Kalaignar Karunanidhi Government Arts College for Women (Autonomous), Pudukkottai, was established in the year 1969. The college was started with Pre-University Course and has grown gradually in strength and stature in every sphere of activity. At present 13 Under Graduate Courses, 10 Post Graduate Courses, 6 M.Phil. and 6 Ph.D Courses are being offered by the college. Shift System was introduced in the year 2007 by the State Government Policy of Education with the available infrastructure. Four Under Graduate Courses have been introduced in Shift II. The institution aims to uplift women students from Pudukkottai district and also from nearby districts like Thiruchirappalli, Perambalur and Sivagangai.

The college was affiliated to the University of Madras till 1982. Since then, the College has been affiliated to Bharathidasan University, Thiruchirappalli. The year 2004 was a milestone in the history of the College during which the College was accredited with B++ by NAAC and Autonomous status was conferred.