The institution was started in the year 1866 as a Rate School as it depended for its finance upon an educational rate which was at that time levied by the Local Government. In 1871 the local Fund Act came into force and educational rates were abolished, the school was taken over by the Local Fund Board.

In 1877, the school became a Government High School and in 1884, it was handed over by Government to the management of the Municipal Council, Government paying the net charges of the college. In January 1888 the high school was raised to the rank of a Second Grade College and was affiliated with the University of Madras. The Municipal Council resolved to work the institution on the salary grant system from 1st April 1894.

A new block of building was erected in 1901. In 1913, a hostel with a beautiful quadrangle and furnished accommodation for 100 students was opened and in the next year, further adding to the college buildings were completed. The college was taken over by the Government of Madras on Ist April 1919 and raised to the First Grade from Ist July 1925 with provision for teaching History and Philosophy. In1939, the college was affiliated for teaching B.Sc in Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry. In July 1950 B.Sc Courses in Botany and Zoology were introduced. A new Science block was completed in February 1951.