The School Education Department on Wednesday issued a government order reducing the minimum qualifying marks in the Tamil Nadu Teacher Eligibility Test (TNTET) by 5% for both the exams.

According to the order, the eligibility marks of candidates belonging to the categories of Backward Classes (BC), Backward Class Muslims (BC(M)), Most Backward Classes (MBC), Scheduled Communities (DNC) and Persons with Disabilities (PwD) have been reduced by 5 per cent and those belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) have been reduced by 15 per cent. The passing score for general category examinees remains unchanged at 60%.

Previously, the minimum passing score was limited to 55%. In Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha and Maharashtra, proposals have been submitted by the school education directors to revise the minimum passing marks for TNTET based on similar provisions. These marks will also be applicable for the TET exam to be held in November 2025.

The categorical minimum passing marks for passing the TNTET have been set as per the guidelines issued by the National Council for Teacher Education, the order said.

School Education Minister Anvil Mahesh Poyamozhi posted on X that the government is committed to the welfare of teachers. “Teachers’ happiness is #DravidianModelGovernment’s happiness! Eligibility scores for upcoming teacher qualification exams are being revised in a way that will benefit hundreds of thousands of teachers and candidates who are waiting with dreams of becoming teachers…” he posted.