Central University of Tamil Nadu's Review and Verdict by CollegeDekho

Campus at a Glimpse

Central University of Tamil Nadu is one of the 8 central universities that was established to empower students belonging to marginalized communities. In the year 2009, the institution began its operations with only 8 students in the MA English Studies programme and as of now, the university has 13 schools with 28 departments. Central University of Tamil Nadu has collaborated with top industries and institutions like Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International School of Textiles & Management and the Salim Ali Center for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON) to expand its academic reach. Apart from that, CUTN also has a community College offering B.Voc, certificate and diploma courses.

Course-wise, Central University of Tamil Nadu provides a wide range of courses comprising 64 academic programmes. There are 2 undergraduate programmes, 22 postgraduate programmes, 6 PG-integrated programmes and 7 PG diploma courses. Along with that, there are 29 research programmes and 14 M.Phil programmes. Central University of Tamil Nadu admissions are entrance-based, CUET is accepted for admission in UG and PG courses. 

The university is located in the outskirts and the internship and placement statistics are not so attractive in CUTN, however, the student demand ratio is relatively high for the university. What makes it so popular? Here is our review and verdict article on the university explaining all its pros and cons backed by official data and CUTN students' feedback.

Central University of Tamil Nadu Ranking

NIRF Ranking: From Good to Great!

Our Take:

If we look at the NIRF Ranking of CUTN from a 3-year perspective, it is evident that the university has taken a huge leap from ‘not being ranked’ in the overall category to being one of the top 150 educational institutions in India. Even though it has come down from 85th position to 89th in 2023 in the universities category, the improvement in rank from 2021 to 2023 is commendable. 

Central University of Tamil Nadu Academia and Batch Size

Academic Composition 

Central University of Tamil Nadu academia is a mix of classroom learning, practicals/assignments, and assessments. CUTN has adopted the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) for all its programmes. It helps students select their subjects as per their requirements and interests. Central University of Tamil Nadu courses curriculum is framed in a way where the quality of outcomes is measured based on Programme Outcomes (PO), Programme Specific Outcomes (PSO) and Course Outcomes (CO).

Batch Size

The following data shows the sanctioned intake and actual students enrolled in 2022 as per the NIRF Report 2023:

Central University of Tamil Nadu received a total of 74,357 applications out of which 842 students were admitted. Out of 842 students, 389 were general students, 244 OBC, 118 SC, 39 ST and 45 EWS students. Tabulated below are a few programme-wise numbers of applications received and students admitted for the year 2021:

Central University of Tamil Nadu Fees

The fee structure of Central University of Tamil Nadu courses is as follows:

Our Take:

If we look at CUTN's academic composition, the programmes are objectives-derived and based on specific outcomes. Batch-wise, 1107 students were enrolled above the approved intake limit comprising 58.2% of the total students in 2022. For the UG 4-year programme, 162 students were provided admission beyond the sanctioned seat limit. For the PG 2-year programme and the PG-integrated programme, the numbers were 423 and 522, respectively. The highest application was received for M.Sc, followed by MBA and MA programme in 2021. Considering the university’s huge demand among students, extra seats must be created for the popular courses.

Central University of Tamil Nadu Infrastructure

Classrooms 

CUTN has dedicated smart classrooms for its students. There are a total of 137 Wi-Fi/LAN-enabled classrooms, 80 classrooms equipped with LCD projectors and 11 classrooms with smart boards. Some classrooms have mobile projectors as well.

Seminar Halls

Central University of Tamil Nadu has a total of 9 seminar halls. The seminar halls are modernised and equipped with ICT facilities like projectors, audio-visual equipment etc.

Laboratory

Labs are available in the Central University of Tamil Nadu for Media and Mass Communication and Science departments. Along with it, there is a computer lab with 20 computers operating under the MOOCS-ICT cell with access to students 24*7.

Sports

CUTN has a multi-sports complex comprising 2 standard-size volleyball courts, 2 basketball courts, 1 tennikoit court, 1 lawn tennis court, 1 400-m athletic standard track, and 1 cricket ground. The university has an indoor sports complex as well.

Hostels

CUTN has separate hostels for boys and girls as well as a Married Research Scholars Hostel (MRSH). There are a total of 9 hostels, 4 each for boys and girls and 1 international hostel. CUTN has a mess and a cafeteria as well.

Hostel Highlights

Central University of Tamil Nadu Hostel Fees

Library

CUTN has a central library called the Chozha Central Library. Central University of Tamil Nadu library is fully automated and is managed by the Library Management Software KOHA (Ver.18) along with RFID technology. CUTN central library has 42,000 + books and subscriptions to 157 journals.

Our Take: 

Central University of Tamil Nadu provides its students with good infrastructural facilities from Wifi/LAN with 1 GBPS bandwidth to round-the-clock security. There are smart classrooms and seminar halls updated with the latest technologies, but considering the number of students enrolled, more such classrooms must be added. 

Central University of Tamil Nadu Internships and Placements

CUTN Internships

In 2022, Central University of Tamil Nadu signed MoUs with 19 institutions and industries both in India and abroad for internship purposes as well as on-the-job training, project work, student exchange and collaborative research.

