University of Madras

What is University of Madras?

University of Madras is a state government public university established on 5 September 1857 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, making it one of the three oldest modern universities in India. It is UGC-recognised, accredited with the highest NAAC 'A++' grade (CGPA 3.59, fourth cycle 2023), and holds UGC's 'University with Potential for Excellence' (UPE) status. Spread across six city campuses (Chepauk, Marina, Guindy, Taramani, Maduravoyal and Chetpet) with around 87 academic departments organised into 18 schools, it is best known for its liberal arts and sciences research depth and an alumni roll that includes A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, C.V. Raman, S. Chandrasekhar and Srinivasa Ramanujan.

In the NIRF 2025 rankings it placed #68 overall (score 52.89), #38 among universities (score 55.23) and #18 among state public universities (score 61.43), confirming its standing as a leading public research university in southern India.

University of Madras Key Facts (2026)

The table below summarises the core institutional facts an aspirant checks first about University of Madras: when it was founded, its governance type, its approvals and its academic scale. Read it as a quick identity card before drilling into courses and fees. Every figure here is drawn from the university's official records and current NIRF/NAAC status. Use it to confirm the institution's credibility at a glance.

The takeaway: University of Madras combines age and accreditation in a way few Indian universities can, pairing its 1857 heritage with a current NAAC 'A++' rating and three distinct NIRF 2025 rankings. For an applicant, the #18 state public university rank and 121-college affiliation network signal both academic credibility and a wide regional footprint. This is a research-heavy public institution rather than a placement-first private campus.

Why Choose University of Madras?

Aspirants choose University of Madras for reasons specific to its standing in 2025-2026, not generic prestige:

• Top-tier NIRF 2025 standing: ranked #68 Overall (score 52.89), #38 among universities (score 55.23) and #18 among state public universities (score 61.43) - a strong public-sector position.
• Highest NAAC grade: reaccredited 'A++' with CGPA 3.59 in 2023, the top band on the NAAC scale.
• Research depth and recognition: UGC 'University with Potential for Excellence' status, around 87 departments across 18 schools, and 53 approved research institutions feeding its PhD ecosystem.
• Flagship professional programmes: TANCET-driven MBA and MCA, alongside a full ladder of UG and PG arts, commerce, science, law and education degrees.
• Recruiter base: companies such as TCS, ICICI Bank, Deloitte and Ernst & Young recruit from its postgraduate cohorts.
• Legacy alumni network: graduates include A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Nobel laureates C.V. Raman and S. Chandrasekhar, and mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan.

Courses, Fees & Rankings at a Glance

This section answers the most common pre-application question: what does University of Madras teach, what does it cost, and how is it ranked? The table lists flagship programmes with their duration and indicative fee where the university publishes one, plus the institution's headline NIRF 2025 rank for context. Fees marked 'Not specified' are not publicly listed for that programme and should be confirmed via the admission tab. Treat the professional courses (MBA, MCA) as the fee benchmarks.

The pattern is clear: University of Madras keeps fees low even for professional courses, with the MBA at Rs 53,482 and MCA at Rs 42,172 for the full programme, well below private-university pricing. Most arts, science, commerce and law degrees do not publish a single headline fee, so applicants should verify the exact amount on the admission and fees tabs. For the precise, programme-wise breakdown of seats, eligibility and pivot-level fees, refer to the dedicated Courses and Admission tabs.

Placement & Admission Snapshot

University of Madras recorded an average package of Rs 4.50 lakh (Rs 450,000) and a highest package of Rs 8.00 lakh (Rs 800,000) in 2025, with 84.00% of eligible students placed. Admission to its flagship professional programmes is entrance-based, driven primarily by the TANCET examination for MBA and MCA, while most UG and PG arts, science and commerce courses follow merit-based (10+2 or qualifying-degree) admission.

The short table below tracks the placement trend across 2025 and 2024 so applicants can see direction, not just a single year. Read the average column for the typical outcome and the highest column for the ceiling. The figures come from the university's reported placement data.

The trend is positive: the average package rose from Rs 3.75 LPA in 2024 to Rs 4.50 LPA in 2025, a 20% year-on-year gain, while the ceiling held steady at Rs 8.00 LPA. With 84.00% of students placed in 2025 and recruiters such as TCS, ICICI Bank, Deloitte and Ernst & Young on campus, the data suits applicants targeting stable mid-range roles, particularly from the management and IT streams, rather than ultra-high private-campus salaries.

Frequently Asked Questions: University of Madras Overview 2026

Is University of Madras a good university?

Yes, University of Madras is a strong public university, ranked #68 Overall, #38 among universities and #18 among state public universities in NIRF 2025. It holds the highest NAAC 'A++' grade with a CGPA of 3.59 (2023) and UGC's 'University with Potential for Excellence' status. Established in 1857, it combines historical prestige with current research credibility, around 87 departments and an alumni network that includes A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and C.V. Raman, making it a reliable choice for arts, science and research aspirants.

What is University of Madras known for?

University of Madras is best known for being one of India's oldest universities (founded 1857) and a leading public research institution, ranked #18 among state public universities in NIRF 2025. It is recognised for its liberal arts and sciences depth across about 87 departments and 18 schools, its NAAC 'A++' accreditation, and its distinguished alumni, including five Presidents of India, Nobel laureates C.V. Raman and S. Chandrasekhar, and mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan.

What courses does University of Madras offer?

University of Madras offers around 230 courses across roughly 87 departments, spanning UG, PG and PhD levels. Flagship programmes include the 2-year MBA and MCA (both TANCET-based), plus B.Sc, M.Sc, B.Com, M.Com, BA, MA, BBA, BCA, LLM, B.Ed, M.Ed and doctoral research. Disciplines cover sciences, social sciences, humanities, commerce, management, law and education, giving aspirants a broad ladder from 10+2 entry programmes through to advanced research degrees.

What is the total fee at University of Madras?

University of Madras keeps fees low, with the full MBA programme costing Rs 53,482 and the MCA Rs 42,172 (2026). Most arts, science, commerce and law UG/PG programmes do not publish a single headline fee and should be confirmed on the admission tab, but as a government university its pricing is significantly below private institutions. The TANCET-based professional courses serve as the clearest fee benchmarks for prospective applicants.

What is the NIRF and NAAC ranking of University of Madras?

University of Madras ranked #68 Overall (score 52.89), #38 among universities (score 55.23) and #18 among state public universities (score 61.43) in NIRF 2025. On the accreditation side, it holds the highest NAAC 'A++' grade with a CGPA of 3.59, awarded in its fourth cycle in 2023. Together these place it among the more credible state public universities in India for both teaching and research.

What is the average package at University of Madras?

The average package at University of Madras was Rs 4.50 LPA (Rs 450,000) in 2025, up from Rs 3.75 LPA (Rs 375,000) in 2024, a 20% year-on-year rise. The highest package stood at Rs 8.00 LPA (Rs 800,000) in both years, with 84.00% of eligible students placed in 2025. Recruiters include TCS, ICICI Bank, Deloitte and Ernst & Young, with the strongest outcomes typically from management and IT programmes.

Is admission to University of Madras merit-based or entrance-based?

Admission to University of Madras is both, depending on the programme. Flagship professional courses such as MBA and MCA are entrance-based, requiring a valid TANCET score (with MCA also needing a bachelor's degree with 50%). Most UG and PG arts, science and commerce programmes follow merit-based admission on 10+2 marks or a qualifying bachelor's degree. PhD admission requires a relevant master's degree and typically an entrance test plus interview.