Government College for Men, Kadapa, originally known as Government Arts College, was established in 1948. It became a significant center of learning for Kadapa district. In response to the policy of the composite Madras state to establish a college in every district headquarters, the citizens of Kadapa played a crucial role in cooperating with the government to make the college a reality.
Initially, the college operated from the District Board (Zilla Parishad) Buildings and moved to its permanent campus on a 50-acre site near the railway station in 1954.