University College, Thiruvananthapuram (UCT) is a constituent college of the

University of Kerala University of Kerala, formerly the University of Travancore, is a state-run public university located in Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital of Kerala, India. It was established in 1937 by a promulgation of the Maharajah of Travancore, Chit ...

, based primarily in

Thiruvananthapuram Thiruvananthapuram (; ), also known by its former name Trivandrum (), is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala. It is the most populous city in Kerala with a population of 957,730 as of 2011. The encompassing urban agglomeration populati ...

, the capital of the

India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...

n state of

Kerala Kerala ( ; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile regions of Cochin, Malabar, South ...

. The college was awarded 23rd rank by

National Institutional Ranking Framework The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) is a methodology adopted by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, to rank institutions of higher education in India. The Framework was approved by the MHRD and launched by Minister ...

, NIRF in 2019 and 2020.

Rankings

Geography and location

The college is located at the heart of

in a locality called

Palayam Palayam may refer to: * ''Palayam'' (film), a 1994 Malayalam film * Palayam, Kanyakumari, a village in Neyyoor town panchayat, Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu, India * Palayam, Perambalur, a village in Perambalur district, Tamil Nadu, India *Palay ...

History

The institution, now called the University College, was founded in 1834 by the Government of

Travancore The Kingdom of Travancore ( /ˈtrævənkɔːr/), also known as the Kingdom of Thiruvithamkoor, was an Indian kingdom from c. 1729 until 1949. It was ruled by the Travancore Royal Family from Padmanabhapuram, and later Thiruvananthapuram. At ...

during the reign of His Highness Sri Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma, one of the most illustrious rulers of the former state of

, who was known for his devotion and great contributions to art and culture. The Maharaja had occasion to visit a school that was imparting instruction in English at

Nagercoil Nagercoil, also spelt as Nagarkovil ("Temple of the Nāgas", or Nagaraja-Temple), is a city and the administrative headquarters of Kanyakumari District in Tamil Nadu state, India. Situated close to the tip of the Indian peninsula, it lies on an ...

under the auspices of the

London Missionary Society The London Missionary Society was an interdenominational evangelical missionary society formed in England in 1795 at the instigation of Welsh Congregationalist minister Edward Williams. It was largely Reformed in outlook, with Congregational m ...

(LMS). He was impressed by the school and the quality of the education given there and was convinced that the new type of school held out great prospects for the people of the state. The school later evolved into

Scott Christian College Scott Christian College is an autonomous, co-educational, arts and science college in Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu. Run by the Diocese of Kanyakumari of the Church of South India, the college is graded "''A''" under National Assessment and Accreditat ...

. Shortly, thereafter, he invited Mr. Roberts who was in charge of the school at

to come to

and start a similar school there. The educationist, who was an Englishman, agreed and a new school was started in 1834. It was private institution, but the state Government contributed the prescribed fees for 80 pupils who thereby got free tuition. The classes were conducted in an old building about half a mile to the south of University College, on the premises where the Govt. Ayurveda College stands today. In less than a year, the government took over the school and assumed full responsibility for its management. Roberts was appointed headmaster and it came to be known as the Raja's Free School. In the following year, the institution was moved to a new building constructed for the purpose on the premises where the University College is now located. The school continued as a free institution till 1863–64. Those were days when education of the western type was being newly introduced in India and the Raja's Free School was one of the earliest institutions in South

established under the auspices of the Government for imparting instruction to the children of the state. It attracted pupils from all parts of

and many of its alumni rose to high positions in the public life of the state and distinguished themselves in may fields of cultural activity. In 1866, during the reign of His Highness Sri

Ayilyam Thirunal Ayilyam Thirunal Rama Varma (1832–1880) was the ruler of the princely state of Travancore in India from 1860 to 1880. His reign was highly successful with Travancore gaining the appellation of "model state of India". Ayilyam Thirunal was ...

Rama Varma Maharaja of Travancore, it was decided that facilities for higher education should also be provided by the Government and the Raja's School was raised to the status of a college affiliated to the

University of Madras The University of Madras (informally known as Madras University) is a public state university in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Established in 1857, it is one of the oldest and among the most prestigious universities in India, incorporated by an a ...

. It was named H.H. The Maharaja's College, though it still had the original school attached to it. John Ross, an inspiring teacher whom many in Travancore of the previous generation still remembers with reverence and affection, was the first principal. Courses leading to the first examination in Arts of the

Madras University The University of Madras (informally known as Madras University) is a public state university in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Established in 1857, it is one of the oldest and among the most prestigious universities in India, incorporated by an a ...

were started. A spacious building for housing the college was constructed in 1870. It was a two-storeyed structure and has lasted to this day, forming the central block of the main building of the University College, which bears the bell tower and the ornamental G.I. roofing at the two ends. In laying the foundation stone of the building, His Highness the Maharaja

said:

"I consider this a grand occasion. In laying the foundation stone for a college we are in fact imparting strength and durability to a system of public education of a high order, which cannot fail to exercise a most important influence on the rising generation and on generations yet unborn.
It is gratifying to me to reflect that English education struck early root in
Travancore The Kingdom of Travancore ( /ˈtrævənkɔːr/), also known as the Kingdom of Thiruvithamkoor, was an Indian kingdom from c. 1729 until 1949. It was ruled by the Travancore Royal Family from Padmanabhapuram, and later Thiruvananthapuram. At ...
, that under favourable auspices, it has attained satisfactory growth and that already, pressing on the material limits provided for its by my venerated predecessor, it now calls for enlarged accommodation.
Such a call, it is superfluous for me to say, will at all times be responded to by the State with the utmost alacrity. To the numerous pupils I see assembled on this auspicious occasion I will only say: Pursue your various studies with the utmost devotion and perseverance; show yourselves worthily of the anxious care bestowed on you by your country for cultivated intelligence and, even over following into other countries, prove yourselves formidable yet friendly rivals to those whom other colleges send abroad. By such a course you will win credit for yourselves and honour for your country".

The college was affiliated for the B.A. Degree course to the

, first in Philosophy, in 1884. Robert Harvey who succeeded John Ross as principal was the first professor of philosophy. B.A. courses in Mathematics, Chemistry,

History History (derived ) is the systematic study and the documentation of the human activity. The time period of event before the invention of writing systems is considered prehistory. "History" is an umbrella term comprising past events as well ...

Physics Physics is the natural science that studies matter, its fundamental constituents, its motion and behavior through space and time, and the related entities of energy and force. "Physical science is that department of knowledge which r ...

and

Sanskrit Sanskrit (; attributively , ; nominally , , ) is a classical language belonging to the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. It arose in South Asia after its predecessor languages had diffused there from the northwest in the late ...

and

Dravidian Languages The Dravidian languages (or sometimes Dravidic) are a family of languages spoken by 250 million people, mainly in southern India, north-east Sri Lanka, and south-west Pakistan. Since the colonial era, there have been small but significant ...

followed in quick succession. A galaxy of distinguished principals, Indian and English, guided the fortunes of the institution during its early years and the "Old Colleges" as it came to be fondly referred to by its alumni and the public acquired a pre-eminent position in the affections of the people of

. It was considered an honor and privilege to be a student of the college and to be on its staff. The pick of the intelligentsia of the state was attracted towards it. Among the great scholars who served the institution and won high credit and great reputation forfeit and for themselves by their single minded devotion to the pursuit of higher learning the name of the late A. R. Raja Raja Varma, grammarian and

poet A poet is a person who studies and creates poetry. Poets may describe themselves as such or be described as such by others. A poet may simply be the creator ( thinker, songwriter, writer, or author) who creates (composes) poems ( oral or wri ...

, deserves special mention. He has left a deep impression on the language and the culture of the land. He was professor of Sanskrit and Dravidian languages from 1910 to 1918 and acted as principal from 1915 to 1916. The B.A. honors courses in

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

and

were started in 1914. Provision for the study of Natural Science (Biology) in the Intermediated Course was made in 1922. The school section of the institution continued to function in the same premises till 1919. In October of that year the school was shifted to a new building at

Vanchiyoor Vanchiyoor is a locality in downtown Thiruvananthapuram city, the capital of the India state of Kerala. Vanchiyoor occupies an important place in the history of Travancore The Kingdom of Travancore ( /ˈtrævənkɔːr/), also known as the ...

and the whole of the old building was given over to the college. The strength of the college that year was 561. By 1923 it rose to 837 and there was great pressure for additional accommodation. Therefore, in 1924 the Government decided to separate the Arts and Science Departments, This step, which is known as the bifurcations' was given effect to at the beginning of the academic year 1924–25. The new institutions that came into being as result of the bifurcation were called H.H. The Maharaja's College of Science and H.H. The Maharaja's College of Arts. The latter was housed in a new three-story building about a mile away at Thaikad. After the bifurcation, the Science College was affiliated for the B.A. pass course in

Botany Botany, also called , plant biology or phytology, is the science of plant life and a branch of biology. A botanist, plant scientist or phytologist is a scientist who specialises in this field. The term "botany" comes from the Ancient Greek w ...

in 1924 for the B.A. Honors course in Mathematics in 1925 and for the B.A. pass course in

Zoology Zoology ()The pronunciation of zoology as is usually regarded as nonstandard, though it is not uncommon. is the branch of biology that studies the animal kingdom, including the structure, embryology, evolution, classification, habits, and ...

in 1931. In the Arts College in B.A. Honors Course in

Malayalam Malayalam (; , ) is a Dravidian languages, Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry (union territory), Puducherry (Mahé district) by the Malayali people. It is one of 2 ...

was started in 1935 and the B.A Honors Course in

in 1939. The B.A. Course in Philosophy, though it was the first to be started in the old College, had to be discontinued for many years, as sufficient number of students was not forthcoming. It was however, restarted in 1925 in the

Arts College An Arts College, in the United Kingdom, is a type of specialist school that specialises in the subject fields of the performing, visual, digital and/or media arts. They were announced in 1996 and introduced alongside Sports Colleges to England i ...

. The strength of the Arts College in 1935–36 was 447 and that of the Science College 937. The two Colleges grew from strength to strength and became the premier institutions of higher education in the State. Members of the teaching staff of the language sections used to be transferred from the college to the other and this along contributed to the maintenance of some contact between the two. The bifurcation of the old college brought about a certain dichotomy of the spirit between the humanities and sciences and both disciplines suffered there from. "The richness or corporate life springs from the university of its elements". This was realized by the authorities and in 1942 the two institutions were amalgamated. The reunited College was called the University College. Subsequently, the Intermediate section was separated from it (in 1949) and the College became a Post Intermediate Institution. MSc Courses in

, Chemistry and

Economics Economics () is the social science that studies the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. Economics focuses on the behaviour and interactions of economic agents and how economies work. Microeconomics analyzes ...

in June 1953. B.A. Courses in politics and

Hindi Hindi ( Devanāgarī: or , ), or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi (Devanagari: ), is an Indo-Aryan language spoken chiefly in the Hindi Belt region encompassing parts of northern, central, eastern, and western India. Hindi has been ...

were started in June 1951. BSc Courses in

Geology Geology () is a branch of natural science concerned with Earth and other astronomical objects, the features or rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which they change over time. Modern geology significantly overlaps all other Ea ...

was started in June 1953. The M.A Courses in

was started in 1957. As new courses were started, facilities for advanced research came to be provided both in the humanities and the sciences. In 1957, State Government took over the management of the college; a special scheme for coaching students for the U.P.S.C. Examination (I.A.S) was in the college in October 1961. With a view to giving opportunities of higher standard education to employed personnel, an evening college was started in June 1965. The college celebrated its centenary in a grand manner in July 1969.

Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (; 5 September 1888 – 17 April 1975), natively Radhakrishnayya, was an Indian philosopher and statesman. He served as the 2nd President of India from 1962 to 1967. He also 1st Vice President of India from 1952 ...

, the then President of India, inaugurated the celebrations. The BSc (Special) course was started in 1966 in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Botany and Zoology. These courses were discontinued in 1969 when the

Kerala University University of Kerala, formerly the University of Travancore, is a state-run public university located in Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital of Kerala, India. It was established in 1937 by a promulgation of the Maharajah of Travancore, Chit ...

abolished them. The Government vide G.O (Ms.) No. 62/93/H. Edn. dated 14-5-1993, decided to shift the graduate courses to another campus in a phased manner. Accordingly, the first year classes of the eleven B.A. degree courses were shifted to the new buildings for the graduate section at

Kariavattom Kariavattom is an area of Trivandrum city the capital of Kerala, India. Trivandrum International Stadium the largest international stadium of Kerala is situated in Karyavattom. Geography (കാര്യവട്ടം) is approximately 14&nbs ...

during 1993–94 and those of the BSc degree during 1994–95. The final year classes of the B.A and the second and final year classes of the BSc courses would cease to function in the college by the end of the academic year 1994–95 and 1995–96 respectively. The Government decided to re-introduce the degree courses and to shift III year BSc classes from University College Graduate Section, Kariavattom to this college from the academic year 1996–97 onward. M. Phil courses in twelve disciplines was started from the academic year 1994–95. The University College now comprises 20 post-graduate departments and 18 Graduate departments with about 278 members of staff (teaching and non-teaching) and over 3164 students on its roll. This college has been recognized by the university as a Research Center for M. Phil and PhD Degree in twelve disciplines.

National Assessment and Accreditation Council accreditations

NAAC Accreditation: I Cycle – 2002 * Grade awarded: B+ grade with an institutional score of 78.55 out of 100, awarded on 21 March 2003 * Principal: Smt. Vijayakumari Jeyasingh * Co-ordinator: Sri. Murugan Achary, Dept. of Chemistry * Peer team visit date: 27–29 November 2002 * Members of the peer team: *# Prof. Hyderali Sayed Mashoor (Chairman), Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Univ. of Mumbai, Mumbai *# Prof. Athif (Member), Director, Academic Staff College, University of Madras *# Dr. Farhad (Member), K.E.T's. Vinayak Ganesh Vaze College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Mumbai NAAC Accreditation: II Cycle – 2010 * Grade awarded: A grade with CGPA of 3.16 on a 4-point scale, awarded on 4 September 2010 * Principal: Dr. B. S. Mohanachandran * Co-Ordinator: Dr. Anil Kumar, Dept. of Geography * Peer team visit date: 30–31 March 2010 * Members of the peer team: *# Prof. B. Hanumaiah (Chairperson) *# Dr. M.D. Jahagirdar (Member Co-Ordinator) *# Dr. K. Mahesh (Member) *# Dr. Jagannath Patil (Deputy Advisor) Three major features in the Institutional context as perceived by the Peer Team: * Very good infrastructural facilities * Ongoing research projects applicable * Good pass percentage

Admissions

University College is an affiliated college of University of Kerala. Hence admissions to BA/BSc, MA/MSc, M.Phil programs are done by the Online Centralized Allotment Process of the university.

Notable alumni

University College Thiruvananthapuram has produced luminaries that include a former president of India, two former chief ministers of Kerala, cabinet secretaries, ambassadors, civil servants, IT doyens, teachers, poets, writers, artists and politicians. * A. A. Rahim (politician), Rajya Sabha MP * Abu Abraham, cartoonist * Anna Chandy, first woman judge in India; first woman in India to become a high court judge * A. R. Raja Raja Varma, poet, grammatician, professor *

Ayyappa Paniker Dr. K. Ayyappa Paniker, sometimes spelt "Ayyappa Panicker" (12 September 1930 – 23 August 2006), was a Malayalam poet, literary critic, and an academic and a scholar in modern and post-modern literary theories as well as ancient Indian aesthe ...

and critic *

Balabhaskar Balabhaskar Chandran (10 July 1978 – 2 October 2018) was an Indian musician, violinist, composer and record producer. He is best known for promoting fusion music in South India. Hailing from a musically affluent family, he was introduced to ...

, Malayalam music director and Violinist *

Balachandra Menon Balachandra Menon ( ml, ബാലചന്ദ്ര മേനോൻ) (born 11 January 1954) is an Indian actor, director and script writer. He made a number of films in the 1980s and 1990s. He has directed 40 films and has acted in over 100. ...

, national award-winning Indian film actor, director, and script writer & lawyer *

Bharath Gopi Gopynathan Velayudhan Nair (2 November 1937 – 29 January 2008), popularly known by the stage name Bharat Gopy, was an Indian actor, producer and director. He was one of the first actors to be associated with the New Wave cinema movement in ...

, Indian film actor, director, and producer *

Bheeman Raghu Bheeman Raghu (born 6 October 1953) is an Indian actor, singer, dancer, former politician and police officer (retired) who appears mainly in Malayalam films and is best known for his villainous and comedy roles. In a career spanning over three ...

, actor * C. K. Chandrappan Parliamentarian and former Kerala state secretary of CPI party * C. V. Raman Pillai, playwright and

novelist A novelist is an author or writer of novels, though often novelists also write in other genres of both fiction and non-fiction. Some novelists are professional novelists, thus make a living writing novels and other fiction, while others asp ...

* E. D. Jemmis, Bhatnagar award winner and former director of IISER-TVM *

Fathima Beevi M. Fathima Beevi (born 30 April 1927) is a former judge of the Supreme Court of India. Appointed to the apex Court in 1989, she became the first female judge to be a part of the Supreme Court of India, and the first Muslim woman to be appointed ...

first woman judge of Supreme Court of India * George Joseph *

G. Madhavan Nair G. Madhavan Nair (born 31 October 1943) is an Indian space scientist and a former Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation, and Secretary to the Department of Space, Government of India. He has also been the Chairman of the Space ...

, former chairman of ISRO * G. R. Anil, Minister for Civil Supplies & Legal Metrology, Government of Kerala * G. Venugopal, Malayalam playback singer, composer * Jacob Punnoose, former Director General of Police, Kerala * J C Daniel, "father of Malayalam cinema" * J. Alexander (politician), Former Chief Secretary and Cabinet Minister, Karnataka State *

Karamana Janardanan Nair Karamana Janardanan Nair (25 July 1936 – 24 April 2000) was a Malayalam film actor, who was active during the 1980s and 1990s. He was especially known for his character roles. He won wide acclaim especially for the role of the protagonis ...

, Malayalam actor *

Kesari Balakrishna Pillai Akathoot Balakrishna Pillai (1889–1960), better known as Kesari Balakrishna Pillai, was a Malayalam writer, art and literary critic and journalist, considered by many as one of the most influential thinkers of modern Kerala. He was the eponymous ...

* K.M. Chandy - former Governor ( MP,

Gujarat Gujarat (, ) is a state along the western coast of India. Its coastline of about is the longest in the country, most of which lies on the Kathiawar peninsula. Gujarat is the fifth-largest Indian state by area, covering some ; and the ninth ...

pondicherry Pondicherry (), now known as Puducherry ( French: Pondichéry ʊdʊˈtʃɛɹi(listen), on-dicherry, is the capital and the most populous city of the Union Territory of Puducherry in India. The city is in the Puducherry district on the sout ...

) * Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, Former secretary of CPI(M) Kerala state, Former Minister of Home affairs State of Kerala * K. R. Narayanan, former president of India. *

Kris Gopalakrishnan Senapathy "Kris" Gopalakrishnan is an Indian billionaire businessman who is recognized as a global business and technology thought leader for his role in growing the IT services industry worldwide. He co-founded Infosys, where he served as the ...

, CEO of Infosys *

K. Shankar Pillai Kesava Shankar Pillai (31 July 1902 – 26 December 1989), better known as Shankar, was an Indian cartoonist. He is considered the father of political cartooning in India. He founded ''Shankar's Weekly'', India's ''Punch'' in 1948. ''Shankar's ...

, cartoonist and Padma Bhushan recipient * Madhu, film actor * Mahesh Narayan, Malayalam film director and editor *

Malayattoor Ramakrishnan K. V. Ramakrishna Iyer, better known by his pen name, Malayattoor Ramakrishnan (27 May 1927 – 27 December 1997), was an Indian writer of Malayalam literature, cartoonist, lawyer, judicial magistrate, and Indian Administrative Service (IAS) of ...

, IAS officer, author, cartoonist *

Mary Poonen Lukose Mary Poonen Lukose was an Indian gynecologist, obstetrician and the first female Surgeon General in India. She was the founder of a ''Tuberculosis Sanatorium'' in Nagarcoil and the ''X-Ray and Radium Institute'', Thiruvananthapuram, served as th ...

, obstetrician, gynaecologist, first female surgeon general of India * M. Krishnan Nair, writer, literary critic, and orator * M. K. Sanu, professor, orator, critic, biographer *

M. M. Jacob M. M. Jacob (9 August 1926 – 8 July 2018), in full Mundakkal Mathew Jacob, was an Indian politician, working in Indian National Congress. He married Achamma Kunnuthara from Tiruvalla, Kerala (since deceased) and had four daughters. He was ap ...

, Former Governor of Arunachal Pradhesh * M.S.Swaminathan, "father of

Green Revolution The Green Revolution, also known as the Third Agricultural Revolution, was a period of technology transfer initiatives that saw greatly increased crop yields and agricultural production. These changes in agriculture began in developed countrie ...

" in India *

Nitya Chaitanya Yati Nitya Chaitanya Yati (2 November 1924 – 14 May 1999) was an Indian philosopher, psychologist, author and poet, best known for his commentaries on Advaita Vedanta as well as his literary criticisms. He was a disciple of Nataraja Guru, the succe ...

, philosopher, psychologist, and poet * O. N. V Kurup, poet, lyricist, professor and Jnanpith award winner *

Pattom A. Thanu Pillai Raja Shri Pattom A. Thanu Pillai (15 July 188527 July 1970) was a participant in the Indian independence movement who later served as the chief minister of Kerala from 22 February 1960 to 25 September 1962. He was known as the 'Bhishmacharya' o ...

, former chief minister of Kerala * P. C. Alexander, civil servant, administrator *

P. Gopinathan Nair Padmanabha Pillai Gopinathan Nair (7 July 1922 – 5 July 2022) was an Indian social worker, Gandhian, independence activist, and the chairman of Mahatma Gandhi National Memorial Trust (popularly known as Gandhi Smarak Nidhi). He participated ...

, Gandhian and

Padma Shri Padma Shri ( IAST: ''padma śrī''), also spelled Padma Shree, is the fourth-highest civilian award of the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan. Instituted on 2 January 1954, the award is conf ...

recipient *

P. K. Iyengar Padmanabhan Krishnagopala Iyengar (29 June 1931 – 21 December 2011; best known as P. K. Iyengar), was an Indian nuclear physicist who is widely known for his central role in the development of the nuclear program of India. Iyengar previousl ...

, Indian nuclear physicist * P. Padmarajan, Indian author, screenwriter, and film director *

P. Parameswaran P. Parameswaran (3 October 1927 – 9 February 2020), often referred to as Parameswarji, was a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) ''pracharak'' from Kerala, India who was erstwhile Vice‑President of the Jan Sangh. He was president of Vivekanan ...

, Padma Vibhushan awardee, president of Vivekananda Kendra * Prasanth Reghuvamsom, Senior Journalist, Asianet News *

Priyadarshan Priyadarshan (born 30 January 1957) is an Indian film director, screenwriter and producer who works predominantly in Malayalam and Hindi films, while also having done six films in Tamil and two films in Telugu. He has done about 31 films in ...

, national award-winning Indian film director, script writer, and producer * Raja Ravi Varma, world-famous painter *

Raman Viswanathan Raman Viswanathan (1899–1982) was an Indian chest physician, medical mycologist and pulmonologist, considered by many as the father of Chest Medicine in India. He was the founder director of Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, a postgraduate m ...

, chest physician and

Padma Bhushan The Padma Bhushan is the third-highest civilian award in the Republic of India, preceded by the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan and followed by the Padma Shri. Instituted on 2 January 1954, the award is given for "distinguished service ...

awardee * R. Sankar, former chief minister of Kerala *

Sabumon Abdusamad Sabumon Abdusamad, also known mononymously as Sabu, is an Indian actor and television presenter who works in Malayalam cinema. He was the winner of the first season of ''Bigg Boss''. Personal life Sabu hails from Kayamkulam, Alappuzha. He ...

, Malayalam actor and television anchor * Sethunathasarma Krishnaswami, geochemist,

Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Sir Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar OBE, FNI, FASc, FRS, FRIC, FInstP (21 February 1894 – 1 January 1955) was an Indian colloid chemist, academic and scientific administrator. The first director-general of the Council of Scientific and Indust ...

laureate *

Shaji N. Karun Shaji Neelakantan Karun (born 1 January 1952) is an Indian film director and cinematographer. His debut film '' Piravi'' (1988) won the Caméra d'Or – Mention d'honneur at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival. He was the premiere chairman of the Keral ...

, national award-winning Indian film director and cinematographer *

S. Guptan Nair S. Guptan Nair (1919 – 2006) was an Indian scholar, academic, critic and writer of Malayalam literature. Known for his literary works as well as for his oratorical skills, Nair was a prolific writer with over 35 books to his credit. He was a d ...

, Malayalam writer, critic, scholar, and orator * S. Suresh Babu, atmospheric scientist,

laureate *

Sudheer Karamana Sudheer Karamana (born 24 May 1971) is an Indian actor who appears mainly in Malayalam cinema. He is the son of veteran actor Karamana Janardanan Nair. Personal life He is the eldest son to actor Karamana Janardanan Nair and Jaya, at Karamana ...

, Malayalam film actor and artist *

Sugathakumari Sugathakumari (22 January 1934 – 23 December 2020) was an Indian poet and activist, who was at the forefront of environmental and feminist movements in Kerala, South India. Her parents were the poet and freedom fighter Bodheswaran and V. K. ...

, poet and environmentalist *

Sukumaran Edappal Ponnamkuzhi Veettil Parameswaran Sukumaran Nair (10 June 1948 – 16 June 1997), known mononymously as Sukumaran, was an Indian actor and producer of Malayalam films. Sukumaran became a popular film star in Malayalam cinema during the ...

, Malayalam film actor, producer *

S. Venkitaramanan Sri Venkitaramanan was the eighteenth Governor of the Reserve Bank of India. He served for a period of 2 years, from 1990 to 1992. Earlier, he served as Finance Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, from 1985 to 1989. Venkitaramanan is seen by ...

, former governor of Reserve Bank of India *

Thanu Padmanabhan Thanu Padmanabhan (10 March 1957 – 17 September 2021) was an Indian theoretical physicist and cosmologist whose research spanned a wide variety of topics in gravitation, structure formation in the universe and quantum gravity. He published n ...

, Indian theoretical physicist *

T. K. Rajeev Kumar Thazhathupurakkal Karunakara Panicker Rajeev Kumar (born 20 September 1961) is a National Award-winning Indian director of Malayalam films, from Trivandrum. He is the winner of five Kerala State Film Awards for Best Film, Director, Story Writer ...

, Malayalam director *

Tony Mathew Tony Mathew (17 May 1949 – 19 December 2019) was an Indian writer, critic and orator, acknowledged for his contributions to Malayalam language, Indian philosophy and insights on comparative religion. Academic career After completing his ...

, Orator, Writer * T. P. Sreenivasan, Indian diplomat, former IFS officer *

Venu Nagavally Venu Nagavally (16 April 1949 – 10 September 2010) was an Indian actor, screenwriter and director best known for his work in Malayalam film industry. He has directed 12 films. Son of writer, commentator, and broadcaster Nagavally R. S. Kurup, ...

, Malayalam director, actor, screenwriter *

V. Madhusoodanan Nair V. Madhusoodanan Nair is an Indian poet and critic of Malayalam literature, who is credited with contributions in popularizing poetry through recitation. He is best known for ''Naranathu Bhranthan'', the poem with the most editions in Malayalam ...

, professor, poet

Faculties

Language faculties * Faculty of English * Faculty of Malayalam * Faculty of Hindi * Faculty of Arabic * Faculty of Sanskrit * Faculty of Tamil * Faculty of French Humanities faculties * Faculty of Economics * Faculty of History * Faculty of Political Science * Faculty of Islamic History * Faculty of Philosophy Science faculties * Faculty of Chemistry * Faculty of Biochemistry * Faculty of Mathematics * Faculty of Physics * Faculty of Geology * Faculty of Geography * Faculty of Botany * Faculty of Zoology * Faculty of Statistics * Faculty of Psychology Other faculties * Faculty of Physical Education

Succession list of principals

H. H. The Maharaja's College * John Ross M.A. 1866–1884 * Robert Harvey M.A., L.L.D. 1884–1890 * H.N. Read M.A. 1890–1892 (acting) * Dr Alexander Crichton Mitchell D.Sc., F.R.S.E 1892–1909 * A.W. Bishop PhD 1909–1915 * L.C. Hodson M.A. 1912–1915 * A. R. Raja Raja Varma Kovil Thampuran M.A 1915–1916, 1918 * Dr. J. Stephenson, BSc, A.R.D.S.C. 1916–1927 H. H. The Maharaja's Science College * R. Krishnaswamy Iyer, V.A. 1924–1927 * James Pryde, M.A., BSc 1927–1930 * C.V. Chandrasekharan, M.A (Oxon) 1930–1931 * K.V. Rangaswamy Aiyangar, M.A. (Oxon) 1931–1935 (on leave) * K.L. Moudgil, M.A., D.Sc., F.L.C. 1933–1934 (acting) and 1935–1937 and 1938–1941 * A. Gopala Menon, M.A., B.Com. 1934–1935 (acting) * R. Srinivasan, M.A. 1937–1938 and 1941–1942 HH. The Maharaja's Arts College * K.V. Rangaswamy Aiyangar, M.A. 1924–1928 and 1930–1933 * C.V. Chandrasekharan, M.A (Oxon) 1928–1930 (ag.) and 1933–1935 * A. Gopala Menon, M.A., B.Com. 1935–1937 * P.G. Sahasranama Iyer, M.A. 1937–1942 University College * Sr. H. Subrahmonia Iyer, M.A., PhD 1942–1948 * Sri. V. Narayana Pillai, M.A., B.L. 1948 (acting) * Sri. V. Sundararaja Naidu, M.A., B.L.T.D, 1948–1949 (acting) and 1950 * Dr. T.K. Koshy, M.A., PhD 1949–1950 * Sri. C.V. Subbarama Iyer, M.A. 1950–1951 (acting) * Dr. C.S. Venkateswaran, M.A., MSc, D.Sc., F.Inst.P.FA.Sc. 1951–1957 * Dr. A. Narayanan Potti, M.N., PhD January–August 1954 (acting) * Sri. C.S. Venkateswaran 1954 August – 1956 November * Dr. A. Narayanan Potti, M.A., PhD November 1956 – March 1957 * Dr. K. Bhaskaran Nair, MSc, D.Sc. April 1957 – February 1960 * Sri. V.R. Pillai, M.S., MSc February 1960 – March 1962 * Sri. E.P. Narayana Pillai. M.A. (Madras and Oxford) March 1962 – March 1964 * Dr. N. Subramonia Wariyar, MSc, MSc, PhD, FIC. March 1964 – March 1969 * Dr. S. Parameswara Iyer, MSc, PhD 1-4-1959 to 3-7-1969 (acting) * Sri. R. Suryanarayanan, M.A., B.T. 1969 to March 1977 * Dr. (Mrs.) N.I. Joseph 1-4-1977 to 31-3-1978 * Sri. P. Madusudana Perumal Pillai 1 April 1978 to 6 April 1981 * Sri. K.M. Zachariah 6 April 1981 to 31 March 1982 * Sri. G. Nagappan Nair 1-4-1982 to 31-3-1984 * Sri. A.G. Ramachandran 1-4-1984 to 29-3-1985 * Prof. A. Nabeesa Ummal 1-6-1985 to 31-3-1986 * Prof. C. Ebertchellam 1986–1987 * Prof. S. Ponnayyan 5-8-1987 to 31-3-1989 * Prof. K. Somanadhan from 20-4-1989 to 31-3-1990 * Prof. Rama Sarma 5-5-1990 * Prof. M. Sarojini 14-2-1991 to 31-3-1991 * Dr. H. Parameswaran from 3-4-1991 to 30-4-1991 * Prof. V. Hamsa Devi 21-8-1991 to 24-6-1992 * Prof. R. Balakrishnan Nair 24-6-1992 to 3-11-1992 * Prof. I. Sundaram Pillai 4-11-1992 to 31-3-1993 * Prof. R. Balakrishnan Nair 24-6-1992 to 3-11-1992 and 5-4-1993 to 18-5-1993 * Prof. R. Harihara Subrahmonia Iyer 18-5-1995 to 26-12-1995 * Prof. B. Padmakumari 26-12-1995 to 17-6-1996 * Prof. P. Sahadevan 17-6-1996 to 31-5-1998 * Dr. K.Sukumaran 31-5-1998 to 17-7-1998 * Smt. P. Saraswathy Amma 17-7-1998 to 31-3-1999 * Sri. S. Mohan Kumar 31-3-1999 to 16-6-1999 * Prof. B. Rishikesan Thampy 16-6-1999 * Sri. G. Gopalakrishnan * Sr. V.R. Ramachandran * Prof. S. Varghese 6-8-2001 to 16-8-2002 * Smt. Vijayakumi Jaya Singh 17-8-2002 to 31-3-2003 * Prof. Prasanna 28-6-2003 to 30-6-2003 * Prof. A. Salahudeen Kunju 1/7/2003 to 31 March 2004 * Prof. Dr. D. Maya 1/4/2004 to 31 March 2005 * Prof. M.S. Girija 18 August 2005 to 28 April 2006 * Dr. Cyriac Mathews 28 April 2006 to 28 July 2007 * Dr. Asha Balagandharan 27 July 2007 to 30-6-2008 * Smt. Shobha Ravindranath 19 July 2008 to 31 March 2009 * Dr. B.S. Mohanachandran 18 July 2009 to 31 March 2010 * Dr. M. Abdul Rahim 18 June 2010 to 31 March 2011 * Dr. D. Premlal 26-08-2011 to 22-02-2012 * Prof. K. B. Ajithakumar 22-02-2012 to 31-05-2012 * Dr. S. Rajoo Krishnan 27 September 2012 to 04/10/2012 * Prof. R. Thulaseedharan Pillai 04/10/2012 to 02-03-2013 * Prof. T. P. Nalinakshan 21-03-2013 to 30-04-2013 * Dr. T. G. Sarachandran 09-05-2013 to 24-06-2013 * Dr. C. Moly Marceline 24-06-2013 to 31-03-2014 * Dr. Thomas Kuruvila 09-04-2014 to 12-05-2014 * Dr. J. Vijayamohanan 19-05-2014 to 30-07-2014 * Dr. V. T. Beena 02-08-2014 to 31-03-2015 * Prof. K. Jayakumar 28-05-2015 to 31-05-2015 * Dr. M. K. Thankamani 26-06-2015 onwards

Controversy

On 3 May 2019, a first-year

BSc A Bachelor of Science (BS, BSc, SB, or ScB; from the Latin ') is a bachelor's degree awarded for programs that generally last three to five years. The first university to admit a student to the degree of Bachelor of Science was the University ...

Chemistry student

attempted suicide A suicide attempt is an attempt to die by suicide that results in survival. It may be referred to as a "failed" or "unsuccessful" suicide attempt, though these terms are discouraged by mental health professionals for implying that a suicide resu ...

on campus, alleging harassment from SFI leaders for not taking part in their programmes and disruption of classes. On 12 July 2019, a final year

B.A. Bachelor of arts (BA or AB; from the Latin ', ', or ') is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate program in the arts, or, in some cases, other disciplines. A Bachelor of Arts degree course is generally completed in three or four yea ...

Political Science Political science is the scientific study of politics. It is a social science dealing with systems of governance and power, and the analysis of political activities, political thought, political behavior, and associated constitutions and la ...

student was stabbed amid a dispute between two groups of students belonging to the SFI, following which two SFI leaders were arrested. Later in the day, answer sheets and the official seal of an

Assistant Professor Assistant Professor is an academic rank just below the rank of an associate professor used in universities or colleges, mainly in the United States and Canada. Overview This position is generally taken after earning a doctoral degree A docto ...

were recovered while clearing the SFI office on campus, raising questions on the credibility of examinations conducted by the university. The police also found fake seals and university answer sheets from the residence of a prime accused.

References

External links

University College Thiruvananthapuram, Official website

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