Rajkiya Kanya Mahavidyalaya (RKMV), Shimla, came into being 1978 when the erstwhile R.PC.S.D.B. College, (estd.1945), was taken over by the Himachal Pradesh Government and converted into Govt. college exclusively for girl students.

The college is situated on Elysium Hill, a hillock resplendent with natural beauty and so named in 1838 after Lord Auckland's sister. Elysium- Greek for 'a delightful place ' very appropriate to the spot as it commands a panoramic view of the hills, deep emerald valleys and the distant snowcapped mountain peaks. The college ten-minutes walk from the famous ridge, is well connected with local bus services as a circular road passes near it.

From 919 students in 1978, the number stands at 3,300 in 2001. The college offers education in three streams- Arts, Science and commerce. N.C.C. and N.S.S. are two important training offered by the college.
The annual results of all classes are always much above the University passed percentage.
In the field of sports the college has to date bagged the H.P.U. all round best trophy nineteen times. If the college had its own playground, the result could be spectacular. Incidentally, Miss Suman Rawat Mehta, the renowned sportswoman from Himachal Pradesh, is a product of R.K.M.V.
the cultural performance of R.K.M.V. at various functions is a cut above the rest and highly appreciate. The evening wing of the R.K.M.V. imparts professional training in dance and music, in addition to the running their hobby classes for children & adults.
The college library -cum - reading room is proving inadequate for the growing number of the students. Due to paucity of funds, the idea of adding a second story to the library is still on the back- burner. Work of new college hostel is proceeding at a snail' s pace due to the same reason Any financial help is welcome.
With all its plus or minus points, R.K.M.V. the only Govt. Girls's college in the state, holds its own among the best of girls 'institutions of North India.