The Planning Commission approved the establishment of three Technical Institutions for Women in the Chennai state during the Third Five Year Plan period in G.O. Ms. No.1957 education, dated 9th June 1962. 

The Government decided to start a Women's Polytechnic in the Madras City during 1962-63 in the public sector. This was an important event in the history of technical education as it opened up for Women new vistas which had hitherto been the domain of men. The first Women's Polytechnic was started in Chennai on 6th September 1962 with an annual intake of 100. The present intake is 210.

There was much difficulty in obtaining suitable accommodation and the Polytechnic was temporarily housed in the Old Civil Jail Buildings at Broadway. In July 1963 the Institute was shifted to the "Bridge House" at Adyar to cope with the increase in strength of the classes during its second academic year. 

As the need for a hostel was keenly felt, one was started for 35 students in a private building at Kasturibai Nagar in June 1963. In July 1964 the polytechnic was once again shifted to the campus of the Central Institutes of Technology and the hostel was located at "Bridge House" where more students could be provided with accommodation. 

The Polytechnic has been functioning in its own buildings in the Central Institutes of Technology Campus at Adyar since June 1966. Besides Class rooms and Laboratories, the building houses the administrative office, a library and an open-air theatre. A Production Centre for the Department of Costume Designing and Dress Making and an Auditorium are further additions. 

The hosteI for the students is situated in the Campus itself with all amenities. The area of the Campus is 7.589 hectares.

On 18th January 2001 the Institution has been granted the licence for Quality Systems Certification by the Bureau of Indian Standards.