In which language is the Tamil Nadu APO exam held?

Preliminary question paper in Tamil and English; main law papers may be answered in English or Tamil (not mixed).

Where is the Tamil Nadu APO notification published?

Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission publishes the notification, dates and results on its official website, tnpsc.gov.in. Check it for the current cycle.

Which bare acts are in the Tamil Nadu APO syllabus?

58 acts are tagged for Tamil Nadu APO here, including the Arms Act, 1959, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003, Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and more. Each can be read section by section.

Tamil Nadu · Assistant Public Prosecutor, Grade II (Prosecution Department, post code 1797)

Tamil Nadu APO 2026: Syllabus, Previous Year Papers & Bare Acts

Tamil Nadu Assistant Public Prosecutor Grade II Examination

3
Stages: 58
Acts in syllabus: 61
Posts (2025)

The Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission recruits Assistant Public Prosecutors Grade II in three stages: an objective preliminary examination used only for screening, a descriptive main examination, and an interview. The preliminary combines general studies, aptitude and law; the main tests Tamil eligibility and four law papers.

Conducted by: Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission
Official website: tnpsc.gov.in
Language: Preliminary question paper in Tamil and English; main law papers may be answered in English or Tamil (not mixed).
Final selection: Final ranking on marks in Main Papers II to V plus the interview (460 marks); the preliminary and Paper I (Tamil) do not count for ranking. Ties: older candidate, then higher main marks, then earlier application number.
Last advertisement: 2025: 61 posts · Pay Level 22 (CPS); preliminary fee Rs. 100, main fee Rs. 200 unless exempted (per Advertisement 2025.pdf (Advertisement No. 727, Notification No. 18/2025); the next cycle may differ)

Official website and notifications

Exam pattern and stages

Preliminary examination (single paper): Objective OMR screening test of 200 questions and 300 marks in 3 hours; marks do not count for final merit; candidates admitted to the main number 10 times the vacancies.

Paper	Questions	Marks	Duration
Part A: General Studies (degree standard) Question paper in Tamil and English	75
Part B: Aptitude and Mental Ability (SSLC standard)	25
Part C: Law (degree standard) Whole paper: 200 questions, 300 marks, 3 hours; minimum qualifying marks 120 (others) and 90 (SC, SC(A), ST, MBC/DC, BC(OBCM), BCM)	100

Main examination (descriptive): Five papers of 3 hours: a qualifying Tamil eligibility test and four law papers of 100 marks each; answers may be written in English or Tamil.

Paper	Marks	Duration
Paper I: Tamil Eligibility Test (SSLC standard) Qualifying only; minimum 40 marks; differently abled candidates may be exempted	100	3 hours
Paper II: Law - I Indian Penal Code / BNS, final report and framing of charges, translation	100	3 hours
Paper III: Law - II CrPC / BNSS, Evidence Act / BSA	100	3 hours
Paper IV: Law - III Constitutional law, human rights, legal aid, CPC (specified portions)	100	3 hours
Paper V: Law - IV Central criminal Acts (50 marks) and Tamil Nadu State Acts (50 marks). Papers II to V together carry 400 marks; minimum 160 (others) and 120 (reserved groups)	100	3 hours

Interview: 60 marks, no minimum qualifying marks; candidates are admitted at two times (five or more vacancies in a group) or three times (four or fewer) the vacancies.
Paper Questions Marks Duration
Interview 60

Paper	Questions	Marks	Duration
Interview		60

Syllabus

Paper by paper, as the official syllabus lists it.

Preliminary Part A: General Studies (75 questions)

General Science (5)
Geography of India (5)
History, Culture of India and Indian National Movement (10)
Indian Polity (15)
Indian Economy and Development Administration in Tamil Nadu (20)
History, Culture, Heritage and Socio-Political Movements in Tamil Nadu (20)

Preliminary Part B: Aptitude and Mental Ability (25 questions)

Aptitude (15): simplification, percentage, HCF, LCM, ratio and proportion, simple and compound interest, area, volume, time and work
Reasoning (10): logical reasoning, puzzles, dice, visual reasoning, alphanumeric reasoning, number series

Preliminary Part C: Law (100 questions)

