Shri Acharyaratna Deshabhooshan Shikshan Prasark Mandal's Mahavir Mahavidyalaya Arts and Commerce, Kolhapur was commonly known as Mahavir Mahavidyalaya, Kolhapur was established on 15th June 1970 and managed by Shri Acharyaratna Deshbhooshan Shikshan Prasarak Mandal, Kolhapur which was established on 29th April 1963.

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

The college is affiliated with the Shivaji University, Kolhapur and it is recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) under section 2(f) & 12(B) on 30th April 1976 under Act, 1956.
 
It is also recognized & approved by National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE),  Bhopal to offer four years B.A. B.Ed. course on 31st May 2015 and re-accredited by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) with "B" Grade (CGPA Score 2.61 on a 4 Point Scale in 2nd Cycle) on 16th September 2011.

The Shri Acharyaratna Deshbhooshan Shikshan Prasarak Mandal has been established numbers of colleges/schools for the student in the region of Maharashtra and all over the India.

Shri. Acharyaratna Deshbhushan Shikshan Prasarak Mandal started its work in the field of education with the foundation of Deshbhushan Vidya Mandir in 1963.

The college has divided into four wings viz. junior, senior, B.Ed. and P.G. courses. The junior wing and senior wing of the college has Arts, Science and Commerce courses.

It is a co-educational private institute, providing a regular course which is located in an urban part of Kolhapur played a pioneering role in the field of higher education. the campus is located in another city also has a different name of institutions.

The college conferred the status of grant-in-aid college that the fees and all the facilities for the students are fixed by the government.

The student's admission is done as per the Admission Criteria prescribed by the affiliating university.

This college has awarded as the best college by the affiliating university and also a number of awards in publication, offering scholarship & also awarded by the different society.

At present, the college offers two years intermediate courses in Arts, Science, & Commerce streams with optional specializations under Maharashtra State Board of Secondary & Higher Secondary Education, Pune.

The college also offers three years undergraduate courses in Arts, Science and Commerce streams with various specializations and offers two years postgraduate course in Counseling Psychology. It also offers Add-On Certificate courses.

The college offers courses in Distance Education mode for the students which is affiliated with Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU), Nashik.

Vision:

• To develop the Institute for excellence in academics and empower students with higher learning and research capabilities through value based education for global competencies, character building, social inclusion and transformation

Mission:

• To strive for excellence in higher education in keeping with the motto of the institution ‘Sheelam Param Bhooshanam’ and ignite young minds for knowledge, skills, research and civic values to make the students capable for global citizenship

Objectives:

• To develop among the student's academic skills and competencies
• To provide inclusive education to all
  
• To inculcate ethical values and national spirit among the students
• To inculcate civic responsibilities among the students through various activities
• To strengthen community network by means of vital and need to be based outreach activities
  
• To strive for maintaining top positions in University merit list
• To enrich research output from the faculty and students
• To promote the sustainable development of society through curricular and extension activities
• To strengthen mechanisms for faculty development through feedback, grievance redressal, performance evaluation etc
• To strengthen the alumni association
• To provide education and training for making competent teachers through B.A .B.Ed.

  ( Integrated ) programme

• To strive for the continuous quality enhancement of the institution through functional IQAC
• To promote sports and physical education for health and career opportunities and obtain higher achievement at various levels of competitions
  
• To learn and implement new strategies of governance and management for quality improvement of the institution
• To develop the environmental consciousness among the students and make the campus clean and eco-friendly