How a private engineering college in Tamil Nadu became a multi-campus academic powerhouse
In short: Founded in 1985, SRM Institute of Science and Technology has evolved from a single engineering college into a sprawling network of six campuses. Today, it stands as a significant player in Indian higher education, balancing diverse faculties from medicine to law while earning recognition in both national and international rankings.
The institution began its journey in 1985 as SRM Engineering College in Kattankulathur, near Chennai. Over the following decade, it expanded its footprint, establishing additional colleges between 1992 and 1997. A pivotal moment arrived in 2002 when it achieved deemed university status under section 3 of the University Grants Commission Act of 1956. This transition marked the beginning of its formal identity as the SRM Institute of Science and Technology, though it briefly operated under the name SRM University starting in 2006. In 2017, it reverted to its current name following a directive from the University Grants Commission requiring deemed-to-be universities to remove the term university from their titles.
Today, the institution operates across six distinct campuses. The main site in Kattankulathur spans 250 acres and serves as the headquarters, housing a wide array of disciplines including engineering, medicine, health sciences, management, architecture, and law. Other notable locations include the Ramapuram and Vadapalani campuses in Chennai, as well as a 250-acre facility in Trichy. Beyond its primary network, the institute has fostered the growth of three sister universities located in Amaravati, Sonipat, and Gangtok, broadening its reach across India.
The institute's academic standing is reflected in various performance metrics. In the 2024 National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), it secured the 21st position overall, with specific rankings of 13th in engineering, 11th in pharmacy, 12th among universities, and 24th in research. Its international presence is also growing, as evidenced by its 221st ranking in Asia according to the 2025 QS World University Rankings. These figures underscore the institution's commitment to maintaining a competitive profile in a rapidly evolving educational landscape, supported by infrastructure that includes specialized laboratories and libraries across its various faculties.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: SRM Institute of Science and Technology
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