Minimum Qualifying Marks
The fixed floor printed in the notification (90 of 300 for Group 4) that makes a paper eligible for evaluation. Selection happens at the much higher cut off.
Group 4 layers two floors: at least 40% in the Tamil Eligibility-cum-Scoring Test (60 of 150) before Part B is evaluated at all, then 90 of 300 overall. Group 1 prelims sets 120 marks for OC, BC and MBC and 90 for SC/ST. The floor only makes your paper count; the 2023 Group 4 cut off sat around 150, well above the 90-mark minimum.
Related terms
Cut Off Marks
The mark of the last selected candidate in each category and gender. Not announced in advance, it emerges from vacancies, difficulty and competition.
Prelims (Preliminary Examination)
The screening stage of multi-stage exams like Group 1 and 2: objective paper whose marks shortlist candidates for mains but don't count in final merit.
Mains (Main Written Examination)
The merit-deciding descriptive stage for Group 1 and Group 2 interview posts. Final selection lists are built from mains marks (plus interview where applicable).
Interview Post
A post whose selection includes an oral test after the written exam, Group 1 posts and Group 2 (CCSE-II) interview posts.
Non-Interview Post
A post filled purely on written marks plus certificate verification, all of Group 2A and Group 4. No oral test stage.
Answer Key Challenge
The objection window after TNPSC publishes its tentative answer key, where candidates submit evidence-backed representations against disputed answers.
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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