The Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission has published the tentative answer key for the post of District Educational Officer included in Combined Civil Services Examination (Group I-C Services), Notification No. 05/2024. The answer key relates to the Main Written Examination for Paper IV (Education) held on 25 March 2026 in the forenoon session. For candidates who wrote this paper, the official answer key is the main document to use for checking probable performance and deciding whether any question needs to be challenged.
TNPSC has also separately hosted the CBT response sheets for this examination. That means candidates now have two official documents to rely on: the tentative answer key and the response sheet available through the One Time Registration dashboard. The answer key page gives the objection window and instructions, while the response-sheet press release gives the live download period for accessing the answer paper copy.
This article brings together the confirmed details that matter most right now: which exam and paper the key is for, when it was released, the last date and time to submit objections, how to download the response sheet, and what has not been officially announced yet. Wherever TNPSC has not confirmed a later step, such as the final answer key date or result date, that is stated clearly.
TNPSC DEO Answer Key 2026 release overview
TNPSC has released the tentative answer key for the District Educational Officer main written examination conducted under Combined Civil Services Examination (Group I-C Services), Notification No. 05/2024. The key currently available is for Paper IV (Education), which was held on 25 March 2026 in the forenoon session.
The official answer key page also confirms that candidates can challenge the tentative key only through online mode. TNPSC has fixed a closing time for representations, so candidates should not wait until the last day if they plan to submit objections with supporting evidence.
Important dates for answer key, objection and response sheet
| Event | Date / Time |
|---|---|
| Main Written Examination Paper IV (Education) | 25 March 2026 (F.N.) |
| Tentative answer key hosted | 02 April 2026 |
| Last date to submit objections | 09 April 2026 |
| Last time for online objections | 5:45 PM on 09 April 2026 |
| CBT response sheet hosted | 07 April 2026 |
| Response sheet live download period | 07 April 2026 to 06 May 2026 |
These dates are drawn from the official TNPSC answer key page and the response-sheet press release for the DEO main written examination.
Which exam and paper does this answer key relate to
This release is not a general answer key for every TNPSC Group I paper. It is specifically for the post of District Educational Officer in Tamil Nadu School Educational Service included in Combined Civil Services Examination (Group I-C Services).
The answer key published now relates to Main Written Examination Paper IV (Education). TNPSC has identified the subject on the tentative answer key page as Education with Subject Code 617. Candidates who wrote another TNPSC examination should check their own exam-specific page instead of using this key.
How to download the TNPSC DEO answer key PDF
- Visit the official TNPSC website.
- Open the answer key section under recruitment.
- Find the entry for Combined Civil Services Examination in Group I-B and I-C Services with the exam date 25 March 2026.
- Open the tentative answer key page for the DEO main written examination.
- Select the subject listed as Education (Subject Code 617).
- Download or view the specimen question booklet and tentative key.
TNPSC has stated that the right answers are tick-marked in the specimen question booklet hosted on the page. Candidates should compare their responses against that official document only.
How to download the TNPSC DEO response sheet
TNPSC has separately hosted the CBT response sheets for the DEO main written examination. According to the official press release, candidates must download their response sheets through their One Time Registration dashboard.
- Go to the official TNPSC platform and sign in through your One Time Registration account.
- Open the dashboard for the relevant recruitment.
- Choose the response sheet download option for the District Educational Officer Paper IV examination.
- Complete the fee payment required for response-sheet access, if prompted.
- Download the response sheet within the live period.
The official press release confirms that the response sheets are available from 07 April 2026 to 06 May 2026. After that period closes, requests for furnishing response sheets will not be entertained.
How to raise objections against the tentative answer key
TNPSC has made the objection route clear on the official tentative answer key page. Representations challenging the tentative answer key or expressing views must be submitted only in online mode through the TNPSC website.
- Submit objections only through the official online mode.
- Attach proper supporting evidence for each challenged question.
- Do not send objections by post or email.
- Submit before 5:45 PM on 09 April 2026.
