Universities in Tamil Nadu 2026

Universities: 69
State private: 9
State and central: 24
Online / distance: 29

Checked by Career Bhavan on 2 November 2026

against UGC’s published university lists

Showing 1–20 of 69 universities

Academy of Maritime Education and TrainingTamil Nadu · DeemedUGC Deemed (Section 3)Online / distance
UGC status
Deemed (Section 3). Declared a deemed-to-be university by the central government under Section 3 of the UGC Act, so it can award its own degrees.
Address
135, East Coast Road, Kanathur 603112
Website (as listed by UGC)
ametuniv.ac.in
Online and distance: Online · Recognised, Distance · Recognised on UGC-DEB’s current lists, 6 programmes.
See its programmes
Alagappa UniversityTamil Nadu · StateUGC 2(f) and 12BOnline / distance
UGC status
2(f) and 12B. Under Section 2(f), and also declared fit under Section 12B to receive grants from UGC and the central government. 12B is about funding, not degree validity.
Address
Vallal Alagappar Valagam, KaraikudiKaraikudiSivaganga District 630003
Website (as listed by UGC)
alagappauniversity.ac.in
Online and distance: Online · Entitled, Distance · Category-I on UGC-DEB’s current lists, 32 programmes.
See its programmes
Amrita Vishwa VidyapeethamTamil Nadu · DeemedUGC Deemed (Section 3)Online / distance
UGC status
Deemed (Section 3). Declared a deemed-to-be university by the central government under Section 3 of the UGC Act, so it can award its own degrees.
Address
Amritanagar, P.O., Ettimadai, Coimbatore 641112
Website (as listed by UGC)
amrita.edu
Online and distance: Online · Entitled on UGC-DEB’s current lists, 10 programmes.
See its programmes
Anna UniversityTamil Nadu · StateUGC 2(f) and 12BOnline / distance
UGC status
2(f) and 12B. Under Section 2(f), and also declared fit under Section 12B to receive grants from UGC and the central government. 12B is about funding, not degree validity.
Address
Sardar Patel Road, Guindy, ChennaiGuindyChennai 600025
Website (as listed by UGC)
annauniv.edu
Online and distance: Online · Entitled, Distance · Recognised on UGC-DEB’s current lists, 5 programmes.
See its programmes
Annamalai UniversityTamil Nadu · StateUGC 2(f) and 12BOnline / distance
UGC status
2(f) and 12B. Under Section 2(f), and also declared fit under Section 12B to receive grants from UGC and the central government. 12B is about funding, not degree validity.
Address
Annamalainagar,Cuddalore 608002
Website (as listed by UGC)
annamalaiuniversity.ac.in
Online and distance: Distance · Recognised on UGC-DEB’s current lists, 25 programmes.
See its programmes
Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science & Higher Education for WomenTamil Nadu · DeemedUGC Deemed (Section 3)
UGC status
Deemed (Section 3). Declared a deemed-to-be university by the central government under Section 3 of the UGC Act, so it can award its own degrees.
Address
Bharathi Park Rd, Saibaba Colony, Coimbatore 641043
Website (as listed by UGC)
avinuty.ac.in
B.S. Abdur Rahman Institute of Science and TechnologyTamil Nadu · DeemedUGC Deemed (Section 3)Online / distance
UGC status
Deemed (Section 3). Declared a deemed-to-be university by the central government under Section 3 of the UGC Act, so it can award its own degrees.
Address
G.S.T.Road, Vandalur, Chennai 600048
Website (as listed by UGC)
bsauniv.ac.in
Online and distance: Online · Entitled, Distance · Recognised on UGC-DEB’s current lists, 8 programmes.
See its programmes
Bharath Institute of Higher Education & ResearchTamil Nadu · DeemedUGC Deemed (Section 3)Online / distance
UGC status
Deemed (Section 3). Declared a deemed-to-be university by the central government under Section 3 of the UGC Act, so it can award its own degrees.
Address
No. 173, Agharam Road, Selaiyur, Chennai 600073
Website (as listed by UGC)
bharathuniv.ac.in
Online and distance: Online · Entitled on UGC-DEB’s current lists, 3 programmes.
See its programmes
Bharathiar UniversityTamil Nadu · StateUGC 2(f) and 12BOnline / distance
UGC status
2(f) and 12B. Under Section 2(f), and also declared fit under Section 12B to receive grants from UGC and the central government. 12B is about funding, not degree validity.
Address
Bharathiar University, Marudhamalai Main Road, Coimbatore-641046PIN - 641 046.Tamil Nadu
Website (as listed by UGC)
b-u.ac.in
Online and distance: Online · Entitled, Distance · Recognised on UGC-DEB’s current lists, 26 programmes.
