The TN SET Exam 2026 is expected to be announced by the authorized conducting body in early 2026. The Tamil Nadu State Eligibility Test (TN SET) is a state-level examination conducted to determine the eligibility of candidates for the post of Assistant Professor in universities and colleges across Tamil Nadu. Although the official notification for TN SET 2026 is yet to be released, candidates can expect the exam to follow a timeline similar to previous years. Aspirants planning to appear for the TN SET must stay updated with the official websites of Mother Teresa Women’s University (MTWU) or Teachers Recruitment Board (TRB) for final dates.
What is TN SET Exam 2026?
The Tamil Nadu State Eligibility Test, commonly known as the TN SET Exam 2026, is an examination conducted at the state level to assess whether applicants are eligible for Assistant Professors in colleges and universities of Tamil Nadu. The exam is conducted by Manonmaniam Sundaranar University (MSU). The exam is held annually or as per the requirement by a university that is authorized by the Government of Tamil Nadu.
| Aspect | Details |
| Conducting Body | Manonmaniam Sundaranar University (MSU) |
| Purpose | To determine eligibility for Assistant Professorship in Tamil Nadu |
| Frequency | Conducted annually or as required |
| Mode of Examination | Offline (Pen and Paper Based) |
| Languages | English and Tamil (for specific subjects) |
TN SET Exam 2026 Dates
While the official TN SET Exam 2026 dates has not been declared as of December 2026, the exam is likely to be held in May 2026, based on recent patterns and academic timelines. The application process may begin in the first quarter of 2026. Candidates should keep an eye on updates regarding registration, admit card release, and exam schedule to ensure timely preparation.
Expected TN SET Exam 2026 Timeline
- TN SET 2026 Application Start Date: January–February 2026 (Tentative)
- Last Date to Apply: April 2026 (Tentative)
- TN SET 2026 Admit Card Release: April 2026 (Tentative)
- TN SET Exam Date 2026: May 2026 (Expected)
- TN SET 2026 Result: May–June 2026 (Tentative)
TN SET Exam 2026 Eligibility Criteria
The TNSET is the most prominent eligibility exam for those aspiring to work as assistant professors in colleges and universities affiliated with Tamil Nadu. The eligibility criteria for the Tamil Nadu State Eligibility Test are as follows:
Educational Qualification
- The candidate must have secured a minimum of 55% marks in a Master’s Degree or any equivalent examination from a recognized university.
- A minimum of 50% of the marks is required for all those candidates who belong to SC, ST, PwD and Third Gender categories.
Candidates Awaiting Results
- Candidates who are currently pursuing their Master’s degree, or those who have sat for their final year exams and are awaiting results, are eligible to apply provisionally.
- These applicants would be eligible for Assistant Professor only after achieving the percentage marks in their Master’s level two years after the release of the TN SET exam result. If they failed to achieve this, they would be disqualified.
Relaxation for Ph.D. Holders
- Ph.D. Degree holders who have passed a Master’s level examination earlier than 19 September, 1991, whoever the result has been announced, are eligible for an aggregate relaxation of 5% (from 55% to 50% ).
Subject-Specific Eligibility
- Candidates must take the TN SET in their Post-Graduation subjects. If the subject does not fall under the list of the TN SET, they may opt for either UGC-NET or Joint CSIR-UGC Test.
Foreign Degrees or Diplomas
- They may verify the equivalence of postgraduate diplomas/certificates issued by Indian institutions and foreign degrees with Indian Master’s degrees from the Association of Indian Universities.
Age Limit
- No Upper age limit is there in applying for TN SET.
TN SET Exam Pattern 2026
The test is conducted with a two paper pattern, similar to that of the UGC-NET exam pattern. Below is the detailed exam pattern:
| Paper | Marks | Number of Questions | Duration | Content | Medium | Negative Marking |
| Paper I | 100 | 50 | 3 hours (180 minutes) | General knowledge, teaching capabilities, research aptitude, reasoning ability, reading comprehension, higher education system, people and development, environment, mathematical aptitude, divergent thinking, and general awareness. | English | No |
| Paper II | 200 | 100 | Domain knowledge of the candidate in the PG subject chosen from the TNSET list of subjects. | English (except language subjects like Tamil, Arabic, Hindi, Malayalam, Sanskrit, Telugu, and Urdu) | No |
TN SET Exam 2026 Syllabus
The syllabus of TN SET Exam 2026 is in two papers: Paper I – General Paper and Paper II, which is a Subject-specific paper. The brief of the syllabus of the two papers is as follows:
TN SET Paper I: General Paper
This paper is common to all candidates and tests general knowledge, teaching aptitude and research aptitude. This paper contains the following questions:
Teaching Aptitude:
- Teaching, learning process, methods, and techniques.
- Types of learners and learning objectives.
- Characteristics of teaching and learning aids.
Research Aptitude:
- Research methods, types, and techniques.
- Research ethics and process.
- Data analysis, interpretation, and representation.
Reading Comprehension:
- Ability to understand written passages and interpret them.
Communication:
- Verbal and non-verbal communication, barriers to communication.
- Effective communication in teaching and research.
Reasoning Ability:
- Logical reasoning, analytical reasoning, and data interpretation.
Mathematical Aptitude:
- Basic mathematical concepts, number systems, and algebra.
General Awareness:
- Current affairs, national and international events.
- General knowledge about the environment, people, and development.
Higher Education System:
- Evolution of the university system, regulatory bodies, and academic institutions.
