The premier administrative recruitment for Deputy Collectors and DSPs in Telangana.
Mandatory educational background, age limits, pay scale, and service designations
The Telangana Public Service Commission (TGPSC) conducts the Group 1 Services Examination to recruit Deputy Collectors, Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSP), Commercial Tax Officers, and District Panchayat Officers across Telangana. Featuring a single 150-question Prelims (150 marks) with 1/3rd negative marking, TGPSC Mains consists of 6 descriptive papers of 150 marks each (900 marks total) with heavy emphasis on the Telangana Movement and state formation. Notably, the interview has been completely scrapped, making final selection 100% based on Mains written merit.
Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognized University or equivalent qualification.
18 to 46 Years
SC / ST / BC / EWS of Telangana: 5 years (up to 51) | Ex-Servicemen: 3 years | PwD: 10 years (up to 56)
General / UR: No attempt limit (Up to 46 years of age)
OBC: No attempt limit (Up to 51 years of age)
SC / ST: No attempt limit (Up to 51 years of age)
Pay Matrix ₹58,850 – ₹1,37,050 (RPS 2020) for Deputy Collector & DSP + DA, HRA, Medical & Quarters
Annual Vacancies: Approx. 500 – 560 vacancies per cycle
Stage-wise breakdown, paper timing, question distribution, and negative marking rules
Negative Marking Rule: 1/3rd (0.33) marks deducted per incorrect answer in Prelims.
Mode: Offline OMR for Prelims, Descriptive Sheets for Mains in Hyderabad | Medium: Trilingual (English / Telugu / Urdu) for Mains; General English qualifying paper.
Single objective paper comprising 150 questions (150 marks, 2.5 hours) testing General Studies and Mental Ability with 1/3rd negative marking penalty.
| Paper / Component | Format | Questions | Marks | Duration | Negative Marking & Nature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
General Studies & Mental Ability Current Affairs - Regional, National & International, International Relations and Events, General Science; India's Achievements in Science and Technology, Environmental Issues; Disaster Management- Prevention and Mitigation Strategies, Economic and Social Development of India, World Geography, Indian Geography and Geography of Telangana state, History and Cultural Heritage of India, Indian Constitution and Polity, Governance and Public Policy in India, Policies of Telangana State, Society, Culture, Heritage, Arts and Literature of Telangana, Social Exclusion, Rights issues and Inclusive Policies, Logical Reasoning, Analytical Ability and Data Interpretation | Objective (MCQ) | 150 | 150 | 2.5 Hours | Decides Mains qualification list (50x vacancies per rule) |
6 descriptive merit papers of 150 marks each (900 marks total) + 1 qualifying General English paper (150 marks). Conducted over 7 consecutive days in Hyderabad. Interview has been completely abolished by the state government; the 900-mark written score is 100% decisive for final cadre allotment.
| Paper / Component | Format | Marks | Duration | Negative Marking & Nature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
General English (Qualifying) Comprehension, Precis writing, Vocabulary, Grammar, Letter Writing, Expansion of Theme | Descriptive (Written) | 150 | 3 Hours | Qualifying (Class X standard, min 35% required, not counted in merit) |
Paper I: General Essay Section 1: Contemporary Social Issues and Social Problems, Section 2: Issues of Economic Growth and Justice, Section 3: Historical and Cultural Heritage / Developments in Science & Technology | Descriptive (Written) | 150 | 3 Hours | Merit (Three sections, 50 Marks each) |
Paper II: History, Culture and Geography Section 1: History and Culture of India with special reference to the Modern Period (50 Marks), Section 2: History and Cultural Heritage of Telangana (50 Marks - Satavahanas, Kakatiyas, Qutb Shahis, Asaf Jahis), Section 3: Geography of India and Telangana (50 Marks) | Descriptive (Written) | 150 | 3 Hours | Merit |
Paper III: Indian Society, Constitution and Governance Section 1: Indian Society, Structure, Issues and Social Movements (50 Marks), Section 2: Constitution of India (50 Marks), Section 3: Governance (Good Governance, e-Governance, RTI - 50 Marks) | Descriptive (Written) | 150 | 3 Hours | Merit |
