# Education in West Bengal

"none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]]
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.

## History

Kolkata has played a pioneering role in the development of the modern education system in India. Western models of education came to India through Kolkata. 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, Shashi Bhusan Chatterjee, 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. In 1855, the Hindu College, Calcutta was renamed as the Presidency College.
William Carey established the Serampore College in Serampore City (30 km from Calcutta), 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. Although it had the charter, it was not technically a university in the modern sense of that term. 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. 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.
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. 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. In 1906, the partition of Bengal led to widespread nationalistic and anti British feelings. This led to the setting up of the National Council of Education, Bengal. This later on became the Jadavpur University in 1955. The nation's first homeopathy 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. 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 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 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.

## Structure

West Bengal schools are run by the School Education Department, West Bengal government or by private organisations, including religious institutions. Instruction is mainly in English or Bengali, though Urdu is also used, especially in Central Kolkata. The secondary schools are affiliated with the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), the Central Board for Secondary Education (CBSE), the National Institute of Open School (NIOS) or the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education. Under the 10+2+3 plan, after completing secondary school, students typically enroll for 2 years in a junior college, also known as pre-university, or in schools with a higher secondary facility affiliated with the West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education or any central board. Students choose from one of three streams, namely liberal arts, commerce or science. Upon completing the required coursework, students may enrol in general or professional degree programs. South Point School, St. Xaviers Collegiate School, Baranagore Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama High School etc. are some of the best schools of West Bengal.

## Major universities

In West Bengal there is one central university, twenty seven state universities, eleven private universities and two deemed university. Besides, there are three Regional Centres of IGNOU at Siliguri, Kolkata and Raghunathganj and one Sub - Regional Centre of IGNOU at Darjeeling.

### State universities

| University | Location | Type | Established | Specialization |
| Aliah University | Kolkata | State | 1781 | Arts, Sciences, Engineering, Management, Islamic Studies |
| Alipurduar University | Alipurduar | State | 2020 | Arts,Science |
| Bankura University | Bankura | State | 2014 | Arts, Sciences, Engineering, Law |
| Scottish church college | Nadia | State | 1974 | Agriculture, Horticulture and Agricultural Engineering |
| Biswa Bangla Biswabidyalay | Bolpur | State | 2020 | Science, Arts and Commerce |
| University of Burdwan | Bardhaman | State | 1960 | Arts, Sciences, Commerce, Engineering and Law |
| University of Calcutta | Kolkata | State | 1857 | Arts, Sciences, Commerce, Engineering and Law |
| Cooch Behar Panchanan Barma University | Cooch Behar | State | 2012 | Arts, Sciences |
| Dakshin Dinajpur University | Balurghat | State | 2021 | Humanities and Basic Sciences |
| Darjeeling Hills University | Darjeeling | State | 2021 | Humanities and Basic Sciences |
| Diamond Harbour Women's University | Diamond Harbour | State | 2013 | Humanities and Basic Sciences |
| University of Gour Banga | Malda | State | 2008 | Arts, Sciences, and Commerce |
| Harichand Guruchand University | Gaighata | State | 2021 | Arts, Sciences, and Commerce |
| Hindi University | Howrah | State | 2021 | Languages |
| University of Kalyani | Kalyani | State | 1960 | Arts, Sciences, Commerce and Law |
| Jadavpur | Kolkata | StateAutonomous | 1955 | Engineering, Technology, Science, Arts and Commerce |
| Kanyashree University | Krishnanagar | State | 2020 | Arts, Sciences and Commerce |
| Kazi Nazrul University | Asansol | State | 2012 | Arts, Sciences, Commerce, law and Engineering. |
| Mahatma Gandhi University, West Bengal | Mahishadal | State | 2020 | Arts, Sciences and Commerce. |
| Maulana nsjqns shanavsvodls | Kolkata | State | 2000 | Engineering and Management |
| Murshidabad University | Berhampore | State | 2021 | Arts, Sciences and Commerce |
| Netaji Subhas Open University | Kolkata | State and distance education | 1998 | Arts, Sciences, and Commerce |
| University of North Bengal | Siliguri | State | 1962 | Arts, Sciences, Commerce, and Law |
| Presidency University | Kolkata | State | 1817 | Arts and Sciences |
| Rabindra Bharati University | Kolkata | State | 1962 | Arts, Fine Arts, and Performing Arts |
| Raiganj University | Raiganj | State | 2015 | Humanities, Science |
| Rani Rashmoni Green University | Tarakeswar | State | 2020 | Science |
| Sadhu Ram Chand Murmu University | Jhargram | State | 2021 | Science, Arts and Commerce |
| Senate of Serampore College (University) | Serampore | State | 1818 | Theology |
| Sidho Kanho Birsha University | Purulia | State | 2010 | Arts and Sciences |
| The Sanskrit College and University | Kolkata | State | 2015 | Sanskrit, Languages |
| Uttar Banga Krishi Vishwavidyalaya | Cooch Behar | State | 2001 | Agriculture, Horticulture |
| Vidyasagar University | Midnapur | State | 1981 | Arts, Sciences, Commerce and Law |
| West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences | Kolkata | State | 1999 | Law |
| West Bengal State University | Barasat | State | 2008 | Arts, Sciences, Commerce and Law |
| West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences | Kolkata | State | 1995 | Veterinary & Animal Sciences |
| West Bengal University of Health Sciences | Kolkata | State | 2003 | Medicine |
| West Bengal University of Teachers' Training, Education Planning and Administration | Kolkata | State | 2015 | Teachers Training, B.Ed. M.Ed |

