The college was established in September 1966 for providing higher education to the Women students specially who were socially and economically deprived. A.V.Kanthamma College for Women, has been completing 50+ years of services to the cause of higher education for rural students. The college holds the distinction of being the only institution providing higher education in science to the rural and poor students in the surrounding region.

The Motto of the institution is ‘Knowledge and Virtue‘. Accordingly, the college continues to impart higher education to the poor rural students who live in remote area of Hassan. Majority of the students are economically and socially deprived. Along with facilitating the participation of village students in higher education, its efforts are directed at providing holistic education that encourages critical and independent thinking.

The college is a multi-faculty college with Science,Commerce & Arts faculty. At present, the college offers B. Sc. with special subjects and B. A. with special subjects Compulsory English,Political Science, Sociology and History are offered as general courses. The college has adequate infrastructural facilities – class rooms, library, computer laboratory, playground etc. Apart from the regular teaching learning activities, the college strives for the overall development of the rural students by conducting various extra-curricular activities for them. The college has conducted a good number of extension activities to strengthen college neighborhood network. The NSS unit is an asset to the college which allows 200 volunteers. This unit conducts various extension activities to help our students become aware of their social responsibilities. The college has been working sincerely for the betterment of the students. Apart from various government scholarships, the college is attempting to implement Earn & Learn scheme for the poor and needy students.

The college has a well maintained library. During last four years, around 3324 books have been added with latest magazines and journals. The library has been computerized with latest software i.e. Libsoft. The college has Students Grievance Redressal Cell, Anti Ragging Committee, Students Council, Students Welfare Board, Earn and Learn Scheme, Alumni Association, Competitive Exam Committee. The teaching staff of the college is well qualified and devoted. Ten staff members possess Ph. D. and many of them are pursuing Ph. D. The staff is consistently busy in several research activities.