Mar Ivanios College, owes its existence to the far-sighted vision of the late Archbishop Mar Ivanios of Thiruvananthapuram. The college situated on a campus of 200 acres, was conceived as a residential University by its founder. The late Archbishop Benedict Mar Gregorios was the first Principal and patron of the college for 40 years. His Grace the Most Rev. Cyril Mar Baselios, the Archbishop of Thiruvananthapuram is the Patron of the college.

Founded in 1949 as an affiliated college to the erstwhile University of Travancore, it stands affiliated to the University of Kerala since 1957. The college offers Degree courses in Economics, English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, Commerce and Postgraduate Courses in English, Commerce, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Zoology. The Departments of Zoology, Chemistry and Physics are recognized research centres.

There are 120 teachers and 75 members of the non-teaching staff in the college where 3,100 students study. Committees for Arts and various clubs coordinate the extra curricular and co-curricular activities of the college. AMICOS (Association of Mar Ivanios College Old Students) which has chapters in different countries is a unique feature of this Institution. The Mar Ivanios Computer Centre and Mar Ivanios Centre for Information Technology are significant among the support facilities.

The motto of the college: ‘Veritas Vos Liberabit’ which means ‘Truth shall Liberate You’.