### Central University

| University | Location | Type | Established | Specialization | Sources |
| Visva-Bharati University | Santiniketan (Bolpur) | Central University | 1921 | Arts and Sciences | |
| Aligarh Muslim University: Murshidabad Centre | Jangipur (Murshidabad) | Central University | 2010 | Arts, Sciences and Management | |

### Centrally Funded Technical Institutes & Other Premier institution Campuses

* Ghani Khan Choudhury Institute of Engineering & Technology, Malda
* National Institute of Technical Teachers' Training and Research, Kolkata
* National Power Training Institute Durgapur Campus
* IIFT, Kolkata Campus
* Marine Engineering and Research Institute
* Footwear Design and Development Institute Kolkata Campus

### Institute of National Importance

| University | Location | Type | Established | Specialization |
| Indian Institute of Management Calcutta | Joka | Autonomous | 1961 | Social Sciences and Management |
| Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kolkata | Haringhata | Autonomous | 2006 | Basic Sciences, Applied Sciences |
| Indian Statistical Institute | Baranagar | Autonomous | 1959 | Basic Sciences, Applied Sciences, Social Sciences |
| Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur | Kharagpur | Autonomous | 1951 | Science, Management, Engineering & Technology, Law |
| Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur | Howrah | Autonomous | 1856 | Sciences, Management, Engineering & Technology |
| Indian Institute of Information Technology, Kalyani | Kalyani | Autonomous | 2014 | Engineering & Technology, Sciences |
| National Institute of Technology, Durgapur | Durgapur | Autonomous | 1960 | Engineering & Technology, Sciences, Management |
| National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kolkata | Kolkata | Autonomous | 2007 | Pharmacy |
| All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Kalyani | Kalyani | Autonomous | 2019 | Medical |

### Deemed universities

| University | Location | Type | Established | Specialization | Sources |
| Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science | Kolkata | Deemed | 1876 | Basic sciences, applied sciences | |
| Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute | Belur Math | Deemed | 2005 | Agricultural Management, Rural Development, Basic Sciences, Indian Culture and Spirituality | |

### Private universities

| University | Location | Type | Established | Specialization |
| Adamas University | Barasat | Private | 2014 | Sciences, Management, Humanities, Engineering & Technology |
| Amity University, Kolkata | New Town | Global Private | 2015 | Sciences, Management, Humanities, Engineering & Technology |
| Brainware University | Kolkata | Private | 2015 | Engineering & Technology, Agriculture, Sciences, Management, Law, Pharmacy, Nursing, Humanities, Psychology |
| International Management Institute Kolkata | Kolkata | Autonomous Management Institute | 2011 | Management |
| JIS University | Agarpara | Private | 2014 | Science, Engineering & Technology, Pharmacy, Management, Law |
| Neotia University | Sarisha | Private | 2015 | Sciences, Management, Humanities, Engineering & Technology |
| Seacom Skills University | Santiniketan (Bolpur) | Private | 2014 | Sciences, Engineering & Technology |
| Sister Nivedita University | New Town | Private | 2017 | Science, Engineering & Technology, Management, Social Science & Women Studies |
| St. Xavier's University, Kolkata | Kolkata | Private | 2017 | Management, Commerce, Humanities, Mass Communication |
| Swami Vivekananda University, Barrackpore | Barrackpore | Private | 2020 | Science, Management, Agriculture, Engineering & Technology |
| Techno India University | Kolkata | Private | 2012 | Sciences, Management, Engineering & Technology |
| University of Engineering & Management (UEM), Kolkata | New Town | Private | 2015 | Engineering, Technology & Management |

