Established in 1996, Government Law College, Tirunelveli was established to meet the requirements of the people of the Southernmost part of Tamilnadu.

It is affiliated to the Tamilnadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University, Chennai. To begin with, the college prepared students only for the three years Law course Prof. A. Chandrasekaran, M.L., was appointed as the special officer for completing the organizational arrangements in establishing the Law college at Thirunelveli.

The college started functioning at the “Ponnyswamy Pillai Bungalow’ owned by the Department of Medical Education, Govt. of Tamilnadu.

From the Academic Year 1997-1998, the college is affiliated to T.N. Dr. Ambedkar Law University, Chennai and during the same academic year three-year law course (Evening) was introduced.

This college started functioning from October 2000 in its own building in an area of 15 acres which is adjacent to the District Court Buildings on the Tiruchendur-Tuticorin high road.

From the Academic year 1999-2000, three year Law course (Evening) was discontinued as directed by the Bar Council of India and from the academic year, 2000-2001 Five years integrated Law course was introduced.

As directed by the Bar Council of India / Semester system has been introduced for both three and five year Law courses from the academic year 2002-2003.

In 2007, set another milestone in the history of this college when an M.L.degree course in the Constitutional Law and Human rights law was started.