Dr. Ambedkar Government Arts College (DAGAC), Chennai is a government autonomous college established in 1972 under the Tamil Nadu Directorate of Collegiate Education. It is affiliated to the University of Madras and recognised by the UGC. The college holds NAAC B accreditation and autonomous status, enabling it to frame its own syllabi and conduct internal examinations.
As per NIRF Colleges 2025, DAGAC is placed in the 201 to 300 band in the Colleges category.
The college is located at Vyasarpadi, Chennai, on a spacious 40-acre campus. It serves approximately 2,742 UG students and 351 PG students across arts, science, commerce, management, and research programmes.
- Arts: BA in Defence and Strategic Studies, Economics, English, and Tamil
- Commerce and Management: B.Com and BBA (Finance)
- Science: B.Sc in Advanced Zoology and Biotechnology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, Nutrition and Dietetics, Physics, Plant Biology and Plant Biotechnology, Psychology, Statistics, and Visual Communication
- Postgraduate: MA in Economics and English; M.Com; MSW in Community Development and Medical and Psychiatry; M.Sc in Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, and Zoology
- Research: M.Phil. and Ph.D. programmes in Chemistry, Commerce, Computer Science, Economics, English, Mathematics, and Zoology
Annual fees for all UG programmes are between INR 1,888 and 2,888 per year, making DAGAC one of the most affordable co-educational colleges in Chennai. PG programmes cost INR 922 to 1,052 per year.
As per NIRF 2025 data, the median placement package for UG graduates is INR 1.4 LPA and for PG graduates is INR 1.8 LPA. Recruiters include Tata, Infosys, SBI, and Berger Paints.
DAGAC Admission Dates 2026
Dr. Ambedkar Government Arts College (DAGAC) follows the Tamil Nadu government’s centralised single-window admission system administered by the Directorate of Collegiate Education (DCE). Admissions for the 2026-27 session have concluded across UG and PG programmes.
| Admission Event | 2026-27 Status | Typical Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Online Application Opens | Concluded | June (post HSC results) |
| Certificate Verification | Concluded | June to July |
| Allotment Round 1 | Concluded | July |
| Allotment Rounds 2 and 3 | Concluded | July to August |
| Final Admission and Fee Payment | Concluded | August |
| Commencement of Classes | In Progress | August to September |
All UG programmes at DAGAC admit students through merit in the Tamil Nadu HSC (Class 12) examination, with no separate entrance test. PG admissions follow the University of Madras PG admission portal process based on UG merit.
| Programme | Exam Accepted | Admission Basis |
|---|---|---|
| BA, B.Com, BBA, B.Sc (all streams) | No entrance exam | TN HSC merit, centralised allotment |
| MA, M.Com, MSW, M.Sc | No entrance exam | UG merit via University of Madras portal |
| M.Phil. and Ph.D. | Written test and interview | Institution-level selection |
DAGAC Courses and Fees
Dr. Ambedkar Government Arts College, Chennai offers UG, PG, M.Phil., and Ph.D. programmes across Arts, Science, Commerce, Management, and Social Work disciplines. As a government college, annual fees are heavily subsidised.
| Course | Duration | Eligibility | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| BA (Defence and Strategic Studies, Economics, English, Tamil) | 3 years | 10+2 pass | INR 2,768 per year |
| B.Com | 3 years | 10+2 Commerce or any stream | INR 2,768 per year |
| BBA (Finance) | 3 years | 10+2 any stream | INR 2,768 per year |
| B.Sc (Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Zoology and Bio-streams) | 3 years | 10+2 with Science | INR 2,768 to 2,788 per year |
| B.Sc (Computer Science) | 3 years | 10+2 with Maths or CS | INR 1,888 per year |
| B.Sc (Psychology, Statistics, Visual Communication) | 3 years | 10+2 any stream or relevant | INR 2,768 to 2,888 per year |
| MA (Economics, English) / M.Com | 2 years | Relevant UG degree | INR 922 per year |
| MSW (Community Development / Medical and Psychiatry) | 2 years | Any graduation | INR 922 per year |
| M.Sc (Chemistry, Mathematics, Zoology) | 2 years | Relevant B.Sc | INR 952 per year |
| M.Sc (Computer Science) | 2 years | B.Sc CS or BCA | INR 1,052 per year |
DAGAC offers one of the rare BA (Defence and Strategic Studies) programmes in Tamil Nadu, a niche UG offering preparing students for roles in the armed forces, defence analysis, strategic studies, and public policy. The MSW in Medical and Psychiatry is a specialised programme for careers in hospital social work, rehabilitation services, and mental health support.
DAGAC Admission Process
Dr. Ambedkar Government Arts College, Chennai follows the Tamil Nadu government’s centralised single-window admission system for UG and PG admissions. Admission to all UG programmes is merit-based with no entrance exam.
