Tamil Nadu Open University

The Academic Programmes of TNOU are duly recognized by UGC-DEB, NCTE, RCI and AICTE. The Universities stands out of the 6 Open Universities to have been accorded with the 12B status by the University Grants Commission (UGC) in the year 2016. Initially the faculty members were selected on deputation basis, and then permanent faculties and administrative staff were recruited. The academic operations were commenced in 2003-04. In May 2011, the Headquarters of TNOU was shifted to its own building. The Materials Storage Building is a two storied (G+2) building with a built area of 2553.9 sq.mt. The first TNOU owned Regional Centre was inaugurated in December 2020 at Viluppuram.

TNOU has 11 Schools and 32 Departments, 5 Divisions 4 Centres, 10 Cells offering 72 programmes ranging from short-term courses to research programmes and implementation of CBCS from 2022 onward. The University’s programmes are recognized by UGC-DEB, NCTE, RCI, and AICTE.

Currently there are 73 full time Faculties (32 faculties in time scale of pay and 41 faculties on contract basis) and 5 other academics actively involved in teaching-learning activities at the University Headquarters and its Regional Centres (12) of TNOU. The University offered 29 Programmes (15 UG and 14 PG Programmes), 24-Ph.D., 20 Diploma (including Vocational Diploma) and 25 Certificate and Awareness Programmes. In 2017, TNOU obtained UGC approval to offer Research Programmes (M.Phil. and Ph.D.) in Regular Mode, marking a significant academic milestone. 66 candidates have successfully completed Ph.D. degrees.

In TNOU reasonably good instructional and infrastructural facilities are developed. The University offers its services through 12 RCs and 227 LSCs across the state. TNOU has 1.94 Acre having three separate buildings namely Administrative Building, Academic Building and Material Storage and Dispatch Building. The Administrative Building is a seven storied (G+7) building with a built-up plinth area of 7632 sq.mt. The Academic Block is a five storied (G+5) building with a built area of 8495 sq.mt. TNOU Regional Centre at Villupuram has its own building of 1348 sq.mt.

TNOU had 275 Learner Support Centres (LSCs) and 276 community colleges across Tamil Nadu. The LSCs are linked with twelve Regional Centres (RCs) of TNOU based on jurisdiction of each RC and Headquarters for better coordination and providing academic and administrative support services to the learners.

The support service system, through LRCs/LSCs/Community Colleges, was developed in line with the regulations. Self-Learning Materials (SLM) were distributed on time, a customized ERP system was established as per the guidelines, and grievances and queries were promptly addressed and resolved.

The Tamil Nadu Open University is the first University in the State introduced the Credit Based Self Learning Materials in print as early as 2003. The SLM are prepared by the in-house faculties and the SLM are published with ISBN as per the SLM Policy of TNOU. The SLM are checked for plagiarism, and the plagiarism certificate is enclosed at the end of each SLM..

The University has established multiple Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with esteemed national and international institutions, fostering academic collaboration and knowledge exchange.

In order to provide Skill Based Education and Training to the disadvantaged groups in Tamil Nadu through Community Colleges, the TNOU has been identified and issued order by the Government of Tamil Nadu in 2008 (G.O.M.s.No-163 dated 22-05-2008) to offer skill development programmes. These Skill Education and Training Programmes are now offered at Short Term, Certificate, Vocational Diploma and Advanced Vocational Diploma levels in TNOU.

While the round the year admission policy with examination schedules conveniently arranged on weekends and the effective continuous assessment provision have sufficiently addressed the issue of quantity in the form of increasing higher education access, the University has been harnessing the advancement in ICT to continuously improve the quality of higher education.

The University has automated its learner support systems including admission, examination, material distribution, academic counselling, etc. From its inception, TNOU has achieved a cumulative enrolment of about 12,35,975 learners as of the academic year 2025–26.

The implementation of the End-to-End Integrated e-Governance Portal and Mobile App has enabled the University to administer operations more effectively and maintain uniform standards across departments. However, incomplete configuration of the ERP system, particularly in creating the master data, has led to several operational challenges that need to be addressed.

The University has achieved an impressive ‘A+’ Grade with a CGPA of 3.32 out of 4 in its very first cycle of accreditation from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), Bengaluru declared on 02.08.2023. TNOU is the second Open University in India to attain the highest score in NAAC Accreditation during its first cycle. TNOU is the first State University in Tamil Nadu to obtain NAAC Grade of A+ in the first cycle of accreditation. TNOU has been participating in the NIRF ranking since 2024.