Job Alert!: 20 Assistant Archaeological Officer and Archaeological Officer vacancy, TNPSC, 2026

Applications are invited for Assistant Archaeological Officer and Archaeological Officer vacancy, Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission, 2026, exclusively through online mode for direct recruitment under the Combined Technical Services Examination (Non-Interview Posts)

For Paper 1 and 2 Syllabus check official Notification Pdf from page no. 53 or Annexure III, attached below

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Vacancy & Pay Scale Details

S.No	Name of the Post	Post Code	Name of the Department	Number of Vacancies	Level of Pay
1	Archaeological Officer	1843	Archaeology	10	Level 18
2	Assistant Archaeological Officer	1842	Archaeology	10	Level 11

Note: The number of vacancies listed above is tentative and subject to modification before the physical certificate verification/counselling phase. 

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Important Dates & Deadlines

Prospective applicants must strictly adhere to the following schedule: 

1. Commencement of Online Applications: 27.05.2026 

2. Last Date and Time for Submission: 25.06.2026 (Until 11:59 PM) 

3. Application Correction Window: 29.06.2026 (12:01 AM) to 01.07.2026 (11:59 PM) 

4. Date and Time of Written Examination:

5. Paper I: Will be announced later. 

6. Paper II (Subject Paper): Will be announced later. 

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Eligibility Criteria (As of 01.07.2026)

A. Age Limit

Candidates must have completed 21 years of age. The maximum age limits depend on the communal categories: 

Category	Maximum Age Limit (Should not have completed)
SCs, SC(A)s, STs, MBCs/DCs, BC(OBCM)s, and BCMs	No Maximum Age Limit (Must not have completed 60 years)
"Others" (Candidates not belonging to the categories listed above)	32 Years
Age Concession for "Others"	Persons with Benchmark Disability: 42
	Ex-Servicemen: 50
	Destitute Widow: No Maximum Age Limit

Please: Check official notification to understand age Age Concession much better

Suitable Category of Benchmark Disabilities

S. No.	Name of the Post	Department / Organization	Suitable Category of Benchmark Disabilities PDF
1	Archaeological Officer	Archaeology	HH, LC, DF, AC, SLD, MD of the above
2	Assistant Archaeological Officer	Archaeology	All categories of benchmark disabilities are eligible to apply.
Abbreviations: LV – Low Vision BLOA – Both Leg One Arm HH – Hard of Hearing (with assistive device) HI – Hearing Impaired LD – Locomotor Disability OA – One Arm OL – One Leg OAOL – One Arm One Leg MI – Mentally ill ASD – Autism Spectrum Disorder BL – Both Leg CP – Cerebral Palsy LC – Leprosy Cured AC – Acid Attack Victims DF – Dwarfism MuD – Muscular Dystrophy SLD – Specific Learning Disability MD – Multiple Disabilities

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B. Educational & Technical Qualifications

Archaeological Officer (Post Code: 1843):

1: Must possess Post Graduate degree in Ancient History and Archaeology / Archaeology / History and Archaeology / Epigraphy and Archaeology / History, Archaeology and Manuscriptology awarded by a University recognized by the University Grants Commission;

(OR)

2: (a) Must possess any Post Graduate degree awarded by a University recognized by the University Grants Commission; and (2)(a) Must possess one year Post Graduate diploma in Epigraphy and Archaeology awarded by the Tamil Nadu Institute of Epigraphy, Department of Archaeology;

(OR)

(b) Two years Post Graduate diploma in Archaeology / Epigraphy/ Heritage Management and Museology awarded by the Tamil Nadu Institute of Archaeology and Museology, Department of Archaeology;

(OR)

(c) Post Graduate diploma in Archaeology awarded by the Archaeological Survey of India; and

3: Must have passed Tamil as one of the subject in degree level. "Provided that the candidates who have obtained a degree in B.E., (Civil Engineering), a post graduate degree in M.E / M.Tech., must have passed Tamil as one of the subjects in S.S.L.C., Level."

Assistant Archaeological Officer (Post Code: 1842):

1: Must possess any Post Graduate degree awarded by a university recognized by the University Grants Commission including Post Graduate degree awarded by the Tamil University, Thanjavur, and

2: (a) Must possess one year Post Graduate diploma in Epigraphy and Archaeology awarded by the Tamil Nadu Institute of Epigraphy, Department of Archaeology

(OR)

(b) Two years Post Graduate diploma in Archaeology / Epigraphy / Heritage Management and Museology awarded by the Tamil Nadu Institute of Archaeology and Museology, Department of Archaeology

3: Must have passed Tamil as one of the subjects in degree level “Provided that the candidates who have obtained a degree in B.E., (Civil Engineering), a post graduate degree in M.E or M.Tech., must have passed Tamil as one of the subjects in S.S.L.C., Level."

