Presidency College, Chennai

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Presidency College

Former name	Madras Preparatory School, Madras High School
Motto	Unde Orta Recurrit (Latin)
Motto in English	This inspired returns
Type	Government College
Established	1840; 181 years ago (1840)
Principal	Dr. G. Krishnan
Academic staff	249
Students	4099
Undergraduates	3280
Postgraduates	819
Location	Wallajah Road, Chepauk, Chennai, India
Campus	Urban
Nickname	Presidencians
Affiliations	University of Madras
Website	presidencycollegechennai.ac.in

Presidency College is an art, commerce, and science college in the city of Chennai in Tamil Nadu, India. On October 16, 1840, this school was established as the Madras Preparatory School and was later upgraded to high school, and then a graduate college. The Presidency College is one of the oldest government arts colleges in India. It is one of the two Presidency colleges established by the British in India, the other being the Presidency College, Kolkata.^[1]

History[]

At the behest of Sir Thomas Munro, a Committee of Public Instruction formed in 1826. In 1836, the committee's duties changed to the "Committee of Native Education." The plans drawn up by the committee did not commend themselves to the Governor of Madras, Lord Elphinstone, who in turn proposed nineteen resolutions, which passed unanimously.^[2]

As the first principle, the choice of Elphinstone fell on E. B. Powell, a University of Cambridge Wrangler in mathematics, who accepted the post. Powell reached Mumbai (Bombay) on 20 September 1840 but did not arrive at Chennai (Madras) until 24 November, the journey from Bombay to Madras taking some four weeks. Meanwhile, the committee had invited Mr Cooper from the Hoogly College, Kolkata to temporarily carry out the principal duties at a salary of Rs 400 per month. Cooper accepted the invitation and came to Chennai (Madras). He and his staff opened Presidency School, a preparatory school, in a rented building in Egmore known as Edinburgh Home on 16 October 1840. Cooper remained in the primary school for only a few months. Soon after Eyre Burton Powell's arrival and before the opening of the high school department on 12 April 1841, he returned to Kolkata (Calcutta). The preparatory school shifted to Popham's Broadway in 1841.^[2]

The schools grew into Presidency College. When the University of Madras was founded in 1857, Presidency College became affiliated with it.^[2]

In 1870, the college moved to its present location in Kamaraj Salai, opposite Marina Beach.^[3]

Courses[]

Graduate courses[]

Arts[]

• Tamil Literature [Tamil]
• History [English and Tamil]
• Political Science [English and Tamil]
• Economics [English and Tamil]
• Economics [English and Tamil] (with vocational subject)
• English Literature [English]
• Telugu Literature [Telugu]
• Hindi Literature [Hindi]
• Malayalam Literature [Malayalam]
• Urdu Literature [Urdu]

Sciences[]

• Mathematics [English and Tamil]
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Statistics
• Psychology
• Zoology
• Geology
• Computer science (BCA-Hearing impaired)
• Plant Biology & Bio-Technology
• Advanced Zoology and Advanced Bio-Technology
• Geography

Commerce[]

• Corporate Secretaryship [English]
• B com (General)
• B com (Hearing impaired) special category
• B COM (ACCOUNTING & FINANCE)

Post-graduate M.A. courses with research facilities for M.Phil. and Ph.D.[]

Arts and social science[]

• History
• Political Science
• Public Administration
• Economics
• Tamil
• Telugu
• English
• Sanskrit
• Social work (MSW)

Sciences[]

• Computer Science (MCA),
• Mathematics
• Statistics
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Botany
• Zoology
• Geology
• Geography
• Applied Microbiology
• Psychology

Philosophy[]

M.Phil. courses[]

• English
• History
• Political Science
• Public Administration
• Economics
• Tamil
• Telugu
• Sanskrit
• Mathematics
• Chemistry
• Botany
• Zoology
• Computer Science
• Geography
• Commerce

Doctorate courses[]

Facilities for research leading to the Ph.D. degree are available in the following departments.

