The University of Calcutta, established in 1857 by an Act of the Legislative Council of India, is one of the three original teaching-and-affiliating universities created in British India (along with Bombay and Madras). A state public university governed by the Government of West Bengal, it affiliates over 150 undergraduate colleges across Kolkata, South 24 Parganas, Howrah, and Hooghly districts, and operates its own postgraduate departments in arts, science, commerce, law, technology, and management.
NIRF 2025 ranks it #39 among universities, #47 Overall, and #48 in Research. NAAC accreditation is Grade A (CGPA 3.20) from the 3rd cycle announced in January 2017. UG admission at affiliated colleges is merit-based on Class 12 marks without CUET; PG admission to university departments uses a merit-cum-entrance route. Annual fees in government departments are among the lowest in India (Rs 2,600-8,000/year). The university maintains 17 hostels across its campuses.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | University of Calcutta |
| Founded | 1857 |
| Type | State affiliating university (government, public) |
| Ownership | Government (West Bengal) |
| Location | 87/1 College Street, Kolkata 700073 (Senate House; main administrative campus) |
| Total Campuses | 14 distributed campuses across Kolkata (total 119.7 acres) |
| Affiliated Colleges | 151 UG colleges + 16 institutes/centres |
| Total Students | 200,000+ (across all affiliated colleges and departments) |
| NAAC Grade | A (CGPA 3.20; 3rd cycle, January 2017) |
| NIRF 2025 | University #39 |
| UG Admission | Merit-based (Class 12 marks); CU counselling portal; no CUET |
| PG Admission | 80% seats for CU graduates by merit; 20% via CU entrance exam |
| Hostel | 17 hostels (8 women's, 9 men's); Rs 2,040-4,300/yr (heavily subsidised) |
| Website | caluniv.ac.in |
The University of Calcutta's own departments primarily offer postgraduate and doctoral programmes. Undergraduate programmes at university-run science colleges (Rajabazar Science College, Ballygunge Science College) are limited in seat count. The bulk of UG students attend affiliated colleges (150+).
Undergraduate (3-5 years, at university campuses or affiliated colleges):
| Programme | Duration | Annual Fee (Approx.) | Total Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| BA (Hons) / BA General | 3 years | Rs 2,600-3,000/yr | Rs 7,800-9,000 |
| B.Com (Hons) / B.Com General | 3 years | Rs 2,600-3,000/yr | Rs 7,800-9,000 |
| B.Sc (Hons) / B.Sc General | 3 years | Rs 3,000-3,500/yr | Rs 9,000-10,500 |
| BCA (Bachelor of Computer Applications) | 3 years | Rs 15,000/yr | Rs 45,000 |
| BA LLB (5-year integrated, Faculty of Law, Hazra Road) | 5 years | Rs 5,000-5,500/yr | Rs 25,000-27,500 |
Postgraduate (2-3 years, university departments):
| Programme | Duration | Annual Fee (Approx.) | Total Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| MA (various departments) | 2 years | Rs 5,000-6,500/yr | Rs 10,000-13,000 |
| M.Com | 2 years | Rs 7,000/yr | Rs 14,000 |
| M.Sc (various sciences) | 2 years | Rs 7,000-8,200/yr | Rs 14,000-16,400 |
| MCA | 2 years | Rs 28,000-30,000/yr | Rs 56,000-60,000 |
| LLB (3-year standalone, after graduation) | 3 years | Rs 8,000-10,000/yr | Rs 24,000-30,000 |
| MBA (Institute of Business Management) | 2 years | Rs 80,000/yr | Rs 1,60,000 |
Fees shown are for government-aided seats in university departments. Affiliated college fees vary by college and may be slightly higher. Verify current fees at caluniv.ac.in before applying.
The University of Calcutta does not use CUET for UG or PG admissions. Admission processes differ by programme:
UG Admission (Affiliated Colleges -- BA, B.Sc, B.Com):
UG Admission (University Campuses -- BCA, Science Colleges):
BA LLB (5-year integrated, Faculty of Law, Hazra Road):
PG Admission (MA, M.Sc, M.Com, MCA):
PhD:
| Scholarship | Eligibility | Award |
|---|---|---|
| Swami Vivekananda Merit Cum Means Scholarship (SVMCM) | West Bengal students; 75%+ in qualifying exam; family income below Rs 2.5 lakh/yr; all streams | Rs 12,000-96,000/yr; apply via svmcm.wbhed.gov.in |
| Kanyashree K3 (PG category) | Women pursuing PG in West Bengal; 45%+ UG marks; no separate income certificate | Rs 12,000-24,000/yr; linked to SVMCM portal |
| GoI Post-Matric Scholarship (SC) | SC students; family income below Rs 2.5 lakh/yr | Full tuition reimbursement + Rs 4,500-6,000/yr maintenance; apply via NSP |
| GoI Post-Matric Scholarship (ST) | ST students; family income below Rs 2.5 lakh/yr | Full tuition reimbursement + maintenance; apply via NSP |
| Central Sector Scholarship (CSSS) | Top 20% Class 12 board scorers; income below Rs 8 lakh/yr | Rs 10,000/yr (UG Yrs 1-3); Rs 20,000/yr (PG); apply via NSP |
| G.P. Birla Educational Foundation Scholarship | Students from West Bengal or Jharkhand with financial need | Tuition + hostel + one-time book grant |
| University Merit Scholarship | Top academic performers each year in each department | Cash award or fee waiver; applied automatically by the university |
SC/ST students should apply via both the West Bengal SVMCM portal and NSP simultaneously on receiving admission confirmation. SVMCM is the most impactful state scholarship and covers a very wide range of programmes at CU and its affiliated colleges.
