Kuvempu Institute of Kannada Studies, Mysuru was established on 8th December 1966.

It is one of the premier constituent institutions established under University of Mysore, Mysuru 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 with self - University of Mysore, Mysuru and recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) under section 2(f) & 12(B) under Act, 1956. It is accredited by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).

The Institute of Kannada Studies is the first institute established in the University of Mysore aiming to carry out all Kannada related projects under one roof.

On the eve of golden jubilee celebration of the University on 8th Dec 1966, former Vice Chancellor K.L. Srimali inaugurated this Institute. Which was renamed in the honor of national poet Kuvempu as Kuvempu Institute of Kanada studies in the year 1994.

The Institute has celebrated the Golden Jubilee on completing the 50th year on 8th Dec 2016.

The university scheme provides for a fuller and core continuous course of teaching not only in Kannada but also in the other vernaculars of Southern India which are spoken in Mysore”.

The Institute has published more than seven hundred books on different subjects, many of which are directly or indirectly related to indigenous knowledge, culture, and language.

The prestigious volumes of general Encyclopaedia, Subject Encyclopaedia and the Volumes of Epigraphia Carnatica, a number of textbooks and edited manuscripts and their publications are the real credit to the Kuvempu Institute of Kannada Studies.

At present, the institute offers postgraduate courses with unique specializations in Arts, Post Graduate, Master of Philosophy streams and Post Graduate streams. It also offers Diploma and Add-On Certificate courses.