N.S.S. College, Pandalam was established by the Nair Service Society, the leading educational agency and social organization. The founder, Late Padma Bhushan Mannathu Padmanabhan was a great visionary and social reformer who believed that education is the most effective means of social reforms. The college keeps its tradition and identity in the higher education scenario through its vision "Śreyo hi jñānamabhyāsāt (श्रेयो हि ज्ञानमभ्यासात्)". The college is moving forward with a mission to educate and illuminate the young generation with values and tradition. The college was established in the month of February 1949 and started functioning as a second grade college in the year 1950 offering intermediate courses of the University of Travancore. More courses in the Degree and Post Graduate levels were introduced in the successive years and at present, with a total of sixteen Degree Courses and seven Post Graduate Programmes and the research programmes in Zoology, Botany and Physics, the college is recognized as Post Graduate College affiliated to University of Kerala. In its long history that spans over 75 years, the College has been trying to cater to the academic needs of the student community along with the social and cultural warmth that it has been spreading to the larger world outside. The institution has an impeccable record of providing value added and value based education displaying sensitivity to the changing educational, social and market demands. Research being the most potential area of higher education, the college takes maximum care and attention to promote a research culture among the faculty and students. The college concentrates on total quality through a holistic approach in its academic pursuit. The College provides quality education by assuring a peaceful, learner friendly, progressive and democratic ambience in fulfilling its noble vision, mission and goal. College was recognized by the Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India for financial assistance under FIST Scheme to improve facilities in the PG Science departments.

The College was re-accredited (IV Cycle) with Grade A (CGPA 3.24) grade by National Assessment and Accreditation Council

Institutional Strategies

• Quality education through rigorous curricular transaction, obligatory value added programmes, EHV modules, talent search, soft skill development and placement services.
• Mandatory systematic and scientific initiation into the respective discipline at entry level.
• Synergy of curricular and co-curricular activities and Flexibility in transactional strategies.
• Horizontal mobility through value added programmes.
• Programmes for advanced learners to promote their pursuit of excellence
• Promotion of Research, consultancy and extension.
• Remedial coaching for slow learners and under-achievers.
• Academic and administrative accountability.