Rajiv Gandhi Arts and Science College came into existence in the year 1995 under the name Tagore Arts College (Annex). The college was taken over by the Pondicherry Society for Higher Education in the academic year 2004-2005. On 12th January 2009, the name of the institution was changed to Rajiv Gandhi Arts and Science College.
Presently the college offers 5 courses viz., B.com. General, B.Com. Co-operative Management, B.Sc. (Computer Science), B.C.A., B.B.A. The student strength totals 890. As the college has grown, the Staff strength has also grown and there are now 31 teaching and 13 non-teaching staff who contribute substantially to the progress and growth of the institution.
The aim of setting up a college in the village of Thavalakuppam was to serve the student community coming from the surrounding rural areas who have to travel long distances to reach the town in search of quality education. The College reserves 75% admission for rural students. The staff-teaching and non-teaching, offer quality education and services in the effort to give all the students an equal opportunity for learning and development through holistic education which is strongly grounded in values.