The first version of Anna University was formed in 1978 and various governments changed the varsity's structure and affiliation scope repeatedly.

[7] Starting in the academic year 2007–08, students were admitted to engineering colleges on the basis of their higher secondary marks.

[9] The university offers courses in engineering and technology through its affiliated colleges and follows a dual semester system.

[22] On December 25, 2024, a second-year female engineering student at Anna University was sexually assaulted by two men inside the campus.

[23] The incident took place in the early hours of the morning after the survivor and her male friend returned from a Christmas mass at a nearby church.