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About HEI / University

Our Legacy & Growth

From a single pharmacy college in 1982 to a multi-campus deemed university shaping 21,000+ professionals — the story of Vinayaka Mission's Research Foundation.

1981
Year Established
4
Campuses
27
Colleges & Schools
21,000+
Students
4,000+
Faculty & Staff
46
Research Centres
Our Story
2001
Deemed University Status 48th in India · Est. 1981

Vinayaka Mission's Research Foundation

Vinayaka Mission’s Research Foundation (Deemed to be University) traces its origin back to the year 1981 when the Thirumuruga Kirupananda Variyar Thavathiru Sundara Swamigal Medical Educational and Charitable Trust (TKVTSSMECT) was established. Building upon this foundation, the visionary Founder-Chairman, Dr. A. Shanmugasundaram, founded the Vinayaka Mission's College of Pharmacy at Salem in 1982. This institution marked the pioneering step of Vinayaka Missions in the realm of education.

In a significant stride, the year 2001 witnessed Vinayaka Missions attaining the prestigious status of a "Deemed to be University". This recognition was bestowed by the Ministry of Human Resources Development, Government of India, with the endorsement of the University Grants Commission (UGC) under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956. This accolade acknowledged the institution's unwavering commitment to academic excellence, its fulfillment of the highest academic benchmarks, and its provision of exceptional infrastructure, all of which converged to establish its eminence in education. This milestone heralded the transformation of Vinayaka Missions into Vinayaka Mission’s Research Foundation (VMRF), marking its distinction as the 48th Deemed to be University in India.

Vinayaka Mission’s Research Foundation (Deemed to be University) boasts an extensive academic landscape comprising of 14 Colleges and 13 Schools, including 3 Medical Colleges, 2 Engineering Colleges, 1 Dental College, 1 Pharmacy College, 1 Homeopathy Medical College, 3 Physiotherapy Colleges/Schools, 3 Nursing Colleges, 2 Arts & Science Colleges/Schools, 5 Schools of Allied Health Sciences, and 1 School dedicated to Law, Physical Education, Rehabilitation and Behavioral Science, Health Systems, Economic and Public Policy. These institutions are spread across four locations in Salem and Chennai Districts in Tamil Nadu, as well as Puducherry and Karaikal of the Union Territory of Puducherry.

The academic programmes offered by the university hold approval from the relevant statutory authorities/university, attesting to their quality and relevance. The institution has garnered recognition on the national stage, securing a rank within the 151-200 band in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2024 under the University Category. Additionally, VMRF(DU) stands accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) with an A grade (3.13 CGPA).

With an expansive and impressive state-of-the-art infrastructure encompassing more than 17.77 Crores square feet (built up area) across various locations, the university prides itself on its facilities. The university nurtures a rich array of faculties, fostering a strong emphasis on Interdisciplinary and Multi-Disciplinary Research. 3 Medical colleges, collectively offering 2000+ beds, extend healthcare services tirelessly to rural populations. The university’s engagement with over 30 villages underscores its commitment to healthcare and well-being. Satellite medical centers further augment the university's outreach, while their Virology Research Labs, accredited by NABL, stand as instrumental hubs for SARS-Covid virus testing.

The conducive environment provided by the University helps every student to achieve excellence in their chosen field of specialization. Nearly 21,000+ students are studying in the various constituent colleges, and every year approximately 4000+ Medical, Dental, Homoeopathy, Engineering & Technology, Nursing, Allied Health Sciences, Law, Physical Education, Physiotherapy, Economic and Public Policy, Rehabilitation & Behavioral Sciences and Management professionals, besides arts & science graduates, graduate from the University campuses successfully. The dynamic environment created by the university helps every student to develop his/her rational, critical, and creative powers, thereby enabling the fullest possible intellectual and personal growth.

Close to 4,000+ staff members, including renowned faculty, technical, and other experts, serve our student community to achieve excellence in education and to make studying at our institutions an extremely pleasurable and rewarding experience. The success of the university lies in its highly qualified and experienced faculty who are competent and dedicated to provide the best education in the best possible ways.

Further augmenting its credibility, Vinayaka Mission’s Homeopathy College and Hospital, and medical colleges in Karaikal and Puducherry, Vinayaka Mission’s Sankarachariyar Dental College have been accredited by NABH. Across the university, a remarkable 46 Research centers/Laboratories spearhead exploration in vital domains including Biochemistry, Microbiology, Food Science and Technology, Virology, Alternative Energy, Environment, Nano Technology, Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Biomedical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, and Internet of Things.

In tandem with its academic endeavors, the university encourages Entrepreneurship, with MSME-recognized Business Incubation centers at its Engineering colleges and Ganesan Incubation and Entrepreneurship Centre (GIEC), a non-profit section 8 Company for promoting startups. Evidencing its innovative prowess, the university and its constituent institutions hold 175+ patents.

