The Group 1 Preliminary exam is on Saturday, 27 September 2026, 9.30 AM to 12.30 PM. This page carries the question-wise answer key in English and Tamil on exam evening - and everything you need meanwhile: how to calculate your score, the official key timeline, and the previous year paper to practise with.
Last updated 23 September 2026Our faculty solves the full paper the same day. Bookmark this page and come back after the exam - the question-wise key appears below, in English and Tamil, free for everyone. Until then, warm up with the Group 1 2025 paper with the official key.
This section fills up on the evening of 27 September 2026, once the exam ends and our faculty completes solving the paper. Every question gets its answer with a short reason, in the same format as our 2025 paper page.
Three facts, one multiplication:
1. 200 questions carry 300 marks - each question is worth 1.5 marks.
2. There is no negative marking. Wrong answers cost nothing.
3. So: your correct answers × 1.5 = your Prelims score. 120 correct = 180 marks.
Two keys matter. ArivArk publishes its expert-solved question-wise key on this page on the evening of the exam day, 27 September 2026. TNPSC then publishes its official tentative answer key on tnpsc.gov.in a few days after the exam, invites objections from candidates for a short window, and releases the final answer key after reviewing them.
The Prelims paper has 200 questions for 300 marks, so each question carries 1.5 marks. Count your correct answers from the key and multiply by 1.5. There is no negative marking, so wrong answers cost nothing.
No. There is no negative marking in any TNPSC examination. Every question you attempted counts only if it is correct.
TNPSC evaluates the Prelims and shortlists candidates for the Main examination based on Prelims marks, vacancies and reservation rules. The Prelims is a screening stage - its marks are not added to the final selection total, which comes from the Mains papers and the interview.
A single objective paper: 200 questions, 300 marks, 3 hours (9.30 AM to 12.30 PM), set in English and Tamil. 175 General Studies questions at Degree standard across 6 units, plus 25 Aptitude and Mental Ability questions at SSLC standard.
Yes. When TNPSC publishes its tentative key on tnpsc.gov.in, it opens an objection window where candidates can submit representations with supporting evidence. The final key issued after this review is what evaluation uses.
The complete TNPSC Group 1 2025 Prelims paper - all 200 questions in English and Tamil with the official final answer key - is free on this site, question by question with a Show Answer button.
While you wait: solve the Group 1 2025 question paper with the official answer key, revise the Group 1 Syllabus, or do a quick round of Important Committees - a favourite Group 1 topic.
All the best from ArivArk Academy. After the exam, come back here for the key - and whatever your result, the Mains preparation starts the next morning. We will be with you for that too.