Language Must, Tamil language proficiency

4.4.1. Candidates should possess adequate knowledge in Tamil on the date of this Notification. The candidate shall be deemed to possess an adequate knowledge of Tamil if, he/she has passed the SSLC examination or its equivalent examination / HSC / Degree, etc., with Tamil as one of the languages or studied the High School Course in Tamil medium; or passed the SSLC examination or its equivalent examination in Tamil medium; or passed the Second Class Language Test (Full Test) in Tamil conducted by the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission.

4.4.2. Candidates must upload either SSLC / HSC / Degree / PG Degree mark sheets or proof of having passed the Second Class Language Test (Full Test) in Tamil conducted by the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission, at the time of submission of online application.

Must read section for you:

4.4.3. Failure to produce documents in support of the possession of adequate knowledge of Tamil, shall result in the candidate being required to pass the Second Class Language Test (Full Test) in Tamil conducted by the Commission, within a period of two years from the date of his / her appointment, failing which he / she shall be discharged from service. This instruction is not applicable to the post of Agricultural Officer (Extension) (Post Code-1678), Assistant Tourist Officer, Grade II (Post Code-3111), Assistant Archaeological Officer (Post Code.1842), Translator (Post Code.3106) and Archaeological Officer (Post Code.1843).

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Schemes & Plan of Examination

The selection process consists of a single-stage Written Examination containing two structural papers. 

Examination Structure (You have 2 papers for both posts Paper 1 and 2)

Paper	Subject / Parts	No. of Questions	Duration	Maximum Marks	Minimum Qualifying Marks
Paper I	Part A: Tamil Eligibility Test (SSLC Std)	100	3 Hours	150	60 Marks (40% minimum required exclusively in Part A)
	Part B: General Studies (Degree Std)	75		135
	Part C: Aptitude & Mental Ability (SSLC Std)	25		45
Paper II	Archaeological Officer: Sub: Archaeology (Code 420)	200	3 Hours	300	Combined total evaluated later
	Assistant Archaeological Officer: Sub: Archaeology, Epigraphy, etc. (Code 421)
Total	Part B + Part C of Paper I + Paper II	300	6 Hours	450 Marks	135 Marks
Paper II – Subject Pape will be in Tamil and English

⚠️ Crucial Rule: Paper II and Parts B & C of Paper 1, will only be evaluated if the candidate scores a minimum of 40% (60 Marks) in Part A of Paper 1. Appearance in both Paper I and Paper II is mandatory. 

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Reservation Breakdown (Seat Matrix)

Category	Reserved Seat - AO	Reserved Seat - AAO
GT(G)	2	1
GT(G) (HH)	1	1 GT(G) (PSTM)
GT(W)	1	1
BC(OBCM) (G)	2	2
BC(OBCM)(W)	0	1
MBC/DC(G)	1	1
MBC/DC(W)	1	1
SC(G) (PSTM)	1	1 SC(G)
SC(W)	1	1
Total	10	10
Total Seat: 20

Important Information

1. Registration & Fee Structure: Applicants must complete a One-Time Registration (OTR) by paying Rs. 150 (valid for 5 years). The specific examination fee is Rs. 100 per subject paper opted. Full fee exemptions apply to SC/ST categories and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities. 
   

2. Aadhaar Linking: Linking an Aadhaar card to the OTR portal is mandatory for submitting applications. 
   

3. Photograph Requirements: The digital passport photograph must show the candidate’s full frontal view, along with their Name and the Date of Photography explicitly printed at the bottom margins.  

4. Banned Items: Mobile phones, smart watches, Bluetooth devices, rough sheets, and bags are strictly forbidden inside the testing halls. 

How to Apply

Eligible candidates must apply purely via online systems through the official commission channels: 🌐 Websites: TNPSC or TNPSC Exams

📧 Technical Support Emails: helpdesk@tnpscexams.in | grievance.tnpsc@tn.gov.in 

Apply Now

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Summary of Official Notification

Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission notification announces a direct recruitment process for 461 non-interview technical positions across various government departments. The official advertisement outlines essential application timelines, including a submission window opening on May 27, 2026, and a subsequent correction period for candidates to modify their details. Extensive tables detail the educational requirements and age limits for forty-five distinct roles, ranging from Assistant Archaeological Officer to Archaeological Officer. Applicants are instructed to complete a One Time Registration and are strictly warned against bringing electronic devices into the testing centers. The recruitment focuses on merit-based selection through a two-paper examination system covering Tamil proficiency, general aptitude, and specific technical subjects. Consistent with official regulations, the commission provides age concessions for specific categories such as Scheduled Castes, Destitute Widows, and Ex-Servicemen.

Official Notification, Click here to read it. (English)

Official Notification, Click here to read it (Tamil)

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