TNPSC CTS Answer Key 2026 Out – 508 Non-Interview Posts, Download PDF and Raise Objection

📋 Table of Contents

What Is the TNPSC CTS Answer Key 2026 for Non-Interview Posts?

The TNPSC CTS Answer Key 2026 is the official document released by the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission listing the correct answers to all questions asked in the Combined Technical Services Examination (Non-Interview Posts) held under Notification No. 04/2026. This answer key is available subject-wise in PDF format on the official TNPSC website, tnpsc.gov.in.

Karnataka Forest RFO Final Answer Key 2026 – Free PDF Download

The Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission is a constitutional body responsible for recruiting candidates to various Group A, B, and C level posts across Tamil Nadu government departments and public sector organisations. The CTS Non-Interview examination is conducted to fill technical posts where merit in the written examination alone determines selection — no personal interview is held.

Candidates who appeared in the examination held between 16 August and 19 September 2026 can use the provisional answer key to estimate their marks, verify answers, and raise objections if they believe any answer listed is incorrect. The Commission reviews all valid objections backed by documentary evidence and publishes a final answer key before declaring the result.

HPRCA JOA Answer Key 2026 Out – Download Junior Office Assistant IT Response Sheet

Who Should Read This Complete TNPSC CTS Answer Key Guide?

This guide is specifically designed for the following candidates:

• 🎓 Engineering graduates who appeared for posts like Assistant Engineer (Agricultural Engineering, Rural Development, Highways) in the CTS 2026 exam
• 🔬 Science graduates who sat for posts such as Drug Inspector, Horticultural Officer, or Assistant Geologist
• 📚 Library science professionals who appeared for the Assistant Librarian post
• 🗺️ Candidates in geology and geography targeting the Archaeological Officer or Junior Architect posts
• 📋 First-time TNPSC applicants who need guidance on how the answer key and objection process works
• ⏰ Candidates who want to challenge an incorrect answer and need a step-by-step objection-filing guide
• 📊 Aspirants estimating their score before the official result is declared to plan their next career step
• 🔄 Candidates preparing for future TNPSC CTS rounds who want to understand the exam cycle and timeline

TNPSC CTS Answer Key 2026 — Complete Important Dates Timeline

Tracking the exact dates is critical for CTS 2026 candidates. Missing the objection window even by a single minute means losing your right to challenge an incorrect answer. Below is the complete date timeline for the TNPSC CTS Non-Interview Posts 2026 cycle.

TNPSC CTS 2026 Salary and Pay Scale — Post-wise Breakdown

One of the biggest attractions of the TNPSC CTS Non-Interview Posts 2026 is the competitive salary structure under the Tamil Nadu State Pay Matrix. Salaries range from Rs. 15,700 to Rs. 1,77,500 per month across Pay Levels 8 to 20, depending on the post and department. Tamil Nadu follows its own State Pay Revision rules, independent of the Central 7th Pay Commission, offering candidates one of the best compensation structures among South Indian state PSC exams.

In addition to the basic pay, selected candidates also receive Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Medical Allowance, and other admissible allowances as per Tamil Nadu Government rules. The effective in-hand salary including all allowances at entry level for Pay Level 20 posts is approximately Rs. 70,000–Rs. 85,000 per month.

Eligibility Criteria and Vacancy Details for TNPSC CTS 2026

The TNPSC CTS Non-Interview Posts 2026 recruitment is open to candidates who meet the following eligibility conditions as specified in the official notification (Advertisement No. 734, Notification No. 04/2026) released on 20 May 2026.

