What is the TSPSC Group 1 examination?
TSPSC Group 1 is the most prestigious competitive exam in Telangana, conducted annually by the Telangana State Public Service Commission. A single examination selects officers for Group 1 posts including Deputy Collector, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO), Mandal Revenue Officer (MRO), Commercial Tax Officer and more.
Around 3-4 lakh candidates apply each year. About 6,000 clear Prelims, ~1,000 clear Mains, and 500-700 are finally selected. The 2026 cycle notifies 563 vacancies.
TSPSC Group 1 2026 at a glance
- CommissionTSPSC, Hyderabad
- Vacancies (2026)563
- Notification10 April 2026
- Apply by15 May 2026
- Prelims30 August 2026
- MainsDecember 2026
- MediumEnglish, Telugu, Urdu
TSPSC 2026 notification — key dates
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification release | 10 April 2026 |
| Online application | 10 Apr – 15 May 2026 |
| Prelims exam | 30 August 2026 |
| Prelims result | ~ October 2026 |
| Mains exam | December 2026 (5 days) |
| Mains result | ~ February 2027 |
| Interview | March – April 2027 |
| Final result | ~ May 2027 |
Eligibility & age limit
Indian citizen, Bachelor's degree from a recognised university, Telangana domicile preferred. Knowledge of Telugu is recommended (especially for posting in rural Telangana) but not a strict bar at the exam stage.
| Category | Min age | Max age | Attempts |
|---|---|---|---|
| General (OC) | 21 | 46 | Unlimited |
| BC | 21 | 49 (46+3) | Unlimited |
| SC / ST | 21 | 51 (46+5) | Unlimited |
| PwBD | 21 | 56 (46+10) | Unlimited |
TSPSC's upper age limit (46) is more generous than UPSC's (32) — making it attractive for late-bloomers and second-career professionals.
Telugu GK — TSPSC Preparation
Daily Telugu current affairs, free mock tests, NCERT notes, Telangana-specific study material — all in Telugu.
Exam pattern — three stages
1. Preliminary Examination
| Paper | Type | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| GS Paper 1 | MCQ (merit) | 150 |
| Mental Ability Paper 2 | MCQ (qualifying, 40%) | 150 |
2. Main Examination
6 descriptive papers, total 900 marks. Includes: General English (qualifying), Essay (Telugu or English), History/Culture/Geography (Telangana-specific), Social Exclusion & Policy, Economy & Development, Science/Tech/Data Analysis.
3. Interview
100 marks. Final merit = Mains (900) + Interview (100) = 1,000 marks.
Syllabus overview
- National & international current affairs
- Indian history with Telangana-specific emphasis
- Indian & Telangana geography
- Constitution, polity, governance (Telangana-specific weightage)
- Indian & Telangana economy
- Telangana movement (1956-2014) — high-yield topic
- Environment, ecology, biodiversity
- General Science
Preparation strategy — 4-phase plan
Phase 1: Foundation (Months 1-3)
- NCERT 6-12 (English/Telugu)
- Special focus on Telangana movement (1956-2014)
- Daily current affairs: Padho.club Daily News + Eenadu/Sakshi editorials
Phase 2: Core building (Months 4-7)
- Laxmikanth (Polity), Spectrum (Modern India)
- Answer writing: 1 question per day
- Telangana government schemes deep-dive: Rythu Bharosa, Aarogyasri, Mahalakshmi
Phase 3: Application (Months 8-10)
- Weekly full-length Prelims mocks
- Mains test series
- Essay writing practice
Phase 4: Final sprint (Months 11-12)
- 5-7 mocks per week
- Last 10 years' PYQs
- Final consolidation
Across the TSPSC toppers we've reviewed, Telangana-specific content is the differentiator. The state movement, regional history, current state schemes are areas where deep preparation in Telugu medium consistently outperforms generic English-only prep.
Best books, subject-wise
| Subject | Foundation | Advanced |
|---|---|---|
| Polity | Laxmikanth — Indian Polity | D.D. Basu |
| Telangana Movement | P. Venkateshwarlu — Telangana Movement History | State publications, BCWelfare reports |
| Geography | NCERT 6-12 | Telangana Geography (Telugu Academy) |
| Economy | Ramesh Singh — Indian Economy | Telangana Socio-Economic Outlook |
| History | TSCERT — Telangana History | Bipin Chandra — Modern India |
TSPSC cut-off trends (2018-2024)
| Year | OC | BC | SC | ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 97 | 92 | 78 | 71 |
| 2023 | 89 | 83 | 71 | 64 |
| 2022 | 92 | 87 | 74 | 67 |
| 2021 | 91 | 86 | 74 | 67 |
| 2020 | 95 | 89 | 77 | 70 |
After selection — posts, training, salary
Selected candidates train at MCRHRDI, Hyderabad. Major posts: Deputy Collector, DSP, RDO, MRO, Commercial Tax Officer, Labor Officer. Pay Level 7-10 entry, salary ₹65,000-₹85,000 monthly in-hand at Hyderabad.
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for TSPSC Group 1 2026?
Indian citizens with a Bachelor's degree, aged 21-46 (General), 21-49 (BC), or 21-51 (SC/ST) as on 1 July 2026. Telangana domicile is preferred. Knowledge of Telugu is helpful but not strictly mandatory.
What is the TSPSC Prelims pattern?
TSPSC Prelims has two papers — General Studies (150 marks, history/geography/polity/economy/Telangana movement/current affairs) and Mental Ability (150 marks, qualifying). Each 2.5 hours.
How many attempts are allowed for TSPSC?
Unlimited within the age limit — 46 years for General, 49 for BC, 51 for SC/ST.
What is a TSPSC Deputy Collector's salary?
Pay Level 10-11, basic ₹56,100-67,700. With DA, HRA and allowances, monthly gross in Hyderabad is approximately ₹85,000-1,05,000.