In the early fifties, Under “Community Development Programme” Community Development Blocks were set up in the country to promote social and economic development of villages. Imparting trainings to Village level functionaries is one of the main activities of this programme. To meet that need ,in the holy town of Srikalahasti , Extension Training Centre was established in 01-08-1955 as “Basic Agriculture School” to impart training to the Village Level Workers in Agriculture and allied subjects. It was converted into “Grama sevak’s Training Centre” with effect from 1-10-1958 to impart foundation training to the Village Level Workers for a period of two years .Administrative building was inaugurated by Sri. Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy, the then chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh in 1959.

Stone Plaque –Inaugurated by Neelam Sanjeeva reddy:

The Gramsevak’s Training Centre was renamed as “Village Development Officers Training Centre” from June, 1972 to impart training to the Village Development Officers. This institute’s name was again changed as evolved into present day “Extension Training Centre” from 07-08-2002. It is one of the oldest institutes in the State under the administrative control of Andhra Pradesh State Institute of Rural Development and Panchayathraj (APSIRD & PR), Vijayawada . It comes under the Department of PR & RD.

ETC has enchanting heritage nature buildings(about 90 years old) in its campus constructed by zamindars of Srikalahasti. They are worth to look and spend some time. Usually our trainees used to go for a short heritage walk around the buildings and enjoy the beauty of Britis architectural style of the buildings and tranquillity surrounding them .