The main entrance to the Anna University Schools in Chennai are either publicly administered by the Tamil Nadu government or private life, sometimes with government financial assistance. The medium of instruction is English or Tamil. Most schools are affiliated to the Tamil Nadu State Council on Matriculation Board or the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). Some schools are affiliated to the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE)-pension, pension Anglo-Indian or the Montessori system. Tuition starts at the age of three with two years of kindergarten followed by ten years of primary and secondary education. Students must then complete two years of upper secondary education in either science or commerce before being eligible for a college education in general and in a field of vocational studies. There are 1389 schools in the city, 731 of which are primary, secondary and 232 are 426 secondary schools are higher. The Indian Institute of Technology in Madras (IIT Madras), and Anna University are both well-known centers for the training of engineers in the city, most of the city colleges that offer engineering programs are affiliated with the Anna University. Madras Medical College (MMC), Stanley Medical College (SMC), Kilpauk Medical College and Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute (SRMC) are notable medical colleges in Chennai.

Colleges for science, art and commerce degrees are usually affiliated to the University of Madras, which has three campuses in the city, some colleges such as Madras Christian College, Loyola College are autonomous. Research institutions such as the Research Institute leather Central (CLRI), the Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute (CEERI) and the Institute of Financial Management and Research (IFMR) are in the city. Connemara Public Library is one of four national centers for tabling in India who receive a copy of all newspapers and books published in India. It was declared a UNESCO information.

The MA Chidambaram StadiumCricket Cricket is the most popular sport in Chennai. The MA Chidambaram Stadium (MAC) in Chepauk is one of the oldest stadiums cricket in India. The Chemplast Cricket Ground on the campus of IIT Madras is another important venue hosting first-class matches. Cricketers prominent in the city include former Test captains S. Venkataraghavan and Kris Srikkanth. A cricket academy fast bowling, the MRF Pace Foundation, whose coaches include Dennis Lillee, is based in Chennai. Chennai is also the birthplace of the League of the Indian cricket team, the Superstars Chennai.

Chennai has produced tennis players and popular is the host of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) event, the Chennai Open. The city has a Premiere Hockey League (PHL) team, the Chennai Veerans, and has hosted many hockey tournaments like the Asia Cup, Men's Champions Trophy, Champions Trophy. Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium is considered by the International Hockey Federation as one of the best in the world for its state of the art infrastructure. Football and sports competitions are held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, which also houses a multipurpose hall complex domestic competition in volleyball, basketball and table tennis. Water sports are played in the Velachery Aquatic Complex. Chennai has been the scene of the South Asian Games (SAF Games), in 1995. Motor India has been closely linked to Chennai, since its inception, shortly after independence. Motor racing events are held on a runway in order Irungattukottai, Sriperumbudur, which was also the scene of several international competitions. Horse racing is held at the Guindy Race Course, while rowing competitions are hosted at the Madras Boat Club. The city has two 18-hole golf course, the Cosmopolitan Club and Gymkhana Club, both located in the late nineteenth century. Viswanathan Anand, the world chess champion and the world classified as a chess player in October 2007, grew up in Chennai. Other athletes famous players Chennai Table Tennis Sharath Kamal and twice world champion carrom, Maria Irudayam. The city has a rugby team called Chennai Cheetahs.