The GSVM Medical College, Kanpur was initially affiliated with the University of Lucknow. In 1968, it became affiliated with the newly established Kanpur University (now Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University). The institute is named after a great freedom fighter  Late Shri Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi and the foundation stone was laid by the first President of India Hon’ble Dr. Rajendra Prasad.