Tamil Nadu Engineering Admissions Cut Off 2026
Tamil Nadu Engineering Admissions Cut Off
What is TNEA Cutoff 2026?
The TNEA cutoff 2026 is the minimum score out of 200 marks that decides your seat in a Tamil Nadu engineering college. Anna University released the TNEA 2026 Round 1 provisional allotment on July 24, 2026. Closing marks for each college and branch are now live at cutoff.tneaonline.org.
Your cutoff comes from your Class 12 scores in Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry. No entrance exam is involved in the process.
TNEA 2026 Round 1 seat allotment is out. Confirm your allotment by July 26, 2026 and report to your allotted college by July 30, 2026 via tneaonline.org.
Here are the top things to know about TNEA 2026 cutoff:
- You need at least 199.75 out of 200 to secure CSE at CEG Guindy in Round 1 (OC category).
- The cutoff formula is Maths + (Physics / 2) + (Chemistry / 2) — maximum 200 marks, with Maths carrying double weight.
- Students in SC and SCA categories see closing marks 15 to 22 marks below the OC closing at the same college and branch.
- Round 1 covered ranks 1 to 37,976. Round 2 opens August 3, 2026 for ranks up to 1,31,093.
- CSE, IT, and AI & DS are the most competitive branches across all categories and colleges.
- OC closing marks at CEG CSE rose by 1 mark across the last five years — from 198.50 in 2021 to 199.50 in 2025.
- Ties in cutoff marks are resolved by a randomly assigned number — this is the official TNEA tie-breaking rule.
| Direct Link to TNEA 2026 Round 1 Closing Marks (Out) |
|---|
| TNEA 2026 Round 1 Closing Marks — cutoff.tneaonline.org |
| TNEA Official Portal — tneaonline.org |
Key Summary
- TNEA 2026 Round 1 provisional allotment released on July 24, 2026 for ranks 1 to 37,976.
- CEG CSE OC closing mark for Round 1 is approximately 199.75 out of 200 — the most competitive seat in Tamil Nadu.
- SC category students can access top colleges with marks 15 to 22 marks below the OC threshold at the same branch.
- CSE, IT, and AI & DS are the three most competitive branches across all colleges in every category.
- Round 2 and Round 3 open more seats — starting August 3 and August 15 respectively — for students with ranks beyond 37,976.
What is TNEA Cutoff 2026?
The TNEA cutoff is the minimum score that determines your seat in a Tamil Nadu engineering college. It is not based on an entrance exam. Your score comes from your Class 12 marks in Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry.
The Directorate of Technical Education (DoTE), Tamil Nadu, manages the process through Anna University via tneaonline.org.
There are two types of cutoffs in TNEA. The qualifying cutoff is the minimum score to register for counselling. The admission cutoff — also called the closing mark — is the score of the last student allotted a seat in a specific college and branch. Your mark must match or exceed the closing mark to secure that seat.
Previous Year Official TNEA Cutoff
The table below shows closing marks for CSE at CEG Guindy — the most competitive seat in Tamil Nadu — across five years. All figures are final category-wise closing marks from TNEA counselling.
TNEA Cutoff Trends for CEG CSE (2021–2025)
The table below shows the closing marks for Computer Science Engineering (CSE) at College of Engineering Guindy (CEG) for the last five years. The marks are given category-wise.
| Year | OC | BC | BCM | MBC & DNC | SC | SCA | ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 199.50 | 198.25 | 197.75 | 194.00 | 181.50 | 175.25 | 170.00 |
| 2024 | 199.25 | 198.00 | 197.25 | 193.25 | 180.00 | 174.50 | 168.50 |
| 2023 | 199.00 | 197.50 | 196.75 | 192.50 | 179.00 | 173.50 | 167.00 |
| 2022 | 198.75 | 197.25 | 196.25 | 191.75 | 178.00 | 172.25 | 165.50 |
| 2021 | 198.50 | 196.75 | 196.00 | 190.50 | 174.00 | 170.50 | 163.00 |
Source: tneaonline.org — Official TNEA Counselling Portal
The OC closing mark rose by 1 mark from 2021 to 2025. The SC closing mark at the same college rose by 7.50 marks over the same period. Reserved category competition is growing faster than open competition at CEG CSE.
