TNPSC Group 4 Cut-Off Marks: Previous Years and Expected 2026

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"What score do I need?" is the first question most Group 4 aspirants ask. This post explains how the Group 4 cut-off works, what it has looked like in previous years, what to expect for the 2026 exam, and the score you should aim for.

How the Group 4 cut-off works

There are two different numbers to understand.

• Minimum qualifying marks. You must score at least 60 out of 150 in Part A (General Tamil) for Part B to be evaluated, and at least 90 out of 300 overall. Meeting these doesn't mean you're selected. It only keeps you in the race.
• Cut-off marks. This is the score of the last candidate selected in each category for each post. It depends on your community, gender, the post and the counselling round, so there's no single Group 4 cut-off.

TNPSC selects candidates by rank. After the result, it publishes rank lists and calls candidates for counselling in rank order, so the cut-off only becomes clear once seats are filled.

Why older cut-offs aren't directly comparable

The exam pattern changed in 2022. General Tamil became a 100-question, 150-mark scoring section as well as a qualifying test. Cut-offs from 2019 and earlier come from the old pattern, so treat them as rough history, not a target.

Previous years' cut-offs

These are approximate figures for the general (unreserved) category, out of 300, as compiled by coaching websites. TNPSC's own rank lists and counselling data are the authoritative source.

Exam year	Pattern	Reported general cut-off (out of 300)
2024	New	About 150 (approximate)
2022	New	About 159
2019	Old	About 184 (Junior Assistant), about 170 (VAO)

For VAO in 2019, several sites report the same category-wise figures:

Category	Male	Female
BC	165	162
BCM	162	162
MBC	163	160
SC	161	159
ST	160	157

For the July 2025 exam, which filled 3,935 posts, coaching sites published expected cut-offs of roughly 164 to 170 for BC, MBC, SC and ST candidates. These were estimates, not official figures.

What to expect for Group 4 2026

The 2026 notification lists 6,574 vacancies, with the exam on 10 January 2027. That's significantly more posts than the 3,935 filled after the 2025 exam.

More vacancies usually ease the cut-off slightly, because more candidates are selected in each category. But competition for Group 4 stays intense, and the paper's difficulty can move the cut-off more than vacancies do. A reasonable expectation is a cut-off in a similar range to recent new-pattern exams: roughly 150 to 170 out of 300 for most categories and posts.

Treat this as an estimate. The real cut-off will only be known after the result and counselling.

The score to aim for

Don't aim for the cut-off. Aim comfortably above it. A target of 180+ out of 300 gives you a safe margin for most categories and posts, and a better choice of department at counselling.

Each question carries 1.5 marks, so 180 marks means about 120 correct answers out of 200. One way to get there:

Section	Correct answers	Marks
Part A: General Tamil (100 questions)	75	112.5
Part B: GS and aptitude (100 questions)	50	75
Total	125	187.5

The lesson: General Tamil is where most selected candidates build their lead. Scoring 75+ in Tamil takes a lot of pressure off General Studies.

What affects the cut-off

• Number of vacancies: more posts generally mean a lower cut-off.
• Number of candidates: Group 4 draws a very large number of applicants every year.
• Paper difficulty: a harder paper lowers scores and the cut-off.
• Community and gender: each category has its own cut-off.
• Post: VAO and Junior Assistant posts usually need higher scores than Typist and Steno-Typist posts, which also need a typing or shorthand qualification.

How to score above the cut-off

• Give Tamil the most time. It's half the marks. Aim for 75+ correct answers out of 100.
• Attempt every question. There's no negative marking for wrong answers, so a blank answer is a lost chance.
• Practise with full-length mocks. Track your score out of 300 every week, and aim to cross 180 consistently before the exam. ExamSixer's weekly mock exam series gives you this score and an AI analysis of your weak topics after every test.
• Follow a plan. Use our 3-month Group 4 preparation plan to cover the syllabus in time.

Check your current level with the free TNPSC mini test, and see the full Group 4 exam details and VAO details.

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum qualifying mark for TNPSC Group 4?

You need at least 60 out of 150 in Part A (General Tamil) and at least 90 out of 300 overall. Selection depends on your rank, which usually needs a much higher score.

What is the expected cut-off for TNPSC Group 4 2026?

No official figure exists yet. Based on recent exams, expect roughly 150 to 170 out of 300 for most categories. Aim for 180+ to be safe.

Will the cut-off be lower in 2026 because there are more vacancies?

Possibly a little. The 2026 notification lists 6,574 vacancies, more than in 2025, but paper difficulty and the number of candidates also matter.

Does TNPSC release official Group 4 cut-off marks?

TNPSC publishes results, rank lists and counselling details. Cut-off figures quoted online are usually compiled from these by coaching sites, so treat them as approximate.

Is the VAO cut-off different from Junior Assistant?

Yes. Each post has its own cut-off, and VAO has usually needed a higher score than Typist or Steno-Typist posts.

Sources

• TNPSC official website{:target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"}
• Adda247: Group 4 notification 2026{:target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"}
• Careers360: Group 4 cut-off marks 2025{:target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"}
• Oliveboard: Group 4 cut-off{:target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"}
• PassTNPSC: Group 4 cut-off, last 5 years{:target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"}
• Testbook: Group 4 cut-off{:target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"}
• Oliveboard: Group 4 exam pattern{:target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"}