G.S.V.M. Medical College,Kanpur, known for its academic excellence world over , is named after Late Shri Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi, a great freedom fighter ,who lost his life at the altar of the communal frenzy in Kanpur in March 1931. This was the first medical college of U.P. established in independent India, forming a landmark in the annals of medical education in the state of U.P. It is one of the five medical colleges in India established under the second five year plan.
This college came into existence in November 1955 and its foundation stone was laid down by Hon'ble Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, on April 24, 1956. Late Dr. S.N. Mathur was the first Principal of this college.