N.S.S Training College, Ottapalam is one of the scores of educational institutions, ranging from elementary schools to Grade-I colleges, owned and manged by Nair Service Society, a registered charitable society, was founded in the year 1914 by late Mannath Padmanabhan, the legendary social reformer, educationist and visionary . Today its organs or units sprawl from one end of the state to the other, and even beyond the boundaries of the state playing pivotal role in the social transformation of the state by means of the mighty tool of widespread education.
The crying need for a college of Teacher Education in Palakkad District struck Mannath Padmanabhan as early as 1960, a time when such a college was absent in the entire area. The opening of this institution was a boon for the women who aspired for the profession of teaching. This institution has paved for them the way to empower themselves with greater educational attainments. The role that this institution has played in the development and empowerment of the women community of the state is vital and pioneering one.
N.S.S. Training College, Ottapalam had modest beginnings as in the case of many of the great institutions that we see today. It was established in 1960 in the premises of N.S.S. K.P.T High School with 80 students and three teachers one of whom was the Principal. Two years later the college was shifted to a nearby two storied building specially built for the college with 100 students. In 1965 the student strength was raised to 150 and in 35 years its strength had doubled to reach 300. Another milestone in the growth of the college was the commencement of M.Ed Course with 10 students in 1995 which raised the status of the college to a full fledged institution of teacher education. The permanent increase of seats from 10 to 25 in M.Ed course was granted during the academic year 2010-11. In 2015 as per NCTE 2014 regulations B.Ed student strength was limited to one unit comprising of 50 students and M.Ed student strength was raised to 50. As per Govt. order from 2016 onwards the college can induct two units (100 students) for B.Ed Programme and one unit (50 students) for M.Ed Programme.
In the development of infrastructure, in 1976-77, utilising UGC grant a two storied building was constructed housing the administrative block. In 1995 the Management constructed another three storied block to accommodate the increasing number of students. An open air auditorium cum lecture hall complex in two storey was also constructed which was fully funded by the Management. In 2014 a new block was constructed utilizing UGC grant and management fund.
