Cotton College is the premier institution of higher education of the NE region of India. It was declared open on 27th day of May 1901 by SIR HENRY JOHN STEDMAN COTTON, the then Chief Commissioner of the erstwhile province of Assam. The college was named after Sir Henry, as the "Cotton College", in deference to the Public demand for the same, in appreciation of Sir Henry's genuine concern for the cause of higher education in the province. The college was started with 5 professors, which included PROFESSOR FREDERICK WILLIAM SÜDMERSEN, the first PRINCIPAL of the college and 39 students.

Being the only centre of academic culture and literary renaissance at that point of time, it became the symbol of hope and aspiration of all forward-looking people of this part of the country. During this long period of existence, Cotton College has produced generations of intellectuals who have contributed significantly to the development of the region as teachers, scientists, litterateurs, administrators, politicians and social activists. Cotton College is the alma mater of almost all worthy sons and daughters of undivided Assam and beyond who were the harbingers of renaissance in all spheres of the region and the society.

Cotton College was the epicentre of the freedom movement and the literary and cultural movements of the country to build the identity of Assam as a distinct integral component of the Nation.

From a small undergraduate college, now, Cotton College, has become a Postgraduate institution, integrated with undergraduate education having on rolls of brigade of 5000 students and 244 teachers, among 21 undergraduate and 20 post graduate departments in science, humanities and social science faculties. In addition to this, Cotton College now has a well-equipped 

On 16th day of October 1992, the college was declared as a POST GRADUATE INSTITUTE (with centre of excellence). This declaration was, in fact, blessed by no other than the First Citizen of the Nation, Sri Sanker Dayal Sharma, the then President of India in a solemn ceremony on the 17th day of October 1992.omputer and IT Education Centre and Entrepreneurship Development Cell.

Cotton College celebrated its Centenary with yearlong program from 27 May 2001 to 26 May 2002. His Excellency Krishna Kant, the then Vice President of India graced the occasion of Closing Ceremony on 26 May 2002.