Bharathiar University is a state university in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, South India. Named after Tamil poet Subramania Bharathiar, the university was established in February 1982 under the provision of Bharathiar University Act, 1981 (Act 1 of 1982) and was recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) in 1985. Bharathiar University provides graduate, masters, M.Phil and PhD programs in various subjects. The university is known for its stringent Phd evaluation guidelines. It has 104 affiliated institutions (80 arts and science colleges, 29 colleges of education, eight management institutions, one Air Force administration college and one college of physical education). Institutes affiliated to the university include 11 affiliated government colleges, 5 constituent colleges, one university PG extension centre, 16 aided colleges and 88 self-financing colleges.