Government Degree College, Kathua was also known as GDC Kathua was established in 1961.

It is one of the premier institutions to impart & provide in the field of higher education for the deserving candidates and prove to be a milestone in the part of progress.

The college is affiliated to University of Jammu, Jammu and recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) under section 2(f) & 12(B) under Act, 1956.

It is re-accredited by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) with "A" Grade - (in 2nd Cycle) on July 2012.

The campus of the college is spread over an environment-friendly area of 24.375 acres which houses two separate hostels for boys and girls and staff quarters apart from the administrative block, lecture theaters, well-equipped laboratories and an auditorium to carry out extracurricular activities.

The faculty of this college strives to make an honest, conscientious and sincere effort to calculate the basic human attributes of truth, beauty and the goodness in the students.

This is the largest co-educational institution in the state enrolling more than 3000 students every year. All the streams viz, Arts, Commerce, Science, B.C.A., B.B.A. are taught in this college. P.G. Programme in Geography is another attraction of this college.

In addition to the University sub-office, the college has two Distance Education Study Centers functioning under the aegis of Indira Gandhi Open University (IGNOU) New Delhi and Director of Distance Education, University of Jammu, Jammu for those students who cannot seek regular admission.
 
The college strives to achieve the following goals and objectives:

• Academic Excellence
• Value Based Education
• Discipline
• Personality Development
• Virtue of work Culture
• Democratic Values
• Equal Opportunity