Nilgiri, a place far from the madding crowd, is the land of virgin forests, perennial streams, placid lakes, exotic flora, tucked away in the green hillocks in the serenity poured in abundance by mother nature. The population of the area is mainly comprised of settlers, migrant labourers, and marginal farmers.
Nilgiri College, established in 2012 with affiliation to Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, has successfully completed a decade of rich academic pursuit, scripting success stories of enviable growth and excellence. Nestled in a serene village amidst lush green fields, the college stands as a towering epitome of state-of-the-art facilities.
With the prestigious NAAC A++ accreditation (CGPA 3.59), recognition as an Autonomous Institution, and a proud position in the NIRF India Rankings 2025 (Colleges Category: Rank Band 201–300), Nilgiri College has marked its place among the finest higher education institutions in India. The unique blending of a traditional value system with novel teaching-learning practices offers learners the true spirit of holistic education.
The campus fosters a plethora of creative endeavours and innovative initiatives that help learners transform into ideal human beings and competent professionals.
Even after decades of settlement in this agricultural land, where people toiled hard to make a living, many children were denied the opportunity of school education. Higher education was beyond their imagination. Only children of plantation owners and top government officials could afford to study outside Nilgiri district, such as in Coimbatore. Thus, thousands of children remained uneducated for years in the region.
This challenge was addressed by the founding fathers of Nilgiri College, who decided to open the windows of higher education to the children of the poor, downtrodden rural masses — mostly from minority communities, SC/ST, and other backward classes. This led to the formation of the Career Development Foundation Trust (CDFT), which established Nilgiri College of Arts and Science in 2012, affiliated with Bharathiar University.
Bharathiar University is a state university in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Named after poet Subramania Bharathiar, it was established in February 1982 under the Bharathiar University Act of 1981 and was recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) in 1985. It was ranked 20th overall in India by the National Institutional Ranking Framework in 2018 and 13th among universities.
The college's location benefits students from both Tamil Nadu and Kerala, being just 200 meters from the Kerala border. The institution blends Tamil and Kerala cultural values, contributing to national integration and the fraternity of linguistic and racial minorities.
The college began with three UG programs and 65 students. Today, it offers nine UG and three PG programs, with 1,335 students and 69 faculty members. It holds UGC 2(f) & 12(B) status and is ISO 9001:2015 certified. The college has signed 11 international and 60 national MoUs for academics, research, and placements.