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Qualifying paper in TNPSC exams
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A qualifying paper is one you must pass, by scoring at least the stated minimum, but whose marks are not added to your total for ranking. In TNPSC exams the best-known example is the Tamil Eligibility Test in the Group 1 and Group 2/2A mains: 100 marks, pass mark 40, and nothing from it counts towards rank.
Qualifying versus ranking
| Paper or stage | Qualifying or ranking | Minimum |
|---|---|---|
| Group 1 prelims | Screening only, marks not counted | 90 for reserved categories, 120 for Others |
| Group 1 mains Paper I (Tamil Eligibility Test) | Qualifying | 40 of 100 |
| Group 1 mains Papers II to IV | Ranking, 3 x 250 = 750 marks | 225 for reserved categories, 300 for Others (together) |
| Group 1 interview | Ranking, 100 marks | No minimum |
| Group 2 and 2A prelims | Screening only, marks not counted | 90 of 300 |
| Group 2 and 2A mains Paper I (Tamil Eligibility Test) | Qualifying | 40 of 100 |
| Group 2 Main Paper II / Group 2A Main Paper II | Ranking | 90 of 300 |
| Group 4 Part A (Tamil Eligibility-cum-Scoring Test) | Gate and ranking | 60 of 150 |
These figures come from the Group 1 (04/2025), Group 2/2A (11/2025) and Group 4 (11/2026) notifications.
What this means for you
- A qualifying paper is pass or fail. Scoring 95 out of 100 in it earns nothing more than scoring 40.
- The next paper is not evaluated until you pass. In the Group 1 mains, Papers II to IV are evaluated only if you pass Paper I, and the Group II Main Paper II is evaluated only if you pass the Tamil paper.
- Prelims in Group 1 and Group 2 work as a screening stage. Your prelims marks decide whether you reach the mains, not your final rank. Group 2 has no interview in the 2025 scheme, so its rank depends only on Main Paper II marks.
- Group 4 is different. Part A is a gate and also scores.
An example
A Group 2 candidate scores 38 in the mains Tamil paper and 240 in Paper II. Paper II is not evaluated, because 38 is below 40. Another candidate scores 40 in Tamil and 180 in Paper II, and is evaluated and ranked on the 180 alone.
Exemptions
Differently-abled candidates may be exempted from the Tamil paper in the Group 1 and Group II mains. The exact conditions are in each notification.
For the pattern, marks and qualifying scores of every group see the Group 2 exam pattern and the Group 1 exam pattern. The marking scheme guide puts it all in one place.
Frequently asked questions
Are Tamil Eligibility Test marks counted for rank?
In the Group 1 and Group 2/2A mains, no. In Group 4, Part A counts for rank after you clear the 40% gate.
Is the prelims a qualifying paper?
It is a screening stage. You need the minimum to move forward, but prelims marks are not added to the final rank.
Does Group 1 interview have a qualifying mark?
No minimum is set for the interview, and its 100 marks are added to the mains marks for the 850 total.
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- Minimum qualifying marksMinimum qualifying marks are the floor at each TNPSC stage: 90 of 300 in Group 4, 90 or 120 in Group 1 prelims, 40 in Tamil. They are not a cut-off.
- 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.
- TNPSC rank listA TNPSC rank list orders candidates by the marks that count in their exam. See what counts in Group 1, Group 2 and Group 4, and what does not enter your rank.
- TNPSC negative markingTNPSC has no penalty for wrong answers, but a fully blank question costs 0.5 mark. See option E, OMR rules, qualifying marks and the attempt strategy.
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.
- PSTMPSTM means Persons Studied in Tamil Medium, a Tamil Nadu recruitment provision. See how it differs from the Tamil knowledge rule and the Tamil papers.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- SSLC and degree standardWhat "SSLC standard" and "degree standard" mean in TNPSC notifications, and which Group 1, 2, 2A and 4 papers use which level, so you know how deep to study.