Periyar University
Periyar University is a public state university in Salem, Tamil Nadu, serving undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, and distance education students across four districts through 27 departments, 118 affiliated colleges, and the Centre for Distance and Online Education.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1997
- HeadquartersSalem, India
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Periyar University does
Periyar University is a public state university established on 17 September 1997 by the Government of Tamil Nadu under the Periyar University Act, 1997, headquartered in Salem on a 95.48-acre campus with 35 buildings. The university serves students across four districts — Salem, Namakkal, Dharmapuri, and Krishnagiri — through three primary delivery channels: 27 on-campus departments of study and research, a network of 118 affiliated colleges (government, aided, and self-financing), and the Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE). It also operates a Post Graduate Extension Centre in Dharmapuri with 8 departments serving rural postgraduate students. Academic offerings span undergraduate, postgraduate, M.Phil., Ph.D., D.Sc., and D.Litt. programmes across arts, sciences, professional studies, technology, and vocational disciplines (B.Voc), supported by a Choice-Based Credit System introduced in 2008-09.
The university's revenue model combines tuition and academic fees from across its delivery channels, transaction-based examination and certification fees (including ₹2,000/paper special exams, ₹2,500 transcript attestation, and Tatkal scheme), affiliation and approval fees from affiliated colleges, and externally funded research grants (₹3,146.5 lakh over five years from UGC, DST, DBT, CSIR, and other agencies). Ancillary revenue streams include scholarship processing services, alumni subscriptions (₹100-₹10,000 tiered), and genuineness certificates for graduates (₹2,000-₹6,000 per course). Technology infrastructure includes e-governance platforms covering online admissions, the Research Online Portal for PhD management, E-Sanad digital certificate services, online examination and revaluation systems, and a secure private cloud.
The university's strategic positioning rests on NAAC A++ accreditation (CGPA 3.61, Cycle 3, 2021), NIRF 2024 ranking of 56th among Indian universities and 40th among state public universities, and a research output of 1,703 publications and 16 patents over five years. Governance is exercised by a Vice-Chancellor Committee (constituted May 28, 2025) under the oversight of the Governor of Tamil Nadu (Chancellor) and the Minister for Higher Education (Pro-Chancellor), with key strategic units including the Directorate of University-Industry Collaboration (DUIC), Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), and the Business Incubation Centre (BIC@PU), which has launched 12 startups under the EDII-TN/DST i-TBI scheme.
Periyar University firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Periyar University
- Legal name
- Periyar University
- Website
- https://periyaruniversity.ac.in
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1997
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Periyar University is a public state university in Salem, Tamil Nadu, serving undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, and distance education students across four districts through 27 departments, 118 affiliated colleges, and the Centre for Distance and Online Education.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Periyar University industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Comprehensive Doctoral Research Universities (Multi-Disciplinary) (EDAHABAA)
Keywords
Where Periyar University is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Salem
- HQ country
- India
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices2 records
Markets served
Periyar University business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Tuition and Academic Fees: The university generates revenue through tuition fees charged for various undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, and diploma programmes offered through university departments, affiliated colleges, and distance education. Fee structures are published annually for different programmes.
- Examination Fees: Revenue generated from examination fees including special examination fees of ₹2,000 per paper for distance education students, revaluation fees, and certificate issuance fees.
- Research and Development: The university receives research grants from governmental agencies such as UGC, DST, DBT, CSIR, and other funding bodies. More than ₹3,146.5 lakh in research grants were received in the last five years.
- Scholarship Processing and Endowment Services: Processing of government and institutional scholarship schemes including state government scholarships (SC/ST/MBC/BC), central sector scholarships, and university-level endowments for meritorious students.
- Certification and Attestation Services: Revenue from genuineness certificates (₹2,000-₹6,000 per course), transcript attestation (₹2,500 per degree), and Tatkal scheme (₹1,000 per certificate) for mark sheets, provisional certificates, and degree certificates.
