The Tamil Nadu government has amended the law providing a 20% preferential quota in direct recruitment to state government services for candidates who studied in Tamil medium. Governor Rajendra Arlekar gave assent to the Tamil Nadu Appointment on Preferential Basis in the Services under the State of Persons Studied in Tamil Medium (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2026, on August 6, and the amendment was published in the state government gazette on August 11.

Under the amended law, a person who has already secured a government post using the Tamil-medium preferential quota cannot claim the benefit again for another post under the same category. The law also includes a validation provision to confirm appointments made under the quota since 2010. The amendment specifies exceptions to the restriction, as provided in the legislation.