Kupwara Degree College (KDC) was established in 1988 with the aim of opening learning opportunities for the students of the educationally backward hilly, boarder district of Kupwara. The college started from a make- shift arrangement at GHSS Kupwara and in a couple of years established its own temporary campus on the river side of the School. K D C moved into its permanent campus at Bohipora 1.3 Kilometers from the town centre, in year 2000. Spread over 150 kanals of land the college, apart from an Administrative Block has 8 room Lecture Block , a Science Block, a few more smaller buildings to run courses in Arts and Science streams. Two hostels, one each for boys and girls have been commissioned to provide residential facilities for students coming from far off places.
KDC is striving to live up to the expectation of the people and the aspirations of the students and is geared up to work as an instrument of change in the area which has remained on the back-burner of the developmental engine. The college has a pivotal role to play in bringing about a socio-economic change in the district where 50% of the population in yet to register for total literacy. The young alumni of the college taking different responsibilities are holding the principles of the college high and serving the community they live in.
Affiliated to the University of Kashmir and recognized by the UGC under section 2(F) and 12(B) the college has the unique distinction of being the first among the young colleges to get NAAC accreditation at B+ level .
KDC is funded by the State Govt. and receives grant from the UGC. Initially created with an intake capacity of 320 students the current enrolment of the college has touched 3190 mark, 36% of the student population is made up of girl students.
The college offers programmes leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Computer Applications. The college is also offering job oriented, inter-disciplinary Add-on courses in Sericulture, Computer Applications and Laboratory Techniques.
KDC has an effective organizational setup involving faculty, non-teaching staff and students in the management through various committees. Students through elected representatives are encouraged to participate in the college management and academic planning. Deans provide counseling and information to students and engage them meaningfully in enriching the campus life.