Krishna Menon Memorial Govt.Women's College named after the illustrious son of our country Sri. V.K Krishna Menon is an institution of higher education situated in the ancient town of Kannur, which is the home of looms and lores. The college is affiliated to Kannur University. This institution is primarily meant for the progressive education of young women and it is the only women’s college in the northern part of Kerala extending from Kozhikode to Kasargode. Being an institution in the government sector, the college is committed to serve the economically weaker and the less privileged sections of the society. The college is the virtual realization of the long cherished dream of the service oriented, hard working and progressive citizens of Kannur. In a district which has been declared socially and educationally backward by the government, it was imperative that a women’s college should be started in the public sector to cater to the needs of the increasing number of girls seeking education every year. In the present era of empowerment of women, the socially and economically backward communities of Malabar, which lagged behind in education, necessitated a separate women’s institution. Now it is heartening to note that the women students of minority and backward communities, among others, are blessed with the light of knowledge. This institution came in to existence as a sequel to the untiring efforts of the Cannanore Women’s Education and Welfare Society and other social workers.

The year 1975 stands out as a land mark in the history of Kannur for it sets in motion the transformation of a poor backward district into a centre of culture and learning, rising to a new life with the dawn of higher education to women. On the 16th of August 1975, Krishna Menon Memorial Govt. Women’s College was inaugurated as an institution affiliated to University of Calicut. At first, provisional affiliation was granted to the Two year Pre- Degree course with the following combination of subjects under part III.

• Indian History, World History and Economics
• Indian History, World History and English
• Indian History, World History and Hindi
• Indian History, World History and Malayalam

Initially the college functioned in a high school building at Payyambalam. Later the college took over 15 acres of land granted by the Government of Kerala in the Jail compound at Pallikkunnu. In 1980 the college was upgraded, thanks to the relentless efforts and dedication of the College Vikasana Samithi. On 14th September1980 Degree Classes were inaugurated by Sri. Baby John, the Hon’ble Minister for Education.

The courses started were 1) BA Economics (main) with Modern Indian History and Political Science as subsidiaries and 2) B.A History (main) with General Economics and Political Science as subsidiaries. Recognizing the emerging trends in the development of economic theory, a Degree course in Economics with Mathematical Economics and Mathematics for Economic analysis as subsidiaries was recommended. Accordingly, sanction was given to BA Economics (main) with Mathematical Economics and Mathematics for Economic analysis as subsidiaries in 1981-82.

The college was shifted from its temporary abode at Payyambalam to the present campus during 1982-83. Initially, the Jail Superintendent’s Bungalow was remodelled to give room for the Degree classes and the college office. Later the College Vikasana Samithi took the effort of constructing five lecture halls and donated them to the college. The dream of an Auditorium became a reality when the College Vikasana Samithi started the construction and the government completed it. The Auditorium was inaugurated on 4th September, 1990. Since the Jail Superintendent’s Bungalow could not provide ample space for the PG Courses, the construction of a new building was initiated on 11.03.1989 by the Parent Teacher Association. Some of the degree classes were shifted to the partially constructed new building in 1991.

The need for starting new courses was increasingly felt and in 1991-92 the University sanctioned a degree course in English with Journalism and Social and Cultural History of Britain as Subsidiaries. Subsequently B.A Malayalam (main) with Sanskrit as subsidiary was started in 1993-94. In 1998-99, B.Sc. Physics (main) with Mathematics and Computer Science as subsidiaries was started. Together with the equipments of the Physics Lab, a computer lab was inaugurated in the same year with 12 computers. This remains a turning point in the history of the college. B.Sc. Mathematics (main) with Physics and Computer Science as subsidiaries was started in 2000-01. The PG course in English was sanctioned during 2004-05. The will power, enthusiasm, co-operation and educational consciousness of the people of this area can be regarded as the prime strength of the institution. With regard to the improvement of infrastructure, the institution received timely helps from the Local Area Development (LAD) scheme of the M.Ps, Sri. Mullappally Ramachandran and Sri. A.P. Abdulla Kutty. With the LAD scheme of Sri. Mullappally Ramachandran, the college ground was cleared and the stadium was constructed. Later, a new library building was constructed using MP fund of Sri. A. P. Abdulla Kutty, under the same scheme. A compound wall for the college was erected by the PWD utilizing government fund. The College Development Council (CDC) took initiative in constructing a hostel in 2003 and it was completed in 2005. A Canteen run by Kudumbasree, a self help group is also functioning in the college premises. A permanent solution was found for the problem of drinking water when a direct connection was taken from the Kerala Water Authority. The college Parent – Teacher Association also constructed a well to find a lasting solution to the water crises. With the support of the Kerala State Sports Council, a modern basketball court was constructed duly supervised by the PTA.