Government of India founded the Central University of Tamil Nadu, along with eight other Central Universities, through an Act of Parliament in 2009. It is part of the greater role that the Central Government assumed in making higher education accessible to aspirants from the weaker sections of the society. With eight students in M.A. English Studies, the university started functioning from November 2009, at the Collectorate Annexe at Thiruvarur, 60 kilometers to the east of Thanjavur. But today the University sits astride a major tributary of the famous Cauvery river in the heart of the Delta seven kilometers to the north-west of Thiruvarur.

The University has established 12 Schools under which 27 Departments function. The University allows adaptable teaching-learning methodology to ensure the comprehensive development of our students. The presence of diverse schools allows for an inter-disciplinary approach to higher education. The University also lays a lot of importance to community engagement. The University offers 62 academic programmes including 27 research programmes, 25 programmes, 6 integrated programmes, 3 undergraduate programmes, apart from one PG diploma course. In addition, undergraduate program and postgraduate programs are offered in collaboration Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International School of Textiles & Management, Coimbatore, through MoU with CUTN. Further, the University also offers nearly 20 courses through the Community College.