Presidency College, Chennai is an autonomous government arts and science college established in 1840, making it one of the oldest institutions of higher education in India. Affiliated to the University of Madras, it is funded and administered by the Tamil Nadu Government and is recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC). It offers programmes in arts, science, commerce, and computing at the UG, PG, M.Phil, and Ph.D levels.
As per NIRF Rankings 2025, Presidency College Chennai ranks 15 in the Colleges category, with a score of 70.62. As per Collegedunia Ranking 2026, it ranks 62 in Commerce, 64 in Arts, and 66 in Science nationally.
The college is located in the heart of Chennai, in a historic Gothic-revival building on College Road, Nungambakkam. The main building, completed in 1867, is a listed heritage structure and one of the most recognisable landmarks of the city.
Presidency College Chennai offers programmes across arts, science, and commerce:
- BA in Tamil, English, Hindi, Malayalam, Urdu, History, Economics, and Political Science
- B.Sc in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Statistics, Geology, Geography, Psychology, Plant Biology and Plant Biotechnology, and Advanced Zoology and Biotechnology
- B.Com (General and Corporate Secretaryship) and BCA
- MA in 9 humanities and social science subjects, M.Sc in 10 science subjects, and M.Com
- MSW (Social Work) and MCA
- M.Phil and Ph.D in arts and science disciplines
Total fees for BA and B.Com are INR 3,875 for 3 years. B.Sc and BCA cost INR 3,935 for 3 years. PG programmes (MA, M.Com, MSW) cost INR 1,725 for 2 years, and M.Sc programmes cost INR 1,845 for 2 years. These are among the lowest fees for any top-ranked institution in India.
Multiple scholarship schemes including the Tamil Nadu Government Post-Matric Scholarship (full fee reimbursement for SC, SCA, ST), TN First Graduate Scholarship (INR 20,000 per year), and BC/MBC/DNC Scholarship (up to INR 9,000 per year) are available.
In 2024-25, 301 UG students and 186 PG students secured employment. The UG median salary was INR 2.11 LPA and the PG median salary was INR 2.16 LPA as per NIRF 2026 data. Graduates also pursue higher studies, civil services, teaching, and competitive exam coaching pathways in large numbers.
- Presidency College Chennai Admission Dates 2026
- Presidency College Chennai Courses and Fees
- Presidency College Chennai Admission Process
- Presidency College Chennai Placements and Career Outcomes
- Presidency College Chennai Rankings
- Presidency College Chennai Scholarships
- Presidency College Chennai Campus and Infrastructure
- Presidency College Chennai vs Loyola College Chennai vs Madras Christian College
- Presidency College Chennai FAQs
Presidency College Chennai Admission Dates 2026
Admissions for the 2026-27 academic session are administered through TNGASA (Tamil Nadu Government Arts and Science Admissions). UG counselling has concluded and first year classes began July 1, 2026. PG admissions through TNGASA remain active with a deadline of July 31, 2026.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| TNGASA UG Online Application Opens | May 7, 2026 |
| UG Last Date to Submit Application | May 29, 2026 |
| Special Quota Rank List Released | June 3, 2026 |
| General Quota Rank List Released | June 4, 2026 |
| General Category Counselling | June 8-18, 2026 |
| First Year Classes Begin | July 1, 2026 |
| TNGASA PG Application Deadline | July 31, 2026 |
MCA admission is based on TANCET MCA scores and follows counselling through the Tamil Nadu government portal. The table below shows course-wise selection criteria for the 2026 academic session.
| Programme | Selection Basis | Status (July 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| BA / B.Sc / B.Com / BCA (UG) | TNGASA merit (Class 12 marks) | Completed |
| MA / M.Sc / M.Com / MSW (PG) | TNGASA merit (qualifying degree marks) | Active (deadline July 31, 2026) |
| MCA | TANCET MCA score | As per TANCET schedule |
| M.Phil / Ph.D | Entrance test and interview | As per university notification |
Presidency College Chennai Courses and Fees
Presidency College Chennai offers more than 40 programmes across UG, PG, M.Phil, and Ph.D levels. Fees are among the most affordable at any nationally-ranked institution, ranging from INR 1,725 for MA programmes to INR 3,935 for B.Sc and BCA. These are total fees for the full duration.
