In the year 1965, the Government of Tamil Nadu Started Thanthai Periyar Government Arts & Science College in Tiruchirappalli, the central part of Tamilnadu, naming it after the great thinker and social reformer Thanthai Periyar. Half a century ago, higher education was beyond the reach of the oppressed and economically marginalized younger generation in and around Tiruchirappalli. To cater the educational requisites, Thanthai Periyar, the visionary leader of Justice Party and a well-known social reformer of Tamil Nadu, generously donated 9.65 acres of his land and Rs.3.5 lakhs, and requested the Tamil Nadu Government to start a college at Tiruchirappalli. Utilizing the philanthropic help of Thanthai Periyar, the Government of Tamil Nadu started a Government College at Race Course Road, Khaja Nagar, Tiruchirappalli during the academic year 1965-1966, and named it ‘Periyar EVR College’ in honour of the leader. The then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Honourable M. Bhakthavatchalam inaugurated the college on 24.08.1965.

Now, our college campus is expanded to 52.62 acres endowed with adequate classrooms and infrastructural facilities. Nearly ninety percent students of this college belong to the oppressed and economically marginalized sections, who hail from rural and urban background. Many of them are first generation learners. Periyar E.V.R. College performs the role of uplifting the poor students by providing them holistic higher education and mould them as reputable individuals with responsibilities towards their families, society and ultimately the nation. Due to the selfless services and credibility of the academia, the college attained autonomous status during 1998-1999. Now we offer 15 Under Graduate and 16 Post Graduate programmes. Thirteen of our departments have been recognized as potential Research Centers by the Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli. Special Shift System (SSS) was introduced in the year 2006 by the State Government Policy of Education with the available infrastructure.

The development of the college in the academic, extracurricular and extension programs are due to the able leadership of several academics of this prestigious institution. The college, which was originally affiliated to Madras University, came under the jurisdiction of Bharathidasan University in 1982. The Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) and Semester Pattern were introduced during the years 2005 to 2008. Revised Choice Based Credit System (RCBCS) have been followed from 2008-2011 and then, the next change in the syllabus was introduced as New Revised Choice Based Credit System (NRCBCS) from 2011 to 2015. From 2015-2018, the Modified Choice Based Credit System (MCBCS) was adopted. Now 2023-2024 onwards, we follow the TANSHE Syllabus. Our college strives to balance the spectrum of needs by constantly revamping its syllabi and re-designing the course structure. Our curriculum design, development, implementation and enrichment processes ensure the students to meet global challenges. Over the years, our college has created a system which ensures democratic decision-making and flexibility to introduce innovations, to meet the current needs and to achieve the overall goals.

Thanthai Periyar Government Arts & Science College stands as a beacon of knowledge for generations. It preserves its ancient heritage and simultaneously forges ahead with the changing times and makes its presence felt in the academic sphere of the State.