Our Take:

Central University of Tamil Nadu has taken necessary steps to boost students to take up internships. However, the numbers are low and the university needs to work more on it so that every student gets a head-start by gaining experience and learning real-time skills before their final placements.

CUTN Placements

Have a look at the degree-wise statistics related to Central University of Tamil Nadu placements in the tables below:

UG 4-Year

PG 2-Year

PG Integrated| Course Duration- 5 Years

Our Take:

With only 22.72% placement for undergraduate students, Central University of Tamil Nadu has a lot of scope for improvement. With 30 students opting for higher studies out of 430, the placement rate is 27.25% for postgraduate students. Given the fact that postgraduate courses in the Central University of Tamil Nadu are highly demanded, the university’s placement cell must take necessary steps to improve the number of students placed every year.

For PG-integrated programmes, the placement rate is lowest at only 19.62%. Only 8 students opted for higher studies, signifying that 86 students didn't receive any placement offers or opted for it. On the brighter side, the median salary is the highest in this programme at INR 4.78 LPA.

Central University of Tamil Nadu Diversity and Demographics

CUTN invites applications for admission to its courses from all over India and abroad. It is a coeducational university offering equal opportunities to male and female students. Tabulated below is the Central University of Tamil Nadu gender ratio index and demographic representation:

Central University of Tamil Nadu- Gender Diversity 

Our Take:

Despite the university's location in a rural area, it is a good indicator that Central University of Tamil Nadu has more female students than males. With 67.5% females in UG 4-year programme, 55.40% in the PG 2-year and 56.62% in the PG-integrated programme, CUTN has proved that by implementing the right approach and right cost at the inclusive level, education is accessible to all.

Central University of Tamil Nadu- Demographic Representation 

Have a look at the student diversity at Central University of Tamil Nadu retrieved from the NIRF Report 2023:

Our Take:

It is evident that students from all over the country prefer to take admission in Central University of Tamil Nadu. Except for UG programmes, students from outside Tamil Nadu are more in numbers with a whopping 77.1% in the PG 2-year programme and 58.36% for PG-Integrated programmes. It further indicates that postgraduate and integrated programmes are more in demand compared to UG courses offered at Central University of Tamil Nadu.

Central University of Tamil Nadu Faculty and Administration/Management

CUTN Faculty

As per the NIRF Report 2023, all the faculty members of Central University of Tamil Nadu have a doctoral degree. There are a total of 43 female teachers. 

Our Take:

The student-to-faculty ratio at CUTN is 31:1, which is acceptable considering the number of students enrolled every year. However, there is a need to employ more faculty members. 

According to a newspaper snippet, 10 students went on a hunger strike demanding the university's management to revoke the termination of 2 assistant professors. One of the professors terminated was the project guide and the students failed to get any help with their project work. This signifies that enrollment of more students as compared to faculties employed has reduced the flexibility in teaching, causing distress among students if any one professor resigns or remains absent.

Source: The News Minute

Central University of Tamil Nadu Administration

Central University of Tamil Nadu functions under the leadership of the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, Finance Officer, Controller of Examinations, Librarian, Deans and Department Heads. The university has four main offices- Vice Chancellor Secretariat, Registrar Secretariat, Finance Officer Secretariat and Controller of Examinations Secretariat. The academic section and exam section functions under Registrar and CoE, respectively. Central University of Tamil Nadu has 92 non-teaching staff, out of which there are 15 Group A and 18 Group B staff.

Our Take:

CUTN has optimally allocated responsibility to each staff to ensure the smooth functioning of the university. Students have also opined about the effectiveness of university administration regarding admission and examination works. However, there are few circumstances where students have not received their results on time, thus, indicating that the university must bring their focus to find out the cause and mend the loopholes.

Central University of Tamil Nadu Location

The university is nestled close to CUTN Bridge, Neelakudi, Thiruvarur, Tamil Nadu. The nearest bus stop is Central University Bus Stop, 2.3 km away from the university premises. Thiruvarur Junction Railway Station, the closest railway station, is at a distance of 8 km from the campus. At a distance of 130 km from Central University of Tamil Nadu is the closest airport, Thiruvarur is Tiruchirappalli International Airport (TRZ).

Our Take:

The university is located in the Kumbakonam area where transportation is an issue. Students have shared that there is no proper conveyance option for students leaving farther from the campus. Cabs are an alternative option but it becomes difficult at times to find a ride.

Central University of Tamil Nadu Expectation vs Reality - CollegeDekho Verdict

Located in a tranquil setup among the paddy fields, CUTN takes pride in being a rural university. Apart from operating a Community College, CUTN adopted 5 villages from the Koradacheri Block of Thiruvarur district under the Unnat Bharath Abhiyan. Recently, the prime minister inaugurated three new buildings - Kailash Sathyarthi Academic Building, Godhavari Girls Hostel and Mahanadhi Boys Hostel in February 2024. 

Conclusively, we can state that CUTN has been constantly upgrading its infrastructure taking into account the huge number of applications received every year. It is a good indicator for incoming students, thus, leading to higher chances of enrollment in Central University of Tamil Nadu.

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