<P> Internationally, the university was ranked 171 - 180 in the QS University Rankings BRICS University Rankings of 2018 . In India, the National Institutional Ranking Framework ranked it 29 overall and 18 among universities in 2018 . A study performed by the National Institute of Science, Technology and Development Studies on the performance of universities in India in 1998 - 2008 listed Madras University as #5 based on publication for that period . </P> <P> In 2011, the University Grants Commission selected the university as a university with potential for excellence, under which the university gets ₹ 250 million (₹ 25 crore). The university had been selected under phase 1 of the scheme in 2001--02 along with a few other universities in the country . UGC has identified the school of geology and the school of zoology of the university as centres of excellence and has allotted ₹ 32.5 million (₹ 3.25 crore) each for their development . The university is planning to use the funds to buy equipment and improve infrastructure . </P>

Past glory and current relevance of university of madras