The Indian state of West Bengal is the site of India's first modern university. Thirty-three universities are listed in the state by the University Grants Commission. [1]
In West Bengal the medium of instruction in colleges and universities is usually Bengali or English. Diploma, certificate courses, advanced diploma program, postgraduate courses and doctoral programs are offered. Research programs offered by the universities are conducted with the aid of specialised institutes.
Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal has played a pioneering role in the development of the modern education system in India. Western models of education came to India through this city. Many of the first schools and colleges were established by the missionaries and reformists. Sir William Jones (philologist) established the Asiatic Society in 1784 for promoting oriental studies. People like Ram Mohan Roy, David Hare, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Ashutosh Mukherjee and William Carey played a leading role in the setting up of modern schools and colleges in the city. The Fort William College was established in 1800. The Hindu College was established in 1817, renamed the Presidency College in 1855. [2]
William Carey established the Serampore College in the city of Serampore in 1818. It went on to become India's first modern university in 1827 when it was incorporated by a Royal Charter as a Danish University. The Sanskrit College was established in 1824. Reverend Alexander Duff of the Church of Scotland established the General Assembly's Institution in 1830 and later the Free Church Institution in 1844, which were later merged to form what is now known as the Scottish Church College, Calcutta. These institutions played a significant role in what came to be known as the Young Bengal Movement and the Bengal Renaissance. La Martiniere Calcutta was established in 1836.
The oldest medical school in Asia, the Calcutta Medical College was set up in 1835. In 1857, the University of Calcutta was established as the first full-fledged multi-disciplinary university in south Asia. It was modelled on the lines of the University of London. Today it is amongst the largest multidisciplinary universities of India and offers some of the widest number of academic disciplines for study.
John Bethune established a school for Indian girls in 1850 at a time when women's education was frowned upon in the society. The Bethune College for girls was set up by him in 1879. [3]
In 1856 technical and engineering education came with the establishment of a civil engineering college / department. This setup went through various reorganisations to finally become the Bengal Engineering College in 1921. The Jesuit administered St Xavier's College was established in 1860. Bengal Engineering and Science University is the second oldest engineering institutes in the country and it was started in the year 1864. They offer the following programs such as B.E, M.E, MCA, MBA, MSC, B. Arch. and Ph.D. programs. Apart from this they also provide part-time courses in the evening for the professionals. [4] [ better source needed ]
The nation's first homoeopathy college was established in the city in 1880. In 1883 Kadambini Ganguly and Chandramukhi Basu became the first women graduates from the University of Calcutta. In the process, they became the first female graduates of the British Empire. Kadambini went on to become the first female physician trained in the Western system of medicine in South Asia.
In 1906, the partition of Bengal led to widespread nationalistic and anti-British feelings. [5] This led to the setting up of the National Council of Education, Bengal. The Science College was established in 1917. The first blind school came into being in 1925.
After independence, Calcutta continued to be in the forefront of the educational scene. The Government College of Art & Craft was established in 1951. The National Council of Education became the Jadavpur University in 1955. The Rabindra Bharati University was established in 1962. This university offers courses in the fine and performing arts. The Indian Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management was set up in 1953 as the country's first management institute and is also the first in the country to offer an MBA degree of a university. The first, Indian Institute of Technology was set up at Kharagpur about 120 km (75 mi) from Calcutta. In 1960 the Regional Engineering college (presently National Institute of Technology) at Durgapur was set up. It is amongst the top NITs in India and also among the oldest. Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, the first among the Indian Institutes of Management, was set up in 1961 at Joka. It was the first national institute for post-graduate studies and research in management sciences. It was established with the help of the MIT Sloan School of Management and the Ford Foundation.
Institutes and universities with particular special status or funding arrangements include: Institutes of Eminence (IoE), Institutes of National Importance (INI); central universities, Government Funded Technical Institutes (GFTI); and the deemed universities. Types with specialist functions include research institutes and universities with national recognition for their field of education.