TNPSC also notes that all objections received with evidence will be placed before the Expert Committee for finalization of the answer keys. Any representation sent after the deadline will receive no attention.
Important instructions candidates should not miss
The official tentative answer key page carries a few instructions that matter while checking answers and filing objections.
- The right answer is shown by a tick mark in the specimen question booklet.
- Even if the candidate received a different booklet code in the examination hall, objections must be made with reference to the question number given in the specimen question booklet hosted by TNPSC.
- Objections without evidence may not help during expert review.
- Only online objections are considered.
These instructions are important because many candidates confuse their booklet code numbering with the numbering used on the official specimen booklet. TNPSC has specifically told candidates to follow the hosted specimen question booklet while challenging the key.
How to use the answer key and response sheet together
The tentative answer key and the response sheet serve different purposes. The answer key tells you what TNPSC has treated as the correct answer, while the response sheet shows what was recorded against your attempt in the CBT examination.
- Download the tentative answer key first.
- Access your response sheet from the OTR dashboard.
- Match each recorded response against the official key.
- List only those questions where you have a genuine academic or technical objection.
- Keep documentary proof ready before filing any challenge.
This combined comparison helps avoid unnecessary objections and gives a clearer picture of whether a challenge is worth filing within the available window.
What happens after the objection window closes
TNPSC has stated that all objections or views received with evidence will be placed before the Expert Committee. That means the tentative answer key is not automatically the final key if valid corrections are accepted during expert review.
TNPSC has also clarified that the final answer keys will be published only after completion of the entire selection process. So candidates should not expect an immediate final key right after the objection deadline. The final answer key date has not been separately announced at this stage.
What is confirmed and what is still not announced
Confirmed by TNPSC:
- Tentative answer key for DEO Main Written Examination Paper IV (Education) has been published.
- The examination date was 25 March 2026 (F.N.).
- Objections are accepted online up to 5:45 PM on 09 April 2026.
- CBT response sheets are available from 07 April 2026 to 06 May 2026 through OTR.
Not separately announced in the official release:
- Exact final answer key date.
- Result date for this stage.
- Any separate public link for response-sheet download outside the candidate dashboard.
- A fee amount for objections on the tentative key page.
Where TNPSC has not given a confirmed public date or amount, candidates should avoid relying on unofficial assumptions.
Official links for TNPSC DEO answer key 2026
| Purpose | Official source |
|---|---|
| Answer key section | TNPSC Answer Keys |
| DEO tentative answer key page | TNPSC DEO Tentative Answer Key Page |
| Response sheet press release | Press Release No. 39/2026 |
| Press releases page | TNPSC Press Releases |
Use the official TNPSC sources above for all answer key, response sheet and objection updates related to this DEO examination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has TNPSC released the DEO Answer Key 2026?
Yes. TNPSC has released the tentative answer key for the District Educational Officer Main Written Examination Paper IV (Education) held on 25 March 2026.
Which paper is covered by the TNPSC DEO Answer Key 2026?
The released key is for Main Written Examination Paper IV (Education) for the District Educational Officer post under Group I-C Services.
What is the last date to object to the TNPSC DEO tentative answer key?
TNPSC accepts online objections up to 09 April 2026, and representations made after 5:45 PM on that date will not be considered.
Can I send my TNPSC DEO answer key objection by email or post?
No. TNPSC has clearly stated that objections must be submitted only in online mode through the official website. Objections sent by post or email will receive no attention.
When were the TNPSC DEO response sheets made available?
The CBT response sheets were hosted on 07 April 2026 and are available for download up to 06 May 2026 through the One Time Registration dashboard.
Do I need to refer to my booklet code while challenging the answer key?
TNPSC says candidates must challenge the answer key based on the question number given in the specimen question booklet hosted on the website, regardless of the booklet code used in the examination.
Has TNPSC announced the final answer key date for DEO 2026?
No separate final answer key date has been announced. TNPSC has stated that the final answer key will be published only after completion of the entire selection process.