If you already teach in a Tamil Nadu school, the Teachers Recruitment Board (TRB) has opened the Tamil Nadu Teacher Eligibility Test (TNTET) for you. The online form is open from 27.10.2026 to 19.11.2026, and the exam is planned for 20.12.2026, though that date can still change. This is an eligibility test, not a recruitment, so there are no vacancies: passing it earns you an eligibility certificate.
Because this is an eligibility test, the notification gives no vacancy count and no pay scale, so those sections are left out.
Important Dates
Event
Date
Date of Notification
26.10.2026
Online application starts
27.10.2026
Last date to apply online
19.11.2026
Edit option for submitted forms
20.11.2026 to 22.11.2026
TNTET Paper I exam
20.12.2026 (Afternoon, tentative)
TNTET Paper II exam
20.12.2026 (Forenoon, tentative)
Application Fee
Category
Fee (per application)
All candidates except those below
Rs. 600
SC, SCA, ST and Differently Abled candidates
Rs. 300
Paper I and Paper II
Separate application and separate fee for each paper
How to pay
Online only: net banking, credit card or debit card
The fee is not refunded or carried over to a later test, and paying twice is not refunded either. Choose your community or disability category carefully, because the fee depends on it.
Eligibility Criteria
Criterion
Detail
Who can apply
Working Secondary Grade and Graduate (BT Assistant) teachers, BRTEs and IEDSS special education teachers, appointed on or before 01.09.2025
Pay type
Time Scale, Consolidated or Part-time pay
Schools covered
Government, Government Aided and recognised Unaided Private schools in Tamil Nadu
Age Limit
Not specified in notification
Qualification
Depends on the paper. See the Paper I and Paper II tables below
Promotion
Qualified serving teachers who opt for promotion can also apply
Application Restriction
Online only, with a separate application for each paper
Qualification for Paper I (Classes 1 to 5)
Route
Qualification
1
12th (Higher Secondary) with at least 50% marks + 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed)
2
12th with at least 45% marks + 2-year D.El.Ed, as per NCTE Regulations, 2002
3
12th with at least 50% marks + 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed)
4
12th with at least 50% marks + 2-year Diploma in Education (Special Education)
5
Graduation + 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education
6
Graduation with at least 50% marks + Bachelor of Education (B.Ed)
Qualification for Paper II (Classes 6 to 8)
Route
Qualification
1
Graduation + 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education
2
At least 50% marks in Graduation or Post Graduation + B.Ed
3
Graduation with at least 45% marks (SC/ST/BC/MBC/DNC/PH candidates) + B.Ed, as per NCTE rules
4
12th with at least 50% marks + 4-year B.El.Ed
5
12th with at least 50% marks + 4-year B.A./B.Sc.Ed or B.A.Ed/B.Sc.Ed
6
Graduation with at least 50% marks + B.Ed (Special Education), or at least 50% in Graduation or Post Graduation + B.Ed (Special Education)
The notification also accepts the qualifications set out in the Tamil Nadu Special Rules (G.O.(Ms).No.88 and No.87, both dated 13.03.2026) and the teacher qualifications laid down by NCTE, the National Council for Teacher Education.
In short: you must already be teaching in a Tamil Nadu school with a joining date on or before 01.09.2025. Your qualification then decides which paper you can write, and each paper needs its own form and fee.
Who Should Apply
This test is only for serving teachers. If you joined after 01.09.2025, or you are not yet teaching, this notification is not for you.
The English notification says appointed on or before 01.09.2025, while the Tamil press note says before 01.09.2025. If your joining date is exactly 01.09.2025, call the TRB helpline on 1800 425 6753 before you pay the fee.
Passing earns an eligibility certificate, not a job. The notification says a pass cannot be claimed as a right to employment.
You need a service certificate in the exact Annexure-I format, signed by your school head and countersigned by an education officer. Ask your school office early, because this takes time.
Both papers fall on 20.12.2026, Paper II in the morning and Paper I in the afternoon, so a teacher who applies for both would write them on the same day.
