About

To boost the livestock sector and improve the livelihood of farmers in the Cauvery delta region, the Honourable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu proposed the establishment of a new Veterinary College and Research Institute at Orathanadu in Thanjavur district. This college functions under the Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS), Chennai. It is situated about 25 km from Thanjavur on the way to Pattukottai and spans a campus area of 206.96 acres.

The Government of Tamil Nadu officially approved the college, sanctioning manpower, civil works, and equipment, allowing the college to function fully in line with the norms of the Veterinary Council of India (VCI). The college was formally inaugurated on 9th October 2012 The main college building was also inaugurated on 15th July 2015 through the same mode.

To launch the B.V.Sc. & A.H. programme, seven foundational departments were initially established in 2012. These included Veterinary Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Animal Genetics, Animal Nutrition, Livestock Production and Management, the Instructional Livestock Farm Complex, and the Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex. Additional departments such as Veterinary Microbiology, Parasitology, and Pathology were set up in the second year. By 2013-14, departments for Pharmacology, Public Health, Livestock Products Technology, and Animal Husbandry Extension were added. In 2014-15, three clinical departments — Clinical Medicine, Surgery and Radiology, and Gynaecology and Obstetrics — were also established. As of now, the college has 17 departments. From the 2015-16 academic year onwards, student intake increased to 60 with VCI approval.

College Infrastructure includes five lecture halls equipped with multimedia projectors and internet access. A separate examination hall is also available. A dedicated computer centre has been established to provide internet facilities to students and staff. Computers across departments are connected via LAN, and students receive hands-on training in computer applications.

To expose students to rural veterinary practice, two Ambulatory Veterinary Clinics were inaugurated in the villages of Kannathangudi Melaiyur and Telungankudikadu. These clinics offer treatment facilities to nearby villages and practical training for students. A Clinical Club was also launched in March 2016 to help students better understand and analyse clinical cases.

The college library, covers 8,037 square feet and is divided into several sections including a circulation centre, e-resources centre, reference and journal sections, and technical and staff rooms. It supports both academic and research needs. The library has over 1,500 books (including competitive exam materials), 15 journals, 98 veterinary CD-ROMs, 17 magazines, and both Tamil and English newspapers. Services provided include book lending, reference assistance, document scanning and printing, and online access to journals. The library has 254 registered users, including students and staff.

Separate Hostel facilities are available for boys and girls. The hostels provide healthy food through student messes, RO drinking water, and facilities for both indoor and outdoor games. Amenities also include reading rooms, computer centres with Wi-Fi, television halls, washing machines, and water heaters. One warden and three deputy wardens, including a female deputy warden, oversee hostel operations.

The college has an active NSS unit with 100 volunteers and one programme officer. Regular and special NSS camps are held throughout the year.

A Red Ribbon Club was started in 2014 and has organized several activities, including a human chain to raise AIDS awareness and student competitions in painting, sketching, and slogan writing.

Various departments also conduct regular outreach activities. These include animal health and vaccination camps in nearby villages. In 2015, mass vaccination drives were held to prevent diseases such as FMD and Rabies. Flood relief camps were organized in Thiruvarur and Nagapattinam districts to safeguard livestock during the December 2015 floods. Faculty members also participate in television and radio programmes to share useful information with the farming community.

Specialised Veterinary Education

Veterinary College and Research Institute, Thanjavur provides specialised education in veterinary science and animal healthcare. The institution offers students opportunities to develop knowledge and practical skills related to animal health, disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment, livestock management and veterinary practice.

Professional Veterinary Programme

The college is a suitable choice for students aspiring to build careers in veterinary medicine and animal sciences. The academic programme combines classroom learning with practical training to help students understand both the scientific and clinical aspects of veterinary healthcare.

Practical and Clinical Training

Veterinary education requires extensive hands-on experience, and students receive opportunities to develop practical skills through laboratory work, clinical training, animal handling and field-based learning. Such exposure helps students apply theoretical concepts to real-life veterinary situations.

Experienced Faculty

Students are guided by qualified teaching faculty and veterinary professionals who provide instruction in subjects related to veterinary medicine, animal sciences and allied disciplines. Faculty guidance supports students in developing professional competence and scientific knowledge.

Animal Healthcare Exposure

The institution provides students with exposure to animal healthcare practices, enabling them to understand clinical procedures, disease management, preventive healthcare and animal welfare. This practical experience is valuable for students preparing for professional veterinary careers.

Research Opportunities

Students interested in scientific research can benefit from opportunities related to animal health, veterinary diseases, livestock production, nutrition, genetics and other areas of veterinary science. Research-oriented learning can help students pursue higher education and specialised careers.

Field-Based Learning

Veterinary professionals work with animals in different environments, including farms, clinics, hospitals and rural communities. Field-based activities help students understand livestock management, animal husbandry, preventive healthcare and community veterinary services.

Career Opportunities

Veterinary graduates can pursue careers in government veterinary departments, veterinary hospitals, animal healthcare organisations, livestock farms, research institutions, pharmaceutical companies, animal welfare organisations and private veterinary practice, subject to the applicable professional requirements.

Focus on Animal Welfare

The institution contributes to developing professionals who understand the importance of animal health, welfare, disease prevention and responsible animal management. Students are encouraged to approach veterinary practice with professional ethics and compassion.

