The large rural belt of the northern part of Golaghat district, mostly inhabited by the economically backward section of the society with a sizeable segment belonging to socially backward classes such as the scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, and tea garden labourers, was without an institution of higher education till the early nineteen sixties. As a result, higher education remained inaccessible to a large number of meritorious students hailing from this section of the society. In the post-independence socio-cultural scenario, it came to be felt as imperative to provide for these young boys and girls an opportunity for higher academic pursuit, and thereby help them shape their life as responsible citizen of a free democratic society and realize their dreams and aspirations. It was primarily with this end in view that a higher education institute was established at DERGAON, a historically important place with rich cultural heritage, in 1962 through dedicated efforts of a group of socially committed individuals like Late Noren Sarma, a socially committed public leader, Late Harakanta Mahanta, a noted educationist of the locality and many others. A munificent donation from Late Kamal Dowerah, a pious and benevolent citizen of the locality, helped the promoters to give a concrete shape to the project and in memento of it the institution was christened as DERGAON KAMAL DOWERAH COLLEGE, DERGAON.
Initially started at Bapuji Mandir, a public theatre hall of Dergaon, D.K.D.College, Dergaon was brought under the system of grant-in-aid by the government in July, 1966, and subsequently the college is provincialized by the State Government in December, 2005. In 1967, the college was shifted to its present site. During the years of its existence, the college has grown to be one of the premier institutions of higher education under Dibrugarh University, Assam.
The college is ideally situated just in the outskirt of Deragon municipality area (proposed municipality area) on an elevated land measuring about 9 acres at a place called Raja Bahar (Royal Camp) overlooking a wide expanse of agricultural fields and the National Highway 37 beyond. A �well� discovered in the college campus, which is supported to date back to the reign of Ahom King Rajeswar Singha (AD 1751-1769) exist even today bearing testimony to the history of the place.
The total area of the land in possession of the college is divided into two segments. The first segment of about 25 bigha (about 8.33 acre) accommodates the entire college complex with class rooms, administrative and the library buildings, science laboratories, seminar hall, separate hostels for boys and girls, auditorium, play ground, college canteen, college co-operative store, and a botanical garden. Every possible effort is made to keep the campus clean, green and tidy. The entire campus, with a rural setting, is pollution free with a freshening atmosphere. A healthy academic environment prevails in the campus as well as in the hostels. We are happy to say that both the hostels are free from incidents of ragging or of indiscipline of serious nature.
It is satisfying to note that the college has succeeded in substantially achieving the goals with which it is established. A number of alumni have been able to occupy distinguished positions in civil service, professional services, and cultural and academic fields. The college has also significantly contributed in promoting socio-cultural awareness not only among the students but among the people of the neighborhood as well.
This fair broad outline of the history of the college covering its beginning and a close perusal of it will clearly highlight its glorious past, its present status, and future plans and prospects. The college Governing Body, the faculties, the non-teaching staff, and the students � all are equally keen to work in a concerted manner to strengthen and promote its infrastructural facilities as well as the academic health of the college through application of innovative ideas and methods as far as practicable. The question of adequate fund will, of course, remain as a major factor in implementing any new scheme. However, with careful planning, judicious use of available resources, limited though they are, and financial support of various funding agencies, the college would be able to equip itself in the coming years to meet the demands of the changing socio-economic scenario leading to sustainable development. D K D College, Dergaon, being committed to its vision and mission, is progressing in the direction.