Unit I (25): Indian Penal Code, 1860; Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Read the act
Unit II (25): Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973; Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023; Indian Evidence Act, 1872; Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 · Read the act
Unit III (25): Constitutional Law (Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, Fundamental Duties, writ jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and High Courts); Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993; Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987; Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (specified portions) · Read the act
Unit IV (25): Central Criminal Minor Acts and Tamil Nadu State Minor Acts

Main Law Paper I (100 marks)

Indian Penal Code, 1860 and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (50 marks) · Read the act
Final Report and Framing of Charges (30 marks)
Translation: English to Tamil and Tamil to English (20 marks)

Main Law Paper II (100 marks)

Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (60 marks) · Read the act
Indian Evidence Act, 1872 and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (40 marks) · Read the act

Main Law Paper III (100 marks)

Constitutional Law: Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, Fundamental Duties, writ jurisdiction (40 marks)
Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 (20 marks) · Read the act
Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 and Lok Adalat system (20 marks) · Read the act
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908: ss. 9, 10, 11, 79, 80, 148A, 149-151; Orders VII, VIII, XIV, XXVII (20 marks) · Read the act

Main Law Paper IV (100 marks): Central Acts (50 marks)

Arms Act, 1959 · Read the act
Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 · Read the act
Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986
Copyright Act, 1957 · Read the act
Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 · Read the act
Electricity Act, 2003 (specified portions: offences and penalties) · Read the act
Essential Commodities Act, 1955 · Read the act
Explosives Act, 1884 · Read the act
Explosive Substances Act, 1908 · Read the act
Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 · Read the act
Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 · Read the act
Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (specified portions: offences and penalties) · Read the act
Probation of Offenders Act, 1958 · Read the act
Public Gambling Act, 1867 · Read the act
Railway Property (Unlawful Possession) Act, 1966 · Read the act
SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989
Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 · Read the act
Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994 · Read the act
National Medical Commission Act, 2019 · Read the act
Information Technology Act, 2000 · Read the act
Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022 · Read the act
Mental Health Care Act, 2017
Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986 · Read the act
Foreigners Act, 1946 (Amendment Act 2004)
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 · Read the act
Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1994 · Read the act
Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984 · Read the act
General Clauses Act, 1897 · Read the act
Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 · Read the act
Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 · Read the act
Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 · Read the act
Passports Act, 1967 · Read the act
Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 · Read the act
Lotteries (Regulation) Act, 1998 · Read the act
Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 · Read the act
Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 · Read the act
Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 · Read the act

Main Law Paper IV (100 marks): Tamil Nadu State Acts (50 marks)

Tamil Nadu City Police Act, 1888
Tamil Nadu Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Bootleggers, Drug-Offenders, Forest-Offenders, Goondas, Immoral Traffic Offenders, Sand Offenders, Sexual Offenders, Slum-Grabbers and Video Pirates Act, 1982
Tamil Nadu Prohibition Act, 1937
Tamil Nadu Gaming Act, 1930
Tamil Nadu Forest Act, 1882
Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act, 1998
Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Ragging Act, 1997
Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Charging of Exorbitant Interest Act, 2003
Tamil Nadu Property (Prevention of Damage and Loss) Act, 1992
Tamil Nadu Open Places Disfigurement Prevention Act, 1959
Tamil Nadu Prize Schemes (Prohibition) Act, 1979
Tamil Nadu Prize Chits and Money Circulation Schemes Banning Act, 1978
Tamil Nadu Open Places (Regulation of Pasting of Posters and Fixing of Thatty Boards) Rules, 1995
Tamil Nadu Protection of Interests of Depositors (in Financial Establishments) Act, 1997
Tamil Nadu Clinical Establishments (Regulation) Act, 1997
Tamil Nadu Police Standing Order (specified portions: hierarchy, investigation, powers and duties of police officers)
Medicare Service Persons and Medicare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage or Loss to Property) Act, 2008

Bare Acts for this exam

58 acts tagged for Tamil Nadu APO. Each opens section by section, free to read.

