of Assistant Commissioner (Commercial Taxes) posts has been increased from two to ten, and Deputy Registrar of Cooperative Societies from three to six. Additionally, six new posts of Assistant Director of Rural Development and three posts of District Employment Officer have been added. The total now stands at 46 vacancies.

TNPSC Chairman S.K. Prabakar told The Hindu that more vacancies would be notified through addenda online, in response to the concerns raised by candidates. Many aspirants had taken to social media to express disappointment, noting that lakhs of candidates prepare for these competitive examinations every year.

The reduction in vacancies came as a surprise to many, especially since previous years saw significantly higher numbers. In 2022, the Commission notified 95 Group I vacancies, followed by 90 in 2024 and 72 in 2025. Similarly, Group II and II A examinations saw a drop from about 6,000 posts in 2022 to around 1,200 in 2025.

Candidates also pointed to election promises made by Chief Minister Vijay, who had spoken about increasing TNPSC vacancies and addressing irregularities in the recruitment process. One aspirant said, “Many students were waiting for Group II and II A as an alternative to Group I, but the announced numbers were disappointing. The decrease in vacancies contradicts the CM’s assurances.”

The TNPSC has been working to improve its credibility by releasing regular timetables and completing examinations on time, a process that started in 2019. Exams were paused during the Covid lockdown and resumed in 2022. The latest addendum is seen as a step towards addressing candidate grievances, though aspirants continue to seek further increases.