This directorate started conducting the following major exams from the year noted against each of them in addition to the various examination.

Secondary - 1980 Introduction of Uniform Pattern (SSLC) - 2012 This Directorate has 7 Regional offices at Madurai, Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli, Tirunelveli, Chennai, Cuddalore and Vellore.

At present this department in conducting exams for about 25 lakh students every year, To enable the drop out who could not pursue their school studies due to various reasons, this department is conducting 8th standard public exam purely for private candidates.

2000 Use of OMR sheets for answering 75 one mark questions in Higher Secondary Computer Science subject was introduced.

2003 Introduction of Special Admission Sheme (Tatkal scheme) for receiving application from Private candidates who failed / missed to apply in due date.

2003 Eligibility for applying the special supplementary examination conducted in June / July is extended up to three failed subjects.

2008 Scheme of allotting 10 minutes to read the question papers during 10th & 12th Public examination was implemented.

2013 A new scheme which involves attaching Top sheets along with the Main answer booklet containing all details of the candidate along with barcode is introduced.

Also Permanent Register Number was given to all Direct Private candidates (HP Type) who appear for the examination for the first time.

2016 System of issuing of Consolidated Mark Certificate for candidates who have first appeared and failed to pass in all the subjects was introduced from March / April 2016 Higher Secondary / SSLC Examination 2016 onwards.