• Mathematics
• Computer Science
• Statistics
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Botany
• Zoology
• Geology
• Geography
• History
• Political Science
• Public Administration
• Economics
• Commerce
• English
• Tamil
• Sanskrit
• Telugu

Rankings[]

College rankings
General – India
NIRF (Colleges) (2020)[4]	5
NIRF (Colleges) (2021)[5]	7

Presidency College, Chennai ranked seventh among colleges in India by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) in 2021.

Notable alumni[]

• Alagappa Alagappan (1925-2014), Indian-born American founder of the Hindu Temple Society of North America^[6]
• Vallal Dr. RM. Alagappa Chettiar, (1909-1957), Industrialist and Philanthropist
• E. S. Appasamy (1878-1963), educator, social worker in Chennai
• K. Seshadri Iyer - Dewan of Mysore^[7]
• Sir T. R. A. Thumboo Chetty First Indian Chief Judge of the Chief Court of Mysore, Offg. Dewan of Mysore
• Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar - Nobel laureate in Physics^[8]
• Bharat Ratna C. V. Raman, Nobel laureate in Physics^[9]
• Bharat Ratna C. Rajagopalachari, the last Governor-General of India^[10]
• Bharat Ratna C. Subramaniam^[11] - Minister, Finance Government of India
• G.P.Pillai^[12] - Freedom Fighter, Close aide to Gandhiji during South African Indian issue
• T.M.Nair, one of the founders of Justice Party
• K. M. Cariappa, first Commander-in-Chief of Defence Forces of independent India
• Benegal Rama Rau, Governor, Reserve Bank of India
• S. Jagannathan, Governor, Reserve Bank of India
• K. V. K. Sundaram, Chief Election Commissioner of India (1958–1967)
• P. Chidambaram, Former Finance Minister of India
• M. P. Periasamy Thooran
• P Rajagopalachari, Dewan of Cochi state and Travancore
• V Gopalsamy (Vaiko), Former MP, Founder of MDMK
• N. Ram, Managing Director and Editor in Chief, The Hindu
• G. N. Balasubramaniam, Carnatic vocalist
• V. S. Chandralekha, Politician and former IAS officer
• Paravastu Chinnayya Soori, Telugu scholar
• Sarvepalli Gopal, Chairman, National Book Trust and historian
• Nataraja Guru^[13]
• C. P. Ramaswamy Iyer, Dewan of Travancore
• P. S. Sivaswami Iyer, Law Member of the Viceroy's Executive Council
• V. K. Krishna Menon (1896–1974), Defence Minister of India (1957–1962)
• C. R. Pattabhiraman, Minister, Law and Company Affairs, GOI
• Palani G. Periyasamy, businessman
• Ganapathi Thanikaimoni, Palynologist, Fyson Prize recipient
• Uma Sambanthan, social activist
• K. K. Srinivasan, founder of a pre-school for hearing-impaired children
• R. S. Subbalakshmi, educator and social reformer
• P. Subbarayan, Chief Minister of Madras
• K. Subrahmanyam, Secretary, Defence Production, Government of India
• Srinivasa Varadhan, Abel Prize laureate in Mathematics
• R. K. Krishna Kumar, Former director of Tata Sons and Padma Shri awardee
• T. R. Seshadari, Chemist and Padma Bhushan award
• O. V. Vijayan, author and cartoonist,
• Toppur Seethapathy Sadasivan, Plant pathologist and Padma Bhushan awardee
• C. V. Subramanian, Mycologist, Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize recipient
• Pothan Joseph, Journalist
• Janaki Ammal, Botanist and Padma Shri awardee
• Thavamani Jegajothivel Pandian, Geneticist and Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize recipient
• T. R. Govindachari, Natural product chemist, Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar laureate
• K. S. Hegde, Supreme court Judge and Speaker of the Lok Sabha
• M K Stalin, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu
• M M Ismail, Former chief justice madras high court
• K R Ramanathan, physicist and meteorologist.
• Vazhakkulangarayil Khalid - Justice of the Supreme Court of India
• M.B Sreenivasan - Music director
• Edatata Narayanan, journalist and freedom fighter
• K.G Subramanyan, artist. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan
• Psycho Muhammad, psychologist
• Govindarajan Padmanaban, biochemist and biotechnologist
• Kasu Brahmananda Reddy, Former Chief minister Andhra Pradesh
• P.V Rajamannar, Chief Justice Madras High Court
• A. L. Abdul Majeed, Sri Lankan politician and Member of Parliament
• Nilakanta Mahadeva Ayyar, member of the erstwhile Indian Civil Service
• C. V. Runganada Sastri, interpreter, civil servant and polyglot
• Sarah Chakko, first woman to be elected to the presidency of the World Council of Churches.
• M. K. Chandrashekaran, zoologist, founder of Indian chronobiology
• P. Coomaraswamy, member of the Legislative Council of Ceylon
• V. L. Ethiraj, philanthropist
• Salim Ghouse, actor
• T. R. Govindachari, chemist
• S. Srinivasa Iyengar, freedom-fighter
• L. V. Ramaswami Iyer, Indian linguist
• K. Rajah Iyer, Advocate-General of Madras Presidency
• Sarukkai Jagannathan, tenth Governor of the Reserve Bank of India
• Kadambur R. Janarthanan, Union minister of India
• K. S. Venkataramani, lawyer and an acclaimed writer in English
• V. Kanakasabhai, lawyer and historian
• Sonti Kamesam, timber engineer and scientist
• Kanmani, film director
• Pattathuvila Karunakaran, film producer and short story writer
• Gopalan Kasturi, Editor of The Hindu
• M. O. P Iyengar, prominent Indian botanist and phycologist
• Dr. V. Shanta, oncologist
• Gana Bala, Playback Singer
• Pushpavanam Kuppusamy, Folk Singer
• Thol. Thirumavalavan, Indian politician
• Moosa Raza
• Dr. A. K. Viswanathan IPS
• T. Ananda
• P. S. Sivaswami Iyer, Vice chancellor Madras University
• S. Subramania Iyer, Vice chancellor Madras University
• Palapatti Sadaya Goundar Kailasam, Chief Justice of Madras High Court
• B. Jagannadha Das, Judge of the Supreme Court of India
• D. Ramanaidu, Dadasaheb Phalke award recipient and Former MP
• Mithavaadi Krishnan, Social reformer
• Moorkoth Ramunny, First Malayalee pilot in the Royal Indian Air Force