Paper IV: Economy and Development Section 1: Indian Economy and Development (50 Marks), Section 2: Telangana Economy (Agriculture, Industry, IT, Hyderabad financial engine - 50 Marks), Section 3: Development and Environmental Problems (50 Marks) | Descriptive (Written) | 150 | 3 Hours | Merit |
Paper V: Science & Technology and Data Interpretation Section 1: The role and impact of Science and Technology (50 Marks), Section 2: Modern Trends in application of knowledge of Science (50 Marks), Section 3: Data Interpretation and Problem Solving (50 Marks mathematical & statistical calculation) | Descriptive (Written) | 150 | 3 Hours | Merit |
Paper VI: Telangana Movement and State Formation Section 1: The idea of Telangana (1948-1970 - Hyderabad state integration, Mulki rules, 1969 agitation), Section 2: Mobilisational Phase (1971-1990 - Rise of civil rights, peasant agitations, Telangana identity), Section 3: Towards Formation of Telangana State (1991-2014 - TRS formation, Prof. Jayashankar, cultural mobilization, bifurcation act) | Descriptive (Written) | 150 | 3 Hours | Merit (Exclusive Decisive Paper) |
Detailed curriculum modules categorized by standard foundations vs. high-yield scoring chapters
Phase-by-phase roadmap, daily study schedule, topper golden rules, and fatal pitfalls to avoid
TGPSC Group 1 is historic because the interview has been 100% abolished. Your final selection and rank as a Deputy Collector depend exclusively on your 900 marks written performance across Mains Papers 1 to 6! Paper VI (Telangana Movement and State Formation) carries 150 dedicated marks and is the single biggest score differentiator. Master the chronological phases of the movement (Neellu, Nidhulu, Niyamakalu), data interpretation in Paper V, and state economic policy.
V. Prakash / Telugu Akademi Telangana Movement, Telugu Akademi History
General Essay, History/Geo, Polity/Governance, Economy, Science/DI, Movement
Full 150-question syllabus, Mental Ability, Telangana Current Affairs
Full 6-paper simulation (since Interview is scrapped, Mains is final!)
Topper-validated standard reference books and chapter-wise question banks
Author: Prof. V. Prakash / Telugu Akademi | Pub: Telugu Akademi Hyderabad
The official academic bible for the entire 150-mark Paper VI covering 1948 to 2014 state formation.
Author: Dr. P. Chenna Reddy / Telugu Akademi | Pub: Telugu Akademi
Exhaustive coverage of Satavahanas, Ikshvakus, Vishnukundins, Kakatiyas, and Qutb Shahi rulers.
Author: Planning Department, Govt of Telangana | Pub: Government of Telangana
Directly referenced by TGPSC paper setters for GSDP growth, IT exports, agriculture, and welfare missions.
Author: RC Reddy / Winner's Publications | Pub: Winner's Publications Hyderabad
Authentic past papers of TGPSC Group 1 with detailed trilingual explanations.
Official past category-wise cutoffs to benchmark your target mock scores
| Cycle / Tier / Service | General (UR) | OBC | EWS | SC | ST | Scope & Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Prelims (Out of 150 Marks) | 92.50 Marks | 88.00 Marks (BC-A/B/D) | 89.50 Marks | 81.00 Marks | 82.50 Marks | Cutoff out of 150 marks with 1/3rd negative marking; top 50x qualified per vacancy. |
| 2022 Prelims (Out of 150 Marks) | 89.00 Marks | 84.50 Marks | 85.00 Marks | 78.00 Marks | 79.50 Marks | Screening cutoff for Mains examination entry. |
| Final Merit (Out of 900 Marks) | 515.00 Marks (Deputy Collector) | 485.00 Marks | 492.00 Marks | 450.00 Marks | 460.00 Marks | Final aggregate out of 900 (Mains only; Interview scrapped!). |
From initial application to final cadre allocation and joining the training academy
Apply online at tgpsc.gov.in using One Time Registration (OTR).
Appear for single 150-question paper (150 marks, 2.5 hours) with 1/3rd negative marking (top 50x qualify for Mains).
Write 6 descriptive merit papers (900 marks total) + 1 qualifying English paper over 7 days in Hyderabad.
Final selection is made 100% based on Mains written merit (900 marks). There is NO interview stage.
Allocation to Deputy Collector, DSP, or Commercial Tax Officer followed by training at Dr. MCR HRD Institute Hyderabad.
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