- Affiliation and Approval Fees: Fees charged to affiliated colleges for grant of permanent affiliation, new programme approvals, and professional course approvals under AICTE.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | CDOE Special Examination Fee |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Transcript Attestation Fee |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Certificate Services |
| Subscription | Annual | Alumni Association Subscription |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Periyar University product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Periyar University is a public state university offering undergraduate, postgraduate, M.Phil., Ph.D., P.G. Diploma, Diploma, and Certificate programs. It delivers education through 27 on-campus academic departments organized into multiple schools, 118 affiliated colleges, 8 constituent colleges, and a Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE), supported by a PG Extension Centre in Dharmapuri.
Product overview
Periyar University operates as a comprehensive public university with three primary educational modes: University Departments of Study and Research (27 departments across 9 schools), 118 affiliated colleges, and the Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE). The university also maintains a Post Graduate Extension Centre in Dharmapuri with 8 departments serving the western Tamil Nadu region. Beyond traditional academics, the university offers technology transfer and incubation services through PU-ITTC, geospatial research collaboration with Survey of India, and industry-academia partnership programmes through UICP and DUIC (Directorate of University-Industry Collaboration). The institution's academic portfolio spans undergraduate, postgraduate, professional (B.Ed, B.Voc), M.Phil, Ph.D., and D.Sc./D.Litt. programmes across arts, sciences, professional studies, and technology disciplines.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE)
- PG Extension Centre, Dharmapuri
- Periyar University Business Incubation Centre (PUBIC) A university-run business incubation centre that supports entrepreneurs, innovators, and early-stage startups with workspace, mentoring, and resources to convert research and ideas into viable businesses.
- UGC-Human Resource Development Centre (UGC-HRDC) A UGC-recognized centre within the university that conducts faculty development programs, orientation courses, refresher courses, and short-term academic training for college and university teachers.
- University Industry Consultancy and Planning (UICP) Cell A dedicated cell that facilitates consultancy services between university faculty and industry, enabling sponsored research, technical advisory, and planning projects for external organizations.
- Centre for Geospatial Science and GIS A specialized centre that offers training, research support, and project services in geospatial science, remote sensing, and geographic information systems (GIS) for students and external clients.
Quantifiable outcome
- 2,750+ Ph.D. degrees awarded since inception
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use Periyar University
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Periyar University technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Periyar University partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Survey of IndiacoreSurvey of India signed a MoU with Periyar University for collaboration on geospatial science, surveying, and GIS technology education and research. Under the agreement, Survey of India provides technical guidance for curriculum revisions, expert lectures, and structured internship programmes. Both institutions jointly work on research projects, workshops, and training initiatives to align academic programmes with industry standards and strengthen professional opportunities for students and researchers in geospatial sciences.
- DUIC Industry and Academic PartnerscoreDirectorate of University-Industry Collaboration (DUIC) has multiple industry and academic partners including Geo Exploration and Mining Solution, SMT (Salem Material Technology), Global Lab and Consultancy Services, and Mecheri SreeBadrakalliamman Collective Farm Producer Company. The advisory board includes industry leaders and entrepreneurs who guide curriculum and industry-academia collaboration initiatives.
- JSW Steels, MecheriminorJSW Steels located in Mecheri, Salem is represented on the IQAC as a stakeholder member and contributes to science park and seminar hall development funding. Partnership focuses on industry linkage and skill development for students.
- Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India (DDU-GKY)coreDepartment of Computer Science received a project worth ₹266 lakh from the Ministry of Rural Development under Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) to impart skill training in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, and Software Development to rural youth in the districts under university jurisdiction. Approximately 350 rural students are to be admitted for skill training.
- Various International UniversitiesminorPeriyar University has tie-ups with a number of academic, research institutes, and universities across the world to stay up to date on quality benchmarks. Uva Wellassa University in Sri Lanka participated in a joint library innovation conference at Periyar University.
- Various Domestic Industries and CompaniesminorThe university has established science park and seminar hall projects through mobilising funds from companies including JSW, Sanmar, and India Cements. The Planning Board has resolved to create concurrent audit in Finance Office and digitalization of records.
