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TNEA 2026, conducted by the Directorate of Technical Education (DoTE) Tamil Nadu, is the centralized online admission process for B.E./B.Tech courses in over 500 government, government-aided, and self-financing engineering colleges across the state. Admissions are merit-based on Class 12 marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (normalized to 200), with no entrance exam required. The process includes online registration, certificate upload, random number assignment, rank list publication, and multiple rounds of counselling. With around 2.5 lakh seats available, TNEA provides access to top institutions like College of Engineering Guindy (Anna University), PSG College of Technology, and Coimbatore Institute of Technology, offering branches such as Computer Science, Electronics, Mechanical, and emerging fields like AI and Data Science. Successful candidates secure affordable education and strong placement opportunities in core and IT sectors.
Table of Contents
TNEA 2026 Notification and Important Dates
The official TNEA 2026 notification is expected in April-May 2026 on tneaonline.org. Based on 2025 trends, registration will commence in early May, with counselling extending to August-September.
- Notification Release: April-May 2026
- Online Registration Start: May 2026
- Last Date for Registration: June 2026
- Document Upload Deadline: June 2026
- Random Number Assignment: June 2026
- Certificate Verification (Online): June 2026
- Rank List Publication: June-July 2026
- Grievance Redressal: July 2026
- General Counselling Rounds: July-August 2026
- Supplementary and SCA to SC Rounds: August 2026
Check tneaonline.org regularly for the confirmed schedule and information brochure.
TNEA 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must meet these norms:
- Nationality: Indian
- Nativity: Tamil Nadu natives or those who studied Class 8-12 in TN schools; other state candidates eligible without nativity certificate but no reservation
- Qualifying Exam: Passed Class 12 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics
- Minimum Marks: OC - 45% in PCM; BC/BCM - 40%; MBC/DNC - 40%; SC/SCA/ST - Pass only
- Vocational Stream: Relevant subjects with minimum marks as above
- Age: No upper limit; minimum as per qualifying exam
- Marine Engineering: Additional norms like age 25 years max, vision standards
Appearing candidates eligible provisionally.
TNEA 2026 Application Form and Fees
Registration fully online at tneaonline.org. Steps: Register with email/mobile, fill details, upload photo/signature/certificates, pay fee.
| Category | Fee (Expected) |
|---|---|
| General/BC/BCM/MBC | Rs. 500 |
| SC/SCA/ST (TN only) | Rs. 250 |
Payment via net banking/card/UPI. No offline mode.
TNEA Rank List and Merit Calculation 2026
Merit based on normalized marks: Mathematics (100), Physics (50), Chemistry (50) = 200 total. Normalization adjusts board variations. Tie-breaker: Higher Math marks, then Physics, Chemistry, date of birth, random number.
- Random Number: 10-digit unique ID for final tie-break
- Rank List: Published online; community and overall ranks
TNEA Previous Year Cutoff Trends
Cutoffs are closing ranks round-wise, varying by branch, college, category. CSE/ECE most competitive; government colleges require top ranks.
From recent years, competition increased with more seats in emerging branches. Top colleges like CEG Anna University close under 500 for CSE (OC).
Approximate OC closing ranks for popular branches:
| College/Branch | 2025 (Approx) | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| CEG Anna University - CSE | Under 500 | Similar | Under 400 |
| PSG Tech Coimbatore - CSE | 1000-3000 | 1500-4000 | 1000-3500 |
| CIT Coimbatore - CSE | 3000-6000 | 4000-7000 | 3000-6000 |
| Thiagarajar College Madurai - ECE | 5000-10000 | 6000-12000 | 5000-9000 |
| Other Government Colleges | 10000+ | 12000+ | 10000+ |
| Self-Financing Colleges | 50000+ | 60000+ | 50000+ |
Reserved categories lower by 20-50%. Expected 2026: Slight rise in popular branches.
TNEA Previous Year Rank Lists and Cutoffs
Official rank lists and cutoff PDFs available on tneaonline.org archives post-counselling. Download round-wise allotment lists for 2025-2020 from official site.
- Focus: CSE/IT branches highest demand
- Archives: tneaonline.org under previous years section
TNEA 2026 Counselling and Seat Allotment Process
Fully online with multiple rounds:
- Choice Filling: Unlimited preferences
- Allotment: Merit, category, choices
- Options: Accept/Freeze, Float for upgrade
- Rounds: General, Supplementary, SCA to SC
- Special Reservations: Sports, Ex-Servicemen, Differently Abled
- 7.5% Quota: Government school students
- Reporting: Download allotment order, pay fees, join college
Over 2.5 lakh seats; process transparent with grievance redressal.
List of Top Engineering Colleges under TNEA
Key institutions:
- College of Engineering Guindy (Anna University), Chennai
- PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore
- Coimbatore Institute of Technology
- Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Madurai
- Madras Institute of Technology, Chromepet
- Government College of Technology, Coimbatore
- SSN College of Engineering, Chennai
- Others: VIT (surrendered seats), SRM (limited)
Full list in counselling booklet on tneaonline.org.
TNEA Preparation and Counselling Tips 2026
Aim high PCM scores for better normalization. Analyze previous cutoffs for realistic choices.
- Target Marks: 195+ for top colleges/branches
- Strategy: Prioritize branches over colleges if placement-focused
- Participate all rounds; use upgrade option
- Documents Ready: Class 10/12 marksheets, nativity (if applicable), community certificate
Strategic filling maximizes options in competitive scenario.
Frequently Asked Questions
- No, purely merit-based on Class 12 PCM marks.
- Yes, but no reservation; open competition only.
- 10-digit unique ID for tie-breaking in rank list.
- Normalized PCM marks out of 200; closing ranks vary by round.
- Around 2.5 lakh in 500+ colleges.
- Yes for reservation/quota benefits; not for open category.
- Yes, by choosing Float option.
- Class 10/12 marksheets, community/nativity certificates, photo/signature.
- Login to tneaonline.org with credentials.
- Yes, horizontal reservation for preferential allotment.
- July-August after rank list.
- May get lower preferences or no allotment; participate in supplementary.