Notable faculty[]

• E. B. Powell
• Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan^[14]
• John Mathai^[15]
• Alfred Gibbs Mourne
• Philip Furley Fyson
• Mark Hunter (Civil Servant)
• E. W. Middlemast
• Gustav Solomon Oppert
• Harold Papworth
• Peter Percival
• A. Chakravarthi
• Paravastu Chinnayasuri
• T. R. Govindachari
• P. C. Kokila^{[citation needed]}pip
• T. P. Meenakshisundaram
• Muhammed Metha
• Chirayinkeezhu Ramakrishnan Nair
• M. Nannan
• Samuel Satthianadhan
• B. G. L. Swami
• Atoor Ravi Varma^[16]
• Perumal Murugan^[17]
• M. O. P Iyengar
• U.V. Swaminatha Iyer, Tamil scholar^[18]

Hostel[]

Victoria boys hostel[]

In memory of Rao Bahadur P. Ranganatha Mudaliar, M.A., Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, Presidency College, Madras, his admirers established the Victoria Students’ Hostel on 30 January 1900 in the Government land. Sir Arthur Havelock, Governor of Madras, performed the ceremony of opening the Victoria students’ hostel.^[19]

The new block of Victoria hostel was inaugurated in 2019 and both hostels accommodate 500 students. Located on the Triplican On Victoria Hostel Road, next to Chepauk Stadium and its walking distance to the college.^[20]

College ladies hostel[]

Dr M.Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India opened the Presidency College Women Students’ Hostel on 8 August 1958. It is located in the Omanthurar Government Estate, Chepauk, the heart of the Chennai City. It is located just 500 meters away from Chepauk Railway Station and Bus Stand. Several study centres are around an accessible distance. Many students from rural areas of Tamil Nadu and students from other states of India are also staying in the Hostel.^[21]

