St. Paul's College, Kalamassery located at Kochi was founded by Joseph Attipetty, the late Archbishop of Verapoly to commemorate the historic visit of Pope Paul VI to India in connection with the 38th International Eucharistic Congress held in November - December 1964. The foundation stone of the college was blessed by the pope on 3 December 1964 and was solemnly laid by Samuel Mathai, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kerala in the presence of Joseph Attipetty on 13 February 1965. Out of his filial devotion to the Pope, the founder desired that the college be named after the Apostle Paul, the patron saint of the Pope.
The college started functioning from 13 July 1965 imparting instruction to students for the two year pre-degree course. The first degree course, B.Com. was introduced in the year 1978 and gradually other degree courses such as B.Sc. Physics, B.Sc. Mathematics and B.A. Economics were introduced. St. Paul's College became a first grade college with the introduction of M.A. Economics in the year 1982. At present the college offers postgraduate courses in economics, physics, mathematics, chemistry, commerce and English. The Department of Physics and Commerce are research centres of Mahatma Gandhi University. Co-education was introduced in the college in the year 1983. Vocational degree courses in English and chemistry have been introduced in 1998 and 1999 respectively. In October 1983 Mahatma Gandhi University came into existence and St. Paul's College was affiliated to it.
The college received the first National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) accreditation in the year 2004 and was graded at the ‘B+’ level and second cycle of accreditation graded the college with ‘B’ grade in the year 2010. A change in the academic and infrastructural domains accredited the college ‘A’ grade in the cycle of re-accreditation by NAAC in 2016.
Undergraduate courses (13) Bachelors of Science - B.Sc. Mathematics - 6 semesters - Aided Bachelors of Science - B.Sc. Physics - 6 semesters - Aided Bachelors of Science - B.SC. Chemistry - 6 semesters - Aided Bachelors of Arts - B.A Economics - 6 semesters - Aided Bachelors of Commerce - B.Com. with Computer Application - 6 semesters - Aided Bachelors of Commerce - B.Com. with Taxation - 6 semesters - Aided Bachelors of Arts - B.A. English Model 2 - 6 semesters - Aided Bachelors of English - B.A. English Model I - 6 semesters - Self Finance Bachelors of Science - B.Sc. Computer Science - 6 semesters - Self Finance Bachelors of Commerce - B.Com. with Computer Application - 6 semesters - Self Finance Bachelors of Business Administration - B.B.A. - 6 semesters - Self Finance Bachelors of Vocation - B.Voc. Tourism and Hospitality - 6 semesters - Aided Bachelors of Vocation - B.Voc. Banking and Financial Service - 6 semesters - Aided Bachelors of Vocation - B.Voc. Broadcasting and Journalism - 6 semesters - Aided
Postgraduate courses (6) M. A. in Economics (Master of Arts) - 4 semesters - Aided M.Sc. in mathematics (Master of Science) - 4 semesters - Aided M.Sc. in physics with specialization in Computer Science (Master of Science) - 4 semesters - Aided M.Com. Finance (Master of Commerce) - 4 semesters - Aided M.Sc. in chemistry (Master of Science) - 4 semesters - Self Finance M. A. in English Language and Literature (Master of Arts) - 4 semesters - Self Finance
Research programmes (Ph.D.)
Four of the postgraduate departments are recognized research centers under the Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam. These centers offer full-time and part-time research facilities. Mathematics Economics Physics Commerce
Notable alumni
Justice Ziyad Rahman A. A, Judge, Kerala High Court
Binoy Viswam, Ex-Member of Parliament
P. Rajeev, Minister for Law & Industries, Government of Kerala
T. J. Vinod, MLA
Siddique (director), Indian Film Industry
Chemban Vinod Jose, Actor, Malayalam film industry
Nadirsha, Actor
Arun Cherukavil, Actor
Beena Antony, Actress
Basil Thampi, cricketer
Bentla D'Coth, International football referee
Shaiju Damodaran, sports commentator and journalist
Succession list of patrons
Joseph Attipetty (Late) Joseph Kelanthara (Late) Cornelius Elanjikkal (Late) Daniel Acharuparambil (Late) Francis Kallarakal (Emeritus) Joseph Kalathiparambil (Incumbent)