The University of Calcutta operates across 14 distributed campuses in the Kolkata metropolitan area. The Senate House administrative campus is at 87/1 College Street, Kolkata 700073. Other key campuses: Ballygunge Science College (~16 acres, Ballygunge), Rajabazar Science College (North Kolkata), Alipore campus (some departments), and Hazra Road campus (Faculty of Law). Total campus area across all 14 sites: 119.7 acres.
The Senate House (College Street campus) is at the heart of Kolkata's educational corridor -- adjacent to Presidency University, Calcutta Medical College, and the Book Bazaar (world's largest second-hand book market).
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Total campus area | 119.7 acres (across 14 distributed campuses) |
| Main address | 87/1 College Street, Kolkata 700073 |
| Hostels | 17 campus hostels (8 women's, 9 men's) |
| Hostel fees | Rs 2,040-4,300/yr (accommodation only; heavily subsidised) |
| Mess / food | ~Rs 1,500/month additional |
| Hostel eligibility | Students whose home is 60+ km from campus |
| Estimated hostel capacity | 1,500-2,000 seats |
| Nearest Metro | Central / Mahatma Gandhi Road (College Street area) |
| Transport | Metro (Central station), bus routes on College Street |
Hostels are in high demand relative to capacity. Outstation students should apply for hostel at the time of admission. Day scholars from Kolkata commute via Metro from Central, Shyambazar (for North Kolkata campuses), and Ballygunge (for the South Kolkata science campus).
The University of Calcutta was established in 1857, one of the three founding modern universities in India under colonial administration. Rabindranath Tagore attended affiliated Presidency College; multiple Nobel laureates, Presidents, and national leaders trace their academic roots to CU-affiliated institutions. This 168-year institutional history carries genuine weight in public sector, academic, and civil service careers. For students choosing between a government university and a newer private institution, this lineage matters, particularly in West Bengal's public sector job market where a CU degree from a reputed affiliated college remains a recognized credential.
NIRF 2025 places CU at University #39, Overall #47, Research #48, and State Public University #15. These are national rankings for a state government university with annual fees of Rs 2,600-8,200 -- among the lowest in India for a nationally ranked institution. The university hosts active research in pure science, humanities, and social science. For students who cannot afford private university fees but have the merit to compete, CU offers a nationally recognized degree at near-zero cost.
CU affiliates 151 UG colleges across Kolkata, South 24 Parganas, Howrah, and Hooghly. Well-known affiliated colleges include Lady Brabourne, Scottish Church, St. Xavier's Kolkata, Bethune, and formerly Presidency (now autonomous). Degrees from these colleges carry the University of Calcutta affiliation and are recognized by UPSC, state PSCs, and central government employers. The college choice within the CU system matters -- top CU-affiliated colleges are competitive with cutoffs above 90% for popular science programmes, while many others are accessible.
CU operates its own postgraduate teaching departments in 75+ subjects including physics, chemistry, molecular biology, economics, sociology, law, management, and computer applications. The Research rank of #48 reflects active PhD output. For students wanting to pursue PhD or research-oriented PG in West Bengal at a government institution, CU departments remain the primary option, with access to research funding via DST, DBT, CSIR, and UGC.
UG fees in aided departments are Rs 2,600-3,300/year. PG fees are Rs 5,000-8,200/year. 17 campus hostels (8 for women, 9 for men) with heavily subsidised fees of Rs 2,040-4,300/year. Students from West Bengal can access the Swami Vivekananda Merit Cum Means Scholarship (SVMCM) covering Rs 12,000-96,000/year on top of near-zero tuition. For first-generation learners from lower-income families who achieve merit entry, CU is one of the most financially accessible nationally-ranked universities in India.
| Framework | Category | Year | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIRF | State Public University | 2025 | #15 |
| NIRF | University | 2025 | #39 |
| NIRF | Overall | 2025 | #47 |
| NIRF | Research | 2025 | #48 |
11 courses offered. Fees in INR lakhs.
| Course | Specialization | Duration | Total seats | Total fee | Avg package |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B.Com (Bachelor of Commerce) | — | 36 months | — | ₹0.15L | — |
| B.Com (Bachelor of Commerce) | Hons | 36 months | — | ₹0.15L | — |
| B.Sc (Bachelor of Science) | — | 36 months | — | ₹0.21L | — |
| BA (Bachelor of Arts) | Honours (General) | 36 months | — | ₹0.15L | — |
| BA (Bachelor of Arts) | — | 36 months | — | ₹0.15L | — |
| BCA (Bachelor of Computer Applications) | — | 36 months | — | ₹0.45L | — |
| LLB (Bachelor of Laws) | — | 36 months | — | ₹0.3L | — |
| M.Com (Master of Commerce) | — | 24 months | — | ₹0.18L | — |
| M.Sc (Master of Science) | — | 24 months | — | ₹0.3L | — |
| MA (Master of Arts) | — | 24 months | — | ₹0.15L | — |
| MCA (Master of Computer Applications) | — | 24 months | — | ₹0.9L | — |
1-year placement history, latest data from 2024.
Campus size, faculty strength, hostel facilities, and academic infrastructure.
The university operates 17 hostels, of which eight are for women, with 13 hostels used for paying guest students across the city.
