# St. Xavier's College, Ahmedabad

St. Xavier's College Ahmedabad (SXCA) is a Christian minority institution of higher education in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. It was founded in 1955 by the Gujarat Jesuits of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and is the only grant-in-aid Christian college in Ahmedabad.

## History

1955: St. Xavier's College commenced its operations on 20 June 1955, initially functioning within the premises of St. Xavier’s School in Mirzapur. Fr. Frank X. Lobo from St. Xavier’s College, Bombay, was appointed as the first Principal.
1956: Rev. Fr. Herbert de Souza took over as the Principal, leading the institution forward.
1957: The College, designed by the renowned architect Atmaram Gajjar, was officially inaugurated on 5 October 1957 by Shri Morarji Desai, the Union Minister for Commerce and Industry.
1959-60: The College welcomed visits from distinguished personalities, including Field Marshal Cariappa, Cardinal Gracias, Raj Kapoor, and Gujarat’s first Governor, His Excellency Nawab Mehdi Nawaz Jung.
1959: Br. Augustus Lobo joined the staff and established the Social Service League, which later became part of the National Service Scheme.
1962: The Sisters of Carmelites of Charity (Vedruna) opened the St. Xavier’s Ladies Hostel, providing accommodation for outstation female students of the college.

## Accreditation and rankings

2001: NAAC accredits SXCA with Five stars
2006: UGC recognizes SXCA as of College with potential for excellence
2007: NAAC reaccredits SXCA with A+
2009: DBT awards SXCA ‘Star College Scheme”
2013: NAAC reaccredits SXCA with A grade
2014: St Xavier’s College is conferred Autonomous status by UGC
2016: DST awards FIST grant
2022: NAAC reaccredits SXCA with A grade
2022: UGC extends autonomous status of SXCA
The National Institutional Ranking Framework Ranking (National Level) placed SXCA in 2018 in the 65th, in 2019 in the 56th, in 2020 in the 59th, in 2021 in the 57th rank, in 2022, 52nd Rank, in 2023, 96th and in 2024, between 100-150 Rank.
St. Xavier's College (Autonomous) has been ranked among the top 50 colleges consistently by India Today rankings and other frameworks at the national level and the first rank at the city and state levels.

## Academics

The college offers courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

### Undergraduate courses

Bachelor of Arts
* Economics
* English
* Gujarati.
* Psychology
* Sanskrit
* Sociology and Development
* Theatre Production Management
Bachelor of Commerce
* BCom BPS
* BCom General
* Business Administration
Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA)
Bachelor of Science
* Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
* Biochemistry
* Biochemistry with Vocational Biotechnology
* Biotechnology
* Botany
* Computer Science
* Chemistry
* Chemistry with Industrial Chemistry
* Electronics
* Information technology (IT)
* Mathematics
* Physics
* Statistics
* Zoology

### Postgraduate courses

Master of Arts
* English
* Psychology
Master of Science
* Artificial Intelligence
* Analytical Chemistry
* Big Data Analytics
* Biotechnology
* Biochemistry
* Mathematics
* Microbiology
* Organic Chemistry
* Physics

## Education beyond Curriculum

The College has embraced the National Education Policy and incorporated a diverse range of value-based and skill-oriented syllabi into its curriculum. This includes capacity-building initiatives, human resource development modules, a Personal Growth-Oriented Programme, and numerous skill development programmes designed to unlock student potential and contribute to nation-building. With the goal of empowering students to thrive in a rapidly evolving job market, the college is proud to introduce new postgraduate and undergraduate programmes, developed with expertise from both academia and industry. The curriculum also provides extensive research opportunities, fostering innovation and opening new avenues for research and development.
Beyond academics, the college emphasizes holistic education with a strong focus on equity. Students are offered a wide array of extracurricular opportunities, including NCC, NSS, Tarumitra, women’s development initiatives, cultural activities, and various clubs. Entrepreneurial programmes in areas like tissue culture (in-Xitu) and Dexic are also available. Additionally, the college promotes physical fitness and teamwork through sports such as basketball, football, cricket, volleyball, and hockey, ensuring a well-rounded educational experience for all students.

## Notable alumni (Alumni are called Xavierites)

* Shri.Tejendra Prasadji Maharaj Head of the Swaminarayan Sect
* Mr. Raghuvir Chaudhary, Renowned Gujarati author
* Dr. Chinu Modi, Renowned Gujarati Author, Poet
* Dr. Bholabhai Patel, Renowned Gujarati Author
* Fr. Carlos Valles, Noted Gujarati, English, Spanish Author, Mathematician
* Saroop Dhruv - Poet
* Rita Kothari - author
* Dr. Sudarshan Iyengar, VC, Gujarat Vidyapeeth
* Ms. Jayshree Mehta, Steering Committee Member, UNESCO; President, Guj. Chamber of Commerce, Ladies' wing
* Ms. Nirupama Chauhan, IAS
* Justice K.A. Puj, Judge, Gujarat High Court
* Ms. Nirupama Chauhan-Toravane, IPS, 1st lady IPS, Gujarat
* Mr. Himmatsinh Mulani, Ex-Speaker, Gujarat State Assembly
* Mr. Pravinsinh Jadeja, ex-Minister, Gujarat State
* Mr. J. V. Momin, Ex-MLA
* Mr. Mahendrasinh Vaghela, President, Dt. Panchayat, Gandhinagar
* Mr. Ganpat Vasava, MLA
* Major General Nauzer Chinoy
* Dr. Abhijeet Sen Plasma Research Institute, Ahmedabad
* Dr Taslimarif Saiyed C-Camp Director
* Dr. Thomas J. Pucadyil Scientist, Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for science and Technology, Winner in 2018
* Dr. Nirali Shah Scientist and Kingston Woman of the year 2025
* Parveen Babi - actress
* Rajeev Khandelwal - actor
* Ramon Chibb - Filmmaker
* Ms. Mallika Sarabhai Dancer, Actor, Journalist
* Ms. Kavita Bambani Miss India, 1969
* Mr. Anang Desai Film Actor
* Mr. Rohit Roy Film Actor
* Ms. Aditi Mangaldas Kathak Dancer
* Ms. Ishira Parikh Kathak Dancer,
* Rohit Roy - actor
* Deeksha Joshi - actress
* Aditya Lakhia - actor
* Ms. Nikita Singh-Ghiya CEO, Aaj Tak
* Mr. Geet Sethi - International Snooker Champion
* Mr. Charles Borromeo Medalist, Asian Games,
* Mr. Janmejay Vyas Industrialist, MD, Dishman Pharmaceuticals,
* Mr. Chintan Parikh MD, Ashima Group of Industries,
* Mr. Sanjay Lalbhai MD, Lalbhai Group,
* Mr. Pankaj Patel, MD Zydus-Cadila,
* Mr. Piruz Khambhata MD, Rasna