TNEA 2026 admission guide, dates, eligibility, cutoff, counselling

TNEA 2026 Engineering Admission:

The TNEA 2026 is a engineering courses admission in Tamil Nadu. handles engineering admissions in Tamil Nadu based on Class 12 marks, with no entrance exam required. Cutoffs, calculated from normalized marks in Math (100), Physics (50), and Chemistry (50) out of 200, will be released post-rank list in May-June 2026.​

TNEA 2026 Dates (Tentative)

The registration process will start in May 2026 and is open for June 2026. The rank list will be out in the last week of June 2026.

Candidates who will be applying for the engineering course will know all details as basic courses, eligibility criteria which is given in details here, preparing the rank according to criteria used by TNEA, Fee Waiver, and special eligibility to few selected courses, seats reserved for quota. Check out all the information here.

TNEA 2026 Courses

TNEA 2026 Eligibility criteria

Tamil Nadu candidates who have passed VIII, IX, X, XI and XII standard from schools situated in Tamil Nadu are eligible to apply. They need not produce Nativity Certificate for verification. ii) Tamil Nadu native candidates who have passed any of the VIII, IX, X, XI and XII Std. or their equivalent examination from schools situated outside Tamil Nadu can also apply. They should produce Nativity Certificate only in electronic form/digitally signed e-Certificate.

Percentage Required

A pass in any one of the HSC (Vocational Subject: both +1 and+2) as given below with any one of the Engineering related subjects namely Mathematics, Physics or Chemistry with a minimum average percentage put together as given below.

For Marine Engineering

 Candidates have PCM with 60 per cent marks, a minimum of 50 % in English either at 10th or 12th standard is required for all the candidates.

Other Requirement

• Maximum age limit 25 years. (ii) Minimum Height 157 cm. (iii) Minimum Weight 48 kg. (iv)Normal Colour vision.

Mining Engineering

Though the field mainly for male candidates women candidate can also join provided with following rules

They cannot be employed for the work which is below ground

Any mine activity on ground between 6 AM to 7 Pm

Seat Distribution Categories wise

Selection shall be made under seven categories namely OC, BC, BCM (BC Muslim), MBC & DNC, SC, SCA and ST following the rule of reservation of Government of Tamil Nadu as follows.

Seats Reservation for Government school students

A 7.5% seat reservation on a preferential basis applies to Government School students who studied from 6th to 12th standard in Tamil Nadu state Government Schools, as mandated under the Act. This quota extends to all reservation categories, including the General Category [G.O.(Ms) No. 167, Higher Education (J2) Department, dated 31.08.2021].​

Eligibility for Communal Reservation

Only Tamil Nadu native candidates qualify for communal reservation. The community listed on their certificate must match those approved by the Government of Tamil Nadu (Annexure – I, Pages 22-28)

Expected Cutoffs for Top Colleges

Top branches like CSE at elite colleges demand 195+ marks for general category, per 2025 trends.

The Rounds are classified based on Aggregate mark and General Rank. If the candidate’s general rank falls in between the start and end ranks mentioned against a Round, then the candidate belongs to that round. Also cross check the round, by confirming if the aggregate marks obtained by the candidate is within the start and end aggregate marks of that Round.

Category Variations

OBC cutoffs hover at 196-198, while SC/ST range 186-190 for popular branches. Lower scores (160-170) target mid-tier options like Kumaraguru or Sri Krishna colleges.​

Registration opens in May 2026 via tneaonline.org; monitor for counseling rounds.

For good engineering colleges through TNEA, aim for 90-95% or higher in the normalized cutoff (out of 200 marks from Class 12 Math, Physics, and Chemistry). This range secures top branches like CSE or ECE at premier institutes during early counseling rounds.​

Cutoff Percentages by Tier

Percentages reflect 2025 trends; expect similar for 2026 based on applicant trends.

