The R.A. Podar College of Commerce and Economics, popularly known as only Podar College of Commerce and Economics (PCCE) is a renowned educational institution located at Lakshmi Napoo Road, Matunga (central railway) in Mumbai. It is situated on the east side of the Central Railway between Dadar and Matunga railway stations. The college was established with certain aims and objectives and is mainly aimed at providing quality education in Commerce and Trade. The PCCE was the first private (non-government) commerce college to be started in Mumbai.

The mission of the Podar College of Commerce and Economics (PCCE) is to develop the overall personality of students so that they can work both as leaders and team members. It also provides the students with all the necessary academic, cultural and sports facilities. The highly experienced faculty of the institute firmly believes in the "Value based education". The college advocates the philosophy of "Samaani va aakooti samaanaa hridayanni vaham", which means "one in mind and one in heart". The college believes that there is nothing in this universe as pure as knowledge and it also guides its students to acquire knowledge in all its forms, curricular, co-curricular and extra-curricular.

The Podar College of Commerce and Economics (PCCE) was established due to initiatives taken by a few renowned visionaries and freedom fighters of 1940s. The visionaries realised the need of starting an institution which would inculcate the indigenous values and would have the thrust of social and cultural value system. In August, 1940 a trust named `Shikshana Prasaraka Mandali` (S.P. Mandali) made an application to the University of Bombay to start a Commerce college in Mumbai. The eminent industrialist, philanthropist and a visionary of that period, Seth Ramdeoji Anandilal Podar was deeply interested in the cause of education and he donated a significant amount of money to construct the building of PCCE. He constructed the building in the memory of his younger brother, Ramniranjan Anandilal Podar. After completion of the building`s construction, he gifted it to the S.P. Mandali on 7th February 1941 and also gave the charge of running the college. The college was named as "Ramniranjan Anandilal Podar College of Commerce" and Barrister M.R. Jayankar formally inaugurated the college building.

The Podar College of Commerce and Economics (PCCE) got the permission from the Senate of Bombay University for only two years at the beginning. It started its journey with 150 students and it introduced the B.Com Degree Course in the year 1942. The word Economics was also added to the college`s name in the same year and the college was renamed as the "Ramniranjan Anandilal Podar College of Commerce and Economics". After successfully operating for a few years, the College received permanent affiliation from the University of Mumbai (presently known as University of Mumbai) on 17th August, 1950.

The Podar College of Commerce and Economics (PCCE) is a single faculty commerce college and it offers many courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Eight academic programmes are offered in the college including four UG Degree Courses like B.Com in Accountancy; Business Management; B. Com Vocational Course and the BMS. The two vocational courses offered as an integral part of the B.Com. Course in the college include Computer Applications and Travel and Tourism Management. The college also offers Masters in Commerce (M.Com) course to the students.

The Podar College of Commerce and Economics (PCCE) has been awarded an A+ rating by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) of India. The college has been awarded the Best College for cultural activities by the Mumbai University and has also won more than 20 trophies in the Youth Festival held by the Mumbai University. The college is one of the pioneers in conceiving the idea of rural camps in various tribal villages under the aegis of the College National Social Service Unit (NSS). The students of the college can avail various types of scholarship given by Central and State Government. The PCCE also provides financial assistance and free education for the students, who have meritorious achievements in sports, athletics and academics.

The infrastructure of the Podar College of Commerce and Economics (PCCE) is considered one of the best in Mumbai. The college has an auditorium that is built in an ancient gothic style, with a seating capacity of 500. There is also a large conference room in the college. The other important facilities of the college include Library, Gymkhana, Computer Laboratories, etc. The college building has a wonderful clock tower that gives the college a British elegance. The PCCE is also flanked by two renowned colleges, the Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research and the Ruia College of Arts and Science.

The students of the Podar College of Commerce and Economics (PCCE) are involved in various cultural activities and there are many different clubs and organisations located within the college premises. The most popular club of the college is named as the `Artist guild`. The other clubs and organisations operating in the college include the National Service Scheme Unit (NSS), National Cadet Corps (NCC), Literary Circles, Hobby Circle, Hikers Club, Gymkhana Committee, Speakers Academy, Group Discussion Cell, Quizzers` League, etc. The college also organises Youth Festival and an Annual Inter-Collegiate festival, named `Enigma`.

Many students of the Podar College of Commerce and Economics (PCCE) have excelled in various fields of life and have become successful as players, chartered accountants, businessmen, educationists, industrialists, bankers, export-import consultants, tax consultants, etc. Many renowned members of Legislative Councils and Assemblies and social workers in India and abroad have also graduated from the Podar College. The most notable alumni of the college include the former Chief Justice of India, R C Lahoti and noted politician, Gurudas Kamat. The famous cricketers like Farokh Engineer, Rohan Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri, Dilip Vengsarkar, Sanjay Manjrekar, G. R. Sundharam, Shishir Hattiangadi, Alan Sippy, Sairaj Bahutule, Jatin Paranjape, etc. also graduated from the PCCE. The college has presented some notable Table Tennis players to India including Kamlesh Mehta, S. Sridhar, S. Sriram, S. Ramaswamy, Vilas Menon, Vyoma Shah, etc. The other notable alumni of PCCE include the former All India Tennis Champion among under-19 women, Janaki Krishnamoorthy; the Chief Judo Coach of India, Ravindra Patil; the Squash players, Meherwan Daruwala and Parth Doshi; the popular actress, Shilpa Shetty; the contemporary dancer, Astad Daboo; etc.

With all its achievements and wonderful academic record so far, the Podar College of Commerce and Economics (PCCE) has established itself as one of the most desired educational institutions in Mumbai. The educational excellence of the college is evident from its impressive alumni list. The college is determined to produce many more great talents for serving the country in future.