A job seeker in Chennai can use three free state services from a phone. The employment exchange registration at tnvelaivaaippu.gov.in builds the seniority used for some government vacancies. The Tamil Nadu Private Job Portal matches you with private employers and lists state job fairs. The Tamil Nadu Career Services portal has free exam preparation material. All three are run by the Department of Employment and Training, and an Aadhaar number is mandatory for employment exchange registration.
The need is real. A handbook released this week by the Future of India Foundation found that about one in four Tamil Nadu residents aged 15 to 29 (24.5%) is not in employment, education or training, as DT Next reported. The figure is 40% for young women and 10% for young men. The same study notes that about 52% of people aged 22 to 29 in the state hold a degree, the highest share in the country, so for many the gap is between qualifications and suitable jobs.
Employment exchange registration online
Registering with the employment exchange is still useful. Some state and public sector recruitment draws on registered candidates, and the registration date counts as seniority. The online process on the TN Velaivaaippu portal works like this:
- Keep your Aadhaar number, mobile number, and certificates for each qualification (Class 10, 12, degree, technical courses) ready.
- Create an account on the portal and enter your personal and educational details.
- Add each qualification as you acquire it. Registration is tied to your qualifications, so update it after every new course.
- Renew on time. Registration must be renewed periodically. If it lapses, you lose seniority unless a renewal concession is announced.
Be accurate. The portal’s terms state that if any detail is found false, the whole registration is cancelled and you lose your seniority. Employers verify documents at the appointment stage.
For queries, the Directorate of Employment and Training is at Alandur Road, Thiru Vi Ka Industrial Estate, Guindy, and its listed phone numbers are 044-22501002 and 044-22501006. Your district employment office can help with corrections and renewals in person.
The Tamil Nadu Private Job Portal
The private job portal is a state initiative to connect job seekers with private companies. Candidates register a profile and employers register to post vacancies. The portal also carries notices of job fairs. It does not charge job seekers.
- Register with your mobile number and email and upload a CV.
- Search vacancies by district, qualification and sector, and apply directly.
- Check the latest news section for job fairs in Chennai and nearby districts.
Treat any caller who asks for money to get you a job through the portal as a fraud. Government job services do not charge placement fees.
State job fairs in Chennai
The Department of Employment and Training holds private-sector job fairs, often called mega job fairs, where dozens of companies interview on the spot. In August 2026 the Career Services portal published notices for a mega job fair at Ashok Nagar, Chennai 600083, with a QR code for pre-registration. Smaller fairs are also held at district level, and notices appear on the same portals.
Private organisations run fairs too. A fair held in Chennai on 10 October was organised by Thalaimurai Peravai and Equitas, for instance. These are not state events, so check who is running a fair before sharing documents.
For any job fair, carry several printed copies of your CV, copies of certificates, a photo ID and passport photographs, and register online in advance if a QR code or link is given.
Using the Career Services portal
The Career Services portal is the most practical of the three for anyone preparing for recruitment exams. It carries previous question papers for TNPSC Groups I, II, IIA and IV, the police recruitment board’s sub-inspector and constable exams, and co-operative department exams. It also has syllabi, mock tests and a virtual learning section with e-content. Its job alerts section lists apprenticeship openings and notices for central exams such as SBI, IBPS and SSC, alongside state recruitments. Everything on it is free.
If you want a government job
The biggest open opportunity right now is TNPSC Group 4, with 6,574 posts such as Junior Assistant, Typist, Tax Collector and VAO. Applications close on 5 November 2026 and the exam is on 10 January 2027, according to CareerIndia’s report on the notification. Most posts need only a Class 10 pass. The Career Services portal has previous Group 4 papers, mock tests and e-content for free.
Quick answers
How do I register with the employment exchange online in Tamil Nadu?
On tnvelaivaaippu.gov.in, using your Aadhaar number, mobile and educational certificates.
Is the Tamil Nadu Private Job Portal free?
Yes. Registration is free for job seekers and employers.
Where are Chennai job fair notices posted?
On the private job portal and the Tamil Nadu Career Services portal, under the news sections.
Does registration expire?
Yes. It must be renewed periodically, or seniority is lost.
Information checked against official sources on 18 October 2026. Fees, dates and rules can change; confirm on the linked official pages before acting.
Sources
- TN Velaivaaippu: Employment exchange online registration (Department of Employment and Training)
- Tamil Nadu Private Job Portal (Government of Tamil Nadu)
- Tamil Nadu Career Services portal (Directorate of Employment and Training)
- ‘One in 4 youngsters in Tamil Nadu out of work, uneducated, untrained’ (DT Next)
- TNPSC Group 4 Notification 2026 Out for 6,574 Posts (CareerIndia)
- Job fair marks GV Selvam’s birthday celebrations (DT Next)