• Nationality: Indian citizen, or a subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee settled in India before 1 January 1962
• Minimum Age: 21 years as on 1 July 2026 (for most posts)
• Maximum Age: 32 years (General Category); No upper age limit for SC/SCA/ST/MBC/DC/BC (OBCM)/BCM candidates who are Tamil Nadu domicile residents
• Educational Qualification: Varies post-wise — engineering posts require B.E./B.Tech in the relevant discipline; science posts require B.Sc. in the relevant subject; specialist posts require post-graduate qualifications in relevant fields
• Language Requirement: Candidates must have studied Tamil as a subject in Class 10 (SSLC) or equivalent, or possess the Tamil Eligibility Test (TNPSC TET) pass certificate
• Selection Process: Written examination only — no personal interview at any stage

How to Download the TNPSC CTS Answer Key 2026 PDF — Step-by-Step Process

Downloading the TNPSC CTS Answer Key 2026 is straightforward. Follow these exact steps to access the correct subject-wise PDF for your post from the official TNPSC portal.

1. Visit the official TNPSC website — Open your browser and go to tnpsc.gov.in. This is the only authentic source; do not use third-party websites that may show incorrect or outdated answer keys.
2. Navigate to the Answer Keys section — On the homepage, look for the “Answer Keys” link in the main navigation menu or in the latest notifications/announcements section.
3. Select the correct examination — Click on “Combined Technical Services Examination (Non-Interview Posts)” under Notification No. 04/2026. Do not accidentally click on the Interview Posts answer key, which is from a different notification.
4. Choose your subject — The answer keys are published subject-wise with corresponding subject codes (e.g., Agriculture – Code 492, General Studies – Code 503). Select the PDF for the paper you appeared in.
5. Download and save the PDF — Click the download link, save the PDF to your device, and take a printout for offline reference.
6. Match your responses — Cross-check the answers with your marked responses using your admit card or personal notes. Mark every correct and incorrect response clearly before deciding whether to raise an objection.

How to Raise an Objection Against the TNPSC CTS Answer Key 2026

If you believe any answer in the TNPSC CTS Answer Key 2026 is incorrect, TNPSC provides an online Answer Key Challenge facility. Every valid objection submitted with supporting evidence is reviewed by a panel of subject experts before the final answer key is published. Here is the complete step-by-step process to raise your objection successfully.

1. Log in to the TNPSC candidate portal — Go to tnpscexams.in and sign in using your TNPSC One-Time Registration (OTR) credentials (registration number and password).
2. Access the Answer Key Challenge facility — After logging in, navigate to the “Answer Key Objection” or “Answer Key Challenge” section. Select Notification No. 04/2026 (Non-Interview Posts).
3. Select the subject and question number — Choose the exact paper/subject and the specific question number you wish to challenge. Review the tentative answer shown against that question.
4. State your objection clearly — Select the answer you believe to be correct and provide a clear written justification in the provided text field. Be factual and reference a credible source.
5. Upload supporting documentary evidence — This is mandatory. Accepted documents include scanned pages from standard textbooks, government publications, NCERT books, or peer-reviewed journal articles. Attach a clear, legible scan in PDF or image format.
6. Pay the objection fee (if applicable) — Check whether TNPSC charges a fee per objection at the time of submission. Fees are typically refunded if the objection is upheld.
7. Submit before the deadline — Click “Submit” and save the objection confirmation receipt. The window closes on 14 October 2026 at 5:45 PM — late submissions are not accepted.

How to Calculate Your Score Using the TNPSC CTS Answer Key 2026

Once you have downloaded the correct answer key PDF, calculating your estimated score is a straightforward process. The TNPSC CTS 2026 exam follows a standard marking scheme that candidates should apply carefully.

1. Download your specific subject answer key — Make sure you have the answer key for your exact subject code.
2. Refer to your OMR response sheet — If you noted your answers during the exam, use your own record. Your response sheet download is also available on the TNPSC portal.
3. Count correct answers — Go question by question and count every answer that matches the key.
4. Note the marks per correct answer — Check the official notification for the marks awarded per correct response (typically 1 mark or 1.5 marks per question for objective papers).
5. Apply negative marking rules — Check whether the paper carries negative marking. For most TNPSC objective papers, 1/3 mark is deducted per wrong answer. Unanswered questions carry no marks and no penalty.
6. Calculate your total — (Correct answers × marks per question) – (Wrong answers × deduction per question) = Estimated Score.

Provisional vs Final Answer Key — What Is the Difference?