| Course | Duration | Total Fees |
|---|---|---|
| BA (all subjects) | 3 years | INR 3,875 |
| B.Com / B.Com (Corporate Secretaryship) | 3 years | INR 3,875 each |
| B.Sc (all science subjects) | 3 years | INR 3,935 each |
| BCA | 3 years | INR 3,935 |
| MA (all humanities subjects) | 2 years | INR 1,725 each |
| M.Sc (all science subjects) | 2 years | INR 1,845 each |
| M.Com / MSW | 2 years | INR 1,725 each |
| MCA | 2 years | INR 2,825 |
| M.Phil (arts and social sciences) | 1 year | INR 2,215 per year |
| Ph.D (all disciplines) | Minimum 3 years | INR 2,215 per year |
BA subjects include Tamil, English, Hindi, Malayalam, Urdu, History, Economics, and Political Science. B.Sc is offered in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Statistics, Geology, Geography, Psychology, Plant Biology and Plant Biotechnology, and Advanced Zoology and Biotechnology. B.Com Corporate Secretaryship is a distinctive commerce variant preparing students for Company Secretary pathways.
Presidency College Chennai Admission Process
Presidency College Chennai admissions are merit-based, with no separate entrance exam for most programmes. All UG and PG admissions (except MCA) are conducted through TNGASA, the Tamil Nadu Government centralised portal for arts and science admissions.
UG Programmes (BA / B.Sc / B.Com / BCA)
Eligibility requires passing Class 12 from a recognised board. For BA in language subjects, marks in the relevant language paper are the primary merit criteria. For all other BA, B.Com, and BCA programmes, aggregate marks in non-language subjects determine the rank list. For B.Sc, relevant science subjects at Class 12 level are required. Special quota counselling is held at the college campus (June 5-6, 2026), followed by general quota counselling (June 8-18, 2026).
PG Programmes (MA / M.Sc / M.Com / MSW)
PG admission requires a pass in the relevant UG degree. MA applicants must hold a bachelor’s in the relevant subject. M.Sc applicants must hold a B.Sc in the corresponding science discipline. M.Com requires a B.Com or equivalent. MSW accepts any UG degree. All PG programmes use merit in the qualifying degree via TNGASA for seat allotment.
MCA
MCA admission requires BCA, B.Sc CS, or any 3-year UG degree with Mathematics at 10+2 or graduation level, with a minimum 50% in the qualifying degree (45% for reserved categories). Selection is based on TANCET MCA score via centralised counselling.
Presidency College Chennai Placements and Career Outcomes
Presidency College Chennai is a government arts and science college where campus placements represent one of several career pathways alongside higher studies, competitive examinations, and teaching. As per NIRF 2026 data (reflecting the 2024-25 graduating batch), 301 UG students were placed out of 878 eligible graduates, with a median salary of INR 2.11 LPA. Among PG students, 186 were placed out of 494 eligible, with a median salary of INR 2.16 LPA.
Corporate placements are concentrated among BCA, B.Sc CS, B.Com, and MCA graduates. Confirmed recruiters include TCS, Infosys, Wipro, HCL, Cognizant, Accenture, Amazon, Deloitte, KPMG, and Axis Bank. A significant share of graduates from arts, science, and social science programmes pursue higher studies (M.Sc, MBA, M.Phil, Ph.D), civil services (UPSC, TNPSC), teaching, and competitive exam preparation, which are career paths not captured in placement rates.
| Career Pathway | Most Relevant Programmes | Key Support |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate campus placement | BCA, B.Sc CS, MCA, B.Com, M.Com | Training and Placement Cell, soft skills training, mock interviews |
| Higher studies (M.Sc, MBA, Ph.D) | All UG and PG programmes | Faculty mentoring, NET and SLET coaching, research labs |
| Civil services (UPSC, TNPSC) | BA (History, Economics, Pol. Sci.), MA, Public Administration | Coaching support, faculty guidance |
| Teaching and academia | MA, M.Sc, M.Com, MSW | NET and SLET preparation, faculty-guided research |
Presidency College Chennai Rankings
Presidency College Chennai is one of the most consistently ranked arts and science colleges in India. It holds NIRF Colleges rank 15 (2025) and was ranked as high as rank 3 in NIRF Colleges in 2023. As per Collegedunia Ranking 2026, it holds rank 62 in Commerce, 64 in Arts, and 66 in Science.
| Ranking Body | Category | 2025 Rank | 2024 Rank | 2023 Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NIRF | Colleges | 15 | 13 | 3 |
| Collegedunia | Commerce | 62 (2026) | - | - |
| Collegedunia | Arts | 64 (2026) | - | - |
| Collegedunia | Science | 66 (2026) | - | - |
The NIRF score has risen from 68.36 in 2024 to 70.62 in 2025. The NIRF 2023 rank of 3 reflects the college’s strong track record in teaching-learning resources and graduate outcomes. Among government arts and science colleges in Tamil Nadu, Presidency College Chennai is consistently one of the top two performers in national rankings.