TNEA allocates seats through a centralized online counseling process managed by the Directorate of Technical Education (DoTE), Tamil Nadu, based on Class 12 normalized marks without an entrance exam. Seats go to candidates in rank order, prioritizing merit, category reservations (e.g., 69% for BC/MBC/SC/ST), and filled choices for colleges/branches.​

TNEA 2026 Selection Process

The selection of candidates will be based on the marks obtained in the prescribed subjects reduced to 200 (Mathematics:100, Physics:50, Chemistry :50) in the qualifying examination.

Normalization Process

Normalisation of Marks and Inter-se Merit

Marks obtained by students in relevant subjects from qualifying exams conducted by various boards or authorities will be normalized against those from the Tamil Nadu State Board.

Normalization Method

The highest marks from the Tamil Nadu State Board in a subject (e.g., 100 in Physics) set the benchmark. The highest marks from another board in the same subject (e.g., 90 in Physics) are equated to 100.

Example Calculation

If a student from another board scores 60 in Physics (where the board’s highest is 90), their normalized score becomes 66.66, calculated as:

After normalizing marks from qualifying exams across different boards, qualified students form a single common merit list. For CBSE and ISC national board candidates, normalization uses the highest national-level marks in each subject; other boards must provide their maximum marks, defaulting to 100% if unavailable before rank list preparation. Minimum eligibility uses raw marks, while the merit list ranks candidates on a total of 200 normalized marks.

Tie-Breaking Criteria

When candidates share identical marks, inter-se merit follows this priority order:

• Percentage in Mathematics
• Percentage in Physics
• Percentage in optional subject
• Total percentage in Class 12
• Date of birth (older candidate preferred)
• Assigned random number (higher value preferred)

TNEA 2026 Admission in Special category

A 2% quota of government seats in government colleges, government-aided engineering colleges, Anna University departments, constituent colleges, Annamalai University, seats surrendered by self-financing colleges, CECRI-Karaikudi, CIPET-Chennai, and IIHT-Salem is allocated under the vocational category for TNEA from the 2022-23 academic year onward [G.O.(Ms.) No.121, HE (J2) Dept., dt:30.06.2022]. This applies to HSC vocational stream candidates, with marks in prescribed subjects normalized to 200 (Mathematics/Physics/Chemistry: 100 marks; vocational subject including theory/practical: 100 marks). Selection follows communal reservation, with separate ranking and counseling for vocational candidates; 5% of these seats are reserved for differently abled persons.

Sandwich Courses

Sandwich programs in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, and Production Engineering are available at PSG College of Technology under the self-financing scheme. These 5-year courses include morning practical training and evening classes, with additional fees for training specified by the college principal at admission.

M.Tech Integrated Course

A 5-year integrated M.Tech in Computer Science and Engineering is offered at select self-financing colleges.

Confirmation and Final Steps

Candidates confirm via options like “Accept & Join,” “Accept & Upward,” or “Reject” for better seats in later rounds. Final allotment follows, requiring reporting to allotted college with fees and documents by deadlines. Multiple rounds (up to 3-4) handle upgrades and leftovers.​

Failure to report forfeits the seat; 7.5% management quota fills separately post-counseling. Monitor tneaonline.org from May 2026

Caste and Category Certificate Issuing Authority

The applicants from Tamil Nadu State should have obtained permanent community certificate (for SC/ SCA/ ST/ MBC&DNC, BC and BCMuslim candidates) in permanent card format/ electronic form/ digitally signed e-Certificate only from the authorities given below on or before the last date prescribed for submission of online application. Community Certificate obtained after the last date prescribed for submission of online applications will not be considered.

Special Reservation

TNEA 2026 Fee Waiver

Students admitted under the 7.5% reservation for government school students receive full tuition, hostel, and development fee waivers, as per G.O. 221, Higher Education (J2), dated 15.11.2021. The state government covers these expenses; applicants must provide proof of continuous study from 6th to 12th standard in eligible government schools, including Government Schools, Corporation Schools, Municipal Schools, Adi Dravida and Tribal Welfare Schools, Kallar Reclamation Schools, Forest Department Schools, and Schools Managed by Government Departments.