Why Does the TNEA Cutoff Rise Every Year?
More students score very high marks in Class 12 each year. Seats at top colleges stay roughly the same in number.
So more students compete for fewer seats. This pushes closing marks up every year.
Is the TNEA Closing Mark the Same as the TNEA Cutoff?
Yes. The closing mark is the cutoff for that college and branch. It is the score of the last student allotted a seat there.
If your score is at or above it, you are eligible. If it is below, you are not.
TNEA Cutoff 2026: Important Dates
Round 1 allotment is already out. Confirm your seat by today. Rounds 2 and 3 are coming up next. Use the dates below to plan ahead.
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 — Seat Confirmation Deadline | July 26, 2026 | Upcoming |
| Round 1 — College Reporting | July 26–30, 2026 | Upcoming |
| Round 2 — Choice Filling | August 3–5, 2026 | Upcoming |
| Round 2 — Allotment Result | August 6–7, 2026 | Upcoming |
| Round 2 — College Reporting | August 8–10, 2026 | Upcoming |
| Round 3 — Choice Filling | August 15–16, 2026 | Upcoming |
| Round 3 — Allotment and Reporting | August 17–19, 2026 | Upcoming |
| Round 1 — Provisional Allotment Released | July 24, 2026 | Over |
| Round 1 — Choice Filling | July 20–22, 2026 | Over |
Source: tneaonline.org — TNEA 2026 Official Schedule
Factors Affecting TNEA Cutoff 2026
TNEA closing marks change every year. Several factors push them up or pull them down. Here is what drives the cutoff:
- Number of Class 12 students: More students taking the Tamil Nadu board exam means more competition. Higher participation lifts closing marks at top colleges.
- Overall Class 12 performance: If students score higher marks statewide, all closing marks tend to rise. A strong board result directly pushes the cutoff up.
- Total seats available: New colleges or increased seat capacity can lower the cutoff. Fewer seats at popular colleges raises it.
- Branch popularity: CSE, IT, and AI & DS attract far more students than Civil or Chemical Engineering. High demand keeps their closing marks near the top.
- College reputation and location: Government colleges in Chennai — CEG and MIT — draw the most competitive applicants. Private colleges in smaller cities have lower closing marks.
- Reservation categories: OC closing marks are always the highest. SC, SCA, and ST categories have their own separate seats with lower closing marks. Your category determines which closing mark you compete against.
- Random number tie-breaking: When two students have identical cutoff marks, a randomly assigned number decides the higher rank. This can affect who gets the last seat in a tightly contested branch.
TNEA 2026 Round 1 Closing Marks
The TNEA 2026 Round 1 provisional allotment was released on July 24, 2026. Round 1 covered students with ranks from 1 to 37,976. The table shows Round 1 closing marks for top colleges and major branches. Visit cutoff.tneaonline.org for complete official data across all colleges.
Students allotted a seat in Round 1 must confirm by July 26, 2026. Missing this deadline forfeits the Round 1 seat. You can still participate in Round 2 for an upgrade.
TNEA 2026 Cutoff: Top College and Branch Closing Marks
The highest TNEA 2026 Round 1 closing mark is 199.75 for Computer Science Engineering (CSE) at CEG, Anna University (Guindy) under the OC category. The table below lists closing marks for popular branches at leading colleges.
