The Municipal Corporations in Tamil Nadu function as the governing bodies for the state’s urban areas. They manage local governance through various organized departments or divisions, taking care of responsibilities such as city planning, infrastructure maintenance, public health, and more. The framework and activities of urban local governments, including municipal corporations, are based on the 74th Amendment to the Indian Constitution, which aimed to strengthen local self-governance.
The Chennai Corporation, established on 29 September 1688, holds the distinction of being the oldest municipal corporation in India and the second oldest globally after London. Tamil Nadu saw the establishment of other municipal corporations in later years, including Madurai Municipal Corporation in 1971 and Coimbatore Municipal Corporation in 1981. Over time, more urban areas were granted corporation status, and by 2024, the state has a total of 25 municipal corporations. This reflects the state’s growing urbanization and the need for structured local governance.
This list of municipal corporations reflects the importance of structured and effective urban management throughout the state’s history and current urban landscape.
| List of Corporations in Tamilnadu | |
| 1. Chennai | 29 September 1688 |
| 2. Madurai | 1 May 1971 |
| 3. Coimbatore | 1 July 1981 |
| 4. Tiruchirappalli | 1 June 1994 |
| 5. Salem | 1 June 1994 |
| 6. Tirunelveli | 1 June 1994 |
| 7. Tiruppur | 1 January 2008 |
| 8. Erode | 1 January 2008 |
| 9. Vellore | 1 August 2008 |
| 10. Thoothukudi | 5 August 2008 |
| 11. Dindigul | 19 February 2014 |
| 12. Thanjavur | 19 February 2014 |
| 13. Hosur | 13 February 2019 |
| 14. Nagercoil | 20 February 2019 |
| 15. Avadi | 17 June 2019 |
| 16. Cuddalore | 21 October 2021 |
| 17. Kancheepuram | 21 October 2021 |
| 18. Karur | 21 October 2021 |
| 19. Sivakasi | 21 October 2021 |
| 20. Tambaram | 21 October 2021 |
| 21. Kumbakonam | 20 December 2021 |
| 22. Karaikudi | 15 March 2024 |
| 23. Namakkal | 15 March 2024 |
| 24. Pudukkottai | 15 March 2024 |
| 25. Tiruvannamalai | 15 March 2024 |