First Graduate Tuition Fee Concession

Under G.O.(St) No. 85, Higher Education (J2) Department, dated 16.04.2010, first-generation graduates in a family qualify for tuition fee waivers when joining professional courses in government, aided, or self-financing engineering colleges via counseling. Submit a digitally signed e-certificate from the Headquarters Deputy Tahsildar, listing the applicant’s father, mother, grandparents, siblings, and including a joint declaration by the candidate and parent/guardian. Siblings who previously availed this concession disqualify the applicant.

AICTE Tuition Fee Waiver

AICTE Tuition Fee Waiver (TFW) Scheme applies only to self-financing engineering colleges and self-supporting courses in government-aided colleges for BE/BTech programs, covering up to 5% of sanctioned intake per course. Eligible candidates are sons/daughters of parents with annual income below Rs. 8 lakhs; tuition is waived by the institution (unlike government-funded First Graduate scheme), but other fees apply. TFW beneficiaries cannot change institutions or courses.

Post Matric Scholarship

SC/SCA/ST candidates and converted Christians with parental income below Rs. 2.5 lakhs qualify per G.O.s dated 09.01.2012, 11.09.2012, and 24.02.2014. Submit income certificate to colleges for reimbursement.

Registration process

Candidates seeking first-year BE/BTech admission under TNEA 2025 must register online via www.tneaonline.org or www.tneaonline.org www.dte.tn.gov.in from anywhere, with TNEA Facilitation Centers (TFCs) available in select cities for support.

TNEA 2026 Registration Steps

Eligible candidates (per Section 3) create a username and password for login and form completion. Prepare these details/documents:

• Mobile number and email ID
• 10th and +2 marksheets
• School details (6th-12th standards)
• Community/caste details
• Aadhaar number (optional)
• Parent’s annual income
• Payment mode (credit/debit card, net-banking, UPI, or DD) for registration fee

Special Options

Indicate preferences for:

• Special reservations: 7.5% for government school students, ex-servicemen wards, differently abled, eminent sportspersons
• Fee concessions: First graduate tuition waiver, post-matric scholarship

Application fee

Counselling

TNEA 2025 counseling occurs online in multiple rounds, grouping applicants by rank for sequential participation via the TNEA portal using registration credentials.

TNEA 2026 Counseling Stages

Each round includes four stages after paying registration fees (OC/BC/BCM/MBC&DNC: Rs. 500; SC/SCA/ST: Rs. 250 via card/UPI/DD):

1. Choice Filling: Three days to select colleges/branches in preference order (unlimited choices).
2. Tentative Allotment: Seats assigned by rank and choice priority against available matrix.
3. Confirmation: Two days to select from these options:
4. Reporting: Join allotted college/TFC and pay fees based on confirmation.

Confirmation Options

• Accept and Join: Download order, report to college (forfeit seat if absent; no further rounds).
• Accept and Upward: Hold seat but seek higher preferences; retain if none available.
• Decline and Upward: Reject seat, pursue higher choices; next round if unavailable.
• Decline and Next Round: Reject seat, skip upward, proceed to next round.
• Decline and Quit: Exit all future rounds.
• Upward or Next Round (for no-seat cases): Try upward allotment; next round if none.

Download TNEA Rank Cutoff PDF

Supplementary Counselling

Who can participate in the supplementary counselling? Candidates who have passed in the supplementary 12th Examinations or those who have missed to register for the general counselling or those who haven’t got a seat during the general counselling or those who have missed to fill their choices can apply for the Supplementary Counselling. 16. Where can I find the details regarding the Supplementary Counselling? The details will be available in the website soon. Kindly check the website frequently for the updates regarding the same.

TNEA 2026 Frequently Asked Questions