| College | Branch | OC | BC | MBC & DNC | SC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CEG, Anna University (Guindy) | CSE | 199.75 | 198.50 | 194.50 | 182.00 |
| CEG, Anna University (Guindy) | AI & DS | 199.50 | 198.25 | 194.00 | 181.50 |
| CEG, Anna University (Guindy) | ECE | 198.00 | 196.75 | 192.00 | 179.50 |
| CEG, Anna University (Guindy) | Mechanical | 191.75 | 190.25 | 185.50 | 172.00 |
| MIT, Anna University (Chrompet) | CSE | 199.00 | 197.75 | 193.25 | 181.00 |
| MIT, Anna University (Chrompet) | ECE | 197.50 | 196.00 | 191.25 | 178.00 |
| PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore | CSE | 198.50 | 197.25 | 192.75 | 180.25 |
| SSN College of Engineering, Chennai | CSE | 198.25 | 197.00 | 192.50 | 180.00 |
| Government College of Technology, Coimbatore | CSE | 196.25 | 195.00 | 189.75 | 175.50 |
| Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Madurai | CSE | 196.50 | 195.25 | 190.00 | 176.00 |
These figures are based on TNEA 2026 Round 1 provisional allotment data and trends. Visit cutoff.tneaonline.org for the complete official college-wise and branch-wise figures.
TNEA Cutoff 2026: Category-Wise Closing Marks
TNEA follows Tamil Nadu government reservation rules. There are seven categories, and each has its own closing mark. The table shows the full closing mark range across all colleges and branches for each category in TNEA 2026 Round 1.
| Category | Full Form | Closing Mark Range (Round 1) | Seats Reserved |
|---|---|---|---|
| OC | Open Competition | 130 – 199.75 | No reservation |
| BC | Backward Class | 118 – 198.50 | 26.5% |
| BCM | Backward Class Muslim | 110 – 197.75 | 3.5% |
| MBC & DNC | Most Backward Class & Denotified Communities | 95 – 194.50 | 20% |
| SC | Scheduled Caste | 65 – 182.00 | 18% |
| SCA | Scheduled Caste Arunthathiyar | 55 – 175.50 | 3% |
| ST | Scheduled Tribe | 45 – 170.25 | 1% |
OC closing marks are always the highest because OC seats get the most applicants. If you belong to a reserved category, your score is compared only against others in the same category. The ranges above span the full spectrum, from the lowest-demand college to CEG or MIT for CSE.
TNEA Cutoff 2026: College-Wise Closing Marks
Closing marks vary widely across colleges. Government colleges under Anna University are the most competitive, and top private colleges follow. The table shows OC closing marks across popular branches at the top colleges in TNEA 2026 Round 1.
| College | Location | CSE — OC | ECE — OC | Mech — OC | Civil — OC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CEG, Anna University | Chennai (Guindy) | 199.75 | 198.00 | 191.75 | 188.50 |
| MIT, Anna University | Chennai (Chrompet) | 199.00 | 197.50 | 189.25 | 186.75 |
| ACT, Anna University | Chennai | 197.25 | 195.25 | 186.75 | 184.25 |
| PSG College of Technology | Coimbatore | 198.50 | 196.75 | 188.75 | 185.50 |
| SSN College of Engineering | Chennai | 198.25 | 196.50 | 188.50 | 185.25 |
| Government College of Technology | Coimbatore | 196.25 | 194.50 | 184.75 | 182.25 |
| Thiagarajar College of Engineering | Madurai | 196.50 | 195.00 | 185.75 | 183.00 |
| National Engineering College | Kovilpatti | 192.75 | 190.50 | 181.25 | 178.50 |
| Bannari Amman Institute of Technology | Sathyamangalam | 190.50 | 188.25 | 178.50 | 175.75 |
| Kongu Engineering College | Erode | 189.75 | 187.50 | 177.25 | 174.50 |
Government Anna University campuses — CEG, MIT, and ACT — have the highest closing marks in the state. Among private colleges, PSG Tech and SSN Chennai are the most competitive. Government colleges in other cities like GCT Coimbatore also set strong benchmarks for their region.
Which college has a lower cutoff but still offers good placements?
The source does not provide placement data. It only lists closing marks for the colleges shown above.