Institution | Location | Status (Type) | Established | Specialisation | Sources |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur | IoE | ||||
Jadavpur University | IoE* | *Note: recommended only, pending as of 2023 [update] | |||
Indian Institute of Management Calcutta | Joka | INI (Autonomous) | 1961 | Social Sciences and Management | [6] |
Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kolkata | Haringhata | INI (Autonomous) | 2006 | Basic sciences, applied sciences | [7] |
Indian Statistical Institute | Baranagar | INI (Autonomous) | 1959 | Basic sciences, applied sciences, social sciences | [8] |
Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur | Kharagpur | INI (Autonomous) | 1951 | Science, Management, Engineering & Technology, Law | [9] |
Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur | Howrah | INI (Autonomous) | 1856 | Sciences, Management, Engineering & Technology | [10] |
Indian Institute of Information Technology, Kalyani | Kalyani | INI (Autonomous) | 2014 | Engineering & Technology, Sciences | [11] |
National Institute of Technology, Durgapur | Durgapur | INI (Autonomous) | 1960 | Engineering & Technology, Sciences, Management | [12] |
National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kolkata | Kolkata | INI (Autonomous) | 2007 | Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Engineering | [13] |
All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Kalyani | Kalyani | INI (Autonomous) | 2019 | Medical, Nursing | [14] |
Visva-Bharati University | Shantiniketan | Central University | 1921 | Arts, Sciences, Social Work, Agriculture, Fine arts, Designing, Music, Drama | [15] |
Ghani Khan Choudhury Institute of Engineering & Technology | Malda district | GFTI | 2010 | Engineering | [16] |
Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science | Kolkata | Deemed university | 1876 | Basic sciences, applied sciences | [17] |
Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute | Belur Math | Deemed university | 2005 | Agricultural Management, Rural Development, Basic Sciences, Indian Culture and Spirituality | [18] |
National Institute of Technical Teachers' Training and Research, Kolkata | Kolkata | Deemed university | 1965 | Engineering & Technology | [19] |
Status categories: IoE – Institutes of Eminence; INI – Institutes of National Importance; GFTI – Government Funded Technical Institutes |
Universities in India may be public or private. Other than the central universities –of which there is one in West Bengal –public universities are funded by the state government. Non-government universities are privately funded. Public state universities are listed in the first table shown below, with private universities in a separate second table below that.
University | Location | Type | Est. | Specialisation | Sources |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adamas University | Barasat | Private | 2014 | Sciences, Management, Humanities, Engineering & Technology | [72] |
Amity University, Kolkata | New Town | Global Private | 2015 | Sciences, Management, Humanities, Engineering & Technology | [73] |
Brainware University | Kolkata | Private | 2015 | Engineering & Technology, Agriculture, Sciences, Management, Law, Pharmacy, Nursing, Humanities, Psychology | [74] |
International Management Institute Kolkata | Kolkata | Autonomous Management Institute | 2011 | Management | [75] |
JIS University | Agarpara | Private | 2014 | Science, Engineering & Technology, Pharmacy, Management, Law | [76] |
Neotia University | Sarisha | Private | 2015 | Sciences, Management, Agriculture, Humanities, Engineering & Technology | [77] |
Seacom Skills University | Santiniketan (Bolpur) | Private | 2014 | Sciences, Engineering & Technology | [78] |
Sister Nivedita University | New Town | Private | 2017 | Science, Engineering & Technology, Management, Social Science & Women Studies | [79] |
St. Xavier's University, Kolkata | Kolkata | Private | 2017 | Management, Commerce, Humanities, Law, Mass Communication | [80] |
Swami Vivekananda University, Barrackpore | Barrackpore | Private | 2020 | Science, Engineering & Technology, Management, Social Science & Women Studies | [81] |
Techno India University | Kolkata | Private | 2012 | Sciences, Management, Engineering & Technology | [82] |
University of Engineering & Management (UEM), Kolkata | New Town | Private | 2015 | Engineering, Technology & Management | [83] |
There are several types of medical colleges in West Bengal with funding from different sources. Of the thirty-three listed below, nine are privately funded, and twenty-three are state government-funded. One is centrally-funded and -administered by the Indian Ministry of Labour and Employment through the autonomous Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC). The West Bengal University of Health Sciences (WBUHS) is the affiliating university with jurisdiction for medical colleges in the state.
AYUSH institutions provide training in alternative medicine and traditional health care systems of South Asia (ayurveda, yoga and naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa, and homeopathy). These systems are governed in India by the ministry of Ayush.
