Periyar University

Periyar University is a state public university located in Salem, Tamil Nadu, established in 1997 by the Government of Tamil Nadu. Named after the social reformer E.V. Ramasamy 'Periyar', the university serves as an affiliating institution for colleges in Salem, Namakkal, and Dharmapuri districts, while also operating as a teaching-cum-affiliating university with its own constituent and affiliated colleges. The university's main campus spans approximately 140 acres at Periyar Palkalai Nagar, offering postgraduate and research programs across arts, science, commerce, and management disciplines. The institution emphasizes Periyar's ideology of social justice, self-respect, and rationalism in its academic framework. With over 100 affiliated colleges, Periyar University plays a significant role in higher education access in northern Tamil Nadu, particularly for students from rural and semi-urban backgrounds seeking affordable quality education.