MANONMANIAN SUNDARANAR UNIVERSITY was established in 1990, as per the Act 31 of 1990, by the Government of Tamil Nadu as a teaching cum affiliating University. The University is named after the Tamil poet laureate Prof. P. Sundaram Pillai (1855-1897) who is the author of the famous verse drama MANONMANIAM. The University caters to the needs of the three southern districts of Tamil Nadu Viz. Tirunelveli Tuticorin and Kanyakumari.

The University is located in a campus of 550 acres at Abishekapatti (on Tirunelveli - Tenkasi Road) at a distance of 8 kilometers from Tirunelveli junction. There are 17 academic departments in the University besides one Directorate of Distance and Continuing Education. Sri Paramakalyani Centre for Environmental Science (Supported by the Amalgamations Group, Chennai) is functioning at Alwarkurichi and the Centre for Marine Science and Technology is functioning at Nagercoil.

Around fifty thousand students are studying both in various University Departments and in 58 affiliated colleges. The University adopts Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) which is practiced in many of the world's acclaimed universities. M.S. University is the first in Tamil Nadu to implement it in a full-fledged manner. Every course and research programme offered by the University has been carefully chosen The University departments offer M.Phil. and Ph.D. Porgrammes (Full time and part time). The National Service Scheme, Youth Welfare Department and Sports Department provide opportunities for the self-development of students.

Directorate of Distance and Continuing Education was started in the University in the year 1994. It caters to the higher educational needs of about 10,000 students who are mostly early drop-outs, under-employed and unemployed, and desire to improve their qualification, with the intention of career advancement. A variety of both technical and general courses are offered, keeping in view the needs of different sectors. IMM is one of their Study Centre located in Delhi at 62-F, Sujan Singh Park.