The Tripura Public Service Commission (TPSC) conducts the Combined Competitive Examination for recruitment to various administrative positions in Tripura. The recruitment process consists of three stages.
- Preliminary Examination
- Mains Examination
- Interview / Personality Test
Stage I: Preliminary Examination
The Preliminary exam is a screening test used to shortlist candidates for the Mains. It consists of a single objective-type paper.
TPSC Prelims Exam Pattern
| Feature | Details |
| Type of Questions | Objective Type (Multiple Choice) |
| Total Marks | 200 Marks |
| Duration | 2.5 Hours |
| Negative Marking | 1/4th marks deducted for every wrong answer |
TPSC Prelims Syllabus
- English Composition: (30 Marks) Synonyms, Antonyms, Use of common phrases, Idioms, Prepositions, Articles, etc.
- History of Modern India and Indian National Movement: (20 Marks) Emphasis on the period from 1857 to 1947.
- Geography of India: (20 Marks) Physical, Social, and Economic Geography of India.
- Geography, History, and Culture of Tripura: (15 Marks) Natural resources, historical heritage, and cultural aspects of the state.
- Indian Polity and Economy: (25 Marks) Constitution of India, Panchayati Raj, Social System, and Economic Development.
- General Science and Environment: (25 Marks) General appreciation and understanding of science, including matters of everyday observation.
- General Mental Ability: (20 Marks) Logical reasoning and analytical ability.
- Numerical Ability: (20 Marks) Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, and Statistics (Class X level).
- Current Affairs: (25 Marks) Events of national and international importance.
Stage II: Mains Examination
The Mains examination consists of four compulsory papers and two optional papers. All papers are of a descriptive nature.
TPSC Mains Exam Pattern
| Paper | Subject | Total Marks | Duration |
| Compulsory Paper I | English | 100 Marks | 3 Hours |
| Compulsory Paper II | Bengali or Kokborok | 100 Marks | 3 Hours |
| Compulsory Paper III | General Studies | 100 Marks | 3 Hours |
| Compulsory Paper IV | Constitution of India and Five Year Plans | 100 Marks | 3 Hours |
| Optional Paper I | First Optional Subject | 200 Marks | 3 Hours |
| Optional Paper II | Second Optional Subject | 200 Marks | 3 Hours |
| Total Marks | 800 Marks |
TPSC Mains Syllabus (Compulsory Papers)
- Paper I (English): Essay writing, Précis writing, Composition and Drafting, Reporting.
- Paper II (Bengali or Kokborok): Essay writing, Précis writing, Translation from English to Bengali/Kokborok, Grammar.
- Paper III (General Studies): Modern History of India, Indian Culture, Geography of India (Special reference to Tripura), Current Affairs of National and International importance.
- Paper IV (Constitution & Five Year Plans): Detailed study of the Constitution of India, Role of the Planning Commission, Five Year Plans, and Economic Development in India.
Optional Subjects:
Candidates must choose two optional subjects from a provided list, which includes subjects such as Agriculture, Botany, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Economics, Education, Electrical Engineering, Geography, Geology, History, Law, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Statistics, and Zoology.
Stage III: Interview / Personality Test
This is the final stage of the selection process for candidates who qualify in the Mains examination.
- Total Marks: 100 Marks.
- Objective: To assess the candidate’s personal qualities, including intellectual ability, social traits, and interest in current affairs.
- Final Merit List: The final ranking is determined by the total marks obtained in the Mains Examination (800) and the Interview (100), totaling 900 marks.