Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission enjoys a glorious past of 75 years. The Central Public Service Commission in India was established in 1923 but there was provision of commissions in provinces. The Government of Madras and Punjab proposed to set up their Public Service Commissions.

The Madras Service Commission thus came into being in 1929. The Madras Presidency had the unique honor, of being the only province in India to establish the first Service Commission. The Madras Service Commission became Madras Public Service Commission with headquarters at Madras in the year 1957. During 1970, when the name of the State was changed into Tamil Nadu, the Madras Public Service Commission automatically became the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC).

TNPSC is a 15 member commission with Thiru A.M. Kasiviswanathan as the Chairperson.

The main functions of the Commission are:

• Make direct recruitment to State, Subordinate and Ministerial services
• Conduct department examinations for Government Servants
• Advice Government on all matters relating to framing of recruitment rules
• Advice Government on principles to be followed in making appointments and promotions and transfers
• Advice Government on disciplinary matters affecting Government Servants
• Conduct the examinations on behalf of Ministry of Defence, Government of India, for admission to Rashtriya Indian Military College, Dehra Dun.