Many candidates confuse the provisional (tentative) answer key with the final answer key. Understanding the difference helps you act correctly and avoid relying on scores that may change.

Advantages and Disadvantages of the TNPSC CTS Objection Process

The TNPSC answer key objection facility is a transparent mechanism that benefits genuine candidates. However, it also has limitations that aspirants should be aware of.

Advantages (Pros) of Raising an Objection

• ✅ Corrects genuine errors: TNPSC has a history of accepting valid objections and modifying the final answer key accordingly
• ✅ Improves score fairness: A single corrected answer can shift multiple candidates’ ranks and improve overall merit list accuracy
• ✅ Expert-reviewed process: All objections are verified by a panel of subject matter experts, not just junior staff
• ✅ Online and accessible: The entire process is conducted digitally, saving candidates time and travel costs

Disadvantages (Cons) of the Objection Process

• ❌ Hard deadline: The 14 October 2026 at 5:45 PM cutoff is strictly enforced — even technical glitches on the candidate’s end are not accepted as valid excuses
• ❌ Documentary evidence mandatory: Objections without supporting documents are automatically rejected, making casual or unverified objections pointless
• ❌ No individual response: TNPSC does not communicate the outcome of each objection individually; changes are reflected only in the published final key

Important Terms Related to TNPSC CTS Answer Key 2026

Understanding these key terms helps you navigate the TNPSC CTS 2026 process confidently and avoid common mistakes during the answer key and result phase.

• TNPSC (Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission): The constitutional recruitment body that conducts state-level competitive examinations for Group A, B, and C posts in Tamil Nadu government departments
• CTS (Combined Technical Services): A consolidated recruitment examination that fills multiple technical posts across various state departments in a single cycle
• Non-Interview Posts: Positions where final selection is based entirely on written exam marks without any personal interview stage — merit in the exam is the sole criterion
• Provisional Answer Key: The tentative answer key released immediately after the exam, open to candidate objections before it is finalised
• Final Answer Key: The permanent, unalterable answer key published after all objections are reviewed; this is the key used to calculate the official result
• OTR (One-Time Registration): TNPSC’s centralised candidate registration system through which all applications and portal services are accessed at tnpscexams.in
• Subject Code: The unique numerical code assigned to each exam paper (e.g., General Studies – 503, Agriculture – 492); candidates must match their exact code when downloading the answer key
• Response Sheet: The digitised record of the answers you marked in the OMR sheet, available for download from the candidate portal after the exam
• Cut-off Marks: The minimum score a candidate needs to be included in the merit list for a given post; cut-offs are announced only after result declaration
• Merit List: The rank-wise list of candidates compiled based on final answer key scores, used to shortlist candidates for certificate verification and appointment

Important Links — TNPSC CTS Answer Key 2026

Conclusion — TNPSC CTS Answer Key 2026 Non-Interview Posts

The TNPSC CTS Answer Key 2026 for the 508 Non-Interview Posts under Notification No. 04/2026 is now released and available on tnpsc.gov.in. Candidates who sat for the exam between 16 August and 19 September 2026 must download their subject-wise PDF, carefully verify each answer against their own responses, and file objections with documentary support before 14 October 2026 at 5:45 PM. After the objection review period closes, TNPSC will publish the final answer key, which will be used to prepare the official merit list for 43 posts with salaries up to Rs. 1,77,500 per month.

Bookmark this page for the latest updates on the TNPSC CTS 2026 result date and merit list announcement. We update this guide every time official data changes on the TNPSC portal.

Frequently Asked Questions About TNPSC CTS Answer Key 2026

Is the TNPSC CTS Answer Key 2026 for Non-Interview Posts officially released?

Yes. The Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission has officially released the tentative subject-wise answer keys for the Combined Technical Services Examination (Non-Interview Posts) under Notification No. 04/2026. Candidates can download the PDFs from the Answer Keys section at tnpsc.gov.in.

What is the last date to raise objections against the TNPSC CTS Answer Key 2026?

