Periyar University

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.

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

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

• Higher education services
• University degree programs
• Distance online education
• Academic research programs
• Affiliated college network

Headquarters

HQ city

Salem

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core 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

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Survey of IndiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 January 2026Survey 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 PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDirectorate 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, MecheriminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJSW 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)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDepartment 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 UniversitiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeriyar 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 CompaniesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe 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 InstitutionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe 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

Direct 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

• Xtwitter.com/PeriyarVarsity
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCJqVMMa81Cnmu3LdLpsKXYw
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php?id=100085246909314
• Instagraminstagram.com/periyar_univesity_official
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/periyar-university

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles22 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Periyar University