Handique Girls College, Kamrup was established in 1939, a dream come true for the Late Mrs. Rajabala Das, a pioneer in the field of women's education.

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

Handique Girls College was accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) for a period of five years, commencing from December 2003, with a score of 75-80%. The second Peer Team of NAAC visited the college in November 2010, and re-accredited National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) with "B+" Grade with a score of 2.87 in a 4 point scale.

Brief History:
 
The patronage and philanthropy of the Late Radha Kanta Handique were also largely responsible for giving shape to the first institution for higher education for women, in the undivided state of Assam.

Mrs. Rajabala Das also became the founder principal of the college. Imbued with the fervour of the nationalist struggle for freedom, Mrs. Das was intent in doing away with unjustified taboos and prejudices on the societal, familial and individual levels, pertaining to the womenfolk of Assam. Education appeared to her to be the only weapon to enable a woman to reveal her own identity and to partake of active public life.

Mrs. Rajabala Das was herself one of the few fortunate women to have received higher education during the time, and she thus set about with an iron will to start a women's college in Gauhati.

Since its inception the college begins with just two students and housed in the premises of the Panbazar Girls High School, the college was initially known as Gauhati Girls College.

With the subsequent shifting to the present site, the college was renamed R. K. Handique Girls College and was affiliated to the Calcutta University in 1940. By finally naming the college Handique Girls' College, a well-deserved tribute was paid to the Late R. K. Handique, the noted philanthropist of Assam, who donated a generous sum for its development.

The Handique family, later on, in the cherished memory of the Late R. K. Handique, further donated a considerable amount for the expansion and development of the college. The college is situated on the western bank of the legendary Dighalipukhuri, an ideal location in the heart of the city of Guwahati. The serene atmosphere with its calm green surroundings is conducive to the pursuit of academic activities.

The college has proudly established itself as the foremost institution for women's education in north-east India, and it functions as a meeting point for students from the diverse ethnic and linguistic backgrounds of the region, and beyond.

The present enrolment of the college is around 3300 students. The sixty-seven years of the college's existence have been filled with a brilliant record of academic performance in the examinations conducted by the Gauhati University and the Assam Higher Secondary Education Council.

The aim of the educational program at Handique Girls College is to foster a spirit of academic excellence, encourage critical thinking, create innovative ways to broaden horizons and discover the liberating power of new ideas and insights.

The college offers two years Higher Secondary Courses in Arts & Science stream under Assam Higher Secondary Educational Council (AHSEC), Guwahati and three years Degree Courses in Arts & Science stream under Gauhati University, Guwahati and also offers some Career Oriented Courses / Add On Course.

The college also has a Contact Centre of Institute of Distance and Open Learning (IDOL), Gauhati University for PG courses.

Objectives:

• To foster a vibrant atmosphere conducive to the all round development of students
• To undertake capacity building initiatives, to encourage every students to strive for the fulfillment of their potentialities
• To ensure active and equal participation of women in the process of decision making in all spheres of life
• To inculcate a scientific temper in order to reorient societal attitudes and prejudices
• To nurture a lifelong association in learning
• To inculcate social awareness and responsibilities in women enabling them to make a meaningful contribution to the society and nation

Vision:

• To contribute towards creation of a tolerant,equitable,enlightened and humane society

Mission:

• Enrichment of society through a holistic education for women

Goal:

• Empowerment through education