UG Admissions (BA, B.Com, BBA, B.Sc)
Candidates must have passed the Tamil Nadu HSC (Class 12) or an equivalent board. B.Sc programmes require relevant science subjects at HSC level. B.Sc Computer Science requires Mathematics at HSC level. No separate written entrance test is conducted at DAGAC for any UG programme.
The selection stages are:
- Registration on the Tamil Nadu government e-Admissions portal after HSC results
- Certificate verification at designated centres
- Online option filling for preferred college and programme
- Allotment based on HSC merit under government reservation norms (BC, MBC, SC, ST, PWD, sports quota)
- Reporting to DAGAC for document verification and admission confirmation
Approximately 1,143 seats are available annually across all programmes. Government reservation norms for Tamil Nadu apply in full. Female candidates are eligible for all programmes at DAGAC, which is a co-educational institution.
PG Admissions (MA, M.Com, MSW, M.Sc)
PG admissions are conducted through the University of Madras PG admission portal. Candidates must hold a relevant UG degree with the minimum prescribed percentage from the University of Madras or an equivalent recognised university. Reservation norms applicable to government colleges in Tamil Nadu apply at the PG level as well.
M.Phil. and Ph.D. Admissions
Research programme admissions are conducted at the institution level by respective departments. Candidates are selected through a written aptitude test and interview. Ph.D. supervisors are available in Chemistry, Commerce, Computer Science, Economics, English, Mathematics, and Zoology departments.
DAGAC Placements
As per NIRF 2025 data, the median package for UG graduates placed from Dr. Ambedkar Government Arts College is INR 1.4 LPA and the median package for PG graduates is INR 1.8 LPA. Given the government college profile, these figures reflect entry-level opportunities in the private sector alongside the broader career pathways that arts and science graduates pursue.
Recruiters visiting the DAGAC campus include Tata, Infosys, SBI, and Berger Paints. IT companies recruit B.Sc Computer Science and M.Sc CS graduates. Banking and financial services firms including SBI recruit from B.Com, BBA, and M.Com streams. Science graduates in Chemistry, Zoology, and related fields pursue roles in pharmaceutical and manufacturing companies. A significant share of arts and social science graduates prepare for TNPSC and UPSC competitive examinations, teaching roles via B.Ed, and government service positions.
DAGAC Rankings
Dr. Ambedkar Government Arts College, Chennai participates in the NIRF ranking process and holds NAAC B accreditation as a quality benchmark for government autonomous colleges in Tamil Nadu.
| Ranking Body | Category | 2025 Rank |
|---|---|---|
| NIRF | Colleges | 201-300 band |
The NIRF 201-300 Colleges band places DAGAC among the nationally recognised government arts colleges in India. The college’s 40-acre campus, broad programme portfolio, and affordable fee structure contribute to its strong student numbers and NIRF visibility.
DAGAC Campus and Infrastructure
Dr. Ambedkar Government Arts College is situated on a 40-acre campus in Vyasarpadi, Chennai. Vyasarpadi is located in North Chennai, accessible via bus routes from Perambur, Basin Bridge, and other areas of Chennai. The large campus is a notable feature for a government college in the Chennai district.
The campus includes science laboratories for Physics, Chemistry, Zoology, Plant Biology, and Computer Science, a central library with arts and science collections, departmental rooms, and a sports ground. Facilities for NSS and NCC units are also available. No on-campus hostel is operated at DAGAC. Students from outside Chennai typically access the college via the city’s public transport network.
DAGAC vs Pachaiyappa’s College vs Govt. Arts College Nandanam
Aspirants applying to government arts colleges in Chennai commonly compare Dr. Ambedkar Government Arts College (DAGAC) in Vyasarpadi with Pachaiyappa’s College, Chennai and Government Arts College, Nandanam. All three are government-affiliated arts and science colleges in Chennai offering UG and PG programmes at heavily subsidised fees.
| Parameter | DAGAC, Vyasarpadi | Pachaiyappa’s College | Govt. Arts College, Nandanam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Government autonomous | Private aided autonomous | Government autonomous |
| Affiliation | University of Madras | University of Madras | University of Madras |
| NAAC Grade | B | A | Accredited |
| NIRF 2025 (Colleges) | 201-300 band | Published separately | Government rates |
| Campus | 40 acres, Vyasarpadi (North Chennai) | Heritage campus, Chetpet | Nandanam, South Chennai |
| Unique Programmes | Defence and Strategic Studies, MSW (Medical and Psychiatry) | Strong arts and science tradition | Arts and Science streams |
Pachaiyappa’s College carries a stronger heritage and higher NAAC grade. DAGAC stands out for its large campus in North Chennai, its unique BA (Defence and Strategic Studies) programme, and MSW specialisations not widely available at other government colleges in Chennai. Government Arts College, Nandanam serves the south and central Chennai aspirant base. All three offer comparable fee structures under Tamil Nadu government norms.
