The University of Madras, founded in 1857 as one of India’s three inaugural universities alongside Bombay and Calcutta, stands as a pillar of higher education, nurturing groundbreaking minds in science, leadership, and culture over 165 years. Its alumni include two Nobel laureates, multiple presidents, and innovators in business and arts, embodying the institution’s dedication to rigorous, interdisciplinary learning through Presidency College and affiliates that prioritize social impact. Read on to explore these illustrious figures shaping India’s history and global influence.
Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
| Date of Birth | October 15, 1931 |
| Place of Birth | Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Education | – B.Sc. in Physics from St. Joseph’s College, Tiruchirappalli – Aerospace Engineering at Madras Institute of Technology (University of Madras) |
| Known For | – Eleventh President of India (2002–2007), known as the “People’s President” for his inspirational outreach to youth – Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government of India (1999–2002) and architect of India’s missile program, including Agni and Prithvi missiles – Founder of Technology Vision 2020 plan for India’s development – Prolific author of books like “Wings of Fire” and “Ignited Minds” – Advocate for science education and rural innovation, establishing PURA (Providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas) model |
| Awards and Honors | – Bharat Ratna (1997), India’s highest civilian award – Padma Bhushan (1981); – Padma Vibhushan (1990) – Von Braun Award (2009, International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences) – Honorary doctorates from over 30 universities worldwide; – King Charles II Medal (2007, Royal Society) |
C. V. Raman
| Date of Birth | November 7, 1888 |
| Place of Birth | Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Education | – B.A. in Physics from University of Madras (1904) – M.A. in Physics from University of Madras (1907) |
| Known For | – Discovery of the Raman effect (1928) – Nobel Prize in Physics (1930) – First Asian and non-white recipient, for explaining light scattering – Pioneer in acoustics and optics; founded the Indian Journal of Physics and established the Raman Research Institute (1948) – First Indian director of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore (1933–1948); advocated for indigenous scientific research |
| Awards and Honors | – Nobel Prize in Physics (1930) – Bharat Ratna (1954), India’s highest civilian award – Lenin Peace Prize (1958) |
Srinivasa Ramanujan
| Date of Birth | December 22, 1887 |
| Place of Birth | Erode, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Education | – Attended Town Higher Secondary School, Kumbakonam – Pachaiyappa’s College (University of Madras affiliate); self-taught mathematician without formal degree |
| Known For | – Prodigious contributions to number theory, infinite series, and continued fractions; over 3,900 results, including Ramanujan prime and partition function – Collaboration with G. H. Hardy at Cambridge; theorems like the circle method and mock theta functions remain influential – Inspiration for modern mathematics; his notebooks continue to yield new theorems |
| Awards and Honors | – Member of the London Mathematical Society (1910) – Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS, 1918) – Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge (1919) – Ramanujan Prize for Young Mathematicians (established 2005 by ICTP); craters and asteroids named in his honor |
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
| Date of Birth | September 5, 1888 |
| Place of Birth | Thiruttani, Madras Presidency (now Tamil Nadu), India |
| Education | M.A. in Philosophy from Madras Christian College (University of Madras, 1911) |
| Known For | – Second President of India (1962–1967) – Second Vice President of India (1952–1962) – Philosopher interpreting Indian thought to the West – Author of “The Philosophy of Rabindranath Tagore” (1918) and “Indian Philosophy” (1923–1927) – Spalding Professor of Eastern Religions at Oxford (1936–1952) – Ambassador to the Soviet Union (1949–1952); advocated for secularism and education |
| Awards and Honors | – Bharat Ratna (1954) – Knighthood (1931); – Order of Merit (1963, UK) – Templeton Prize (1975) – Honorary doctorates from 18 universities – Teachers’ Day celebrated on his birthday in India |
Indra Nooyi
| Date of Birth | October 28, 1955 |
| Place of Birth | Madras (now Chennai), Tamil Nadu, India |
| Education | – B.Sc. in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics from Madras Christian College (University of Madras, 1975) – Postgraduate Diploma in Management from IIM Calcutta (1976) – MBA from Yale School of Management (1978) |
| Known For | – CEO of PepsiCo (2006–2018), leading global expansion and sustainability initiatives like Performance with Purpose – First woman of color to lead a Fortune 50 company; ranked among world’s most powerful women by Forbes (2007–2017) – Board member for Amazon and International Cricket Council; advocate for diversity in corporate leadership |
| Awards and Honors | – Padma Bhushan (2007) – Forbes’ Most Powerful Women (ranked #2, 2014) – TIME 100 (multiple years) – Honorary Doctorates from multiple top universities – Chairwoman of the US-India Business Council (2008) |
Vijay Sethupathi
| Date of Birth | January 16, 1978 |
| Place of Birth | Rajapalayam, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Education | Commerce degree from University of Madras (via affiliated college – Dhanraj Baid Jain College) |
| Known For | – Versatile Tamil cinema actor with over 50 films – Breakthrough in Pizza (2012) and Super Deluxe (2019) – Known as “Makkal Selvan” (People’s Treasure) for relatable roles – Star in blockbusters like Vikram Vedha (2017) and Maharaja (2024); explores diverse genres from thriller to drama – Playback singer and producer; advocates for industry inclusivity |
| Awards and Honors | – National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor (2019) – Two Filmfare Awards South- SIIMA Award – Tamil Nadu State Film Award (2012) – Featured in Forbes India Celebrity 100 (2018) |
S. Chandrasekhar
| Date of Birth | October 19, 1910 |
| Place of Birth | Lahore, Punjab (now Pakistan), British India |
| Education | B.Sc. in Physics from Presidency College, Madras (University of Madras, 1930) |
| Known For | – Chandrasekhar limit (1930), defining the maximum mass of white dwarfs (~1.4 solar masses), foundational to stellar evolution theory. – Extensive work on radiative transfer, hydrodynamics, and general relativity; authored “The Mathematical Theory of Black Holes” (1983) – Editor of The Astrophysical Journal (1952–1971); mentored numerous astronomers at University of Chicago |
| Awards and Honors | – Nobel Prize in Physics (1983, shared with William A. Fowler) – Padma Vibhushan (1964) – Bruce Medal (1952):- National Medal of Science (1966, USA) – Copley Medal (1984, Royal Society) – NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory named after him (1999) |
The University of Madras’s alumni legacy, exemplified by scientific pioneers, inspirational leaders, cultural icons, and business trailblazers, demonstrates its pivotal role in India’s intellectual and societal evolution over 165 years. Its nurturing environment for unconventional genius has produced Nobel winners, presidents, and global influencers advancing fields from physics to cinema and corporate governance.
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