Is PSTM a separate quota?

No. It is a 20% preferential reservation applied within each communal category, you compete in your category with PSTM priority, not in a separate list.

I studied partly in English medium. Can I claim PSTM?

The claim rests on the qualifying education being in Tamil medium. Mixed-medium histories depend on which qualification the post requires; check the notification's PSTM annexure for your case.

How to Get Your PSTM Certificate for TNPSC

PSTM is worth 20% of vacancies in every category, and it fails at verification more than any other claim, usually because candidates bring one certificate where year-wise proof was needed.

Step 1
Confirm you qualify
PSTM applies when the education qualifying you for the post was studied in Tamil medium. For an SSLC-level post, that means your school years; for degree posts, the degree itself.
Step 2
Get the certificate from the institution head
The school headmaster or college principal issues the PSTM certificate in the format annexed to the TNPSC notification, stating Tamil was the medium of instruction.
Step 3
Cover every year of the qualifying course
Verification expects the claim proven for the whole qualifying education, not a single year. Institutions that have closed route through the education department office, start early if that's you.
Step 4
Match your OTR education entries
The medium of instruction recorded in your OTR education rows must say Tamil for the same years. Fix mismatches before applying.

What is PSTM?CV documents checklist

Frequently asked questions

The exact TNPSC photo and signature requirements: 3.5×4.5cm photo at 20-50KB, 3.5×1.5cm signature at 10-20KB, 200 DPI, and the rejection reasons to avoid.

Documents Required for TNPSC Certificate Verification

The complete certificate verification checklist: education, community, PSTM, category claims, and the mismatches that disqualify candidates.

How to Get a Community Certificate in Tamil Nadu

Getting or renewing the community certificate TNPSC applications depend on: e-Sevai process, documents, timelines and the digital copy.

How to Take Your TNPSC Application Photo at Home

A studio-quality application photo with a phone: the wall, the light, the framing, and resizing to 20-50KB, no photo shop needed.

Steps and specifications follow official TNPSC instructions and notification annexures. Sources: TNPSC official notifications. Figures are indicative and may change with each official notification. Data last reviewed: July 2026.

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