Pachaiyappa's College to Admit Women Undergraduates Starting 2026-27

Pachaiyappa’s College to Admit Women Students at Undergraduate Level

Chennai’s historic Pachaiyappa’s College is set to open its doors to women students at the undergraduate level, following approval from the Tamil Nadu government. A Government Order (G.O.) issued on June 15 granted the institution permission to enrol women in its 12 undergraduate courses, marking a significant milestone in the college's 184-year history. The decision stems from a resolution passed at a college board meeting on December 17, 2024.

The college, which has been co-educational at the postgraduate and doctoral levels for decades, will begin admitting women undergraduates starting from the 2026-27 academic year. To accommodate this change, the institution is considering extending the admission deadline beyond June 30 to encourage more enrolments.

Baby Gulnaz, the first woman principal of Pachaiyappa’s College, expressed her pride in being part of this historic development. She emphasized that the move would foster a more inclusive environment, particularly for students from underprivileged backgrounds. Many of the college’s students come from challenging circumstances, including single-parent households or having no parents at all, requiring teachers to provide additional support.

The college has faced declining enrolment in recent years, which Principal Gulnaz attributes to the establishment of new government colleges and increased intake capacities through evening shifts. The introduction of co-education at the undergraduate level is expected to boost enrolment and reinvigorate the institution’s appeal.

Efforts to secure co-education status began in 2016, with the college repeatedly petitioning the government. While the process was delayed during the COVID-19 pandemic, it gained momentum once students returned to campus. The college authorities recently met with the Higher Education Minister and department officials to advocate for their case, and Dr. Gulnaz expressed gratitude to the government for approving their long-standing request.

Founded in 1842, Pachaiyappa’s College was established using the wealth bequeathed by philanthropist Vallal Pachchaiyappa Mudaliar, whose 1794 will dedicated a significant portion of his fortune to the promotion of education. Today, the Pachaiyappa’s Trust Board administers six colleges and five schools across Tamil Nadu.