Age Relaxation
Extra years over the general upper age limit for reserved categories. For SSLC-level exams like Group 4, several categories have no upper limit at all.
Age is counted as on the date fixed in the notification, not the exam date. For degree-level exams the general limit of 32 stretches to 34 for BC, BCM and MBC and 37 for SC, SCA and ST, with 42 for PwBD and 50 for ex-servicemen. In Group 4, every listed category except Others has no ceiling at all.
Related terms
SC (Scheduled Caste)
A constitutionally recognised category with 15% reservation in Tamil Nadu recruitment (excluding SCA), plus fee exemption and age relaxations.
ST (Scheduled Tribe)
A constitutionally recognised category with 1% reservation in Tamil Nadu recruitment, plus fee exemption and age relaxations.
Ex-Servicemen Quota
Reserved vacancies for retired defence personnel in certain post groups, with substantial age relaxation counted from service years.
Destitute Widow Quota
Reserved vacancies in certain posts for destitute widows, claimed with a certificate from the revenue department; often paired with no upper age limit.
PSTM (Persons Studied in Tamil Medium)
A 20% preferential reservation within each category for candidates who studied their qualifying education in Tamil medium.
Communal Rotation
The 200-point roster Tamil Nadu uses to distribute vacancies across categories (GT, BC, BCM, MBC/DNC, SC, SCA, ST) in a fixed repeating order.
This definition follows official TNPSC notifications and Tamil Nadu government orders. Sources: TNPSC official notifications. Figures are indicative and may change with each official notification. Data last reviewed: July 2026.
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