The last date and time to raise objections against the TNPSC CTS Answer Key 2026 is 14 October 2026 at 5:45 PM. Objections submitted after this deadline will not be considered by TNPSC under any circumstances.

How many vacancies are there in TNPSC CTS Non-Interview Posts 2026?

There are 508 revised vacancies across 43 non-interview posts. The vacancy count was originally 461 and was increased to 476 via addendum and subsequently revised to 508 through Addendum 4B/2026 dated 11 June 2026.

When was the TNPSC CTS 2026 Non-Interview examination held?

The TNPSC CTS 2026 Non-Interview examination was held from 16 August 2026 to 19 September 2026. Objective type (OMR-based) papers were conducted from 16–20 August 2026, and descriptive type exams were held from 7–12 September 2026 and 19 September 2026.

Where can I download the TNPSC CTS Answer Key 2026 PDF?

The official TNPSC CTS Answer Key 2026 PDF can be downloaded from tnpsc.gov.in. Go to the Answer Keys section, select the Combined Technical Services Examination (Non-Interview Posts) under Notification No. 04/2026, choose your subject code, and download the PDF. Do not rely on unofficial websites for answer key PDFs.

Is there a negative marking in TNPSC CTS 2026 objective papers?

Yes. The TNPSC CTS objective papers carry negative marking. For most papers, 1/3 mark is deducted for every incorrect answer. Questions left unanswered carry no marks and attract no penalty. Candidates should refer to the specific paper instructions in the official notification for exact marking rules per subject.

Can I download my TNPSC CTS 2026 response sheet to compare with the answer key?

Yes. TNPSC typically makes candidate response sheets available on the official portal after the exam. Log in to tnpscexams.in with your OTR credentials, navigate to your application dashboard, and look for the response sheet download link for Notification No. 04/2026.

What documents do I need to raise an objection against the TNPSC CTS 2026 answer key?

To raise a valid objection, you must upload documentary evidence supporting your claim. Accepted documents include scanned pages from standard university-level textbooks, NCERT books, official government publications, peer-reviewed research papers, or any nationally recognised academic reference. The evidence must clearly support your proposed correct answer. Objections without evidence are automatically rejected.

Is there a personal interview for TNPSC CTS Non-Interview Posts 2026?

No. The TNPSC CTS Non-Interview Posts 2026 recruitment does not include any personal interview at any stage. Final selection is based entirely on the written examination marks. After result declaration, shortlisted candidates go through certificate verification and counselling before appointment.

What is the salary for TNPSC CTS Non-Interview Posts 2026?

Salary for TNPSC CTS 2026 posts ranges from approximately Rs. 15,700 to Rs. 1,77,500 per month depending on the post and pay level (Pay Levels 8 to 20 under the Tamil Nadu Pay Matrix). Posts like Assistant Engineer, Drug Inspector, Horticultural Officer, and Assistant Geologist carry Pay Level 20 with entry basic pay of Rs. 56,100 per month, plus DA, HRA, and other allowances.

When will the TNPSC CTS 2026 final result be declared?

The TNPSC CTS 2026 final result will be declared after the Commission reviews all objections raised against the provisional answer key and publishes the final answer key. Based on previous TNPSC CTS exam cycles, the result is typically declared 2 to 4 months after the objection review period closes. Candidates should check tnpsc.gov.in regularly for the official announcement.

Last Updated: October 2026 | Source: Official TNPSC Notification No. 04/2026 (Advertisement No. 734) and tnpsc.gov.in | This guide is reviewed and updated regularly. Bookmark this page for the latest TNPSC CTS 2026 updates.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Candidates are advised to verify all dates, eligibility criteria, and vacancy details from the official TNPSC website (tnpsc.gov.in) and the official notification PDF before taking any action. Agrijob.in is not responsible for any discrepancies arising from changes made by TNPSC after this article was published.

MPPSC Specialist Ayurved Final Answer Key 2026 Released – Download PDF Now

MPPSC Assistant Town Planner Final Answer Key 2026 – Download PDF, Sets A B C D