## Research Institutes

Research Institutes of West Bengal :
| Institute | Location | Established | Specialization |
| Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics | Kolkata | 1950 | Science |
| S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences | Kolkata | 1986 | Science |
| Bose Institute | Kolkata | 1917 | Science |
| Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre | Kolkata | 1977 | Science |
| Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute | Kolkata | 1950 | Science and Technology |
| Indian Institute of Chemical Biology | Kolkata | 1935 | Science |
| Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute | Durgapur | 1958 | Science and Technology |
| Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute | Kolkata | 1959 | Science |
| National Institute of Biomedical Genomics | Kalyani | 2010 | Science |
| Central Research Institute for Jute and Allied Fibers | Kolkata | 1953 | Science and Technology |
| Indian Centre for Space Physics | Kolkata | 1999 | Science |
| National Institute of Research on Jute and Allied Fibre Technology | Kolkata | 1938 | Science and Technology |

## Medical Colleges

| Name | Established | City | University | Type |
| Bankura Sammilani Medical College | 1956 | Bankura | WBUHS | State Funded |
| Barasat Government Medical College and Hospital | 2022 | Barasat | WBUHS | State Funded |
| Burdwan Medical College | 1969 | Purba Bardhaman | WBUHS | State Funded |
| Calcutta National Medical College | 1948 | Kolkata | WBUHS | State Funded |
| College Of Medicine & JNM Hospital | 2009 | Kalyani | University Campus | State Funded |
| College of Medicine & Sagore Dutta Hospital | 2010 | Kolkata | WBUHS | State Funded |
| Coochbehar Government Medical College and Hospital | 2019 | Coochbehar | WBUHS | State Funded |
| Deben Mahata Government Medical College and Hospital | 2020 | Purulia | WBUHS | State Funded |
| ESIC Medical College, Kolkata | 2013 | Joka | WBUHS | Central Funded |
| Gouri Devi Institute of Medical Sciences and Hospital | 2016 | Durgapur | WBUHS | Private |
| ICARE Institute of Medical Sciences and Research | 2011 | Haldia | WBUHS | Private |
| IPGMER and SSKM Hospital | 1707 | Kolkata | WBUHS | State Funded |
| IQ City Medical College | 2016 | Durgapur | WBUHS | Private |
| Jalpaiguri Government Medical College and Hospital | 2022 | Jalpaiguri | WBUHS | State Funded |
| JIS Institute of Medical Science and Research | 2023 | Santragachi | WBUHS | Private |
| JMN Medical College | 2016 | Chakdah | WBUHS | Private |
| Jagannath Gupta Institute of Medical Sciences and Hospital | 2016 | Kolkata | WBUHS | Private |
| Jhargram Government Medical College and Hospital | 2022 | Jhargram | WBUHS | State Funded |
| KPC Medical College and Hospital | 2006 | Kolkata | WBUHS | Private |
| Malda Medical College and Hospital | 2011 | Malda | WBUHS | State Funded |
| Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata | 1835 | Kolkata | WBUHS | State Funded |
| Midnapore Medical College and Hospital | 2004 | Midnapore | WBUHS | State Funded |
| Murshidabad Medical College | 2012 | Berhampore | WBUHS | State Funded |
| Nil Ratan Sarkar Medical College and Hospital | 1873 | Kolkata | WBUHS | State Funded |
| North Bengal Medical College | 1968 | Siliguri | WBUHS | State Funded |
| Diamond Harbour Government Medical College and Hospital | 2019 | Diamond Harbour | WBUHS | State Funded |
| Prafulla Chandra Sen Government Medical College and Hospital | 2022 | Arambagh | WBUHS | State Funded |
| Raiganj Government Medical College and Hospital | 2019 | Raiganj | WBUHS | State Funded |
| Rampurhat Government Medical College and Hospital | 2019 | Birbhum | WBUHS | State Funded |
| Shri Ramkrishna Institute of Medical Sciences and Sanaka Hospital | 2015 | Durgapur | WBUHS | Private |
| R. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital | 1886 | Kolkata | WBUHS | State Funded |
| Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay Government Medical College and Hospital | 2022 | Uluberia | WBUHS | State Funded |
| Tamralipto Government Medical College and Hospital | 2022 | Tamluk | WBUHS | State Funded |
| Dr B C Roy Institute of Medical Sciences & Research | 2024 | Kharagpur | WBUHS | State Funded |

## Allied Health Sciences Institutes

State Medical Faculty of West Bengal