Alagappa University was established by a Special Act of the Government of Tamil Nadu in May 1985 with the goal of promoting research, development, and knowledge dissemination in a number of academic fields. The University Grants Commission (UGC) of India has granted Alagappa University recognition. On its campus, the university contains 44 Departments, 9 Centers, and 2 Constituent Colleges. The University is made up of 46 Affiliated Colleges that are situated in the Ramanathapuram and Sivaganga districts. In Kilakkarai and Paramakudi, respectively, there is one Autonomous College and one Alagappa University Model Constituent College of Arts and Sciences.
The university provides instruction in traditional, weekend, online, and collaborative formats. The University meets the demands of the about 1.12 lakh student population via various forms of education.