See its programmes
Bharathidasan UniversityTamil Nadu · StateUGC 2(f) and 12BOnline / distance
UGC status
2(f) and 12B. Under Section 2(f), and also declared fit under Section 12B to receive grants from UGC and the central government. 12B is about funding, not degree validity.
Address
Palkalaiperur,Tiruchirappalli 620024
Website (as listed by UGC)
bdu.ac.in
Online and distance: Online · Entitled, Distance · Recognised on UGC-DEB’s current lists, 44 programmes.
See its programmes
Central University of Tamil NaduTamil Nadu · CentralUGC 2(f) and 12BOnline / distance
UGC status
2(f) and 12B. Under Section 2(f), and also declared fit under Section 12B to receive grants from UGC and the central government. 12B is about funding, not degree validity.
Address
Neelakudi,Tiruvarur 610005
Website (as listed by UGC)
cutn.ac.in
Online and distance: Online · Entitled on UGC-DEB’s current lists, 4 programmes.
See its programmes
Chennai Mathematical InstituteTamil Nadu · DeemedUGC Deemed (Section 3)
UGC status
Deemed (Section 3). Declared a deemed-to-be university by the central government under Section 3 of the UGC Act, so it can award its own degrees.
Address
H1, SIPCOT IT Park, Siruseri, Kelambakkam 603103
Website (as listed by UGC)
cmi.ac.in
Chettinad Academy of Research and Education (CARE)Tamil Nadu · DeemedUGC Deemed (Section 3)
UGC status
Deemed (Section 3). Declared a deemed-to-be university by the central government under Section 3 of the UGC Act, so it can award its own degrees.
Address
Rajiv Gandhi Salai, Kelambakkam, Chengalpattu District, Chennai 603103
Website (as listed by UGC)
care.edu.in
Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Institute of Research and Technology (DSIRT)Tamil Nadu · DeemedUGC Deemed (Section 3)
UGC status
Deemed (Section 3). Declared a deemed-to-be university by the central government under Section 3 of the UGC Act, so it can award its own degrees.
Address
Thuraiyur Road, Perambalur 621212
Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Institute of Science and ResearchTamil Nadu · DeemedUGC Deemed (Section 3)
UGC status
Deemed (Section 3). Declared a deemed-to-be university by the central government under Section 3 of the UGC Act, so it can award its own degrees.
Address
NH-45, Trichy-Chennai National Highways, Siruvachur, Perambalur 621113
Website (as listed by UGC)
dsisruniversity.org
Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan UniversityTamil Nadu · State PrivateUGC 2(f)
UGC status
2(f). Included in UGC’s list of universities under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act, 1956: set up by a central or state law and able to award degrees.
Address
SamayapuramTiruchirapalli 621112
Website (as listed by UGC)
dsuniversity.ac.in
Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research InstituteTamil Nadu · DeemedUGC Deemed (Section 3)Online / distance
UGC status
Deemed (Section 3). Declared a deemed-to-be university by the central government under Section 3 of the UGC Act, so it can award its own degrees.
Address
E.V.R Periyar Salai (NH4 Highway), Maduravoyal, Chennai 600095
Website (as listed by UGC)
drmgrdu.ac.in
Online and distance: Online · Entitled on UGC-DEB’s current lists, 6 programmes.
See its programmes
Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science (HITS)Tamil Nadu · DeemedUGC Deemed (Section 3)Online / distance
UGC status
Deemed (Section 3). Declared a deemed-to-be university by the central government under Section 3 of the UGC Act, so it can award its own degrees.
Address
Rajiv Gandhi Salai, Padur, Kelambakkam, Chennai 603103
Website (as listed by UGC)
hindustanuniv.ac.in
Online and distance: Online · Entitled on UGC-DEB’s current lists, 5 programmes.
See its programmes
Indian Maritime UniversityTamil Nadu · CentralUGC 2(f) and 12B
UGC status
2(f) and 12B. Under Section 2(f), and also declared fit under Section 12B to receive grants from UGC and the central government. 12B is about funding, not degree validity.
Address
East Coast Road,Semmencherry,Chennai 600119
Website (as listed by UGC)
imu.edu.in
Jeppiaar UniversityTamil Nadu · State PrivateUGC 2(f)
UGC status
2(f). Included in UGC’s list of universities under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act, 1956: set up by a central or state law and able to award degrees.
Address
Rajiv Gandhi Salai, Chennai 600119
Website (as listed by UGC)
jeppiaaruniversity.ac.in

