The Academic Programmes of TNOU are duly recognized by UGC-DEB, NCTE, RCI and AICTE. The University has been accorded with 12B Status of the UGC. The academic operations were commenced in 2003-04.

While the round the year admission policy with examination schedules conveniently arranged on weekends and the effective continuous assessment provision have sufficiently addressed the issue of quantity in the form of increasing higher education access, the University has been harnessing the advancement in ICT to continuously improve the quality of higher education.

The growth of the University during the past 20 years has been phenomenal. With a cumulative student strength of over one million in 234 Programmes of study across various disciplines and skills at different levels from Certificate to Post Graduate Programmes that are imparted through 11 Academic Schools, 5 Support Divisions, 1 Media Centre and a robust network of Learner Support Centres and the Community Colleges across the State. As per UGC-DEB approval, the TNOU started its M.Phil. and Ph.D. programme (in Regular Mode) in 2017.

In order to provide Skill Based Education and Training to the disadvantaged groups in Tamilnadu through Community Colleges, the TNOU has been identified and issued order by the Government of Tamilnadu in 2008 (G.O.M.s.No-163 dated 22-05-2008) to offer skill development programmes.

These Skill Education and Training Programmes are now offered at Short Term, Certificate, Vocational Diploma and Advanced Vocational Diploma levels in TNOU.

The University has automated its learner support systems including admission, examination, material distribution, academic counselling, etc. In the current enrolment of Academic year 2022-2023, it stands at 16,881

With the sanctioned teaching staff strength of 105 and Non – Teaching staff strength of 68, among the 16 Open Universities in the country, the Universities stands out of the 6 open universities to have been accorded with the 12B status by the University Grants Commission (UGC).

Since its inception, the University has been catering to the learning needs of the disadvantaged and deprived in the society. With a view to increasing the access to higher education and improve the quality of higher education offered through the open and distance learning modes by coordinating with such provisions in the State, the Government of Tamil Nadu established the Tamil Nadu Open University.