The college has many firsts to its credit as given bellow

One of the five oldest colleges in Tamil Nadu

It is one of the first two Colleges, which have come into existence in South Tamil Nadu in 1878.

First to have a unique undergraduate professional course in B.Sc Physical Education, Health Education and Sports in South Tamil Nadu.

The M.D.T. Hindu College is the Oldest First Grade Institution in Tirunelveli District.

Manonmaniam Sundaram Pillai’s poetic lines from his epic drama “Manonmaniam” have been declared as the Tamil Thai Vaazhthu (the Invocation of Mother Tamil) an official prayer song by the Government of Tamilnadu. In order to honour this great man of letters the University at Tirunelveli has been named “Manonmaniam Sundaranar University”. This great Manonmaniam Sundaram Pillai was the first Principal of the college.

The following Alumni of our college have adorned the office of Vice-Chancellors of various universities.

Dr. K.R. Srinivasa Iyengar –Andhra University

Dr. V.I. Subramanian -Tanjore Tamil University

Dr. Venkata Subramanian –Pondicherry University

Dr. M.D.K. Kuthalingam -Madurai Kamaraj University

Dr. Aram -Gandhigram Rural University

Mr. P. Muthiah Pillai, who was serving as a Lecturer in our college, resigned his job and was elected as Member of Parliament of Tirunelveli Parliament Constituency in the year 1962

Mr. M.C. Sankaralingam, Selection Grade Lecturer in Physics of our college was elected from the Teachers Constituency and served as a Member of the Legislative council of Tamil Nadu.

Dr. S. Chidambara Subramanian, an Old student of our college was the Registrar of Madurai Kamaraj University.

Department of Tamil is the first University recognised Research Centre in southern districts.

The M.D.T. Hindu College is the first college to receive Rs.35 lakhs from three Rajya Sabha M.Ps for the construction of class rooms, that too in one year (2003-2004).

First to have a bank extension counter inside the campus from 07-02-1973 to 2007.