Sanatana Dharma College (SDC), Alappuzha

Sanatana Dharma College (S.D. College) is located in Alappuzha, a small town that is famed as “The Venice of the East”. The origins of S.D. College can be traced back to the activities of the Theosophical Society of India, under the aegis of Dr. sophical Society of India, under the aegis of Dr. Annie Besant. At a time when the erstwhile state of Travancore, especially Alappuzha, lacked basic facilities for education, two prominent members of the Society, Dr. S. Venkitarama Naidu and Sri. K. A. Krishna Iyengar founded Sanatana Dharma Vidyasala on 18th January 1905, imbibing the spirit and vision of the Theosophical Society. Historical records vouch for the fact that formal education was still alien to the native population of the district at that time. Sanatana Dharma Vidyasala worked to provide quality school education to the common people. However, as late as 1945, this coastal district lacked facilities for higher education. Sri. V. Sundararaja Naidu and Sri. K. Parthsarathy Iyengar, the worthy sons of Dr. S. Venkitarama Naidu and Sri. K. A. Krishna Iyengar, garnered public support and raised the resources to establish Sanatana Dharma College. The college was inaugurated on 20th June 1946 by Sir. C.P. Ramaswamy Iyer, the Diwan of Travancore. S.D. College started as a full-fledged Degree College offering B.Sc. Zoology, B.Sc. Botany, B.Sc. Mathematics, B.A. Economics and National Diploma in Commerce. It initially functioned in the SDV campus near the District Court, Alappuzha (that currently houses the SDV Boys Higher Secondary School) and was shifted to its current location at Sanatanapuram in 1950. The institution which started with around 125 students has now progressed into an excellent higher education institution with U. G Courses in 13 subjects, P. G. Courses in 9 subjects and with a student strength of around 2500. It holds the rare distinction of all its nine PG Departments being approved research centres under the University for Ph. D. programmes. There are over 90 teaching staff and 20 non-teaching staff in the college. The Golden Jubilee of the College was celebrated in 1995-96 and the Diamond Jubilee in 2006-07, with much fanfare. In the year 2021-22, Sanatana Dharma College is celebrating its Platinum Jubilee. The alumni of the college have excelled in diverse fields including literature, arts, cinema, scientific research, information technology, education and social service. The college is the centre of many important socio-cultural events and is committed to fostering national unity and integrity. It seeks to achieve this aim by imparting value-oriented education of international standards. A rich academic tradition converges with innovation in this 40 acre campus situated in the heart of Alappuzha. Sanatana Dharma College is a premiere Arts and Science College affiliated to the University of Kerala and accredited by NAAC with A+. It is also the first higher education institution in Alappuzha district. Established in 1946 by Sri.K.Parthasarathy Iyengar and Sri.V.Sundararaja Naidu, Sanatana Dharma College is heir to a legacy of academic excellence and social service. We continue to uphold this tradition of service and merge it with a pursuit of novelty and innovation. At present, we offer 9 Postgraduate Programmes and 13 Undergraduate Programmes including a career-related B.A in Communicative English and a BSc programme in Microbiology. Our faculty members work hand in hand to inspire learning and instill career oriented skills among students. Sanatana Dharma College has 9 Research Centres (Botany, Chemistry, Physics, Zoology, Mathematics, Commerce, Malayalam, English and Economics) affiliated to the University of Kerala. They offer state of the art facilities for laboratory work and reference. They promote constructive academic dialogues, interdisciplinary research and the application of expertise for social causes. It is our mission to take learning beyond classrooms and harness the creative potential of young minds. Dynamic involvement in cultural events and social issues has made Sanatana Dharma College the cynosure of Alappuzha. Our alumni, with their contributions to fields as diverse as film making, literature, administration, industrial entrepreneurship and medical research, testify to our quality, vision and mission. ...view more