Periyar University is a state public university located in Salem, in the western part of Tamil Nadu, India. Named after the social reformer E. V. Ramasamy, popularly known as Periyar, the university was established by the Government of Tamil Nadu through a special enactment of the State Legislature. It functions as an affiliating and teaching university, offering programmes through its on-campus departments, constituent college and a network of affiliated colleges spread across the Salem, Namakkal, Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts.
| Name | Periyar University |
|---|---|
| Type | State public university |
| Location | Salem, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Named after | E. V. Ramasamy (Periyar) |
| Founding authority | Government of Tamil Nadu |
| Jurisdiction | Salem, Namakkal, Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts |
| Language of instruction | English and Tamil |
Before the creation of Periyar University, colleges in the Salem region were affiliated to the University of Madras and later to Bharathiar University, Coimbatore. As the number of higher education institutions in the region grew, the State Government carved out a new university to serve the colleges of the surrounding districts, easing the administrative load on Bharathiar University and bringing university-level academic services closer to students in the western Tamil Nadu belt.
The campus is situated on the outskirts of Salem city, set against the backdrop of the Kanjamalai hills. Salem itself is a major industrial and educational centre in Tamil Nadu, known for its steel, textiles and sago industries, and is well connected by road and rail to Chennai, Bengaluru and Coimbatore.
The university organises its teaching and research through schools and departments covering the major branches of knowledge, including:
In addition to postgraduate, M.Phil. and Ph.D. programmes offered on the main campus, the university affiliates a large number of arts, science, education and professional colleges in its jurisdiction. It also operates a Centre for Distance Education that offers undergraduate, postgraduate and diploma programmes for off-campus learners.
Like other state universities in Tamil Nadu, Periyar University is headed by a Chancellor (the Governor of Tamil Nadu) and a Vice-Chancellor who serves as the academic and administrative head. Statutory bodies such as the Syndicate, Senate, Academic Council and Finance Committee oversee policy, academic regulation and finance, in line with the provisions of the university's enabling Act.
Periyar University is recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and has been accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). Its degrees are recognised by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
The university plays a central role in higher education across the Salem, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri and Namakkal districts, regulating curricula, conducting examinations and awarding degrees for thousands of students each year. By taking the name of Periyar, the institution also reflects the social reform tradition associated with the Self-Respect Movement in Tamil Nadu, which emphasised access to education across caste and gender lines.