Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Chennai was established in 1987.

The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University is situated in Southern part of the City of Chennai (formerly Madras) in the State of Tamil Nadu, South India. It is about 6 Kms from the Chennai International & National Airport and about 12 Kms from the Chennai Central Railway Station. It is one of the premier Medical Universities named after the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, (late) Hon. Dr. M.G.Ramachandran (M.G.R) and it is the second largest Health Sciences University in India.

The need to have a separate Medical University in Tamilnadu exclusively to deal with medical education and research at Under graduate, Post graduate and Doctoral level was keenly felt for over a period of years and was under consideration of the State Government since 1980. The State Government appointed a High Level Committee consisting of Dr. A. Venugopal, Dr. M. Natarajan and Dr. S. Kameswaran to go into all aspects of establishing a separate Medical University and make suitable recommendations to the State Government.

Apart from modern medicine, the Committee was also requested to examine and suggest improvements to be made in other traditional systems of Indian Medicine viz. Siddha, Ayurveda and Unani. The intension was that the Medical University to be established in Tamil Nadu should bring about co-ordination between various educational and training institutions of modern medicine as well as other Indian Systems of Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy, etc. and promote research. Based on the report of the Committee, the Medical University was established by the Government of Tamil Nadu.

The Tamil Nadu Medical University Act, 1987 (Act No.37 of 1987) received the assent of the President of India on 24th September, 1987. By an Act No. 39 of 1991, it was amended that the Act may be called "The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Chennai, Act, 1987. This affiliating University governed by the said Act started functioning from July 1988. The Students admitted to the various Medical and Paramedical courses after 1.3.1988 come under this Medical University as per Government notification issued in G.O.Ms.No.1628/Health, Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy and Family Welfare Department dated 23.08.1988.

The Administrative office of the University was initially functioning in a building at Velachery Road, Guindy, Chennai - 600 032 from 12.07.1988. From May 1989 the administrative office of the University was functioning at a seven storeyed building owned by Periyar Trust at 52, E.V.K. Sampath Salai, Vepery, Chennai- 600 007. The University has constructed its administrative complex in the land at Nawab Garden, Guindy allotted by the Government of Tamil Nadu as per G.O. Ms. No. 1165, Health and Family Welfare Department dt. 21.10.1992. The University is now functioning in its own building at Nawab Garden, 69, Anna Salai, Guindy, Chennai - 600 032 with effect from 12.6.1994.

This is the only Medical University in Tamil Nadu capable of granting affiliation to new institutions under Government or Self-financing in Medical, Dental, Indian Medicine/Homoeopathy & Allied Health Sciences(Pharmacy, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Occupational therapy etc.) and awarding degrees under a single umbrella to maintain uniform and high standards of education. Until 1988, all degrees of Health Sciences were awarded by the University of Madras.

The University also promotes research and disseminates knowledge gained therefrom. The University has been declared eligible by the UGC u/s 12(B) of the UGC Act 1956 for receiving central assistance. (UGC letter No. F.9-14/2007 [CPP-I] dt 12.3.2008).

MISSION

To achieve and maintain uniformly high standards of needs-responsive medical education in the State of Tamilnadu.

To create personnel for health manpower who will be endowed with a sense of dedication and a spirit of enquiry and will contribute substantially to the Alma Ata goals of health for all by 2020 A.D.

OBJECTIVES

To institute degrees, diplomas and other academic distinctions.

To institute lectureships, readerships, professorships and other teaching posts required by the university and to appointpersons to such lectureships, readerships, professorships and other teaching posts.

To institute and award fellowships, scholarships, studentships, exhibitions, medals and prizes in accordance with the status.

To institute research posts and to appoint persons in such posts.

To organise advanced studies and research programs from time to time.

To develop research facilities and to provide for research and for the advancement and dissemination of knowledge in the field of medical sciences.

To provide for continuing medical education.

To establish, maintain and manage institutions of research, university colleges, departments and laboratories.

To encourage co-operation among the colleges, laboratories, hospitals and institutions in the university area and to co-ordinate with other universities and other authorities in such manner and for such purposes as the university may determine.