Supportive Academic Environment

The combination of theoretical education, practical training, clinical exposure, laboratory learning and field activities provides students with a comprehensive learning experience. This helps them develop the technical knowledge, practical ability and professional confidence required for veterinary careers.

Vision 

• VCRI, Orathanadu was established by the Government of Tamil Nadu with the aim of giving a “new impetus to the livestock sector” and improving the livelihoods of farmers in the Cauvery delta region .

• The institute is spread across a 206‑acre campus and was created with the intent to be fully functional as per Veterinary Council of India norms

Mission

• Department of Veterinary Medicine:
  Educate undergraduate students, demonstrate diagnosis and treatment for livestock and poultry diseases, conduct field‑oriented research, and communicate lab technologies to farmers in accessible language (“think globally, act locally”) .

• Department of Veterinary Microbiology:
  Deliver quality education, carry out research, develop affordable diagnostics and vaccines, and transfer technologies to farmers .

• Livestock Farm Complex:
  Improve reproductive and productive performance of livestock through scientific management, support postgraduate research, provide hands‑on training to undergraduates, transfer knowledge to farmers, and supply breeding stock and fodder materials .

• Department of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology:
  Educate on public health and epidemiology, study environmental hazards and food safety, assess antimicrobial resistance and zoonotic disease prevalence, create public awareness, and conduct epidemiological investigations

• Department of Animal Nutrition:

• Impart undergraduate and postgraduate education, research livestock/poultry nutritional needs, and implement advanced feeding technologies for economical livestock farming .

• Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology:
  Educate undergraduates, manage clinical cases, guide research students, provide extension services to animal owners, and operate as a referral unit for neighboring districts .

• Department of Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics:
  Train UG/PG students, treat reproductive ailments in animals, conduct field‑based research, execute lab-to-field technologies, deliver continuing education to officials and vets, run reproductive health camps and training for farmers, and function as a reproductive referral center for the region

Admission to the B.V.Sc. & A.H. programme at Veterinary College and Research Institute, Thanjavur is conducted through the prescribed NEET-UG and counselling process. Candidates who have completed Class 12 with the required science subjects must appear for and qualify NEET-UG. Eligible candidates are required to participate in the applicable counselling process and register their preferred veterinary colleges according to the prescribed guidelines. Seat allotment is based on NEET-UG rank, merit, reservation criteria, category and availability of seats. Candidates allotted a seat at Veterinary College and Research Institute, Thanjavur must report to the institution for document verification, submit the required original certificates and pay the prescribed admission and tuition fees within the specified deadline. After completing all admission formalities, candidates can confirm their admission and join the B.V.Sc. & A.H. programme. Applicants should check the latest counselling notification for current eligibility, seat allocation, fee structure and admission dates.

Admission Criteria

• First Generation Graduate Scholarship — Covers full tuition for students who are the first in their family to graduate and are admitted under professional courses (e.g., veterinary).

• Adidravidar & Tribal Welfare Scholarship — For SC & ST students who are state natives.

• BC, MBC & DNC Scholarships — Applicable to Tamil Nadu students from these communities.

• Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar Higher Education Assurance Scheme — Offers ₹1,000/month for female students enrolled in UG, Diploma, or ITI programs.

• 7.5% Quota Scholarship — For students who studied Std 6–12 in government schools

Placement is an important aspect of higher education, especially for professional courses like veterinary science, engineering, and management. It provides students with opportunities to secure jobs in reputed organizations before completing their studies. A strong placement system reflects the quality of education and training offered by the institution. At veterinary colleges, placements may include roles in government veterinary services, private clinics, pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, and NGOs. Though placements in veterinary fields may not be as corporate-driven as in other fields, many students successfully pursue careers through campus guidance, competitive exams, or higher studies.

The Veterinary College and Research Institute, Orathanadu offers a range of facilities that support both academic learning and hands-on training in veterinary science. The campus is spread across a large rural area, providing an ideal environment for livestock-based education. The institute is equipped with modern laboratories for subjects like microbiology, pathology, animal nutrition, and biotechnology. Clinical training is provided through well-maintained outpatient and inpatient veterinary hospitals that cater to both large and small animals. A Livestock Farm Complex on campus houses cattle, goats, sheep, poultry, and other farm animals, enabling practical exposure in animal husbandry. There are also facilities for diagnostic imaging, surgical procedures, and artificial insemination training. Additionally, the college has classrooms with smart teaching aids, a central library with access to journals and e-resources, student hostels, sports grounds, and an auditorium for academic and extracurricular events. These combined resources provide students with a well-rounded veterinary education aligned with the standards set by the Veterinary Council of India.

The hostel is an essential part of student life, providing accommodation for those who come from distant places to pursue their education. It offers a safe and structured environment where students can focus on their studies while also learning to live independently. Most hostels are equipped with basic amenities such as clean rooms, common dining facilities, and study areas. Living in a hostel also encourages students to develop discipline, time management, and social skills as they share space with others from diverse backgrounds. Overall, hostel life plays a crucial role in shaping both the academic and personal growth of students.

Transport plays a vital role in our daily lives by helping people and goods move from one place to another efficiently. It includes various modes such as roadways, railways, airways, and waterways. A good transport system supports economic growth, connects rural and urban areas, and makes education, healthcare, and employment more accessible. In educational institutions, transport facilities like college buses or vans are often provided to help students commute safely and on time. Overall, transport is an essential part of modern life, making travel faster, easier, and more convenient.