DAGAC FAQs
Ques. Is Dr. Ambedkar Government Arts College Chennai an autonomous college?
Ans. Yes. Dr. Ambedkar Government Arts College (DAGAC), Chennai has autonomous status granted by the University of Madras and UGC. As an autonomous college, DAGAC designs its own syllabi and conducts its own internal examinations, with degrees awarded under the University of Madras.
Ques. What is the NIRF ranking of DAGAC Chennai?
Ans. As per NIRF Colleges 2025, Dr. Ambedkar Government Arts College, Chennai is placed in the 201 to 300 band in the Colleges category.
Ques. What is the annual fee for UG programmes at DAGAC?
Ans. Annual fees for most UG programmes (BA, B.Com, BBA, B.Sc) at DAGAC are INR 2,768 to 2,888 per year. B.Sc Computer Science is INR 1,888 per year. PG programmes (MA, M.Com, MSW, M.Sc) cost INR 922 to 1,052 per year. These are among the lowest fees for college programmes in Chennai.
Ques. Does DAGAC offer a BA in Defence and Strategic Studies?
Ans. Yes. Dr. Ambedkar Government Arts College, Chennai offers a BA in Defence and Strategic Studies at an annual fee of INR 2,768. This is a niche UG programme in Tamil Nadu that prepares students for careers in defence analysis, strategic policy, and armed forces examinations.
Ques. How are admissions conducted at DAGAC for UG programmes?
Ans. UG admissions at DAGAC are conducted through the Tamil Nadu government’s centralised single-window admission process managed by the Directorate of Collegiate Education. No entrance exam is required. Selection is merit-based on Tamil Nadu HSC marks. Government reservation norms for BC, MBC, SC, ST, and special categories apply fully.
Ques. What is the placement record of DAGAC?
Ans. As per NIRF 2025 data, the median placement package for UG graduates from DAGAC is INR 1.4 LPA and for PG graduates is INR 1.8 LPA. Recruiters include Tata, Infosys, SBI, and Berger Paints. Many graduates also pursue government competitive examinations (TNPSC, UPSC) and teaching careers.
Ques. Is there a hostel at DAGAC Chennai?
Ans. Dr. Ambedkar Government Arts College, Chennai does not have an on-campus hostel. The college is located in Vyasarpadi, North Chennai, accessible via public transport from multiple parts of the city. Students from outside Chennai typically arrange private accommodation in nearby areas.


![Dr. Ambedkar Govt. Arts College - [DAGAC]](https://img.collegedunia.com/public/college_data/images/logos/1458647228Daga.jpg?h=71.7&w=71.7&mode=stretch)




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Dr. Ambedkar Government Arts College, Vyasarpadi (Chennai) is affiliated with the University of Madras and operates as an autonomous government college focused on Arts, Science, Commerce, Management, and Research programs, but not engineering degrees
DAGAC is inviting applications for admission to PG, PG Diploma, Diploma, and Certificate courses for the AY 2025-26. The last date to apply is July 7, 2025. Interested candidates can apply directly on the portal @unom.ac.in.
The fee for the courses is mentioned below:
B.Sc
M.Sc
BA
Bachelor of Commerce [B.Com]
MA
Bachelor of Business Administration [BBA] (Finance)
Master of Commerce [M.Com]
The DAGAC is located at Vyasarpadi, Chennai - 600039, Tamil Nadu, India
Kindly contact on DAGAC Chennai Office Number- 044 2552 0151 to know about the admission updates.
Candidate should have appeared for the Plus Two examinations (HSC) conducted by the TamilNadu State Board or its equivalent and secured a pass in all the subjects.
Admisisons have been concluded for the academic year 2023-24 at the Dr. Ambedkar Govt. Arts College.
As per the latest updates from Dr. Ambedkar Govt. Arts College (DAGAC) Chennai, the registration process for the Bachelor of Arts (BA) Defence and Strategic Studies has not yet started for the 2022 – 2025 academic session but you can visit the official website to stay updated.
The fees for the undergraduate and postgraduate courses can be anywhere between INR 10,000 – INR 15,000 for the entire duration of the courses which includes various charges such as registration fees, mess charges, medical charges, examination fees, and other minimal charges.
Dr Ambedkar Government Arts College does not offer hostel facilities to the students. There are PGs or rental rooms available nearby the college in which you can apply for residence.
Yes, Dr Ambedkar Government Arts College offers B.Sc. Psychology to the students. The total fee for the course is INR 4,925. You need to complete your 10+2 from a recognised unviersity for being eligible for admission to this course.