How to Apply for TNPSC Group 4 Online 2026: Step-by-Step Guide (OTR & Application)

Applying for the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) Group 4 Examination 2026 requires following an exact, multi-stage online procedure through the official commission examination portal. With 6,574 tentative vacancies announced under Notification No. 11/2026 for posts including Village Administrative Officer (VAO), Junior Assistant, Typist, Steno-Typist, and Forest Watcher, candidates must complete their online submissions before the closing deadline of 5 November 2026 (11:59 PM). Before starting your registration, review our complete TNPSC Group 4 Notification 2026 Guide for full vacancy distribution and eligibility rules, align your study plan using the TNPSC Group 4 Syllabus & Exam Pattern Breakdown, prepare high-yield topics with free TNPSC Study Materials & Question Banks, and download foundational Samacheer Kalvi School Textbooks (Classes 6 to 10), 10th Standard Textbooks PDF, and 10th SSLC Study Materials for mastering the 100-mark mandatory Part A Tamil paper.

Because TNPSC enforces zero tolerance for mismatched personal details, incorrect Aadhaar linking, or flawed community/PSTM uploads, candidates cannot afford errors that risk application rejection or exam debarment. This comprehensive, step-by-step practical guide explains how to complete One Time Registration (OTR), fill the Group 4 application form, resize photographs and signatures to exact pixel specifications, claim the 20% PSTM (Persons Studied in Tamil Medium) quota, pay the examination fee, and utilize the application correction window.

டிஎன்பிஎஸ்சி குரூப் 4 (TNPSC Group 4) தேர்வு 2026-க்கு ஆன்லைனில் எவ்வாறு விண்ணப்பிப்பது? ஒருமுறை பதிவு (OTR), ஆதார் இணைப்பு, புகைப்படம் மற்றும் கையொப்ப அளவீடுகள், 20% தமிழ்வழி இடஒதுக்கீடு (PSTM) சான்றிதழ் சமர்ப்பித்தல் மற்றும் கட்டண சலுகைகள் குறித்த முழுமையான வழிகாட்டி கீழே கொடுக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

Prerequisites & Documents Checklist (விண்ணப்பிக்க தேவையான ஆவணங்கள்)

Keep the following documents, credentials, and digital files ready before starting your session on tnpscexams.in to avoid session timeouts:

Photo & Signature Upload Specifications (புகைப்படம் & கையொப்பம் அளவீடுகள்)

TNPSC’s automated validation software automatically rejects images that do not conform to exact pixel and file size parameters. Use these exact specifications:

Phase 1: One Time Registration (ஒருமுறை பதிவு – OTR)

One Time Registration (OTR) is the mandatory master profile on the TNPSC examination portal. It holds your personal details, academic history, community status, and photo/signature for 5 years. An application for Group 4 cannot be submitted without an active OTR.

If You Are a NEW User:

1. Go to www.tnpscexams.in and click on “One Time Registration / ஒருமுறை பதிவு”.
2. Select “New User / புதிய பதிவு” and create a unique Login ID (minimum 6 to 12 alphanumeric characters) and a secure Password.
3. Enter your SSLC details: 10th Registration Number, Board (State Board / Matric / CBSE), and Year of Passing. This locks your identity to your matriculation records.
4. Enter your Personal Details: Name as per SSLC Mark Sheet, Date of Birth, Father’s Name, Mother’s Name, Gender, Religion, and Community.
5. Link your Aadhaar Number: Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number. An OTP will be dispatched to your Aadhaar-registered mobile number. Verify the OTP to establish electronic KYC.
6. Upload your passport-size photo and signature conforming to the 20–50 KB and 10–20 KB limits.
7. Pay the OTR Fee of Rs. 150 online using Net Banking, Debit Card, Credit Card, or UPI. Your OTR registration number will be generated immediately.

If You Are an EXISTING User:

Existing users who already created an OTR within the last 5 years do not need to pay the Rs. 150 OTR fee again. Simply log in with your Login ID and Password. If your Aadhaar linking is pending, authenticate your Aadhaar first to unlock your application dashboard.