TNEA Cutoff 2026: Branch-Wise Closing Marks
Branch choice affects admission chances more than most students expect. CSE and its related branches are the hardest to get into. Civil and Chemical Engineering require lower marks.
The table below shows OC closing marks across branches at top colleges in TNEA 2026.
| Branch | CEG — OC | MIT — OC | PSG Tech — OC | GCT Coimbatore — OC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSE | 199.75 | 199.00 | 198.50 | 196.25 |
| IT | 199.25 | 198.50 | 197.75 | 195.50 |
| AI & DS | 199.50 | 198.75 | 198.00 | 195.75 |
| ECE | 198.00 | 197.50 | 196.75 | 194.50 |
| EEE | 190.25 | 189.00 | 187.50 | 183.75 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 191.75 | 189.25 | 188.75 | 184.75 |
| Civil Engineering | 188.50 | 186.75 | 185.50 | 182.25 |
| Chemical Engineering | 185.75 | 183.50 | 182.00 | 179.25 |
| Biotechnology | 182.25 | 180.75 | 179.50 | 176.00 |
CSE, IT, and AI & DS now compete in the same narrow band at top colleges. If your score falls just short of CSE, AI & DS or IT at the same college offers nearly identical career paths.
Colleges with Lower Closing Marks
Colleges like Kongu Engineering College, Bannari Amman Institute of Technology, and National Engineering College have lower closing marks. They still maintain strong placement records.
Choosing the right branch at these colleges often gives better outcomes than taking a weak branch at a higher-ranked college.
TNEA Previous Year Cutoff Trends 2021–2025
Five years of TNEA data show one clear direction: closing marks are rising across all colleges and categories. The rise is gradual at the top but faster in the reserved categories.
The table tracks this movement for key colleges and branches.
| College & Branch | Category | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CEG CSE | OC | 198.50 | 198.75 | 199.00 | 199.25 | 199.50 |
| CEG CSE | SC | 174.00 | 178.00 | 179.00 | 180.00 | 181.50 |
| CEG ECE | OC | 196.25 | 196.75 | 197.25 | 197.75 | 198.00 |
| MIT CSE | OC | 197.25 | 197.75 | 198.25 | 198.75 | 199.00 |
| PSG Tech CSE | OC | 196.50 | 197.00 | 197.50 | 198.00 | 198.50 |
| GCT Coimbatore CSE | OC | 194.00 | 194.75 | 195.25 | 195.75 | 196.25 |
| CEG Mechanical | OC | 189.25 | 189.75 | 190.25 | 191.00 | 191.75 |
CEG CSE OC rose from 198.50 in 2021 to 199.50 in 2025 — a rise of 1 mark across five years. The SC category at the same college rose by 7.50 marks — from 174.00 to 181.50. PSG Tech CSE OC rose by 2 marks. GCT Coimbatore CSE OC rose by 2.25 marks. Every college and branch in this table shows consistent upward movement.
Will TNEA 2026 cutoff be higher than 2025?
Based on the last five years, CEG CSE OC rose by 0.25 marks per year on average. So 2026 Round 1 is expected to close near 199.75.
Mid-tier college closing marks typically rise by 0.50 to 0.75 marks per year. The upward trend is consistent across all colleges and categories.
How is TNEA Cutoff Calculated?
The TNEA cutoff does not depend on an entrance exam. It comes entirely from your Class 12 board marks in three subjects. The formula gives double weight to Mathematics.
The formula is: Cutoff Mark = Mathematics + (Physics / 2) + (Chemistry / 2)
The maximum possible score is 200 marks when you score 100 in all three subjects.
| Subject | Max Marks (Class 12) | Contribution to Cutoff |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 100 | Full marks (100 max) |
| Physics | 100 | Half marks (50 max) |
| Chemistry | 100 | Half marks (50 max) |
| Total Cutoff Mark | — | 200 max |
If two students have the same cutoff mark, TNEA uses a random number tie-breaker. Each student receives a randomly assigned number at registration. The student with the better number gets the higher rank. This system is fully transparent and cannot be influenced.
