Presidency College, Chennai
- Fees / year
- ₹1,295 - ₹1,415
- Courses
- 38+
- NIRF College
- #15
- Established
- 1840
About Presidency College, Chennai
Presidency College is a Tamil Nadu government arts and science college on Kamarajar Salai, Chepauk, in Chennai. It grew out of the preparatory school of the Madras University, opened in Egmore on 15 October 1840, received the name Presidency College in 1855 and moved into its building on the Marina in 1870. As it is older than the University of Madras, founded in 1857, the college calls itself the mother of that university. It has been autonomous since 1987, with degrees awarded by the University of Madras, and NAAC re-accredited it with an A grade in 2005.
Teaching runs through 24 departments covering history, economics, political science, public administration, Tamil, English and other languages, commerce, mathematics, statistics, physics, chemistry, the life sciences, geology, geography, psychology and computer applications, from undergraduate to Ph.D. level. An afternoon shift includes B.Com and BCA courses reserved for hearing-impaired students. Undergraduate applicants apply through TNGASA, the state's online admission portal for government arts and science colleges, while postgraduate places are filled through the college's own rank lists and counselling. In NIRF 2025 it is ranked 15th in the college category.
Highlights
The essentials students check first.
- Established
- 1840
- Institution type
- Government
- Location
- Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Affiliation
- Affiliated to University of Madras, Autonomous
- Approvals
- NAAC
- NIRF 2025
- #15 College
- Programmes
- 38Science, Commerce, Arts & Humanities, Computer Applications
- UG fees
- ₹1,295 – ₹1,315 a year
- PG fees
- ₹1,415 a year
- Students enrolled
- 4,8582023–24
- Website
- pcc.ac.in
Placement and student figures: data submitted by the institution to NIRF 2025. Fees: first-year tuition as listed for each programme.
NIRF 2025 Rankings
National Institutional Ranking Framework (Ministry of Education), one list per category.
Source: NIRF India Rankings 2025, Ministry of Education. Data submitted by the institution (PDF)
Courses and Fees
38 programmes offered, with first-year tuition
| Course | Level | Specialisations | First-year tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Science | Undergraduate | 9 | ₹1,315 |
| Master of Science | Postgraduate | 9 | — |
| Bachelor of Arts | Undergraduate | 8 | ₹1,295 |
| Master of Arts | Postgraduate | 8 | — |
| Bachelor of Commerce | Undergraduate | 1 | ₹1,295 |
| Bachelor of Computer Applications | Undergraduate | 1 | ₹1,315 |
| Master of Commerce | Postgraduate | 1 | — |
| Master of Computer Applications | Postgraduate | 1 | ₹1,415 |
Admission 2027
Undergraduate applicants apply online through TNGASA, the Tamil Nadu admission and counselling portal for government arts and science colleges; postgraduate applicants apply online to the college and are admitted through its rank lists and counselling (special-quota and general counselling in August for 2026).
Scholarships and Fee Reimbursement
97.8%
of students reimbursed
4,752
students with full tuition reimbursed
In 2023–24, 4,752 of 4,858 students at Presidency College, Chennai (97.8%) had their full tuition fee reimbursed by government schemes, the institution or private bodies (NIRF 2025 data).
Presidency College, Chennai: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NIRF ranking of Presidency College, Chennai?
In the NIRF 2025 rankings, Presidency College, Chennai is ranked #15 among colleges.
What is the fee at Presidency College, Chennai?
First-year tuition at Presidency College, Chennai is ₹1,295 (Bachelor of Commerce - General) to ₹1,315 (Bachelor of Computer Applications - General) for undergraduate programmes and ₹1,415 for Master of Computer Applications - General. Fees are per year and may change for new batches; confirm with the college before paying.
Which courses does Presidency College, Chennai offer?
Presidency College, Chennai offers 38 programmes in Science, Commerce, Arts & Humanities and Computer Applications, including Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, Bachelor of Commerce, Master of Commerce, Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts.
What is the admission process at Presidency College, Chennai?
Undergraduate applicants apply online through TNGASA, the Tamil Nadu admission and counselling portal for government arts and science colleges; postgraduate applicants apply online to the college and are admitted through its rank lists and counselling (special-quota and general counselling in August for 2026).
Is Presidency College, Chennai a government or private institution?
Presidency College, Chennai is a government institution in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, established in 1840. It is affiliated to Affiliated to University of Madras, Autonomous.
Which bodies approve or accredit Presidency College, Chennai?
Presidency College, Chennai lists approval or accreditation from NAAC.
Do students at Presidency College, Chennai get scholarships or fee waivers?
In 2023–24, 4,752 of its 4,858 students had their full tuition fee reimbursed: 4,752 through state and central government schemes (NIRF 2025 data).
How many students study at Presidency College, Chennai?
4,858 students were enrolled across its programmes in 2023–24, 38% of them women (NIRF 2025 data).
Sources
Rankings: NIRF India Rankings 2025, Ministry of Education. Placement, student and fee-reimbursement figures: data submitted by the institution to NIRF 2025.
Courses and fees: as listed for Presidency College, Chennai on CollegeChalo; confirm current fees with the college before applying.
Last updated 10 October 2026.
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