The short answer

By Career Bhavan’s count of UGC’s lists, checked on 2 November 2026, Tamil Nadu has 69 UGC-recognised universities: 2 central, 22 state, 9 state private and 36 deemed to be universities. 29 of them are on UGC-DEB’s 2026-27 lists for online or distance programmes. UGC’s fake-universities list names none in Tamil Nadu.

1
Search the university above. If it isn’t listed and isn’t an institution set up by an Act of Parliament (IITs, NITs, AIIMS and the like), it cannot award a valid degree. Check UGC’s fake-universities list too.
2
Open the row: its UGC status shows whether it is a 2(f) university (with or without 12B) or a deemed university.
3
Studying online or by distance? Check the separate UGC-DEB approval for your exact programme as well.

Reading the list

What 2(f), 12B and deemed mean

2(f)
Included in UGC’s list of universities under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act, 1956: set up by a central or state law and able to award degrees.
765 universities
2(f) and 12B
Under Section 2(f), and also declared fit under Section 12B to receive grants from UGC and the central government. 12B is about funding, not degree validity.
375 universities
Deemed (Section 3)
Declared a deemed-to-be university by the central government under Section 3 of the UGC Act, so it can award its own degrees.
164 universities

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Method

Where this data comes from

Every university here comes from UGC’s own lists of central, state, state private and deemed to be universities on ugc.gov.in(opens in a new tab). Fake universities and the compliance notes (PhD regulations, ombudsperson, defaulter universities) come from UGC’s list of HEIs violating regulations(opens in a new tab). Names, addresses and websites are as UGC publishes them; online and distance approvals are matched from UGC-DEB’s lists. Checked 2 November 2026.

Who may award degrees is set by Section 22 of the UGC Act, as UGC explains in its public notice on fake universities(opens in a new tab). Institutions set up by an Act of Parliament are listed separately in the Ministry of Education list of Institutions of National Importance(opens in a new tab).

Free to reuse with credit to CareerBhavan. Get the data (CSV)

Cite as: CareerBhavan, “UGC-recognised universities in India 2026, with UGC notices and the fake-universities list”, careerbhavan.com/ugc-recognised-universities (checked 2 November 2026)

Quick answers

Frequently asked questions

How many universities are there in Tamil Nadu?

69, according to UGC’s lists as checked on 2 November 2026: 2 central, 22 state, 9 state private and 36 deemed to be universities.

How many private universities are there in Tamil Nadu?

9 state private universities in Tamil Nadu are on UGC’s list. Each is set up by a state law and listed under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act, so it can award degrees. Search the list above for any of them.

Which central universities are in Tamil Nadu?

Central University of Tamil Nadu and Indian Maritime University.

Which universities in Tamil Nadu offer UGC-approved online or distance degrees?

29 are on UGC-DEB’s 2026-27 lists: Academy of Maritime Education and Training, Alagappa University, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Anna University, Annamalai University, B.S. Abdur Rahman Institute of Science and Technology, Bharath Institute of Higher Education & Research, Bharathiar University, Bharathidasan University and Central University of Tamil Nadu and others. Approval is programme by programme, so check your exact programme.

Are there fake universities in Tamil Nadu?

UGC’s fake-universities list (as of February 2026) names none in Tamil Nadu. Still check any unfamiliar university against the list above before you pay a fee.

Choosing a university in Tamil Nadu? A counsellor can compare fees, courses and recognition with you.

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