The Presidency College, one of the premier institutions of educational excellence in the country is situated in Chennai, the capital city of the State of Tamil Nadu, facing the sparkling waves of the Bay of Bengal. Presidency College has produced thousands of great personalities, scholars and scientists in its march towards the Silver Jubilee, Golden Jubilee and Platinum Jubilee Celebrations. Presidency College was started by Thiru.Eyre Burton Powell, a renowned Mathematics Professor in 1849. With Dr.S.Ramanathan, the present principle, it has seen thirty six principals who have shown great interest in the upkeep, the functioning and improvement of the college.

This premier college, which had been offering instructions at the B.A. level, started in 1911 Honours classes in English, Mathematics, Physics Chemistry, Botany, Zoology Sanskrit and History. Presidency College was the first to undertake these Honours and Post Graduates courses in all subjects in the Faculty of Arts. As a premier institution of higher studies under the Government of Tamil Nadu, Presidency College offers twenty one Post Graduate Courses and eighteen Under Graduate Courses through twenty-four Departments almost all of them offering research facilities leading to M.Phil and Ph.D. Degrees.

The college was granted autonomous status in 1987. It has since been possible for the college to attempt limited curricular and examination reforms to make education meaningful and up to date. Continuous assessment of student’s performance during the semester and the semester-end examinations form the basis for the award of Degrees. Among the benefits of autonomy are greater student-teachers action and constant review, revision and updating of academic programmes continuing to be awarded by the University of Madras. The parent Teacher Association has been functioning for the welfare of the students. During 2007 shift II evening undergraduate courses have been started in History, Economics, commerce and Mathematics. Besides, B.com and BCA courses also being conducted for deaf and dumb students.

National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) have reaccredited this autonomous college with “A” grade (85% to 90%)