Central acts

Tamil Nadu acts

Tamil Nadu Forest Act - 1882 (coming soon)
Tamil Nadu Forest Act 1882 (coming soon)
Tamil Nadu Gaming Act, 1930, Act 3 of 1930 (coming soon)
Tamil Nadu Medicare Service Persons and Medicare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage or Loss to Property) Act, 2008
Tamil Nadu Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act, 1959 (coming soon)
TAMIL NADU PREVENTION OF DANGEROUS ACTIVITIES OF BOOTLEGGERS, CYBER LAW OFFENDERS6, DRUG OFFENDERS, FOREST-OFFENDERS,2 GOONDAS, IMMORAL TRAFFIC OFFENDERS, SAND OFFENDERS4, SEXUALOFFENDERS,7 SLUM-GRABBERS AND VIDEO PIRATES3 ACT, 1982 (Tamil Nadu Act No. 14 of 1982) (coming soon)
Tamil Nadu Private Clinical Establishments (Regulation) Act, 1997 (coming soon)
Tamil Nadu Prize Schemes (Prohibition) Act, 1979 (coming soon)
Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Charging Exorbitant Interest Act, 2003 (coming soon)
Tamil Nadu Prohibiton of Ragging Act, 1997 (coming soon)

Old law → new law tables: IPC → BNS · CrPC → BNSS · Evidence Act → BSA

Previous year papers

No papers for this exam yet. See every exam's papers.

Eligibility

B.L. degree of a University or institution recognised by the UGC; member of the Bar with not less than 5 years' active practice in Criminal Courts (includes service as temporary Assistant Public Prosecutor Grade II). Must have completed 26 years; maximum 36 for 'Others', and no maximum (below 60 years) for SC, SC(A), ST, MBC/DC, BC(OBCM) and BCM, as on; concession up to 46 for persons with benchmark disability and 50 for ex-servicemen (per the 2025 notification). Adequate knowledge of Tamil (SSLC with Tamil or Second Class Language Test) Qualifications must be held as on the date of notification () Enrolment certificate of the Bar Council and a practice certificate must be uploaded

Relaxations, attempts and category rules are in each cycle's notification.

Tamil Nadu APO: frequently asked questions

What is the pattern of the Tamil Nadu APO exam?: Tamil Nadu Assistant Public Prosecutor Grade II Examination has 3 stages. Preliminary examination (single paper): Objective OMR screening test of 200 questions and 300 marks in 3 hours; marks do not count for final merit; candidates admitted to the main number 10 times the vacancies. Papers: Part A: General Studies (degree standard): 75 questions; Part B: Aptitude and Mental Ability (SSLC standard): 25 questions; Part C: Law (degree standard): 100 questions. Main examination (descriptive): Five papers of 3 hours: a qualifying Tamil eligibility test and four law papers of 100 marks each; answers may be written in English or Tamil. Papers: Paper I: Tamil Eligibility Test (SSLC standard): 100 marks, 3 hours; Paper II: Law - I: 100 marks, 3 hours; Paper III: Law - II: 100 marks, 3 hours; Paper IV: Law - III: 100 marks, 3 hours; Paper V: Law - IV: 100 marks, 3 hours. Interview: 60 marks, no minimum qualifying marks; candidates are admitted at two times (five or more vacancies in a group) or three times (four or fewer) the vacancies. Papers: Interview: 60 marks.
In which language is the Tamil Nadu APO exam held?: Preliminary question paper in Tamil and English; main law papers may be answered in English or Tamil (not mixed).
Who is eligible for Tamil Nadu APO?: B.L. degree of a University or institution recognised by the UGC; member of the Bar with not less than 5 years' active practice in Criminal Courts (includes service as temporary Assistant Public Prosecutor Grade II). Must have completed 26 years; maximum 36 for 'Others', and no maximum (below 60 years) for SC, SC(A), ST, MBC/DC, BC(OBCM) and BCM, as on; concession up to 46 for persons with benchmark disability and 50 for ex-servicemen (per the 2025 notification). Adequate knowledge of Tamil (SSLC with Tamil or Second Class Language Test) Qualifications must be held as on the date of notification () Enrolment certificate of the Bar Council and a practice certificate must be uploaded The notification for each cycle has the full conditions and relaxations.
Where is the Tamil Nadu APO notification published?: Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission publishes the notification, dates and results on its official website, tnpsc.gov.in. Check it for the current cycle.
Which bare acts are in the Tamil Nadu APO syllabus?: 58 acts are tagged for Tamil Nadu APO here, including the Arms Act, 1959, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003, Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and more. Each can be read section by section.

Facts on this page are read from Advertisement 2025 and may change with each notification. Dates, vacancies and cut-offs for the coming cycle are not stated here; the official website has them.