It was brought into existence by a Special Act of the Government of Tamil Nadu in May 1985 with the objective of fostering research, development and dissemination of knowledge in various branches of learning.
It is recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) of India. The University has 44 Departments, 9 Centres, and 2 Constituent Colleges on its campus. 46 Affiliated Colleges located in the districts of Sivaganga and Ramanathapuram are part of the University.
The University offers education through Regular, Week-end, Distance and Collaborative modes.
As a member of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) and the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), the University maintains strong academic relationships with other institutions, research laboratories, and industrial establishments, promising a progressive and dynamic future.
The University has international collaborations with universities and institutions of higher learning in countries such as the USA, UK, Australia, Singapore, China, Malaysia, and South Korea. Innovative programs are designed and offered for foreign students.
In order to promote quality education, the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has initiated several measures, expecting institutions to achieve excellence across key parameters such as: