The Tamil Nadu Dr.M.G.R.Medical University Act, 1987 (Act No.37 of 1987) received the assent of the President of India on 24th September, 1987. By Act No.9 of 1991, it was ordered that the Act may be called the Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Chennai, Act, 1987. This affiliating University started functioning from July 1988 and is governed by the said Act.

The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University is situated in Southern part of the City of Chennai (formerly Madras) in the State of Tamil Nadu, South India. It is about 6 Km from the Chennai International & National Airport and about 12km from the Chennai Central Railway Station.

It is one of the premier Medical Universities of India named after the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, late Dr.M.G.Ramachandran (M.G.R) and it is the second largest Health Sciences University in India.

This is the only Medical University in Tamil Nadu capable of granting affiliation to new medical and paramedical colleges, government or self - financing; and awarding degrees (until 1988, all degrees of Health Sciences were awarded by the University of Madras).

Besides Medical and Paramedical courses, the University also regulates dental education and education in the Indian systems of medicine under a single umbrella to maintain uniform and high standards of education. The University also promotes research and disseminates knowledge gained there from.

Objectives :

• To maintain uniform standards of high quality medical education throughout the state of Tamil Nadu.
  
• To provide for instructions and training in such branches of learning as it may determine in the field of medical sciences.
  
• To institute degrees, diplomas and other academic distinctions.
  
• To institute lectureships, readerships, professorships and other teaching posts required by the university and to appoint persons to such lectureships, readerships, professorships and other teaching posts.
  
• To institute and award fellowships, scholarships, studentships, exhibitions, medals and prizes in accordance with the status.
  
• To institute research posts and to appoint persons in such posts.
  
• To organise advanced studies and research programs from time to time.
  
• To develop research facilities and to provide for research and for the advancement and dissemination of knowledge in the field of medical sciences.
  
• To provide for continuing medical education.
  
• To establish, maintain and manage institutions of research, university colleges, departments and laboratories.
  
• To encourage co-operation among the colleges, laboratories, hospitals and institutions in the university area and to co-ordinate with other universities and other authorities in such manner and for such purposes as the university may determine.
  
• The University emblem symbolises various systems of medicine and Para medical systems. It also depicts the global character of preventive, promotive and curative medicine. The motto "HEALTH FOR ALL" reflects all the objectives of this medical University.