Presidency College Chennai Scholarships
Presidency College Chennai, as a government institution, channels several Tamil Nadu state government and Government of India scholarship schemes. SC, SCA, and ST students typically receive full tuition fee reimbursement alongside monthly maintenance allowances.
| Scholarship | Eligibility | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| TN Government Post-Matric Scholarship (SC/ST) | SC, SCA, ST category students | Full tuition fee reimbursement plus monthly maintenance allowance |
| TN First Graduate Scholarship | First-generation college student in the family, no income limit | INR 20,000 per year |
| BC/MBC/DNC Scholarship | BC, MBC, DNC category, family income below INR 2.5 Lakhs per year | INR 5,000 to INR 9,000 per year |
| EVR Nagammaiyar Scholarship | Girl students in Tamil Nadu government colleges | Merit-based amount from Tamil Nadu government |
| College Council Scholarship | Merit-cum-means, open to BA, B.Sc, B.Com, MA, M.Sc, M.Com, MCA students | Full or half fee waiver, limited to 4% of college strength |
| INSPIRE Scholarship (DST) | Top 1% in Class 12 board or science Olympiad rank | INR 60,000 per year (B.Sc programmes only) |
Presidency College Chennai Campus and Infrastructure
Presidency College Chennai is located in the heart of Chennai on College Road, Nungambakkam. The main building, constructed in 1867 in the Gothic-revival style, is a protected heritage structure and one of Chennai’s most recognisable landmarks. The campus includes lecture halls, science laboratories, a central library with an extensive collection, and hostel facilities for outstation students.
The college has dedicated departments for each programme, with well-equipped science labs for Physics, Chemistry, Geology, and Biotechnology. It is affiliated to the University of Madras and operates under the Tamil Nadu Department of Collegiate Education (DCE), which oversees staffing, infrastructure, and curriculum.
Presidency College Chennai vs Loyola College Chennai vs Madras Christian College
Aspirants applying to top-ranked arts and science colleges in Chennai regularly compare Presidency College with Loyola College and Madras Christian College (MCC). All three are premium institutions offering arts, science, and commerce programmes in Chennai, but differ in management type, fees, and programme focus.
| Parameter | Presidency College Chennai | Loyola College Chennai | Madras Christian College |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Government Autonomous | Private Aided (Jesuit) | Private Aided (Christian Minority) |
| NIRF Colleges 2025 | 15 | Lower rank | Lower rank |
| Affiliation | University of Madras | University of Madras | University of Madras |
| BA Total Fees (3 years) | INR 3,875 | Moderate | Moderate |
| Co-Ed | Co-educational | Co-educational | Co-educational |
| Key Strength | Science and humanities, NIRF rank | Commerce and management | Science and research |
Presidency College’s government status means the lowest fees of the three alongside the strongest NIRF performance. Loyola College has a strong alumni network in management and commerce. Madras Christian College is known for science research and a sprawling campus in Tambaram. Students focused on competitive exam preparation and civil services predominantly opt for Presidency, given its government support and civil services alumni record.
Presidency College Chennai FAQs
Ques. What is the fee at Presidency College Chennai?
Ans. Presidency College Chennai fees are extremely low as it is a government institution. BA and B.Com total fees for 3 years are INR 3,875. B.Sc and BCA total fees are INR 3,935 for 3 years. PG programmes (MA, M.Com, MSW) cost INR 1,725 for 2 years. MCA costs INR 2,825 for 2 years.
Ques. What is the NIRF rank of Presidency College Chennai?
Ans. Presidency College Chennai holds NIRF Colleges rank 15 in 2025, with a score of 70.62. It has consistently ranked among India’s top 20 colleges. It was ranked 3rd in NIRF Colleges in 2023 and 13th in 2024.
Ques. How do I get admission to Presidency College Chennai?
Ans. UG and PG admissions at Presidency College Chennai are through TNGASA (Tamil Nadu Government Arts and Science Admissions), the state’s centralised portal. There is no separate entrance exam for most programmes. Admission is purely merit-based on Class 12 marks (for UG) or qualifying degree marks (for PG). MCA admissions are based on TANCET MCA scores.
Ques. Is Presidency College Chennai good for placements?
Ans. Campus placements at Presidency College Chennai are available but are not the primary career pathway for most students, given the arts and science focus. As per NIRF 2026 data, 301 UG and 186 PG students were placed in 2024-25, with a UG median salary of INR 2.11 LPA. Many graduates pursue higher studies, civil services, and teaching careers. TCS, Infosys, Wipro, and Deloitte are among confirmed campus recruiters for IT-related streams.
