The Tamil Nadu Directorate of Government Examinations stunned students and parents alike on June 20, 2022, by releasing the Tamil Nadu SSLC and HSE results Tamil Nadu three days ahead of schedule — a move that sent relief rippling across the state. At 10:00 AM IST, the Class 12 (HSE) results dropped, followed by the Class 10 (SSLC) results at noon. The announcement, made by Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, Tamil Nadu School Education Minister, at the Anna Centenary Library, carried more than just numbers — it carried the weight of recovery after two pandemic-disrupted years.
Girls Lead Again, But the Gap Is Wider
The standout story? Girls didn’t just pass — they dominated. Of the 8,06,277 students who sat for Class 12, 7,55,998 passed — a staggering 93.76% overall. But here’s the twist: girls scored a 96.32% pass rate, while boys managed 90.96%. That’s a 5.36 percentage point gap — wider than in any year since 2018. In raw numbers, 4,06,105 girls passed out of 4,27,000 who appeared. Boys? 3,49,893 out of 3,84,655. It’s not a fluke. This trend has held for nearly a decade. Teachers in Coimbatore and Madurai say girls are more consistent in daily assignments, show up for remedial classes, and rarely skip exams due to family obligations — a factor that still lingers in rural pockets.
Class 10 Results: Solid, But Not Record-Breaking
While Class 12 soared, Class 10 held steady. Over 25 lakh students appeared. 90.07% passed. That’s up from 88.4% in 2020, but still below the 91.2% seen in 2019. The drop in 2021 — when exams were cancelled and students promoted based on internal assessments — created a baseline that made 2022’s numbers look better than they might’ve been. Still, the fact that nearly 2.5 million students took the test under normal conditions, with strict防疫 protocols in place, speaks volumes about the resilience of Tamil Nadu’s public school system.
What Changed From 2021 to 2022?
Let’s rewind. In 2021, the pandemic forced the Tamil Nadu Directorate of Government Examinations to cancel both SSLC and HSE exams. No papers. No hall tickets. Just internal marks. Parents feared learning loss. Students feared unfairness. By 2022, classrooms were full again. The board had 14 months to prepare — and they did. Exams ran from May 5 to May 30 across 34,000 centers. The Government of Tamil Nadu deployed over 2 lakh staff, including police and health workers, to ensure smooth conduct. No major incidents were reported.
The Grading System — And What It Means for Students
Results weren’t just pass/fail. The board uses a 10-point grading scale: A1 (91–100) = 10 points, A2 (81–90) = 9, and so on down to C2 (41–50) = 5. Students scoring below 40 need to retake the subject in the compartmental examinations , scheduled for July–August 2022. The board also conducted Class 11 and Classes 6–9 exams in May — a sign they were trying to normalize the entire academic calendar. For many families, these results determine whether their child can enter +2 science streams, apply for government jobs, or even get into vocational training.
Where to Check Results — And What to Do If They Don’t Load
The results were live on six portals: tnresults.nic.in, dge.tn.gov.in, dge.tn.nic.in, dge1.tn.nic.in, dge2.tn.nic.in, and apply1.tndge.org. The National Informatics Centre hosted the main portal, tnresults.nic.in, which saw over 18 million hits in the first four hours. SMS alerts were sent to registered numbers. Still, many parents reported server crashes — especially in Tirunelveli and Dharmapuri. The Tamil Nadu Directorate of Government Examinations advised students to try again later or visit their schools, where printed mark sheets were distributed by 5 PM that day.
What’s Next? Compartmentals, Rechecks, and the Long Game
Students who failed one or two subjects can appear for compartment exams in July. Applications opened on June 22. Re-evaluation requests were accepted until June 27. But beyond the immediate relief, the bigger question lingers: why do girls keep outperforming boys? Education experts point to several factors — better attendance, stronger parental support for girls’ education in urban areas, and the fact that girls are less likely to drop out after Class 10 to work in family businesses. Meanwhile, the state is rolling out digital learning kits in 500 low-performing schools, funded by the Government of Tamil Nadu’s new ‘Digital Classroom Initiative’.
Historical Context: Pandemic, Promotions, and Recovery
In 2019, results came out on April 19 — months earlier than 2022. In 2020, the pass rate was 92.36% for Class 12. Then came 2021: no exams, no data, just promotion. The 1.4% jump from 2020 to 2022 looks impressive — but it’s partly statistical noise. Still, the fact that students returned to exams and still delivered near-record results is a quiet triumph. The Tamil Nadu Directorate of Government Examinations didn’t just conduct exams — it restored faith in the system.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many students appeared for the Class 12 exams in 2022?
A total of 8,06,277 students appeared for the Tamil Nadu Class 12 (HSE) exams in 2022. Of these, 7,55,998 passed, resulting in a 93.76% overall pass rate. Girls accounted for 4,27,000 of the candidates, with 96.32% passing, while boys numbered 3,84,655, with 90.96% passing.
Why were the results released earlier than planned?
The Tamil Nadu Directorate of Government Examinations moved up the Class 12 results from June 23 to June 20, 2022, to reduce anxiety among students and allow more time for compartment exam preparations. Officials cited efficient grading and early completion of evaluation as reasons. The Class 10 results, originally due June 17, were also moved to June 20 to align with Class 12.
What should students do if they failed one subject?
Students who failed one or two subjects can apply for compartmental examinations, scheduled for July–August 2022. Applications opened on June 22 via the official DGE portal. These exams are held at the same school where the student originally appeared, and results are declared by September. Passing these allows students to receive a full pass certificate.
How does the grading system work for Tamil Nadu Board results?
The board uses a 10-point scale: A1 (91–100) = 10 points, A2 (81–90) = 9, B1 (71–80) = 8, B2 (61–70) = 7, C1 (51–60) = 6, C2 (41–50) = 5. Below 40 is a fail. This system is used for both Class 10 and 12, and it determines eligibility for higher education streams — especially science and engineering, which require minimum A2 grades in core subjects.
Why are girls outperforming boys in Tamil Nadu’s board exams?
Multiple factors contribute: girls show higher attendance rates, participate more in remedial classes, and face fewer societal pressures to drop out early. In rural areas, girls’ education is increasingly prioritized by families. Teachers report girls are more consistent in submitting assignments and less likely to skip exams due to family duties. The gap has widened since 2018, suggesting systemic educational support is working better for girls.
Where can students get their physical mark sheets?
Physical mark sheets were distributed by schools on June 20, 2022, after 5 PM. Students who couldn’t access online results were advised to visit their respective schools with their roll numbers. The Tamil Nadu Directorate of Government Examinations also sent digital copies to registered emails and mobile numbers via SMS.