Government Funded:
| Privately Funded:
|
Name | Est. | City | Affiliation | Type | Degrees Offered (Engineering Only) | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IIT Kharagpur | 1951 | Kharagpur | Ministry of Education, Government of India | Public | B.Tech., M.Tech., Ph.D. | [91] |
NIT Durgapur | 1960 | Durgapur | Ministry of Education, Government of India | Public | B.Tech., M.Tech., Ph.D. | [92] |
IIEST Shibpur | 1856 | Howrah | Ministry of Education, Government of India | Public | B.Tech., M.Tech., Ph.D. | [93] |
ISI Kolkata | 1931 | Kolkata | MoSPI, Government of India | Public | M.Tech., Ph.D. | [94] |
IIIT Kalyani | 2014 | Kalyani | Ministry of Education, Government of India, Government of West Bengal, Coal India | Semi-Public | B.Tech., M.Tech., Ph.D. | [95] |
Jadavpur University | 1955 | Kolkata | Government of West Bengal | Public | B.E., M.E., Ph.D. | [96] |
UCSTA Calcutta | 1914 | Kolkata | Calcutta University, Government of West Bengal | Public | B.Tech., M.Tech. | [97] |
UIT Burdwan | 1999 | Burdwan | Burdwan University, Government of West Bengal | Public | B.E., M.E. | [98] |
Kalyani University | 1960 | Kalyani | Government of West Bengal | Public | B.Tech., M.Tech. | [99] |
Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya | 1974 | Mohanpur | Government of West Bengal | Public | B.Tech., M.Tech., Ph.D. | [100] |
Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya | 2001 | Pundibari | Government of West Bengal | Public | B.Tech. | [101] |
West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences | 1995 | Mohanpur | Government of West Bengal | Public | B.Tech., M.Tech., Ph.D. | [102] |
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology | 2001 | Haringhata | Government of West Bengal | Public | B.Tech., M.Tech., Ph.D. | [103] |
Kazi Nazrul University | 2012 | Asansol | Government of West Bengal | Public | B.Tech. | [104] |
Aliah University | 2008 | Kolkata | Government of West Bengal | Public | B.Tech., M.Tech., Ph.D. | [105] |
Ghani Khan Choudhury Institute of Engineering & Technology | 2010 | Malda | GFTI | Semi-Public | B.Tech. | [106] |
Adamas University | 2014 | Barasat | AICTE | Private | B.Tech., M.Tech., Ph.D. | [107] |
University of Engineering & Management, Kolkata | 2015 | Kolkata | AICTE | Private | B.Tech., M.Tech., Ph.D. | [108] |
JIS University | 2014 | Agarpara | AICTE | Private | B.Tech., M.Tech., Ph.D. | [109] |
Seacom Skills University | 2014 | Bolpur | AICTE | Private | B.Tech., M.Tech. | [110] |
Sister Nivedita University | 2017 | Kolkata | AICTE | Private | B.Tech., M.Tech., Ph.D. | [111] |
Swami Vivekananda University, Barrackpore | 2020 | Barrackpore | AICTE | Private | B.Tech., M.Tech. | [112] |
Techno India University | 2012 | Salt Lake Sector-V | AICTE | Private | B.Tech., M.Tech., Ph.D. | [113] |
Name | Established | Location | Type | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
Alipurduar Government Engineering and Management College | 2023 | Alipurduar | State | [114] |
Cooch Behar Government Engineering College | 2016 | Cooch Behar | State | |
Government College of Engineering and Leather Technology | 1919 | Salt Lake City, Kolkata | State | |
Government College of Engineering & Textile Technology | 1927 | Berhampore, Murshidabad | State | |
Government College of Engineering and Ceramic Technology | 1941 | Kolkata | State | |
Government College of Engineering & Textile Technology | 1908 | Serampore, Hooghly district | State | |
Jalpaiguri Government Engineering College | 1961 | Jalpaiguri | State | |
Kalyani Government Engineering College | 1995 | Kalyani, Nadia | State | |
Ramkrishna Mahato Government Engineering College | 2016 | Joypur, Purulia | State |
Government general degree colleges (GGDC) are public educational institutes set up and administered under the University Grants Commission (UGC). State or union governments manage them, but the colleges are affiliated to a university for their course structure.
