Govt. Madhav College in Ujjain, the oldest educational institution in the higher education sector of the region, has a long and illustrious history that dates back to its establishment in 1890. Originally founded as Ujjain High School in 1888, the institution made steady progress, evolving into an Intermediate College in 1819, and later, in 1893, it was affiliated with Allahabad University up until it became part of Vikram University, Ujjain.

The college is named after the late Maharaja Madhav Rao Scindia of Gwalior. One of the key figures in its early development was Pandit Bapu Narayan Dhekne, a classmate of the famous freedom fighter Lokmanya Gangadhar Tilak, who became the first principal of the institution.

Over the years, several esteemed academics have contributed to the institution's legacy, including Shri Vasudev Krishna Tatke, Shri N. B. Paradkar, Shri V. V. G. Dani, and Dr. Shivmangal Singh Suman. Currently, the college is led by Dr. Kalpana Singh, the principal, who continues the tradition of excellence in education.

The primary goal of Madhav College is to provide quality education to a diverse range of students from different socio-cultural backgrounds. It offers a variety of conventional undergraduate and postgraduate courses, including B.A., B.Com., M.A., and M.Com., as well as self-financing courses such as M.S.W., M.A. in English Literature, Public Administration, B.A. in Computer Applications, and B.Com. in Computer Applications. The college also serves as a recognized research center in eight subjects, where research is conducted by scholars under the guidance of faculty members.

Throughout its history, the college has been active in academic, literary, and sports activities at the college, state, and national levels. The faculty, under the guidance of dedicated professors, continues to lead these initiatives, encouraging student participation and achievement in various fields.

One of the most significant events in the college's history was the Shatabdi Samaroh (Centenary Celebration) in 1998-1999. The celebration saw participation from former principals, professors, and thousands of alumni, marking 107 years of the institution's service in education. A special magazine, Shatabdi Madhavika, was published during this occasion, which commemorated the history and memories of the college.

Over the years, the college has had the honor of hosting several renowned personalities, such as Annie Besant, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, and Dr. Rajendra Prasad, who have contributed to its rich legacy and growth.

Today, Govt. Madhav College remains a beacon of knowledge and continues to uphold its commitment to academic excellence, ensuring that it remains an essential institution for higher education in Ujjain and beyond.