Chennai formerly known as Madras, is the capital and largest city of Tamil Nadu, the southernmost state of India. It is located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal.
According to the 2011 Indian census, Chennai is the sixth-most populous city in India and forms the fourth-most populous urban agglomeration.
Incorporated in 1688, the Greater Chennai Corporation is the oldest municipal corporation in
India and the second oldest in the world after London.
A beautiful blend of South Indian traditions and modernity, Chennai,
the capital of Tamil Nadu is one of the important metro cities of India.
Be its cuisine, culture or development, Chennai is a cultural
hot spot and a leader in modern India.
That is why when people from outside come and settle here, they feel “Chennai is home for us”. People, the environment and workplaces make them comfortable. Chennai is a very orthodox city, a conservative one. Another important thing about Chennai is that people are very ethical, god-fearing, and harmless.
Why to study at chennai?
Chennai is the industrial and economic capital of South India,
with recent estimates placing it as the fourth most productive metropolitan area in the country.
Popular industries for graduates include tourism, the automobile industry, finance, and
software/software services.
Safety:In terms of safety and security, both Chennai vs Bengaluru are relatively safe cities for students. However, like any urban centre, certain areas may require caution. Both cities have dedicated police forces and initiatives to ensure the well-being of residents and students.
Chennai is a safe city for women in general, and students may go out for work or personal needs at night
by registering an entry at their hostels.
IIT Madras is a heaven for all its students and has proper mechanisms to prevent and address any untoward happenings, which are rare.
Educational System in Chennai:
Government run schools offer both English and Tamil medium education. Private schools are usually
affiliated to the Tamil Nadu State Board or the Tamil Nadu Matriculation board.
A few schools are affiliated to the national CBSE board, ICSE board, NIOS board, Anglo-Indian
board and the Montessori system.
- Undergraduate (UG) Education in Chennai:
- Arts & Humanities: English Literature, History, Economics, Sociology, Psychology, Philosophy
- Science & Technology: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, Computer Science, Engineering (various branches)
- Commerce: B.Com, B.B.A., Chartered Accountancy (CA)
- Medicine: MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS
- Law: B.A., LL.B., B.Com., LL.B.
- Postgraduate (PG) Education in Chennai:
- Master of Arts (M.A.): English, History, Economics, Sociology, Political Science, etc.
- Master of Science (M.Sc.): Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Computer Science, Biotechnology, etc.
- Master of Commerce (M.Com.)
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Master of Engineering (M.Tech.)
- Master of Science in Technology (M.S.)
- Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.)
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
As a matter of Fact:
✅Chennai offers a diverse range of educational options at both UG and PG levels.
✅The city is home to several prestigious institutions of higher learning.
✅Students can pursue various disciplines, from arts and humanities to science and technology.
✅Chennai is a hub for research and innovation, with many institutions offering advanced research programs.
✅The city also provides opportunities for professional development through various continuing education programs.
Funding Resources for Education:
Tamil Nadu has yet to receive this year’s funds from the Union government under the flagship
Samagra Shiksha education scheme.
Tamil Nadu’s allocation for 2024-25 is ₹3,586 crore, with ₹2,152 crore as the Centre’s share.
Benefits of TN Govt 1000 rs Scheme :
The Tamil Nadu State authorities will provide financial assistance to all the male students under this scheme. The financial assistance of INR 1000 will be transferred directly to the selected applicant's bank account.
To check eligiblity and apply online click here
Government of Tamil Nadu State Scholarship Portal
Tamil Nadu State Scholarship Portal (TNSSP) is a single window platform for all the scholarship schemes offered by various departments of the state.
The portal facilitates a common portal for all the stakeholders like students, colleges / institutions, welfare departments, etc. for various Scholarships schemes of Central and State Governments..
The students who have not listed for renewal, will be considered as fresh applicants. The Institution should enroll them in UMIS for scholarship.
To know more click here
There are also schemes offered such as
- Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare:
- Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare:
- Differently Abled Welfare office:
Government Aided education for Women
Free coaching exclusively for women students for appearing in IAS / IPS Examination.
