The Tamil Nadu Open University was established by an Act (No.27 of 2002) of the Legislative Assembly of the Government of Tamil Nadu to benefit those who have been  deprived of and/or denied the access to higher education especially destitute, physically challenged, working men and women, economically weaker sections of the society, and those who discontinued education for various reasons, etc. In the main, it aims to reach the hitherto unreached. The University offers many Programmes in various disciplines.

The Distance Education Council, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) paid rich tributes to the Government of Tamil Nadu for having established TNOU thus:

Given the geographical extent, population and actual need of Tamil Nadu, the setting up of Tamil Nadu Open University by the Government of Tamil Nadu is the right step. We appreciate the Government of Tamil Nadu for having taken this bold and knowledgeable step. This step of the Government of Tamil Nadu shall prove a boon for women, physically challenged, rural poor and marganalised sections of the society and we are committed to support it academically as well as financially. In a short period of six months, Tamil Nadu Open University has done a remarkable work. The University, we understand has initiated steps for recruitment and the announcement of programmes, both of which would not have been possible without considerable ground work and are really commendable. We are sure the action of Government of Tamil Nadu will help us increase enrolments and move towards the targets of 10th Plan." More