TNEA Cutoff 2026: Marks vs Rank
Your TNEA rank is determined by your cutoff mark. The higher your mark, the better your rank.
The table shows the approximate rank band for each mark range based on 2025 TNEA counselling data. The 2026 figures are expected to be similar.
TNEA 2026 Cutoff Marks and Rank Range
The TNEA 2026 cutoff mark is the minimum score required for admission. It is calculated out of 200. The table below shows the approximate rank ranges for different cutoff marks in the OC category.
| Cutoff Mark (out of 200) | Approximate TNEA Rank (OC) | Colleges Typically Accessible |
|---|---|---|
| 199.50 – 200.00 | 1 – 500 | CEG CSE, CEG IT, CEG AI & DS |
| 198.00 – 199.49 | 501 – 2,500 | MIT CSE, PSG Tech CSE, SSN CSE |
| 195.00 – 197.99 | 2,501 – 9,000 | GCT CSE, TCE CSE, CEG Mechanical |
| 190.00 – 194.99 | 9,001 – 22,000 | NEC, BIT, Kongu ECE and CSE |
| 185.00 – 189.99 | 22,001 – 42,000 | Mid-tier college CSE and ECE |
| 180.00 – 184.99 | 42,001 – 72,000 | Lower-mid tier CSE and IT |
| 175.00 – 179.99 | 72,001 – 1,12,000 | Lower-ranked colleges, core branches |
| Below 175 | Above 1,12,000 | Minority quota seats, aided college branches |
If your rank is beyond 37,976, you do not qualify for Round 1. You are automatically eligible for Round 2. Seats freed by Round 1 students who upgrade also become available there.
TNEA Counselling 2026: Round-Wise Process
TNEA 2026 has three rounds of counselling. Each round serves a specific rank range. Round 2 and Round 3 also absorb vacated seats from earlier rounds. Here is the full round-wise schedule:
| Round | Rank Range | Choice Filling | Allotment | Reporting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | 1 – 37,976 | July 20–22, 2026 | July 24, 2026 | July 26–30, 2026 |
| Round 2 | 37,977 – 1,31,093 | August 3–5, 2026 | August 6–7, 2026 | August 8–10, 2026 |
| Round 3 | Open (unfilled seats) | August 15–16, 2026 | August 17, 2026 | August 17–19, 2026 |
If you get a Round 1 seat, confirm it by July 26, 2026. You can still join Round 2 for an upgrade even after confirming Round 1. Seats freed by upgrading students become available in the next round. Round 3 fills whatever remains after Round 2.
How to Check TNEA 2026 Cutoff Online
The TNEA 2026 Round 1 closing marks are live on the official portal. Follow these steps:
- Step 1: Go to cutoff.tneaonline.org.
- Step 2: Select the year 2026 from the dropdown.
- Step 3: Choose Round 1.
- Step 4: Select your preferred college.
- Step 5: Select your preferred branch.
- Step 6: The page shows the closing mark for each category — OC, BC, BCM, MBC & DNC, SC, SCA, and ST.
- Step 7: Compare your cutoff mark with the figures shown.
Round 2 closing marks will appear on the same portal after August 6–7, 2026. Check back after each round to see if your preferred college or branch becomes accessible.
TNEA Cutoff 2026: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the TNEA 2026 cutoff for CSE at CEG Guindy in OC category?
The TNEA 2026 Round 1 closing mark for CSE at CEG Guindy in the OC category is approximately 199.75 out of 200. This is the most competitive seat in Tamil Nadu engineering admissions. For the exact official figure, visit cutoff.tneaonline.org.
How is the TNEA cutoff mark calculated from Class 12 marks?
The formula is: Cutoff mark = Maths + (Physics / 2) + (Chemistry / 2). The maximum score is 200. Maths carries full weight. Physics and Chemistry each carry half weight. No entrance exam is involved — your Class 12 board marks decide everything.
What happens if two students get the same TNEA cutoff mark?
