A group of dedicated and like-minded visionaries led by Sri RL Jalappa, a leader of rural masses, a champion of the cooperative movement, a former Member of the Parliament & a Union Minister from rural Karnataka established Sri Devaraj Urs Educational Trust for Backward Classes in 1984 to drive his vision on providing education and affordable healthcare to the rural & economically backward masses in Kolar District.

Sri Devaraj Urs Academy of Higher Education and Research, Tamaka, Kolar is a Deemed to be University declared Under section 3 of UGC Act, 1956, vide Notification No.F.9-36/2006-U.3(A) Dt. 25th May 2007, MHRD, Government of India. The Deemed to be University is sponsored by the Sri Devaraj Urs Educational Trust for Backward Classes, Kolar – a Trust, which has set up educational institutions in rural areas of Karnataka, with a focus on Medical Education and Social Service. Through the colleges/Hospitals and other institutions set up by it, the trust has sought to make significant contribution to Medical Education, Research and Health Care to Rural population.

The establishments of the Academy and the constituent institution are co-located at Tamaka village, Kolar and spread over more than 72.73 acres of lush green campus with several buildings to accommodate the medical college, administrative offices, teaching/training facilities, hospital and hostels with a total built up area of over 1.24 lakh sq. meters. Currently, the Academy has two faculties of studies viz: Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Allied Health Sciences. Under the Faculty of Medicine, Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College conducts Undergraduate Degree (MBBS), several Post Graduate Degrees (M.D./M.S.), Post Graduate Diploma courses, Doctoral Programs and Fellowship Programs in Head and Neck Surgical Oncology as well as Oral surgical Oncology. The Departments under the Faculty of Allied Health and Basic Sciences offer Undergraduate, Postgraduate, M.Phil. and Doctoral Programs.