In Cooch Behar:
Within Darjeeling:
In Howrah:
In Jalpaiguri:
Located in Nadia district:
Located within North 24 Parganas:
Asansol is a city in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is the second largest city in West Bengal. It is the 33rd largest urban agglomeration in India by population. Asansol is the district headquarters of Paschim Bardhaman district. According to a 2010 report released by the International Institute for Environment and Development, a UK-based policy research non-governmental body, Asansol was ranked 11th among Indian cities and 42nd in the world in its list of 100 fastest-growing cities. Asansol is classed as a Y-category city for calculation of HRA for public servants making it a "Tier-II" city.
Bardhaman, officially Bardhaman Sadar, is a city and municipality in the state of West Bengal, India. It is the headquarters of Purba Bardhaman district, having become a district capital during the period of British rule. Burdwan, an alternative name for the city, has remained in use since then.
Durgapur is a major industrial city and a planned urban agglomeration in the Indian state of West Bengal. Located in Paschim Bardhaman district, economy and technology wise it is the most important city and urban agglomeration of West Bengal next to Kolkata and also the most important industrial hub of West Bengal. The population of Durgapur withing city is around 726,000, while the metropolitan area of Durgapur is home to nearly 1.2 million people. Durgapur is classified as a Y-category city for calculation of HRA for public servants making it a "Tier-II" city. It was planned by two American architects, Joseph Allen Stein and Benjamin Polk in 1955. Durgapur is the only city in eastern India to have an operational dry dock. Durgapur has been nicknamed the 'Ruhr of India'.
Jhargram is a small planned town and a municipality in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is the headquarters of the Jhargram district. It is a popular tourist destination known for its forests, ancient temples and royal palaces.
Bishnupur is a city and a municipality and in the district of Bankura in the state of West Bengal, India. It is famous for its terracotta temples built by the Malla rulers, historic Radha Krishna temples built during 1600–1800 CE and the Baluchari sarees. Since 1997, the temples of Bishnupur is on the UNESCO World Heritage Site's Tentative list.
Education in West Bengal is provided by both the public sector as well as the private sector. Health Sciences, University of North Bengal and University of Calcutta.
Arambagh also known as Arambag is a town and a municipality in Hooghly district in the state of West Bengal, India. It is the headquarters of Arambagh subdivision.
The University of Burdwan is a public state university located in Purba Bardhaman, West Bengal, India. It was established by the West Bengal Government as a teaching and affiliating university on 15 June 1960 with six graduate departments and 30 undergraduate colleges spread over three districts that come under the jurisdiction of the university. The university currently offers more than 30 undergraduate and 66 postgraduate courses. It has grown as the second largest state university in West Bengal after Calcutta University.Over the years, the University has consistently performed in the NIRF ranking by securing rank within top 100 under ‘University’ Category and occupied the rank of 89, 92, 85 and 87 in the years 2019, 2020, 2021 & 2022 respectively.
Bankura Sadar subdivision is a subdivision of the Bankura district in the state of West Bengal, India.
Asansol Sadar subdivision is an administrative subdivision of the Paschim Bardhaman district in the state of West Bengal, India.
Durgapur subdivision is an administrative subdivision of the Paschim Bardhaman district in the state of West Bengal, India.
Bardhaman Sadar North subdivision is an administrative subdivision of the Purba Bardhaman district in the state of West Bengal, India.
Barrackpore subdivision is an administrative subdivision of the North 24 Parganas district in the Indian state of West Bengal.
Dishergarh is a neighbourhood in Asansol of Paschim Bardhaman district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is governed by Asansol Municipal Corporation. It is situated at the border of the Purulia district and Paschim Bardhaman district in West Bengal. The State Highway 5 (SH5) passes through Dishergarh. The neighbourhood is located on the banks of Damodar River.
The Mallabhum Institute of Technology (MIT) is located in Bishnupur, Bankura, West Bengal, India. The college is approved by the All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE), Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India and Directorate of Higher Education, Government of West Bengal.
Bankura University is a public state university in Bankura, West Bengal, India. It was established by an Act of the West Bengal legislature notified in the Kolkata Gazette. It offers courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Paschim Bardhaman district is a predominantly urban mining-industrial district in West Bengal. The headquarter of the district is Asansol. It was formed on 7 April 2017 after bifurcation of the erstwhile Bardhaman district as the 23rd district of West Bengal.