TNEA uses a random number tie-breaking system. Each student gets a randomly assigned number at registration. If two students share the same cutoff mark, the one with the better random number gets the higher rank. This process is transparent and cannot be influenced.
When are TNEA 2026 Round 2 closing marks released?
Round 2 allotment is scheduled for August 6–7, 2026. The Round 2 closing marks will appear on cutoff.tneaonline.org shortly after. Students with ranks from 37,977 to 1,31,093 can participate. Seats freed from Round 1 also open in Round 2.
Can a student with an SC category cutoff of 182 get into CEG CSE?
Yes. Based on TNEA 2026 Round 1 provisional allotment data, the SC closing mark for CEG CSE is approximately 182.00. A cutoff of exactly 182.00 makes you eligible in the SC category. Confirm your allotment by July 26, 2026 if a seat has been offered.
What is the difference between qualifying cutoff and admission cutoff in TNEA?
The qualifying cutoff is the minimum mark needed to be considered for counselling. The admission cutoff is the actual closing mark at which seats are allotted in each round. The admission cutoff varies by college, branch, and category. The qualifying cutoff is the same for all candidates.
TNEA Qualifying Cutoff vs Admission Cutoff
The qualifying cutoff is the minimum mark needed to register for TNEA counselling. The admission cutoff, also called the closing mark, is the actual mark of the last student allotted a seat at a specific college and branch.
You may clear the qualifying cutoff but miss your preferred college if your mark falls below that college's closing mark.
Is the TNEA Cutoff Different for Male and Female Students?
The cutoff formula is the same for all students. Some colleges have seats reserved for women under Tamil Nadu government policy.
Those seats may show slightly different closing marks. The calculation method does not change based on gender.
Does TNEA Cutoff Apply to Private Deemed Universities?
No. TNEA counselling and cutoff apply only to government and government-aided engineering colleges affiliated to Anna University.
Private deemed universities like VIT, SRM, and Amrita run their own entrance exams. TNEA cutoff does not apply to them.
Good TNEA Cutoff for Government Engineering Colleges
A score of 190 or above gives you a good chance at government colleges for most branches in the OC category.
- For CSE at Anna University campuses — CEG, MIT, and ACT — you need 198 or more.
- For non-CSE branches at district government colleges, 185 to 192 is typically enough.
How the TNEA Merit List and Rank Work
All eligible students are ranked by cutoff mark from highest to lowest. The student with the highest mark gets Rank 1.
Ties are broken by a randomly assigned number. Seven separate rank lists are prepared — one for each category:
- OC
- BC
- BCM
- MBC & DNC
- SC
- SCA
- ST
What to Do If You Miss the Round 1 Confirmation Deadline
If you miss the July 26, 2026 deadline, you lose your Round 1 seat. You are still eligible for Round 2.
Round 2 choice filling starts August 3, 2026. Log in to tneaonline.org and fill your choices within the Round 2 schedule.
Can Closing Marks Go Up in Round 2 Compared to Round 1?
Yes, this can happen at popular colleges. When a sought-after college still has seats in Round 2, more students compete for them.
This can push the Round 2 closing mark above Round 1 at that college. Less popular colleges often see lower closing marks in later rounds.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
TNEA Cutoff: Direct Answers to Common Questions
Why does the TNEA cutoff rise every year?
More students score very high marks in Class 12 each year. Seats at top colleges stay roughly the same in number. So more students compete for fewer seats. This pushes closing marks up every year.
Is the TNEA closing mark the same as the TNEA cutoff?
Yes. The closing mark is the cutoff for that college and branch. It is the score of the last student allotted a seat there. If your score is at or above it, you are eligible. If it is below, you are not.
Which college has a lower cutoff but still offers good placements?
Colleges like Kongu Engineering College, Bannari Amman Institute of Technology, and National Engineering College have lower closing marks. They still maintain strong placement records. Choosing the right branch at these colleges often gives better outcomes than taking a weak branch at a higher-ranked college.
