DR.R.K.Shanmugam Educational Trust was founded during the centenary celebration of his birth to prepetuate the memory of the late DR.R.K.Shanmugam the first finance minister of independent India and former Vice chancellor of Annamalai University.  The age long dream of the people of Kallakurichi thus came true when DR.R.K.Shanmugam College of Arts and Science was established.

The college started functioning from 1st July 1997. Original Affiliated to the University of Madras after bifurcation the college now stands Permanently Affiliated to Thiruvalluvar University, Vellore.  It is accredited by NAAC New Delhi and recognized by UGC under section 2(f) & 12(B) of UGC act 1956.