- Student and Faculty Internship Receiving InstitutionsminorThe university's DUIC facilitates internships for students, research scholars, faculty members from various colleges and universities, and industry professionals. Departments including Botany, Chemistry, Physics, Food Science, Economics, and Environmental Science offer specialised expertise areas for internship programmes.
Scale indicators14 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Periyar University competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Alagappa University: Alagappa University in Karaikudi is a Tamil Nadu state university with strong distance education, affiliated colleges, and research output. Similar scale, NAAC accreditation profile, and regional jurisdiction over affiliated colleges.
- Bharathidasan University: Bharathidasan University in Tiruchirappalli is a Tamil Nadu state university with multi-disciplinary departments, affiliated colleges, and distance education. Comparable in regional scope and academic portfolio.
- Thiruvalluvar University: Thiruvalluvar University in Vellore is a Tamil Nadu state university with affiliated colleges across multiple districts. Comparable in scale, jurisdiction, and student segment served.
- Manonmaniam Sundaranar University: Manonmaniam Sundaranar University in Tirunelveli is a Tamil Nadu state university with affiliated colleges and distance education serving southern Tamil Nadu. Direct peer in state university segment and academic delivery model.
- Tamil Nadu Open University: Tamil Nadu Open University is a state open university dedicated to distance education across Tamil Nadu. It directly competes with Periyar University's CDOE in the open and distance learning segment.
- Madurai Kamaraj University: Madurai Kamaraj University is a Tamil Nadu state university with doctoral research programmes, affiliated colleges, and DDE operations. Both are UGC-recognised state universities with comparable NIRF ranking categories.
- Bharathiar University: Bharathiar University in Coimbatore is a Tamil Nadu state university with a similar mandate, multi-disciplinary departments, affiliated colleges, and distance education operations. It is a direct peer in scale, accreditation status, and student segment.
Broad incumbents
- University of Madras: University of Madras is one of India's oldest state universities with a much larger academic and research portfolio, providing a comparison point for a heritage state university operating affiliated colleges and distance education.
- Anna University: Anna University is a larger Tamil Nadu state university with a stronger technology and engineering focus and a broader affiliated engineering college network. It is a broader incumbent in the same state university space.
Regional players
- Mother Teresa Women's University: Mother Teresa Women's University is a Tamil Nadu state university focused on women's education with affiliated colleges in select districts. A regional peer in the Tamil Nadu state university segment with a narrower demographic focus.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Periyar University social profiles
Digital presencePeriyar University compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance6 records
Periyar University financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Periyar University leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles22 records
Periyar University subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Periyar University funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Periyar University M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Periyar University
What does Periyar University do?
Periyar University is a public state university offering undergraduate, postgraduate, M.Phil., Ph.D., P.G. Diploma, Diploma, and Certificate programs. It delivers education through 27 on-campus academic departments organized into multiple schools, 118 affiliated colleges, 8 constituent colleges, and a Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE), supported by a PG Extension Centre in Dharmapuri.
Is Periyar University a public or private company?
Periyar University is a public company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Periyar University founded?
Periyar University was founded in 1997. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Periyar University based?
Periyar University is headquartered in Salem, India, in the Asia region.
How does Periyar University make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Tuition and Academic Fees are the primary driver. The others are examination Fees, research and Development, scholarship Processing and Endowment Services, certification and Attestation Services and affiliation and Approval Fees.
Who are Periyar University's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Alagappa University, Bharathidasan University, Thiruvalluvar University, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tamil Nadu Open University, Madurai Kamaraj University and Bharathiar University. Broad incumbents are University of Madras and Anna University. Mother Teresa Women's University is listed as a regional player.
Does Periyar University have an API?
No public API is recorded for Periyar University.
What industry is Periyar University in?
Periyar University's product category is Higher Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHABAA, Comprehensive Doctoral Research Universities (Multi-Disciplinary). Its NAICS code is 61131 and its SIC code is 8200.