Students life[]

NSS[]

On 24 September 1969, Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi launched the NSS program in 37 universities. The Presidency College gets its pride by being one among them right from the inception. NSS was started in our college mainly to arouse the social consciousness of the students with an overall objective of personality development through community service. As per the motto of NSS ‘Not me but you’ the volunteers participate in various programmes, to do selfless community service and involve themselves in the task of Nation building. At present, the College has 5 NSS units with 100 dynamic volunteers in each unit. One of the five units is exclusive for girls with the women programme officers. Unique features Recipients of State level Best Blood Donor Award (2013 & 2015). Best NSS Volunteers Award from the government of Tamil Nadu (2014) - Miss. Malliga (NSS Leader Indra Gandhi NSS Award (2009) (Dr. Ramanathan Program Officer) Participated in RDC Parade (2017) National Integration Camp (2011) Youth entrepreneurs Interaction Programme (Indo-Nepal) (2017) – G. Sivabalan (NSS Leader)^[22]

NCC[]

The National Cadet Corps (NCC) has its genesis in the University Training Corps which was created under the Indian Defence Act 1917. The National Cadet Corps came into existence after a series of evolution on 16 July 1948 under the NCC Act XXXVI of 1948 under the Ministry of Defence (MOD). NCC was first started in Presidency College, Chennai. NCC unit of Presidency College consists of 104 Cadets at present and it holds the heritage of NCC since 1932 as University Training Corps according to available record. here provide basic Military training with the spirit of adventure and enthusiasm. We inculcate Discipline, Sportsmanship, physical Fitness, Map reading, Weapon Training, Rifle drill and Foot Drill. As it is an Institution with Co-education we have 30% of our unit Strength filled with SW Girl Cadets. NCC Cadets are given huge exposure by involvement in community service also. Cadets voluntarily take part in various Social service activities such as Blood Donation, Tree plantation, Stem Cell Donation, Marina Beach cleaning, campus cleaning drive, cycle expedition on cancer and AIDS awareness, and support world blind walk organised by project vision. NCC camps are conducted across the nation and the cadets actively take part in it. It has a wide range of Camps such as Combined Annual Training Camp (CATC), Thal Sainik Camp (TSC), Republic Day Camp (RDC), Firing Camp, Trekking camp, Mountaineering Camp, Leadership Camps (Basic, Advanced), Cycle Expedition, some of the Exclusive Camps are SSB Screening Capsule NCC OTA- Kamptee, Youth Exchange Programme YEP, Indian Military Academy IMA - Dehradun, Attachment camp - INDIAN ARMY. Our cadets are part of all the State and national level camps conducted by NCC Directorate every year. NCC cadets are placed in a good position after they get their ‘B’ and ‘C’ certificates.^[23]

Vanavil[]

Centre for Counselling Services - An extension of the Dept. of Psychology ‘VANAVIL’, is an extension of the Department of Psychology, Presidency College, Chennai-5, is a centre that promotes the mental health of the students of the college. It not only aims to provide counselling services to the psychological problems faced by the students but also works towards the enhancement of their personal growth and facilitates the maximization of their inner potential. Objectives of the Center 1. To help students manage and cope with their various psychological problems through individual and group counselling, peer counselling and Para-professional (teacher) counselling. 2. To equip them with competencies to face the challenges of life through life skills training. 3. To enable them to make well-informed educational and vocational choices through career counselling. 4. To instil the sense of personal responsibility towards the prevention of various psychosocial problems such as human trafficking, addictions to drugs, abuse etc. 5. To partner with various organizations in the field of mental health towards improving the psychological well being of our students and the community at large.^[24]

RUSA[]

