Government Arts College, Thiruvananthapuram, has a long and glorious history. Originally a part of H. H. The Maharaja’s College, Thiruvananthapuram, it was separated from the parent institution in 1924 (vide GO. R.O.C. No. 395 of 23 Legis, E dated 9lh May, 1924 issued by the Government of H. H. The Maharaja of Travancore) to house the Arts Departments, and named H. H. The Maharaja’s College of Arts. The parent college was named H. H. The Maharaja’s College of Science.
When the new college opened on the 4th of July, 1924, the Departments of History, Economics, Sanskrit and Dravidian Languages and English were transferred to it from the parent institution. Honors courses in English, History and Economics were also conducted here at that time. The Department of Philosophy was opened in 1925. Ten years later, in 1935, the college started the Honors Course in Malayalam and the Post-graduate Course in Sanskrit the following year.
With the founding of the University of Travancore in 1937, the two colleges were amalgamated into H.H. the Maharaja’s University College, Trivandrum, and the Arts College at Thycaud functioned as a part of the University College. Independence, in 1947, there was an attempt to try out a new system of University Education, and as a part of this experiment, the Arts College was converted into the University Previous School, In 1949, with the introduction of the Intermediate Course, the institution came to be called the University Intermediate College. In 1956, the Intermediate Course was stopped and the institution once again became a college coaching students for the University Previous Examination.
A person, who has passed Higher Secondary/Intermediate (10+2) any other examination recognized as equivalent thereto, shall be eligible for the course.
Gym The College has gym facilities for students Dumbbells, weighing machine, 3,4,5 inch rod with collar, 1.25,2.5,5,10,15 kg wt plates, bench press, multigym 6 station AB crunch, 7 ft. rod, smith machine, hack squat, AB coat, ankle wt., cable cross over, bench press ID & level.
Library A central library is functioning on the first and second floor of the Library Block with ample space for reading and reference. OPAC facility has been installed in the library for the smooth identification, retrieval, and issue of books. UGC- NLIST service from INFLIBNET is also available in the central library. The college library and five department libraries have a collection of more than 40000 volumes, subscriptions to select national and international research journals, and access to e-journals /e-books through the INFLIBNET lab.
Sports The College has sports facilities for the students like the Playground for handball, basketball, badminton, and volleyball.
Cafeteria A canteen is well functioning within the campus that offers food and refreshments at subsidized rates to the students and staff.
Auditorium The College has owns a fully furnished auditorium with 210 sq. meters with the latest audio-visual system in the main heritage building block.
Medical/Hospital The college maintains first aid facilities at the department of physical education.
WiFi The College has Wi-Fi facilities for students and Staff.
IT Infrastructure There are 75 computers, 20 laptops and 15 projectors in the college. In addition to those, computer facilities with LAN connectivity are provided in the INFLIBNET lab. The computer systems of the college office and computer lab have LAN facilities.
Laboratories The College has two Chemistry labs, one Physics lab, one Botany Lab, one Biotechnology lab, and one Statistics lab with sufficient equipment that is operating effectively to cater to the learning needs of the students.
Convenience Store The college has a convenience store facility for students. (like photocopying facility & stationery etc.)