The Government Arts College is more than 160 years old situated at the heart of Coimbatore city. The beginning was humble. What started as a vernacular school, grew from strength to strength. Today, there are 4454 learners, mostly from the rural areas, working class and weaker sections of society. Besides, female students constitute more than 30%. The institution was conferred autonomous status in the year 1987-88.
The college offers 19 Under Graduate programmes, 15 Post Graduate programmes, 12 M.Phil. (Full-time/Part-time) programmes and 13 Ph.D. (Full-time/Part-time) programmes based on the needs of the learner community. The faculty comprises of a total of 227 staff members of whom 127 hold Ph.D. Degrees. Most of the rest are undergoing Ph.D. Part-time programmes in the respective disciplines. Sanskrit language is also taught as a supportive course.