Last Updated: May 2026
CUET Tamil 2027 is a Domain Subject under code 309, the gateway to B.A. (Hons.) Tamil at Madras University, Annamalai University, Madurai Kamaraj, Bharathidasan, and Pondicherry University, plus Tamil-as-language pairings at JNU, BHU, and DU. With over 26,000 candidates in 2025, Tamil is the second-most popular Domain language at CUET after Hindi. This guide covers the complete syllabus, exam pattern, recommended NCERT/Tamil Nadu Board books, and 30 practice MCQs.
Quick Facts: CUET Tamil 2027
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Subject code | 309 (Domain — Tamil) |
| Questions | 50 (attempt 40) |
| Duration | 45 minutes |
| Marking | +5/–1 |
| Script | Tamil only |
| NCERT/State Board base | Tamil Nadu Board Class XI & XII Tamil + NCERT Tamil supplementary |
| Top universities | Madras Univ, Annamalai, MKU, Bharathidasan, Pondicherry, JNU |
CUET Tamil 2027 — Section-Wise Syllabus
Section A — Reading Comprehension (படிப்பறிவு)
- 2 unseen prose passages
- 1 unseen verse passage
- Inference, vocabulary, tone questions
Section B — Grammar (இலக்கணம்)
- Eluttilakkanam: Vowels, consonants, sandhi (புணர்ச்சி)
- Sollilakkanam: Peyar (noun), Vinai (verb), Idaiccol, Uriccol
- Yappu (prosody): Veṇpā, Āciriyappā, Kalippā
- Aṇi (figures of speech): Uvama-aṇi, Uruvaka-aṇi, Tarkka-aṇi
- Idioms (மரபுத்தொடர்) and proverbs (பழமொழி)
Section C — Tamil Literature (தமிழ் இலக்கியம்)
Sangam Period: Ettuthokai & Pattupāttu — Tolkāppiyam, Kuṟuntokai, Akanāṉūṟu, Puṟanāṉūṟu, Tirumurugāṟṟuppaṭai (selections from NCERT/TN Board).
Post-Sangam & Bhakti Period: Tirukkuṟaḷ (Thiruvalluvar), Sīrāppurāṇam, Kambar’s Rāmāvatāram (selections), Periya Purāṇam.
Modern Period: Bharathiyar (Subramania), Bharathidasan, Kavimaṇi, Pudumai Pithan, Akilan, Jayakanthan, Sujata.
Drama: N. Muthuswamy, Indira Parthasarathy.
Section D — Writing Skills
Application-based MCQs on letter format (formal & informal), précis writing, essay structure.
Question-Type Breakdown
| Section | Approx. Marks | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 40-50 marks | Read questions first, then passage |
| Grammar | 70-90 marks | Memorise puṇarcci (sandhi) rules; eliminate distractors |
| Sangam & Tirukkuṟaḷ | 50-60 marks | Source-poem identification is high-yield |
| Modern Literature | 40-50 marks | Bharathiyar songs and Pudumaipithan stories dominate |
| Writing Skills | 10-20 marks | Formal letter format MCQs are easy points |
Recommended Books for CUET Tamil 2027
- Tamil Nadu State Board Class XI & XII Tamil textbooks
- NCERT Tamil supplementary reader
- “Tirukkuṟaḷ — pārāyaṇa nūl” with explanations (Munuswamy edition)
- “Sangam Ilakkiyam — Ōrayivu” by Mu. Varadarajan
- Bharathiyar & Bharathidasan complete works (Tamil Nadu Govt edition)
- “Tamil Vyākaraṇam” by V. Rāman
High-Yield Topics — 80/20 Rule
- Tirukkuṟaḷ kuṟaḷs (couplet identification) — 6-8 marks
- Bharathiyar songs — 5-7 marks
- Sandhi (puṇarcci) rules — 6-8 marks
- Yappu (Veṇpā/Āciriyappā) — 4-6 marks
- Pudumaipithan short stories — 4 marks
- Proverbs and idioms — 4-5 marks
FAQ — CUET Tamil 2027
Q1. Is CUET Tamil paper the same for all states?
Q2. Can I take CUET Tamil if I studied Hindi in school?
Q3. Is Tirukkuṟaḷ tested heavily?
Q4. Which is the easiest section to score?
Q5. Cutoff for Madras University B.A. (Hons.) Tamil 2025?
Practice MCQs
Quiz data missing.
Related Reading
- CUET Hindi 2027
- CUET Sanskrit 2027
- Complete CUET 2027 Syllabus
- CUET English Core 2027
- CUET CBT Mock Test
Bottom line: Tirukkuṟaḷ + Bharathiyar + Sandhi rules — these three pillars yield 30+ marks on CUET Tamil 2027. Lock them in first, then layer on the rest.
