The group 4 cut off for TNPSC is the total score out of 300 at which the last candidate in a given post, community and special category was selected through counselling. Above it sit two fixed hurdles every candidate must clear first: 40% in the Tamil test and a minimum total of 90 marks.
We could not confirm exact past cut off figures from an official TNPSC document while preparing this page, so instead of quoting numbers we explain how the lines are formed, why they differ between posts and communities, and how you can read the real figures yourself.
Exam at a glance
Conducted by
Tamil Nadu Public Service CommissionMarks counted
Total out of 300 (Part A plus Part B)Tamil test gate
40% in Part A (60 of 150)Minimum total
90 of 300 marksLines set by
Post, community and special categoryInterview
None; allotment by rank in counsellingOfficial website
tnpsc.gov.in
What the group 4 cut off marks mean
Group 4 fills many posts from one exam: Village Administrative Officer, Junior Assistant, Typist, Steno Typist, Bill Collector, forest posts and more, depending on the notification. Every candidate gets one total out of 300 and a rank. During counselling, candidates choose posts in rank order until each slot is filled.
So the tnpsc group 4 cut off marks are not decided in advance. They emerge at the end, as the mark of the last person allotted in each slot. A popular post like VAO can close at a higher mark than a less preferred one, even though both came from the same paper.
The two fixed hurdles before any cut off
| Rule | Requirement | What happens if missed |
|---|---|---|
| Tamil Eligibility cum Scoring Test (Part A) | At least 40%, that is 60 of 150 | Part B is not evaluated |
| Minimum total for selection | 90 of 300 | Not considered for any post |
These are floors, not targets. Because applicants run into lakhs against a few thousand vacancies, the actual selection line for most communities has stayed well above 90.
Why the cut off for TNPSC group 4 varies by community
Tamil Nadu's reservation scheme divides seats among General Turn (GT), Backward Classes (other than Muslims), Backward Class Muslims, Most Backward Classes and Denotified Communities, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Caste Arunthathiyars and Scheduled Tribes. Each community has its own share of seats and its own line.
On top of that, special categories cut across communities, such as women, Persons Studied in Tamil Medium (PSTM), differently abled persons, ex servicemen and destitute widows. A woman candidate from the MBC community who studied in Tamil medium may therefore be compared against several different lines, and she is placed in whichever slot her rank first earns.
Factors that move the line each cycle
- Number of vacancies: the biggest single factor. A notification with more posts pulls every line down.
- Applicants and attendance: more serious candidates sitting the exam pushes lines up.
- Paper difficulty: a tough Tamil section or a lengthy aptitude part lowers scores across the board.
- No negative marking: most candidates attempt every question, so totals bunch tightly and one or two marks can mean hundreds of ranks.
- Post preferences: how many toppers choose a particular post decides how deep that post's list goes.
Using past group 4 cut off marks to set your target
Once you have the official figures for your community, add a safety margin and use that as your mock test target. Because the paper is long and marks bunch closely, aim several marks above the last line rather than just matching it.
The topic list behind every one of those marks is on the TNPSC group 4 syllabus page.
Finding the official tnpsc group 4 cut off and your rank
- Visit the Commission's website and open the Results section.
- Select Combined Civil Services Examination IV for your exam year.
- Download the result and the rank list. Your marks, overall rank and community rank appear in your login.
- Look for the counselling and allotment notices, which show how far the list went for each post and community.
Read only the Commission's own notices. Figures shared elsewhere are often expected marks rather than actual ones. For higher state posts, compare the TNPSC group 2 syllabus, and browse more state commission exams in our state recruitment section.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum mark to qualify TNPSC Group 4?
You need at least 40% in the Tamil test (60 of 150) and a total of at least 90 out of 300. Selection itself depends on the community and post cut off, which is much higher.
Is the group 4 cut off the same for VAO and Junior Assistant?
Not necessarily. Posts are filled in counselling by rank, so a widely preferred post can close at a higher mark than another post from the same exam.
Does the PSTM quota change my cut off?
It can. Persons Studied in Tamil Medium are considered for a reserved share of posts, which may have a different line from the general list in your community.
Do wrong answers reduce the Group 4 total?
No. Since wrong answers cost nothing, almost everyone attempts all 200 questions, and scores tend to cluster closely near the cut off.
Where can I see my Group 4 marks and rank?
In your candidate login on the Commission's website once results are declared. The rank list and counselling notices are posted in the Results section.
Can someone tell me the next group 4 cut off in advance?
No. It depends on vacancies, applicants, paper difficulty and post choices in counselling. Treat any predicted number as a guess.