- Governance and administration in higher education.
TN SET Paper II: Subject-Specific
Paper II is on the subject selected by the candidate and the syllabus is as per the postgraduate level of that subject. The syllabus varies for every subject; they cover the advanced concepts and topics pertaining to that field of study. Subject-wise syllabus will cover the advanced topics and subject-wise papers relevant to the Master’s degree specialization chosen by the candidate. The following are some of the common subjects offered under TN SET:
| S.No | Subject | Subject Code |
| 1 | Anthropology | 2401 |
| 2 | Arabic | 2402 |
| 3 | Archaeology | 2403 |
| 4 | Chemical Sciences | 2404 |
| 5 | Commerce | 2405 |
| 6 | Computer Science and Applications | 2406 |
| 7 | Criminology | 2407 |
| 8 | Defense and Strategic Studies | 2408 |
| 9 | Earth Sciences | 2409 |
| 10 | Economics | 2410 |
| 11 | Education | 2411 |
| 12 | Electronic Science | 2412 |
| 13 | English | 2413 |
| 14 | Environmental Sciences | 2414 |
| 15 | Geography | 2415 |
| 16 | Hindi | 2416 |
| 17 | History | 2417 |
| 18 | Home Science | 2418 |
| 19 | Labour Welfare/Personnel Management/Industrial Relations/ Labour and Social Welfare/Human Resource Management | 2419 |
| 20 | Law | 2420 |
| 21 | Library and Information Science | 2421 |
| 22 | Life Sciences | 2422 |
| 23 | Malayalam | 2423 |
| 24 | Management | 2424 |
| 25 | Mass Communication and Journalism | 2425 |
| 26 | Mathematical Sciences | 2426 |
| 27 | Music | 2427 |
| 28 | Performing Art | 2428 |
| 29 | Philosophy | 2429 |
| 30 | Physical Education | 2430 |
| 31 | Physical Sciences | 2431 |
| 32 | Political Sciences | 2432 |
| 33 | Psychology | 2433 |
| 34 | Public Administration | 2434 |
| 35 | Sanskrit | 2435 |
| 36 | Social Work | 2436 |
| 37 | Sociology | 2437 |
| 38 | Tamil | 2438 |
| 39 | Telugu | 2439 |
| 40 | Tourism Administration and Management | 2440 |
| 41 | Urdu | 2441 |
| 42 | Visual Art | 2442 |
| 43 | Women Studies | 2443 |
TN SET Exam 2026 Application Form
The TN SET Exam 2026 is a state-level examination conducted by Osmania University, Hyderabad, to determine the eligibility of candidates for the positions of Lecturers and Assistant Professors in Degree Colleges and Universities within Telangana.
TN SET Exam 2026 Fee Details
The fees must be paid when making an online application for the position. It must be noted that the application fee for the General category has been hiked by approximately 65% compared to last year. In addition to this, students are expected to check out the current and latest information concerning the procedure at the TN SET official website. TN SET Fee details are mentioned below:
| Category | Application Fee |
| General | ₹2,500 |
| BC/MBC/DNC | ₹2,000 |
| SC/ST/SC(A)/PwD- (VI, HI, PH) | ₹800 |
| Transgender Candidates | No Fee |
TN SET Preparation Tips 2026
Study the pattern and syllabus for paper I and II to see the topics for which details have been provided with you for your selected subject on Paper II and general aptitude and knowledge on Paper I. Create a study schedule such that you give proper time both for Paper I and for Paper II as you must devote more time for specialized knowledge in Paper II.
- For Paper I: Focus on core topics that include teaching aptitude, research aptitude, reasoning ability, general awareness and higher education systems.
- For Paper II: Cover all the important topics of your postgraduate subject, which is exactly similar to the UGC-NET syllabus.
- Study Materials and Resources: Study from textbooks, previous year’s question papers, and sample papers to get an idea of what types of questions are asked in both papers. Make use of online resources like educational websites, YouTube tutorials and mock tests.
- Practice Regularly: Cleared exam requires regular practice. Solving previous years question papers and mock tests will make you understand both the format and the intensity of difficulty.
- Study Thoroughly: Regular revising strengthens your learning through retention. Focus on those weak areas and practice well until you feel confident about them.
- Stay Updated: Keep yourself updated with current affairs and general knowledge, particularly in areas such as education, environment and people and development, which come under Paper I.
Conclusion
The Tamil Nadu State Eligibility Test, is a highly important exam for those aspiring to become assistant professors in universities and colleges in the state of Tamil Nadu. The structured pattern of the examination and eligibility criteria clearly outline the road for qualified candidates to take part in the state’s higher education. By understanding the requirements of the exams, staying focused on one’s preparation and effectively utilising available resources, any candidate can increase the opportunity for success in TN SET. Regular practice with all time revision and well formulated planning are needed in this competitive exam for fine performance.
TN SET Exam 2026 FAQs
What is the Eligibility for TN SET?
Applicants must be Master’s degree holders with at least 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/PwD/Third Gender candidates) and must select the subject for Paper II according to his/her postgraduate qualification.
Is there an upper age limit for TN SET?
No, there is no age bar to apply for TN SET.
How to apply for TN SET?
One can register on the official website of TN SET by filling in his details and then an application form can be submitted along with a fee and a confirmation receipt downloaded.
When is the TNSET result declared?
The result of TNSET is usually announced within one week after the test. For checking the result online, candidates need their roll numbers.