Ques. Does Presidency College Chennai offer hostel facilities?
Ans. Presidency College Chennai has hostel facilities for outstation students. As a government institution, hostel fees are subsidised. Specific hostel fee details are published by the Tamil Nadu Department of Collegiate Education at the time of admission. Demand for hostel accommodation is high given the college’s central location in Chennai.
Ques. Is Presidency College Chennai better than Loyola College?
Ans. Both are top arts and science colleges in Chennai. Presidency College outperforms Loyola in national rankings (NIRF Colleges rank 15 vs a lower rank for Loyola in 2025). Presidency’s fees are lower due to government status. Loyola is known for strong commerce and management alumni networks. Students prioritising NIRF standing and career pathways in research, civil services, or academia often prefer Presidency, while those seeking a private college environment with strong management links may consider Loyola.
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Presidency College, Chennai offers a BA in English Literature as part of its undergraduate Arts programmes. It is a 3-year full-time Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree with a specialization in English Literature. The minimum eligibility requirement is passing 10+2 (or equivalent), and the course has around 40 seats.
Yes, Presidency College Chennai does offer a B.Sc. in Geography. It is available in English Medium / regular mode. You must have done 10+2 (or equivalent) pass from a recognised board.
Presidency College, Chennai, offers a B.Sc. in Psychology (English Medium) as a three-year, full-time undergraduate course. You can contact the college for admission to the BSc Psychology courses.
Presidency College Chennai is now accepting applications for the 2025 academic year across various undergraduate (UG), postgraduate (PG), and research programs.
The last date for undergraduate admissions at Presidency College, Chennai, for the 2025 academic year was July 7, 2025. This deadline applies to various programs, including BA, B.Com, B.Sc, and BCA.
Admissions were based on merit, considering Class 12 marks, and did not require an entrance examination. Prospective students were advised to submit their applications by the specified date to be considered for admission
Presidency College, Chennai requires a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology for M.Sc. Psychology admission. As a final-year BCA student, you are not eligible directly. You may consider a BA/BSc Psychology or check for any bridge or special provisions announced in the official admission notification.
The details of the course and admisison eligibility are mentioned below:
The application window for the M.Sc. in Plant Biology & Biotechnology at Presidency College, Chennai, is open. The deadline has been extended to July 31, 2025. The admission to M.Sc. Biotechnology programme is managed via PUMDET, the WBJEEB post-graduate entrance test
At Presidency College, admission percentage requirements vary by course and category. Generally, for B.A., B.Sc., and B.Com programs, students need at least 50–60% marks in 12th standard. Cut-offs may be higher for popular courses and reserved categories follow Tamil Nadu government norms.
At Presidency College Chennai, M.Com counselling dates for 2026 have not been officially announced yet. The counselling occurs between June and July after the application results. Candidates should regularly check the college or University of Madras website for updates, merit lists, and schedule notifications.
At Presidency College Chennai, admission is merit-based. Apply online/offline, fill the form, and submit 10+2 marks. A merit list is released, followed by counseling and document verification. Selected students confirm admission by paying fees. PG courses require graduation marks, and MCA needs TANCET score.
Presidency College, Chennai, offers a Master of Arts (M.A.) in History. Candidates must have completed a Bachelor's degree (B.A. or equivalent) under the 10+2+3 pattern from any recognized university. Admission is based on merit, following the reservation and other rules prescribed by the Government of Tamil Nadu
No, Presidency College, Chennai does not offer distance education courses. It is a premier government-funded regular institution providing full-time, on-campus undergraduate, postgraduate, and research programs (Shift I and Shift II). For distance learning in Chennai, you should look into University of Madras (IDE).
The fee for the MSW is mentioned below:
Presidency College, Chennai, does offer an MCA, but it's only available as a full-time, on-campus program of 2 years, affiliated with the University of Madras (via TANCET eligibility)
The fee for the BA in Political Science is mentioned below:
The annual hostel fee is approximately INR 15,000, with an additional monthly mess fee of around INR 3,000.
Presidency College Chennai offers a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) program; however, it does not provide a specialized B.Com in Accounting and Finance. The college offers B.Com General and B.Com Corporate Secretaryship programs in both English Medium and Shift II formats.
Presidency College Chennai 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 online application process for Presidency College, Chennai, is open for the 2025–26 academic session. The college offers a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, including B.A., B.Sc., B.Com, BCA, and M.A., among others
Yes, Presidency College in Chennai offers a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) program in Advanced Zoology and Biotechnology. This is a full-time, three-year undergraduate course affiliated with the University of Madras. The program is available in both English and Tamil mediums