Holy Cross College (Autonomous) Tiruchirappalli is a highly reputed Arts and Science College for Women in the state of Tamil Nadu. Situated at the heart of ‘The Rock City’ on the banks of the River Cauvery, Holy Cross College has a unique history of academic excellence. It is a Catholic Institution established in 1923 when higher education for women was considered almost a transgression. It has been in the forefront of women’s education for more than a Century. In keeping with its mission, the College admits a number of students from the socially and economically weaker strata of the society, irrespective of religion and caste. It is one of the oldest Colleges for women in South India and is affiliated to Bharathidasan University. The College is administered by the Sisters of the Cross of Chavanod, Tiruchirappalli Province.
The history of Holy Cross College dates back to 1902, when Mother Sophie a French Missionary set up a primary school with only a room or two and 5 girls. From its humble beginning, it has steadily grown, attained the status of a college in 1923, became a Second Grade College in 1928 and Post Graduate College in 1964. In recognition of its services to the cause of women’s education, for several decades, the College was granted autonomous status in 1987 by the Bharathidasan University. It was accredited by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) in 1999 with 5 stars and re-accredited in 2005 with ‘A’ grade and in 2012(3rd Cycle) with A Grade with 3.5/ 4 and in 2020(4th Cycle) with A++ with CGPA Score of 3.75 on a 4.0 Scale by NAAC. The College was recognised by UGC as ‘College with Potential for Excellence’ in October 2011 and the CPE status has been extended till 2022. As per the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) by MHRD, the College was ranked 26th for the year 2017 and 42nd for the year 2018. 85th Rank in 2019,66th Rank in 2020, 49th Rank in 2021, 67th Rank in 2022, 40th Rank in 2023 and 41st Rank in 2024.At present keeping in view the globalization of Higher education, the College has designed a new Undergraduate Programme Structure.
At present the College offers 27 UG, 22 PG and 14 Ph.D. programs in various departments. There are 186 teaching staff holding doctoral degree out of 319. There are 133 non-teaching staff in service. The college made a leap in research through acquiring funds for research activities. Simultaneously the departments started research programmes and guiding students that led to enormous publications in national and international journals with impact factors. With the existing ambience in research activities in the campus, Holy Cross College will soon become a prominent Research Centre. Holy Cross College continues to explore newer terrains with marked signpost of excellence to nurture holistic education. With its magnificent history, the college Continuesto widen its horizon to raise ennobling millennials with a head, heart and hand that can think, connect and be of service to the society. The College continues to march forward into the next century in its mission to empower the young minds with knowledge, values and skills necessary to be locally resourceful and globally competent.
