Madras University distance education was established in the year 1840. The mother of nearly all of the traditional universities in South India is Madras University. In recent years, the University's authority has been reduced to three districts in Tamil Nadu. This government is been funded and run by the government of Tamil Nadu. The University imparts both Undergraduate and Post Graduate Education as they provide districts of Chennai, Thiruvallur, and Kancheepuram. Apart from teaching, research activities in Arts, Humanities, Science, Management, and Technology shape the academic tenor of the University. Some institutions affiliated with Madras University concentrate on research activities offering Ph.D., Programmes in their respective field of specialisation.