RUSA was inaugurated on 21.01.2017 in our College. Under RUSA, training programmes were conducted during January to March 2017 in various sectors, viz., Banking Sector (with 100 students), Information Technology (37 students), National Film Development Corporation (68 students), Apparel Design (20 students), Telecom Services (37 students). A total of 262 students benefitted through these programmes and they were given Certificates by the respective Departments. Also, the Job Awareness Programme was conducted for the entire college in March 2017.^[25]

Students co-operative store[]

Soft skill training[]

The soft Skill Training centre was inaugurated in the year 2013 with the support of TANSCHE and the Government of Tamil Nadu. A sophisticated training centre was developed on the college campus. The Soft Skill Training Centre is well furnished. It is equipped with a desktop computer, LCD Projector and Internet facility. Initially, each and every Staff member of the college was trained by Soft Skill Professionals. Till now hundreds of students from both U.G and P.G stream got trained by the professors from our college and various other colleges. Industrialists were also invited as Resource Persons.^[26]

Youth Red Cross[]

The Red Cross Society is a worldwide, well known, universally accepted, admired and internationally identified humanitarian service organization. It organizes relief and assistance without discrimination to the victims of armed conflicts, endeavours to mitigate and alleviate human sufferings, wherever and whenever natural or man-made disasters cripple society. It is the biggest, independent non-religious, non-political, non-sectarian and voluntary relief organization treating people equally all over the world without any discrimination as to their nationality, race and religious belief. It was established in 1963 in Geneva, Switzerland. The father of the Red Cross movement was Jean Henry Dunant. Indian Red Cross Society was recognized in 1929. The core focus areas are: Promoting humanitarian principles and values Disaster Management Blood services Principles of youth red cross: Health services & Friendship^[27]

Red Ribbon Club[]

Rotaract Club[]

The Rotaract Club of Presidency College registered with Rotary Infocity Chennai District was established in August 2014. The journey started then and it is making difference in the lives of people. The Rotaract Club of Presidency college is sponsored by the Rotary Club of info city Chennai serving the community and changing lives. Rotaract Club of Presidency College provides opportunities for networking, community and international service, professional development, and socializing. Rotaract Club of presidency helps the students to develop a network of friendships with local and overseas clubs. It helps to develop leadership skills along with personal integrity. And to understand the value of individual responsibility and hard work.^[28]

Environmental Club[]

The state higher education department has issued orders to start an Eco-club in the college. Hence, an Eco-club has been started to educate and enlighten students about various environmental issues. The Eco-club consists of 4 teachers and 55 students from various departments. A medicinal cum ornamental garden has been created on the college campus. The garden has been designed with the help of the students, teaching and non-teaching staff. Objectives: To create environmental awareness among students. To make them responsible for protecting and conserving the environment. To cultivate knowledge on various aspects and importance of the environment.^[29]

Quiz Club[]

Fees[]

UG[]

• BA - 1245 /-
• Bsc- 1265/-
• B com - 1245/-
• BCA - 1265/-^[30]

PG[]

• MA - 1025/-
• Msc - 1085/-
• M com -1025/-
• MSW - 1085/-
• MCA - 1415/-^[30]

M PHil[]

Arts/Commerce/Maths Full Time

• SC / ST - 1115/-
• Others - 2215/-

Part Time

• SC / ST - 1235/-
• Others - 2335/-

Science Part Time

• SC / ST - 1315/-
• Others - 2815/-

Full Time

• SC / ST - 1195/-
• Others - 2695/-^[30]

In popular culture[]

One of the most beautiful buildings Presidency College was constructed by the British Government in Chennai in the 19th century in a British style of architecture and is, therefore, the college campus ‌ location for many films.^[31]

Cinema[]

• Idhayam (1991)
• Mouna Ragam (1986)
• Nayakan (1987),Court scenes
• Thiruda Thiruda (1993), Government office scenes
• Maanbumigu Manavan (1996)
• Kadhal Desam (1996)^[32]
• Sipayi (1996)
• Aaytha Ezhuthu (2004)
• Nanban (2012), Hostel Scenes^[33]
• The Man Who Knew Infinity (^[34] 2015)
• Iyer the great (1990)

References[]

External links[]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Presidency College, Chennai.

• Official website