So as to enable women students to appear in the I.A.S./I.P.S. examinations, two centres one at Queen Marys College, Chennai and the other at Arulmigu Meenakshi Government Arts College for Women, Madurai have been established by the Government to give free coaching to women students. In each centre, 60 women students are given free coaching for appearing in IAS/IPS Examinations. During the current financial year, the Government have provided a sum of Rs. 10.00 Lakhs for implementing this scheme.
FREE EDUCATION TO POOR GIRL STUDENTS (PERIYAR EVR NAGAMMAI SCHEME):
Periyar EVR Nagammai Free Education scheme to women students has been implemented from 1989-90. Under this scheme, women students irrespective of their caste, creed and community and whose parental annual income does not exceed Rs.24000/- are exempted from payment of tuition fees in undergraduate courses.
STIPEND FOR TAMIL MEDIUM STUDENTS:
The Government was sanctioning Rs.180/- per year to each student who studied in Tamil Medium classes in Government and Government Aided Colleges from the academic year 1971-72. This stipend is granted to all the students who study in Tamil Medium classes irrespective of community and parental income. The Government have raised the amount of Rs.180/- to Rs.400/- as stipend to each student studying in Tamil Medium classes in order to encourage the students studying in Tamil Medium classes and also to attract them more to join in Tamil Medium Classes.
SCHOLARSHIP SCHEMES:
The Following Scholarships are being awarded by the Directorate of Collegiate Education:
I. Scholarships to cadets belonging to Tamil Nadu in Rastriya Indian Military Academy, Dehra Dun.
II. Scheme of payment of stipend to full time Ph.D. research scholars in Govt. and aided colleges.
III. Deceased Government Servants Scholarship. IV. Waiver of Tuition fees -UG and P.G V. E.V.R Nagammai Scholarship.
Increasing Employment Opportunities:
- Industry-Academia Partnerships:
- Strengthen collaborations between educational institutions and industries to ensure curricula are aligned with the skills required in the job market
- Promote internships, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training programs to help students gain practical experience .
- Establish industry mentorship programs for students in all fields to gain insights into real-world challenges and opportunities.
- Skill Development and Certifications:
- Offer specialized certification courses, workshops, and bootcamps that focus on emerging skills in technology, healthcare, and the arts.
- Encourage students to acquire cross-disciplinary skills, such as digital marketing, data analytics, or healthcare management, to improve employability.
- Startup Ecosystem for Arts and Engineering Students
- Foster a startup-friendly ecosystem by offering support in the form of incubators, accelerators, and grants.
- Encourage students in arts and engineering to develop innovative solutions that can lead to job creation, such as social enterprises or tech startups.
- Collaborate with government and private sectors to fund projects and startups initiated by students.
Educational Resources:
TAMIL NADU SKILL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION:
Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation was formed with a vision to transform the state into
skill hub by skilling the youth to enhance their employability and match the expectations of the Industry.
Since 2013 it is functioning as a Corporation under the Special Programme Implementation Department. TNSDC has been declared as the State Nodal Agency for Skill Development by the Government.
visit TN Skill Development Corporation for more details.
LIBRARIES:
The Anna Centenary Library (ACL) is a newly established library, located at Kotturpuram in Chennai. Built at a cost of 1,720 million, it is one of the largest library in Asia. Large academic libraries accessible to the general public include the central libraries at IIT Madras and the Madras University.
Other important libraries include Roja Muthiah Research Library, Mohammedan Public Librar in Triplicane, the Archaeological Survey of India Library at the Fort St. George, the Adyar Library under the Theosophical Society Adyar, the Ramakrishna Math Library and the Krishnamurti Foundation Library in the premises of the Krishnamurti Foundation world headquarters.
Job Expo and Career Development Programs:
- Organize regular career fairs and recruitment drives tailored to the needs of arts, engineering, and medical students.
- Provide career counseling services to help students navigate their future career paths and choose high-demand sectors.
- Create virtual platforms for recruitment that bridge gaps between potential employers and students, especially for remote or international job opportunities.
- Encouraging Multidisciplinary Collaboration :
- Encourage cross-disciplinary education that combines engineering, arts, and medical sciences, resulting in innovative solutions for sectors such as healthcare technology, medical communication, and digital arts.
- Promote multidisciplinary team projects that allow students to collaborate on solving complex problems, improving skills relevant to a wider range of industries.
