TNTET – Tamil Nadu Teacher Eligibility Test: Current Status, Eligibility, Exam Pattern, Pass Marks
Updated: 03-11-2026 · Shanmugam IAS Academy
Tamil Nadu Teacher Eligibility Test (TNTET) is conducted by the Teachers Recruitment Board (TRB), Tamil Nadu. Under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009 (RTE Act) and NCTE rules, passing TET is the basic eligibility to teach Classes 1 to 8. There are two papers: Paper I – Classes 1 to 5 (Secondary Grade Teacher); Paper II – Classes 6 to 8 (Graduate Teacher / BT Assistant). Candidates eligible for both levels may write both papers.
Note: TNTET is only an eligibility test – it has no vacancies and does not give a job. Government school teachers are appointed through separate TRB recruitment exams (Secondary Grade Teacher, Graduate Teacher / BRTE, etc.), for which a TET pass is required.
Current status (03-11-2026):
- Regular TNTET (for fresh candidates): the latest was TNTET 2025 (Notification No. 03/2025 dated 11-08-2025) – Paper I on 15-11-2025, Paper II on 16-11-2025; results were published with TRB's notice dated 30-01-2026. The next regular TNTET notification has not been issued as of 03-11-2026. We will update this page when it is.
- Special TET for working teachers – Phase 2: TRB Notification No. 02/2026 dated 26-10-2026. Applications 27-10-2026 to 19-11-2026; application edit window 20-11-2026 to 22-11-2026; exam on 20-12-2026 (tentative) – Paper II in the forenoon, Paper I in the afternoon. It is only for teachers now in service in Government, Government-aided and recognised private self-financing schools who were appointed on or before 01-09-2025; fresh candidates cannot apply.
Background: G.O.(Ms) No. 231, School Education (TRB) Department, dated 13-10-2025 permitted TRB to conduct TNTET for teachers now in service. Phase 1 (Notification No. 01/2026 dated 13-02-2026): 59,535 teachers wrote Paper I on 04-07-2026 and 1,60,929 wrote Paper II on 05-07-2026; results with the final answer key were published on 12-10-2026.
This page is compiled from official TRB notices, Tamil Nadu School Education Department Government Orders and NCTE rules. For final details see trb.tn.gov.in.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| TNTET 2025 notification (No. 03/2025) | 11-08-2025 |
| TNTET 2025 – last date to apply | 08-09-2025 (later extended to 10-09-2025, 5 PM) |
| TNTET 2025 – Paper I / Paper II | 15-11-2025 / 16-11-2025 (first announced as 01-11-2025 / 02-11-2025; revised by notice of 14-08-2025) |
| TNTET 2025 – tentative answer key | 25-11-2025 |
| Pass marks lowered – G.O.(Ms) No. 23 | 28-01-2026 |
| TNTET 2025 – result | TRB notice dated 30-01-2026 |
| PwD pass mark set at 40% – G.O.(Ms) No. 46 (TNTET 2025 PwD results 26-02-2026) | 25-02-2026 |
| Special TET (working teachers) – Phase 1 exam | Paper I 04-07-2026; Paper II 05-07-2026 (result 12-10-2026) |
| Special TET – Phase 2 notification (No. 02/2026) | 26-10-2026 |
| Special TET – Phase 2 applications | 27-10-2026 – 19-11-2026 (edit 20-11-2026 – 22-11-2026) |
| Special TET – Phase 2 exam | 20-12-2026 (tentative; Paper II forenoon, Paper I afternoon) |
| Next regular TNTET (fresh candidates) | Not yet announced (as on 03-11-2026) |
Vacancies
TNTET is an eligibility test, so it has no vacancies. Teacher vacancies come in TRB's separate recruitment notifications. See our job notifications page and exam calendar for new ones.
Eligibility
Age
- Minimum 18 years (for TNTET 2025, as on 01-07-2025). No upper age limit.
Educational qualification (summary – as in the TNTET 2025 notification)
- Paper I: Higher Secondary (+2) with a 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed.), or a 4-year B.El.Ed., or a 2-year Diploma in Education (Special Education). Minimum 50% in +2 (45% for some routes as per NCTE norms).
- Paper II: Graduation with a 2-year D.El.Ed.; or Graduation with at least 50% + B.Ed. (45% for some routes as per NCTE norms); or +2 with 50% + 4-year B.El.Ed. / B.A.Ed. / B.Sc.Ed.; or Graduation with 50% + B.Ed. (Special Education).
- Candidates in the final year of D.El.Ed. / B.El.Ed. / B.Ed. may also appear; the TET certificate is issued only after they pass the course and submit proof to TRB (TNTET 2025 notification).
- Mark relaxations for reserved categories and exact rules – see each notification.
Exam Pattern
Both papers: 150 objective questions (OMR), 150 marks, 3 hours; 1 mark per question. The TNTET 2025 and special TET 2026 notifications do not mention any negative marking.