Phase 2: Step-by-Step Group 4 Application Process

Once your OTR dashboard is active, submit your Group 4 application using these sequential steps:

1. Step 1: Access Notification 11/2026: From your dashboard, click on “Apply / விண்ணப்பிக்க” and select Combined Civil Services Examination – IV (Group IV Services) — Notification No. 11/2026.
2. Step 2: Choose Post Option:
   • Option A (All Posts): Choose this if you want to be considered for all 46 post categories, including Forest Guard with Driving Licence and Forest Watcher (Subject to fulfilling height/chest and physical endurance requirements).
   • Option B (Posts other than Forest Guard / Forest Watcher): Choose this if you prefer administrative and clerical posts only (Junior Assistant, Typist, VAO, Bill Collector, etc.).
3. Step 3: Verify Educational Qualifications: Confirm that your SSLC mark sheet details, certificate number, and board are accurate. For Typist / Steno-Typist, enter your Technical Typewriting (English & Tamil) grade details and Computer on Office Automation (COA) certificate data. For Junior Assistant (Accounts), enter your B.Com degree marks.
4. Step 4: Claim 20% PSTM Quota: If you studied from Class 1st to Class 10th continuously in Tamil Medium in recognised schools in Tamil Nadu, select “YES” for PSTM. You must obtain the signed PSTM certificate from the Headmaster of each school you attended as per the official Annexure II format.
5. Step 5: Select Examination Centres: Choose two distinct examination districts from the drop-down menu (e.g., Chennai and Tiruvallur, or Madurai and Dindigul). TNPSC assigns centres based on local capacity.
6. Step 6: Confirm Declarations & Work Experience: For government servants or candidates employed in private institutions, fill in service details and indicate whether No Objection Certificate (NOC) has been applied for.
7. Step 7: Application Preview & Verification: A complete preview of your multi-page application will be displayed. Verify every spelling of your name, parent names, date of birth, and community code. Tick each mandatory declaration checkbox.

Phase 3: Examination Fee Payment & Concessions (கட்டண விவரங்கள்)

The standard examination fee for TNPSC Group 4 is Rs. 100. Candidates eligible for statutory concessions must select their exemption carefully:

Application Correction Window (விண்ணப்பத் திருத்தம் செய்யும் காலம்)

Recognising that candidates occasionally make unintentional typographical mistakes, TNPSC provides an official 3-day Application Correction Window:

• Correction Window Opens: 9 November 2026 (12:01 AM)
• Correction Window Closes: 11 November 2026 (11:59 PM)

During this window, candidates can log into their OTR and rectify data errors in qualification entries, community claims, uploaded photos, or selected exam centres. Once the clock strikes 11:59 PM on 11 November 2026, the database is permanently locked, and no further representations will be entertained under any circumstances.

Top 7 Critical Mistakes to Avoid (விண்ணப்பிக்கும் போது தவிர்க்க வேண்டிய தவறுகள்)

1. Register Number vs Certificate Number Confusion: Many candidates mistakenly enter their certificate serial number instead of their SSLC Board Exam Roll / Registration number. Check your mark sheet carefully before typing.
2. Mismatched Name with Aadhaar: The name on your application must match your SSLC certificate. If your Aadhaar card has initials expanded or misspelled, authenticate using the matching name protocol.
3. Invalid PSTM Certificates: PSTM reservation applies only if your medium of instruction was Tamil from 1st standard to 10th standard without break. Studying 1st to 5th in English and 6th to 10th in Tamil disqualifies you from PSTM benefit.
4. Old Photo Without Printed Name and Date: TNPSC guidelines mandate that the candidate’s name and photograph date (taken within 3 months) must be imprinted at the bottom of the photo. Standard selfies or passport photos without stamps are rejected.
5. Inadvertently Deselecting Forest Posts: Selecting “Posts other than Forest Guard / Watcher” permanently excludes you from being considered for 41 forest service vacancies even if you score top marks.
6. Signing in Block Capital Letters: Your signature must be in cursive, continuous handwriting. Block letter signatures are invalidated.
7. Delaying Until 5 November 2026: Over 15 to 20 lakh aspirants apply for TNPSC Group 4. Servers face severe traffic slowdowns on the final 48 hours. Submit your application at least 5 days early.

TNPSC குரூப் 4 விண்ணப்பிப்பது எப்படி? – முக்கிய அம்சங்கள் (தமிழில்)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)