KVA DAV College for Women, Karnal is a premier institution of higher education for girls. It holds the distinction of being the first women's College in Haryana. Inspired by Swami Dayanand Saraswati’s vision of educating and empowering women, this College was established in 1957 (by a group of Arya Samajis led by Lala Makhan Lal Ji, Dr Ganesh Das Ji and Principal Mela Ram Ji Barq) with only hundred students, 4 lecturers and 4 members of non-teaching staff. The college is now a flourishing zone with about 2500 students, 102 lecturers and 46 members of non- teaching staff. After 28 years of its inception, the management of the College was handed over to DAV College Managing Committee, New Delhi - the biggest, non-government educational society in India running about 778 institutes in India and abroad. The name of Kumari Vidyavati Anand was prefixed in 1997 to honour the selfless services of this illustrious educationist.
Acknowledging the significant contributions made by the college, it was declared a “Model College” and “Pace setting Women’s College” by National Institute of Education, Planning and Administration in 1992
Ideally located, the college caters to students from both urban and rural areas. The campus spreads over 3.5 acres with spacious classrooms, well equipped labs, sprawling lawns, cafeteria, hostel and auditorium. Multiple subjects befitting the interest of young girls are available. Computer Application, Biotechnology, Office-Management and Secretarial Practice are some of these. Subjects like Psychology and Physical Education are part of traditional degree programmes. In addition, Basic Sciences, Commerce, Social Science, Home-Science and Music have been updated. Special Add-on-courses like Functional English, Cosmetology, Food Processing, Fashion Designing, GIS and Remote Sensing, Web Designing are available. Skill based UGC approved Diploma in Health Care is also available. Supplementary activities like quiz contests, seminars, essay-writing competitions, visits to trade fair, book fair, botanical institutes, zoological parks, fishery farms, tissue culture laboratories, forensic science laboratories are also organised regularly.
Numerous associations and societies work to harness the potential of young girls. NCC, NSS, Youth Welfare Society comprising of Student’s Council & Youth and Cultural Affairs Society, Arya Yuvti Parishad, Literary Societies, Women Development Cell, Eco-Club, Quiz Club, Career Guidance and Placement Cell, Red Ribbon Club, Red Cross Society, Legal Literacy Cell - all work in tandem to build valuable human resource. The College works within the framework of the affiliated Colleges of Kurukshetra University. The academic performance by students is excellent with 100% pass percentage and numerous positions in the university academic merit lists, co-curricular competitions, sports and cultural activities.