More than 80% of the funds received by universities is spent towards meeting non-plan expenses. A view of the Senate House is the administrative centre of the University of Madras on Wallajah Road, along Marina Beach.
| Photo Credit: JOTHI RAMALINGAM B
The Higher Education Department of Tamil Nadu has witnessed a substantial increase in budgetary allocation in the past five years, but it has not translated to better fiscal health for the State-run universities.
In the fiscal year 2021-22, the department received an allocation of ₹5,369 crore, while in the 2025-26 budget, the sum stood at ₹8,494 crore, marking an increase of nearly 60%. A substantial jump came in the year 2024-25 when the allocation was increased by ₹1,245 crore to ₹8,212 crore, compared to the previous fiscal. However, State-run universities continued to be operate under strained fiscal health.
Published – April 18, 2026 12:26 am IST
