Chennai is a major educational hub and home to some of the premium educational institutions in the country.[354] The city has a 90.33% literacy rate and ranks second among the major Indian metropolitan city centres.[355] Chennai has a mix of public and private schools with the public school system managed by the school education department of Government of Tamil Nadu. As of 2023, there are 420 public schools run by Greater Chennai Corporation.[356] Public schools run by the Chennai Corporation are all affiliated with the Tamil Nadu State Board, while private schools may be affiliated with either of Tamil Nadu Board of Secondary Education, Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (ICSE) or National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS).[357] School education starts with two years of Kindergarten from age three onwards and then follows the Indian 10+2 plan, ten years of school and two years of higher secondary education.

Stone Age implements have been found near Pallavaram in Chennai; according to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Pallavaram was a megalithic cultural establishment, and pre-historic communities resided in the settlement.[21] The region around Chennai was an important administrative, military, and economic centre for many centuries. During the 1st century CE, a Tamil poet named Thiruvalluvar lived in the town of Mylapore, a neighbourhood of present-day Chennai.[22] The region was part of Tondaimandalam which was ruled by the Early Cholas in the 2nd century CE by subduing Kurumba, the original inhabitants of the region.[23] Pallavas of Kanchi became independent rulers of the region from 3rd to 9th century CE, and the areas of Mahabalipuram and Pallavaram were built during the reign of Mahendravarman I.[24] In 879, Pallavas were defeated by the Later Cholas led by Aditya I, and Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan later brought the region under the Pandya rule in 1264.[23] The region came under the influence of Vij

The economy of Chennai consistently exceeded national average growth rates due to reform-oriented economic policies in the 1970s.[219] With the presence of two major ports, an international airport, and a converging road and rail networks, Chennai is often referred to as the "Gateway to South India".[1][220] According to the Globalization and World Cities Research Network, Chennai is amongst the cities most integrated with the global economy, classified as a beta-city.[221] As of 31 March 2023, Chennai had an estimated GDP of $143.9 billion, ranking it among the most productive metro areas in India.[8][9] Chennai has a diversified industrial base anchored by different sectors including automobiles, software services, hardware, healthcare and financial services.[222][223] As of 2021, Chennai is amongst the top export districts in the country, with more than US$2563 billion in exports.

Cricket is the most popular sport in Chennai and was introduced in 1864 with the foundation of the Madras Cricket Club.[390] The M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, established in 1916, is one of the oldest cricket stadiums in India and has hosted matches during multiple ICC Cricket World Cups.[391] Other cricketing venues include Chemplast Cricket Ground and Guru Nanak College Ground.[392][393] Prominent cricketers from the city include S. Venkataraghavan,[394] Kris Srikkanth,[395] and Ravichandran Ashwin.[396] Established in 1987, MRF Pace Foundation is a bowling academy based in Chennai.[397] Chennai is home to the most successful Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket team Chennai Super Kings and hosted the finals during the 2011, 2012, and 2024 seasons.