Madurai Kamaraj University, established in 1966, has 18 Schools comprising 73 Departments. The Directorate of Distance Education of the University has a student strength of about 1.30 lakhs. The University has 109 affiliated Colleges (9 Autonomous) including other approved institutions and 7 evening colleges. There are centres which promote research potential of teachers. Extension activities are carried out through Department of Youth Welfare, NSS, SC/ST cell and Adult Education programmes.

The idea of starting a University at Lucknow was first mooted by Raja Sir Mohammad Ali Mohammad Khan, Khan Bahadur, K.C.I.E. of Mahmudabad, who contributed an article to the columns of "The Pioneer urging the foundation of a University at Lucknow. A little later Sir Harcourt Butler, K.C.S.I., K.C.I.E, was appointed Lieutenant-Governor of the United Provinces, and his well-known interest in all matters under his jurisdiction, specially in matters educational, gave fresh life and vigour to.......

1968 - Mr. T.R. Pachamuthu started the Florence Nightingale Primary School, the cornerstone of the SRM group of educational institutions. He also founded the Valliammai Society in honour of his mother Mrs. R. Valliammai, the same year. 1985 - The SRM Engineering College was established in Kattankulathur, and soon grew into numerous SRM centers of learning. 2002 - The SRM College of Dentistry was awarded the status of deemed university by the Ministry of Human Resources and Development,.......