Exam Pattern and Qualifying Marks
Detail
Information
Number of questions
150 multiple choice questions (MCQs) per paper
Duration and marks
3 hours, 150 marks
Mode
Objective type, OMR-based (you shade answer circles on a sheet)
Syllabus level
Paper I: State syllabus for Classes 1 to 5, standard up to Secondary level. Paper II: Classes 6 to 8, standard up to Higher Secondary level
Negative marking
Not specified in notification
Paper I Structure
Subject
MCQs
Marks
Medium
Child Development and Pedagogy (age 6 to 11)
30
30
Tamil or English
Language I: Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada or Urdu
30
30
Chosen language
Language II: English
30
30
English
Mathematics
30
30
Tamil or English
Environmental Studies
30
30
Tamil or English
Total
150
150
Paper II Structure
Subject
MCQs
Marks
Medium
Child Development and Pedagogy (age 11 to 14)
30
30
Tamil or English
Language I: Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada or Urdu
30
30
Chosen language
Language II: English
30
30
English
Mathematics and Science, or Social Science
60
60
Tamil or English
Total
150
150
Mathematics and Science teachers write the Mathematics and Science paper, Social Science teachers write the Social Science paper, and teachers of any other subject can pick either one.
Qualifying Marks (Paper I and Paper II)
Category
Minimum marks to qualify
General
60% (90 out of 150)
BC, BCM, MBC/DNC
50% (75 out of 150)
SC, SCA, ST and PwD (persons with disabilities)
40% (60 out of 150)
In short: there is one written test per paper and no interview. Reach the pass mark for your category and you get the eligibility certificate.
How to Apply
Open the TRB application portal from the Important Links below. Online is the only way to apply.
Register with a valid email ID and mobile number, and keep the email active until the results are out.
Fill a separate application for each paper you want to write, Paper I or Paper II.
Upload your photo, signature, Service Certificate (Annexure-I), community certificate and education certificates.
Pay the fee online. You get an SMS on your registered mobile number once the payment goes through.
Check every detail and submit before 19.11.2026. Use the edit window from 20.11.2026 to 22.11.2026 only for corrections.
Note: Demand drafts, postal orders and any other offline payment are not accepted.
Photograph or signature rejected by the upload form?
TRB wants your photo between 40 and 60 KB and your signature between 20 and 40 KB, in JPG, JPEG or PNG. Resize both to the exact size the form accepts before you upload.
Do not change the Service Certificate format. TRB rejects the form if it is missing or altered, and it will not reply to any appeal.
Do not pick the wrong community or disability category. The fee depends on it, and a paid fee is never refunded.
Keep your photo, signature and PDFs inside the size limits, and upload every certificate with the form. A form without them is rejected.
Check your name, paper, category, date of birth and address before you submit. TRB treats them as final, apart from the short edit window.
Pay once and only online. A second payment is not refunded, and offline payment is not accepted.
Leave your mobile phone and every electronic gadget outside the exam hall. Even a switched-off device can get your candidature cancelled.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last date to apply for TNTET 2026 for working teachers?
You can apply online till 19.11.2026, and the application link is switched off after that date.
Who can apply for this TNTET?
Only teachers already working in Tamil Nadu government, government-aided or recognised private schools, who were appointed on or before 01.09.2025, can apply.
What is the application fee?
The fee is Rs. 600 for each application, or Rs. 300 for SC, SCA, ST and differently abled candidates, and Paper I and Paper II need separate applications and separate fees.
When will the TNTET exam be held?
The exam is planned for 20.12.2026, with Paper II in the morning and Paper I in the afternoon, but the notification calls the date tentative.
What are the qualifying marks?
Out of 150 marks, you need 90 in the General category, 75 for BC, BCM and MBC/DNC, and 60 for SC, SCA, ST and persons with disabilities.
Is there any vacancy or job under this notification?
No, this is an eligibility test only, and the notification says a pass cannot be claimed as a right to employment.
Can I correct my form after submitting it?
Yes, but only during the edit window from 20.11.2026 to 22.11.2026, and TRB allows no changes after that.
How can I contact TRB with questions?
You can call the toll-free number 1800 425 6753 or write to trbgrievances@tn.gov.in, and the notification asks you to do this well before the last date.
Disclaimer: The information above has been compiled from the official notification for the convenience of job seekers. Candidates are advised to verify all details from the official website before applying.