Paper I (Classes 1–5)
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development and Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |
| Language I (Tamil / Telugu / Malayalam / Kannada / Urdu – any one) | 30 | 30 |
| Language II – English | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics | 30 | 30 |
| Environmental Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
Paper II (Classes 6–8)
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Child Development and Pedagogy | 30 | 30 |
| Language I (Tamil / Telugu / Malayalam / Kannada / Urdu – any one) | 30 | 30 |
| Language II – English | 30 | 30 |
| Mathematics & Science (for Maths / Science teachers) or Social Science (for Social Science teachers); teachers of other subjects may choose either | 60 | 60 |
| Total | 150 | 150 |
Pass marks (out of 150)
| Category | Pass % | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General (OC) | 60% | 90 |
| BC, BCM, MBC/DNC | 50% | 75 |
| SC, SC(A), ST | 40% | 60 |
| Persons with Disabilities (PwD) | 40% | 60 |
- Earlier (TNTET 2025 notification): SC, SC(A), BC, BCM, MBC/DNC and PwD – 82 marks (55%); ST – 60 marks (one-time concession for the 2025 test only). G.O.(Ms) No. 23 (28-01-2026) lowered them to the figures above and also applied to the TNTET 2025 result. G.O. 23 kept PwD at 50% (75); G.O.(Ms) No. 46 (25-02-2026) lowered it to 40% (60). The October 2026 special TET notification uses the same figures.
- Certificate validity: lifetime – G.O.(Ms) No. 128, School Education (TRB) Department, dated 23-08-2021 (unless the Government notifies otherwise). It also applies to TET certificates already issued by TRB.
Syllabus Overview
- Child Development and Pedagogy: child development, learning theories, inclusive education, teaching methods, assessment.
- Language I (Tamil) / Language II (English): grammar, comprehension, language pedagogy.
- Mathematics, Science, Environmental Studies, Social Science: school-level content + the pedagogy of teaching that subject.
On 27-10-2026 TRB published a revised TNTET syllabus: Paper I – parts 1 to 3 revised, parts 4 and 5 unchanged; Paper II – old syllabus.
The full syllabus is published with each TNTET notification on the TRB website: trb.tn.gov.in.
Fee & How to Apply
- Fee (per paper): ₹600; SC, SC(A), ST and persons with disabilities – ₹300. Paper I and Paper II need separate applications and separate fees.
- Apply online only, on trb.tn.gov.in. Fee is paid online only and is not refundable.
- TRB help: toll-free 1800 425 6753; grievances by e-mail only (trbgrievances@tn.gov.in).
How we help you prepare
- TET / TRB books
- General Tamil quiz (for Language I – Tamil) · Free subject-wise TNPSC quiz (science, maths / aptitude, history, geography)
- Today's current affairs (Tamil)
- Job notifications · Exam calendar
- TET / TRB classroom coaching – Coimbatore (Gandhipuram) only: our courses · fees (Coimbatore TET / TRB – ₹22,000 incl. GST, study material and test series). The Madurai branch does not offer TET / TRB coaching.
- Talk to us: +91 99941 46662 · WhatsApp
Frequently asked questions
What is TNTET and who conducts it?
The Tamil Nadu Teacher Eligibility Test (TNTET) is conducted by the Teachers Recruitment Board (TRB), Tamil Nadu. Under the RTE Act and NCTE rules, you must pass it to teach Classes 1 to 8. Paper I is for Classes 1–5 and Paper II for Classes 6–8.
Does passing TNTET give a government job?
No. TNTET is only an eligibility test and has no vacancies. For a government school teacher post you must clear a separate TRB recruitment exam; a TET pass is needed to apply for it.
When is the next TNTET?
The last regular TNTET for fresh candidates was TNTET 2025 (Paper I 15-11-2025, Paper II 16-11-2025). The next regular TNTET notification has not been issued as of 03-11-2026. The exam on 20-12-2026 is only the special TET for working teachers.
Who can apply for the special TET on 20 December 2026?
Only teachers now working in Government, Government-aided and recognised private self-financing schools who were appointed on or before 01-09-2025 (Notification No. 02/2026). Applications run from 27-10-2026 to 19-11-2026 on trb.tn.gov.in; the exam is on 20-12-2026 (tentative).
What are the TNTET pass marks?
Out of 150: General 60% (90); BC, BCM, MBC/DNC 50% (75); SC, SC(A), ST 40% (60); persons with disabilities 40% (60). These come from G.O.(Ms) No. 23 dated 28-01-2026 and G.O.(Ms) No. 46 dated 25-02-2026.
Is there negative marking in TNTET? How long is the exam?
The TNTET 2025 and special TET 2026 notifications do not mention any negative marking; check each new notification. Each paper has 150 objective questions for 150 marks, and lasts 3 hours.
How long is the TNTET certificate valid?
For life – G.O.(Ms) No. 128, School Education (TRB) Department, dated 23-08-2021 (unless the Government notifies otherwise). It also applies to TET certificates already issued by TRB.
Is there an age limit for TNTET? Can final-year students write it?
Minimum age is 18; there is no upper age limit (TNTET 2025 notification). Final-year D.El.Ed. / B.Ed. students may also appear; the TET certificate is issued only after they pass the course and submit proof. Call 99941 46662 about our TET / TRB coaching in Coimbatore (no TET coaching at Madurai).
