TNPSC postpones Feb. 8 Group II, IIA main examination after allotting wrong centres in Chennai; opposition parties flay

The Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) called off the Combined Civil Services Examination-II (Group II and IIA Services) main examination scheduled on Sunday (February 8, 2026) following chaos and confusion caused by wrong allocation of centres to candidates in Chennai. TNPSC consequently postponed the examination without prescribing a date.

On Sunday, candidates protested in Chennai after many of them were not permitted to appear for the examination at the designated centre allocated for them. According to the TNPSC, the candidates will receive information about the hall tickets for the examination by SMS and email 15 days ahead of the rescheduled examination date.

The examination was meant to select aspirants for posts such as Assistant Inspector in Tamil Nadu Labour Subordinate Service in the Department of Labour, Junior Employment Officer in the Tamil Nadu General Subordinate Service in the Department of Employment and Training, Probation Officer in Tamil Nadu Social Defence Subordinate Service in the Department of Children Welfare and Special Services, Sub Registrar, Grade-II in the Tamil Nadu Registration Subordinate Service in the Department of Registration, Special Branch Assistant in the Tamil Nadu Ministerial Service in Greater Chennai Police, Forester in Tamil Nadu Forest Subordinate Service in the Department of Forests.

First time a major exam postponed on scheduled day: AIADMK

Opposition parties hit out at the M.K. Stalin Government for cancelling Sunday’s exam following a goof-up in centre allotment at Chennai.

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami termed the DMK government an “incompetent administration” that lacks the ability to conduct even an important examination.”

In a statement, Mr. Palaniswami said the postponement had exposed the true state of the administration in Tamil Nadu and noted this was the first time a major examination had been postponed on the very day it was scheduled, owing to issues related to hall tickets and confusion at examination centres.

“What is even more shocking is that reports are emerging from several places that candidates were unaware of the postponement and actually wrote the examination. The DMK administration is trying to shirk its responsibility by hiding behind the vague excuse of a ‘technical fault’. Do not forget how important the Group 2 examination is, and that behind that so-called ‘fault’ lie the shattered hopes and years of hard work of countless young aspirants,” he said.

Recalling the DMK’s 2021 election manifesto promise to provide 5.5 lakh jobs, which he said has “already vanished into thin air,” Mr. Palaniswami told candidates to continue their efforts with hope and confidence. “In 2026, the AIADMK government will fulfil the dreams of the youth,” he added.

Govt. failed to make basic arrangements: PMK

PMK leader Anbumani said the government had failed to make even the “basic arrangements” required to conduct the TNPSC Group 2 main examinations. He pointed out 9,223 candidates were scheduled to appear for the examination in the morning session and 9,244 candidates in the evening session.

In a statement, he said allocating examination centres and assigning candidates was a task that even a junior assistant-level employee at the TNPSC could carry out accurately. “Yet, despite supervision by the TNPSC Chairman, Secretary, and Controller of Examinations—three IAS officers—and six commission members, such large-scale confusion has occurred. This clearly shows the extent to which the TNPSC administration has deteriorated,” he said.

“The DMK government is functioning in a state where it is unable to conduct even the most basic competitive examination without chaos,” he added.