The University, named after Sree Sankaracharya, the illustrious sage, Philosopher and the exponent of advaita, has its Head Quarters at Kalady, his birth place, on the banks of the river Periyar in Kerala. The objectives of the University, as unambiguously stated in the Act S of 1994 of the Kerala Legislature, are to impart knowledge in various branches of Sanskrit as well as in Indology, Indian Culture, Indian Languages, Indian Philosophy, Fine Arts, Foreign Languages and Social Sciences and to promote the study and research of Sanskrit through equanimous promotion of other languages in India and abroad that have copiously contributed to the study of Sanskrit. The collection and preservation of manuscripts and publication of books in Sanskrit and other languages to develop and synergise Indian systems of knowledge are also among the other objectives. The Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit has accredited by the NAAC, a specially designated agency of UGC, with ‘A’ Grade in 2014 to become the first university in Kerala having such a top accreditation. The University had already got 2(f) and 12(B) recognitions of the University Grants Commission on 1st March 1994 and 27th April, 200S respectively.

It is a multi-campus University with state wide jurisdiction to conduct academic programmes with Main Campus at Kalady and eight Regional Campuses at Thiruvananthapuram, Panmana, Thuravoor, Ettumanoor, Thrissur, Tirur, Koyilandy and Payyannur. His Excellency the Governor of the State of Kerala is the Chancellor of the University. The Hon’ble Minister for Education is the Pro-Chancellor. The Syndicate of which the Vice¬Chancellor is the Chairman exercise the Executive control of the University.