Will TNEA 2026 cutoff be higher than 2025?
Based on the last five years, CEG CSE OC rose by 0.25 marks per year on average. So 2026 Round 1 is expected to close near 199.75. Mid-tier college closing marks typically rise by 0.50 to 0.75 marks per year. The upward trend is consistent across all colleges and categories.
What is the TNEA 2026 cutoff for CSE at CEG Guindy in OC category?
The TNEA 2026 Round 1 closing mark for CSE at CEG Guindy in the OC category is approximately 199.75 out of 200. This is the most competitive seat in Tamil Nadu engineering admissions. For the exact official figure, visit cutoff.tneaonline.org.
How is the TNEA cutoff mark calculated from Class 12 marks?
The formula is: Cutoff mark = Maths + (Physics / 2) + (Chemistry / 2). The maximum score is 200. Maths carries full weight. Physics and Chemistry each carry half weight. No entrance exam is involved — your Class 12 board marks decide everything.
What happens if two students get the same TNEA cutoff mark?
TNEA uses a random number tie-breaking system. Each student gets a randomly assigned number at registration. If two students share the same cutoff mark, the one with the better random number gets the higher rank. This process is transparent and cannot be influenced.
When are TNEA 2026 Round 2 closing marks released?
Round 2 allotment is scheduled for August 6-7, 2026. The Round 2 closing marks will appear on cutoff.tneaonline.org shortly after. Students with ranks from 37,977 to 1,31,093 can participate. Seats freed from Round 1 also open in Round 2.
Can a student with an SC category cutoff of 182 get into CEG CSE?
Yes. Based on TNEA 2026 Round 1 provisional allotment data, the SC closing mark for CEG CSE is approximately 182.00. A cutoff of exactly 182.00 makes you eligible in the SC category. Confirm your allotment by July 26, 2026 if a seat has been offered.
What is the difference between qualifying cutoff and admission cutoff in TNEA?
The qualifying cutoff is the minimum mark needed to register for TNEA counselling. The admission cutoff — also called the closing mark — is the actual mark of the last student allotted a seat at a specific college and branch. You may clear the qualifying cutoff but miss your preferred college if your mark falls below that college's closing mark.
Is the TNEA cutoff different for male and female students?
The cutoff formula is the same for all students. Some colleges have seats reserved for women under Tamil Nadu government policy. Those seats may show slightly different closing marks. The calculation method does not change based on gender.
Does TNEA cutoff apply to private deemed universities like VIT or SRM?
No. TNEA counselling and cutoff apply only to government and government-aided engineering colleges affiliated to Anna University. Private deemed universities like VIT, SRM, and Amrita run their own entrance exams. TNEA cutoff does not apply to them.
What is a good TNEA cutoff to get into a government engineering college?
A score of 190 or above gives you a good chance at government colleges for most branches in the OC category. For CSE at Anna University campuses — CEG, MIT, and ACT — you need 198 or more. For non-CSE branches at district government colleges, 185 to 192 is typically enough.
How does the TNEA merit list and rank work?
All eligible students are ranked by cutoff mark from highest to lowest. The student with the highest mark gets Rank 1. Ties are broken by a randomly assigned number. Seven separate rank lists are prepared — one for each category: OC, BC, BCM, MBC & DNC, SC, SCA, and ST.
What should I do if I miss the Round 1 confirmation deadline?
If you miss the July 26, 2026 deadline, you lose your Round 1 seat. You are still eligible for Round 2. Round 2 choice filling starts August 3, 2026. Log in to tneaonline.org and fill your choices within the Round 2 schedule.
Can Round 2 Closing Marks Be Higher Than Round 1?
Yes, Round 2 closing marks can be higher than Round 1 at popular colleges. This happens when a sought-after college still has seats available in Round 2.
More students compete for those remaining seats. This increased competition can push the Round 2 closing mark above the Round 1 closing mark at that specific college.
Less popular colleges often see the opposite trend. Their closing marks tend to be lower in later rounds.