- Focus on career pathways like medical research, pharmaceutical development, and hospital management that provide long-term employment options.
Top Government Colleges in Chennai:
| RANK | COLLEGE | FEES | AVERAGE PACKAGE | HOSTEL FEES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indian Institute of Technology Madras |
INR 30,000-3 LAKHS per year avg | INR 21.48 LPA | INR 5.4 LAKHS approx |
| 2 | Anna university |
INR 13,000-1 LAKH per year avg | INR 36.5 LPA | INR 1.14LAKHS approx |
| 3 | University of Madras |
INR 10,000- 2 LAKHS per year avg | INR 8-13.5 LPA approx | INR 1-3LAKHS approx |
| 4 | Queen Mary's College |
INR 10,000 - 20,000 per year avg | INR 4-6LPA approx | ₹12,000 - ₹20,000 per year |
| 5 | Loyola College |
INR 44,000-1.5 LAKHS per year avg | INR 4-8LPA approx | INR 2-3.5LAKHS approx |
| 6 | Presidency College |
₹10,000 - ₹30,000 per year avg | ₹3.5 - ₹5 LPA approx | ₹10,000 - ₹20,000 per year |
| 7 | Madras Christian College |
₹20,000 - ₹40,000 per year avg | ₹3 - ₹7 LPA approx | ₹30,000 - ₹45,000 per year |
| 8 | Women's Christian College |
₹20,000 - ₹35,000 per year avg | ₹3 -₹5 LPA approx | ₹25,000 - ₹45,000 per year |
| 9 | Madras School of Social Work |
₹30,000 - ₹50,000 per year avg | ₹3 - ₹5 LPA approx | ₹25,000 - ₹45,000 per year |
| 10 | Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research |
₹50,000 - ₹2,50,000 per year avg | ₹3.5 - ₹7 LPA approx | ₹40,000 - ₹80,000 per year |
Admission Process:
Undergraduate (UG) Courses :
- General Eligibility:
- Pass in the 10+2 level examination (or equivalent) with the required subjects.
- Minimum percentage of marks may vary depending on the course and institution.
- Entrance Exams:
- Tamil Nadu Engineering Admissions (TNEA): For engineering courses in government and government-aided colleges. Based on Class 12 marks.
- National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET): For medical courses like MBBS, BDS.
- Other entrance exams: May be required for specific courses like architecture, design, etc.
- Application Process:
- Online applications through the respective university/college websites or designated portals
- Document submission: Marksheets, certificates, passport size photographs, etc.
- Counseling and seat allotment: Based on entrance exam scores, merit, and availability of seats
Postgraduate (PG) Courses :
- General Eligibility:
- Bachelor's degree in the relevant field with a minimum percentage of marks.
- Entrance Exams:
- Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test (TANCET): For postgraduate courses like MBA, M.Tech., M.E., MCA, etc.
- GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering): For some engineering and technology programs.
- University-level entrance exams: Some universities conduct their own entrance exams for specific programs
- Application Process:
- Online applications through the respective university/college websites or designated portals.
- Document submission: Marksheets, certificates, degree certificates, etc.
- Entrance exam (if applicable).
- Counseling and seat allotment.
Cost of Living
For singles, whether bachelors or students, utility bills in Chennai are relatively low. Monthly costs of basic expenses like electricity, water, and LPG can range from ₹2000 to ₹3000. Internet and TV packages add ₹900 to ₹1500, while mobile charges average between ₹500 and ₹700 per person.
Colleges Provide Hostel which further helps the students for staying and ensures safety and discipline.
| Area of expense | Price range |
|---|---|
| Rent (shared apartment) | ₹2,000 to ₹15,000 |
| Rent (single room PG) | ₹6,000 to ₹30,000 |
| Food (monthly) | ₹5,000 to ₹8,000 |
| Transportation (monthly) | ₹1,000 to ₹1,500 |
| Utilities (monthly) | ₹2,000 to ₹3,000 |
| Wi-Fi | Starting ₹399 |
| Miscellaneous | ₹2,000 - ₹4,000 |
| Bus Pass/Metro Pass | Starting at ₹200 |
Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Anna university
University of Madras
Queen Mary's College
Loyola College
Presidency College
Madras Christian College
Women's Christian College
Madras School of Social Work
Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research