The Department of Economics was started in the year 1946 by the Bishop of Tirunelveli Rt. Rev Selwyn who upgraded St. John’s College into a first grade College. In the year 1946, the Department was headed by the Principal Prof. J. Vedasiromani. At the same time Prof. M. V. Subramaniam, an eminent scholar, fostered the Department and motivated the students by his erudite scholarship and oratorical capacity. Prof. E. D Ponnudurai and Prof G. W. Frederic were the alumni of St. Johns College inculcated in the minds of the student’s community a sense of pride, discipline and scholarship.
Prof. E.D Ponnudurai became the Head of the Department of Economics in the year 1968. In the same year, Prof. C.T Augustine joined the faculty of Economics and served this college till 1971. He passed the Indian Economic Service examination and joined in IES service. Prof. E.D. Ponnudurai became the principal of St. John’s College in November 1973 and subsequently started M.A Economics in August, 1970. The Department of Economics is consistently maintaining its academic excellence at both the UG and the PG levels. A few students have secured university ranks in 1981, 1983, 1998, 2004, 2006, 2012 and 2013.
Dr. S. Prabhakaran became the Head of the Department of Economics in the year 1985 and served in this department till February 2001. Then Prof. D. Thangaraj assumed office as the Head of the Department of Economics on 1st March 2001. After him, Prof S. Devairakkam and following him Prof. J. Jeyasuriya became the Head of the Department of Economics, rendered dedicated services and inspiring leadership.
Dr. J. John Vellakkan became the Head of the Department on 1st June 2004 and subsequently started M.Phil. Economics in 2009. He is followed by Prof. Jeyasekaran Devadass became the Head of the department during 2009 – 2014 provided excellent and committed services to the smooth running of department affairs. Dr. P.A Maraikumar Chellaraj of Economics Department became the Principal of the St. John’s College, during 17.06.2012 -31.10.2014 and also assumed the Head of the department after the retirement of Prof. Jeyasekarn Devadoss.To add more Honour, during his period, the PG Department of Economics became the Research Centre to pursue doctoral Studies.
Dr. K. Kirubakaran was the Head of the Department during 01.11.2014 – 31.12.2015 rendered all his efforts to run the department in a right path. His work is also remarkable to the Economics Department. Prof. D. Kathiravan became the Head of the Department of Economics in 04.01.2016 and served as Head of the Department of Economics till 21.08.2017. During his period many International, National and State level Seminars, Workshops on SPSS and may research oriented programmes were conducted. Prof B. Agastin was the Head of the Department of Economics from 22.08.2017 to 31.10.2018 and rendered his skills and talents to shape the Department by encouraging the students to read many books. His service to the department is appreciable. Dr. J. David Gnanaraj have been assuming the Head of the Department from 01.11.2018 onwards, involving himself as a member of NAAC Steering Committee, Organizing Alumni engagement and Students outreach program.
The department has produced many IES officers notable among them are Mr. Joseph Dawson IPS, Mr. Krishnamoorthi IAS, Mr. M. Ramasamy IAS, Mr..Mathisankaran IES, Mr. R. DhanushkodiAditan, former cabinet minister for youth welfare, Government of India, Dr. R. Sankaranarayanan, Principal of KGS Arts and Science College, Srivaikundam and Mr. Chelladurai, deputy secretary, Law Department, Chennai. These are a few known distinguished Alumni of our Department.
Right now there are 200 students in B.A degree, 22 in M.A degree. There are 10 members in the faculty of Economics and all of them are experts in their own fields, among them there are 08 Ph. D holders. Dr. A.Angel Anila and Dr. Gladis Freeda are fully qualified and approved by the Manonmaniam Sundaranar University to run the research centre of Economics.
The General Library and also the Department Library are well equipped with Subjects Books (Nos. 1600) which is being added every year. Infrastructure like class room, furniture, Internet connected computers (Nos.3), LCD Projector attached classroom are remarkable.

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