Embodying a legacy of over three decades, Vinayaka Mission’s Research Foundation (Deemed to be University) continues its journey of enlightenment, empowerment, and innovation, shaping minds and driving progress within the academic landscape and beyond.

At a Glance

University
Profile

Key facts & recognitions

NAAC Accreditation Grade 'A' · CGPA 3.13 out of 4.00
Nationally Accredited
NIRF 2024 Ranking Ranked 151–200 · University Category
National Rank
THE World Rankings 2025 Listed in Times Higher Education World University Rankings
DSIR Recognition Recognised as Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation by Govt. of India
NABH Accredited Hospitals Medical, Dental & Homeopathy with 2000+ hospital beds
NABL Accredited Lab Virology Research Lab — SARS-Covid virus testing hub
120+ MoUs & Collaborations 18+ countries · 60+ industry partners · 40+ academic institutions
2000+
Hospital Beds across 3 Medical Colleges
175+
Patents Held by the University
30+
Villages Served through Healthcare Outreach
452
Indexed Research Publications
Rankings & Recognitions

Accreditations & Rankings

All Rankings
'A'
NAAC Grade
National Assessment & Accreditation Council · CGPA 3.13 / 4.00
NIRF 2024
National Institutional Ranking Framework · University Category
THE
World Rankings 2025
Times Higher Education World University Rankings — listed 2025
DSIR
Govt. of India
Recognised Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation
NABH
Hospital Accreditation
Medical, Homeopathy & Dental colleges — National Accreditation Board
NABL
Lab Accreditation
Virology Research Lab — National Accreditation Board for Testing Labs
Deemed University
48th Deemed to be University in India · Section 3, UGC Act 1956
16+
Total Rankings
QS I-GAUGE · IIRF · Edu. World · ARIIA · R-World · GU Rankings & more
Milestones

Progression Since Inception

TKVT Trust
1981
VMCP Salem
1982
VMSDC Salem
1986
VMKVEC Salem
1987
VMHMC Salem
1988
VMACON Salem
1991
VMKVASC Salem VMCPT Salem
1993
VMKVMC Salem
1995
VMMC Karaikal
1996
AVIT Chennai
1998
AVMC Puducherry
1999
VMRF Deemed University, Salem
2001 DEEMED UNIVERSITY
VMCON Puducherry
2002
VMCON Karaikal
2004
VMCPE Salem
2005
SAHS Karaikal
2014
NAAC Accreditation SAHS Salem & Puducherry
NAAC Accreditation
2015
SPT Puducherry SAS Chennai
2017
NABH NABL
NABH NABL
2018
NIRF ARIIA
NIRF ARIIA
2019
SAHS VMKVMC Salem AV Campus Chennai
2020
VMLS Chennai SRBS Puducherry IIC
IIC
2021
SCPT Karaikal NAAC A Grade
NAAC A Grade
2022
VSEP Chennai QS I-GAUGE MDRA
QS I-GAUGE MDRA
2023
NABH — VMSDC, AVMC, VMMC
NABH — VMSDC, AVMC, VMMC
2024

Institutions established  ·  Accreditations & rankings achieved

Full History

Year by Year

Every institution founded and every accreditation earned, in one connected story.

1981
TKVT Trust
TKVT Trust
1982
VMCP Salem
VMCP Salem
1986
VMSDC Salem
VMSDC Salem
1987
VMKVEC Salem
VMKVEC Salem
1988
VMHMC Salem
VMHMC Salem
1991
VMACON Salem
VMACON Salem
1993
VMKVASC Salem
VMKVASC Salem VMCPT Salem
1995
VMKVMC Salem
VMKVMC Salem
1996
VMMC Karaikal
VMMC Karaikal
1998
AVIT Chennai
AVIT Chennai
1999
AVMC Puducherry
AVMC Puducherry
2001
DEEMED UNIVERSITY
DEEMED UNIVERSITY
VMRF Deemed University, Salem
2002
VMCON Puducherry
VMCON Puducherry
2004
VMCON Karaikal
VMCON Karaikal
2005
VMCPE Salem
VMCPE Salem
2014
SAHS Karaikal
SAHS Karaikal
2015
NAAC Accreditation
NAAC Accreditation NAAC Accreditation SAHS Salem & Puducherry
2017
SPT Puducherry
SPT Puducherry SAS Chennai
2018
NABH
NABH NABH NABL NABL
2019
NIRF
NIRF NIRF ARIIA ARIIA
2020
SAHS VMKVMC Salem
SAHS VMKVMC Salem AV Campus Chennai
2021
VMLS Chennai
VMLS Chennai SRBS Puducherry IIC IIC
2022
SCPT Karaikal
SCPT Karaikal NAAC A Grade NAAC A Grade
2023
VSEP Chennai
VSEP Chennai QS I-GAUGE QS I-GAUGE MDRA MDRA
2024
NABH — VMSDC, AVMC, VMMC
NABH — VMSDC, AVMC, VMMC NABH — VMSDC, AVMC, VMMC
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