Mahatma Gandhi College

Mahatma Gandhi College is a college in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India, founded by Mannathu Padmanabhan, the founder of the Nair Service Society, which manages the institution. It is affiliated to the University of Kerala. The college was awarded the 'College with potential for excellence' certificate by NAAC, and in the 2019 NIRF rankings it was ranked 68th in India and fourth in Thiruvananthapuram. The college began functioning at Vadassery Amma Veedu, Perunthanni, in 1948 before relocating to Kattachakkonam, now Kesavadasapuram. C. Rajagopalachari laid the foundation stone for the new building in August 1948. The Arts section moved into the new building in 1949 and the Science section in 1950. The main building, completed in 1958, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. The college celebrated its Silver Jubilee in 1974–75, and the Mannam Memorial Block was inaugurated in 1990 by Governor Swaroop Singh. Today the college has about 2,000 students, offering 13 degree and 10 postgraduate courses, along with research facilities and an Instrumentation course under the Department of Physics. Notable alumni include several prominent actors, directors, and politicians. The college has also seen political controversies involving student groups.