PrepMaticExam glossary · TNPSC
PSTM: Persons Studied in Tamil Medium
On this page
PSTM stands for Persons Studied in Tamil Medium. It is a Tamil Nadu government provision that sets aside a share of direct-recruitment vacancies for candidates who did their education in Tamil medium. TNPSC applies it when it selects candidates, and each notification's reservation instructions say how to claim it and which certificate to produce.
PSTM is not the same as the other Tamil rules
Aspirants often blur four different things. Only the first is a reservation.
| Term | What it is | Where it applies |
|---|---|---|
| PSTM | A reserved share of vacancies for candidates educated in Tamil medium | Selection |
| Tamil knowledge rule | You must have adequate knowledge of Tamil: SSLC, HSC or a degree with Tamil as a language, or a Tamil-medium high school, or TNPSC's Second Class Language Test (Full Test) in Tamil | Eligibility |
| Tamil Eligibility Test | A qualifying Tamil paper in the Group 1 and Group 2/2A mains, pass mark 40 out of 100 | Exam stage |
| Tamil Eligibility-cum-Scoring Test | Part A of Group 4, 100 questions for 150 marks, with a 40% gate, and its marks count for rank | Exam stage |
So a Tamil-medium school record can help you in two separate ways, as proof of Tamil knowledge and as a PSTM claim, but neither one exempts you from the Tamil paper in the exam scheme.
What the notification decides
The percentage set aside, the posts and stages where it applies, and the format of the certificate are all fixed in the notification's reservation instructions. They are not the same for every post, so read that section for your exam rather than trusting a figure quoted in a video or forum.
What to prepare
- Check the medium of instruction entered in your OTR. The OTR asks for the SSLC medium, so a wrong entry there is the first thing to fix.
- Collect your school and college records early. If you studied in Tamil medium at more than one stage, keep proof for each.
- PSTM is a different claim from community reservation. Your community category is explained in BC, MBC, SC, SC(A) and ST categories.
Frequently asked questions
Does PSTM exempt me from the Tamil paper?
No. PSTM is about reservation. The Tamil paper in the exam scheme stays as the notification states it. In Group 4, Part A is Tamil only, except for eligible differently-abled candidates who studied only English.
Is a Tamil-medium school enough to meet the Tamil knowledge rule?
Yes. Studying in a Tamil-medium high school is one of the listed ways to show adequate knowledge of Tamil. The other ways are Tamil as a language in SSLC, HSC or degree, or passing the Second Class Language Test.
Where can I find the PSTM percentage?
In the reservation annexure of the notification for your exam. This page does not quote a number because it can differ by post and cycle.
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- Second Class Language TestThe Second Class Language Test (Full Test) in Tamil is how TNPSC candidates prove Tamil knowledge without a Tamil school record. See who needs it.
- Tamil Eligibility-cum-Scoring TestPart A of TNPSC Group 4 is a Tamil-only test of 100 questions, 150 marks. Score under 40% and Parts B and C go unevaluated; above it, marks count for rank.
- BC, MBC, SC, ST categoriesWhat BC(OBCM), BCM, MBC/DC, SC, SC(A) and ST mean in TNPSC notifications, with Tamil Nadu's reservation percentages, age limits and fee rules for each.
- TNPSC Tamil eligibility testHow the TNPSC Tamil eligibility test works in Group 4, Group 2/2A and Group 1: the 40% gate, whether marks count for rank, syllabus standard and how to prepare.
More in TNPSC
- PwBD (differently-abled)What PwBD means in TNPSC notifications: the 4% reservation, higher age limits, free exam fee in Group 4 and Tamil paper options for disabled candidates.
- Post codeA post code is the number TNPSC gives each post in a notification. See the 2026 Group 4 codes for VAO, Junior Assistant, Typist, Steno-Typist and EO Grade IV.
- Qualifying paperA qualifying paper must be passed but its marks are not added to your rank. See which TNPSC papers are qualifying (Group 1, 2, 2A Tamil) and which count.
- Pay matrix and pay levelTNPSC notifications give the Tamil Nadu pay matrix level, not rupees, for each post. See the levels for Group 1, 2, 2A and 4 posts and how to read them.
- Option E (answer not known)Option E on the TNPSC OMR sheet means "answer not known". Learn what it scores, why leaving a question blank costs 0.5 mark, and when guessing beats shading E.
- One Time Registration (OTR)OTR is the permanent TNPSC candidate profile on tnpscexams.in. See the ₹150 fee, 5-year validity, the Aadhaar rule and why registering is not applying.
- OMR sheetHow the TNPSC OMR sheet works in Group 4: five bubbles a question, the blank-answer deduction, thumb impression and register number rules, with an example.
- Shortlist ratioA shortlist ratio is how many candidates TNPSC calls per vacancy at each stage. See the ratios for Group 1, Group 2 and Group 4 and how to read 1:3.