Malabar Christian College traces its origins to a primary school established in 1848 at Kallai,
near Calicut, by the Basel Evangelical Mission with about 100 students. It was the first
institution in Calicut to impart English education and was known as the B.G.E.M.
Anglo-Vernacular School. In 1859, the school was relocated to the centre of the town near
Mananchira. It grew steadily upgrading to a middle school in 1872 and to a high school in
1878 under the leadership of its first Headmaster, Mr. G.T. Verghese.

The collegiate section began in 1909 with affiliation to the University of Madras as a Second
Grade College, initially admitting fifteen students, including four women. Rev. W. Mueller
served as the first Principal. Academic offerings expanded steadily, though institutional
progress was affected during the World Wars, including the withdrawal of Basel Mission
personnel.

In 1919, the management was taken over by Madras Christian College and the institution was
renamed Malabar Christian College. The Basel Mission resumed control in 1927, followed by
several leadership transitions. A significant moment in history was marked with the visit of
Mahatma Gandhi to the college in 1934. In 1940, the management was transferred to the
Malabar and South Canara Christian Education Society.

A major phase of academic expansion began under Dr. V G M Pavamani (from 1953), during
whose tenure the college attained First Grade status (1956) and introduced several
undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, including MSc. Zoology (1965). Following the
establishment of the University of Calicut in 1968, the college came under its affiliation.

Administrative restructuring during the late 1960s and early 1970s led to the formation of a
new management under the North Kerala Diocese of the Church of South India. Subsequent
decades witnessed steady academic growth, introduction of new programmes, infrastructure
development, and strengthening of governance structures.

From the 1990s, the college expanded significantly in both academic offerings and
infrastructure, including the introduction of postgraduate and self-financing programmes,
construction of new academic blocks, and modernization of facilities. The institution initiated
the NAAC accreditation process in the early 2000s and was accredited with a B+ Grade in
2004, later improving to an A Grade (CGPA 3.21) in 2012 under the leadership of Prof P E Gladys Issac.

Further advancements were made during the tenure of Dr. Godwin Samraj D.P. (2016–2022),
including the establishment of a Research Block, the DST-FIST Network Centre, upgraded
laboratories, enhanced sports facilities, and modern audio-visual infrastructure with RUSA
support.

Upon the completion of his tenure, Dr. Sachin P. James assumed charge as Principal on 4
January 2022. Prof. (Dr.) Sajan D. took over as Principal on 19 June 2025. Subsequently, on
his return to the parent institution, Ms. Rajeshwari P V served as Principal in charge for a
period of one month. Following that, Dr. Sachin P. James reassumed charge as Principal,
ensuring continuity in institutional leadership.

More recently, a new audio-visual studio has been launched with the aim of strengthening the
hybrid teaching–learning environment of the college.