Education in Kolkata
Being home to the 1st IIM, IIM Kolkata, the city has been a prominent place for education. You will find India's best colleges and universities in every field, including management, commerce, engineering, art, and literature.
The following are some of the best colleges and universities in the country.
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Management |
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Engineering |
Jadavpur University, Kolkata |
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The Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology, Kolkata |
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GCECT Kolkata - Government College of Engineering and Ceramic Technology |
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Medical |
West Bengal University of Health Sciences - [WBUHS], Kolkata |
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Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, Kolkata |
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Arts |
Presidency University, Kolkata |
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Loreto College, Kolkata |
IIM Kolkata
Established in 1961, IIM Kolkata is the first of these IIMs, dedicated to becoming an international center of excellence in all aspects of management education. Being Asia's finest business school, IIMC has given some exceptional minds to the growth and development of the country. The famous one-liner explains the institute better, "At Joka, when I look around, I find people, not profiles". The club culture and extracurricular activities make IIMC unique and one of a kind when it comes to the overall growth of students.
IIM Kolkata Alumni
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Krishnamurthy Subramanian (India's Chief Economic Advisor) |
Shyam Srinivasan (MD and CEO of Federal Bank) |
Swami Mukundananda (Founder of JKYog) |
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Ajit Balakrishnan (CEO of Rediff.com) |
Sunil Duggal ( CEO of Dabur) |
Ramachandra Guha ( historian and author) |
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Indra Nooyi (Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo) |
Amish Tripathi (Author of the Shiva Trilogy) |
Gopal Vittal (CEO of Bharti Airtel ) |
The Presidency University (previously called Presidency College) has a unique historical background. Established in 1817, the college's primary aim was to teach commoners English. It was one of the first Western-type higher education institutes in Asia. It contributed a lot to various fields of India through its scholar alumni who won Nobel prizes, Oscars, Padma Awards, and many other prestigious awards.
Presidency University Alumni
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Swami Vivekananda ( Indian Hindu monk) |
Subhas Chandra Bose ( Freedom Fighter) |
Dr Rajendra Prasad (1st President of India) |
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Basant Kumar Birla ( Chairman of B.K. Birla Group) |
Amartya Sen ( 1998 Nobel Prize winner in economics) |
Rabindranath Tagore (1913 Nobel Prize winner in literature) |
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Pritam Chakraborty ( Bollywood music director) |
Satyajit Ray ( Winner of the Academy Honorary Award in 1992) |
A.K. Fazlul Huq (Prime Minister of Bengal) |
Why is education in Kolkata so crucial for your personal growth?
Educating yourself is the ultimate way to grow as a person, but the city and culture also play a crucial role in the building of your identity. Living in Kolkata brings the following changes to you as a person:
- The city introduces you to various forms of art and literature so that you can nurture your interests to the fullest extent possible.
- Various libraries and research centers allow you to work on your skill set.
- Festivals like Durga Puja and other festivals evoke your spiritual and cultural side.
- You learn to be more independent and self-aware than in your hometown.
- It offers many opportunities for work and extracurricular activities. However, it can be a hassle, like travelling by bus or finding new friends, but you eventually learn how to do it. It makes you strong!
How can Kolkata help you in finding the best job opportunities?
During the last decade, the city has shown immense growth, resulting in better GDP contributions and the development of industries. During this budget, Chandrima Bhattacharya said the state's GDP is projected to grow by 8.4 percent and industry by 7.8 percent, both higher than the country's. The state's changing policies and welcoming attitude have attracted a lot of investment and business from major business groups like Tata.
The city is also home to businesses like ITC Limited, CESC Limited, Exide Industries, Emami, Eveready Industries India, Lux Industries, Berger Paints, Birla Corporation, and Britannia Industries, along with base home quarters for companies like Coal India Limited, National Insurance Company, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, Tea Board of India, Geological Survey of India, Zoological Survey of India, Botanical Survey of India, Jute Corporation of India and major public sector banks.
The growing economy also benefits students by providing job opportunities in different fields and industries. There has been a new motivation for students due to the booming IT sector within the city.
Student’s help guide- For Kolkata students
When you are a newcomer to the city, it’s always advisable to be aware and prepared. Here are some suggestions that you should keep in mind after moving to Kolkata.
- As a student, safety concerns are crucial for you. In India, Kolkata is one of the safest cities, so you won't have to worry. However, being aware and careful is always a wise option.
- The city's primary language is Bengali, but natives understand Hindi and English, so you won't have to worry about learning Bengali or communication mishaps.
- If you want to be more independent and get daily necessities by yourself, learn about the city and nearby areas. You should have a basic knowledge of local supermarkets, malls, and food shops.
- Here in Kolkata, Garia Hath, New Market, Galiff Street, and College Street for clothes, get an idea of local shopping spots for books, clothes, or electronics. Chandni Chowk, E Mall, and Fancy Market are great places to buy electronics.
- Download the co-sharing vehicle application or the government transport application to navigate the city better, or use Google Maps.
- Make a list of the contact details of the local authorities. For example, you can contact Kolkata police by dialing 100 - for emergencies. These numbers will help you in the event of an emergency.
- Save the number of local healthcare providers even if you don't have any medical conditions.
What does living in Kolkata feel like as a student?
Living away from home is harsh and often terrible, too, but in a city like Kolkata, you will be welcomed with warmth and kindness. Before moving to Kolkata, here are a few things you should know.
The kindness
"Calcutta's the only city I know where you are actively encouraged to stop strangers at random for a quick chat." - Tahir Shah.
Life in Kolkata at first glance seems like walking out of the plot of some famous novel storyline. The city is warm and friendly. You might get surprised by locals calling you ‘ma’ or ‘dada’ or trying to help you without asking. The kindness of this city is reflected through the small gestures of this city.
History- the visual delight to eyes
Walking through the city, you realise it is a visual delight. In the city's museums, one can learn a lot about the history and architecture of the Nawabs of the Mughal era. In addition to the British Empire, other visitors, such as Dutch and French people, have left their impressions on the city's heritage. If you look around, you will find palaces, cafes, or colonial buildings nearby.
The art and artist
Just like Sir Rabindranath Tagore's art, his city continues to amaze people with soul-soothing art. During the 1900s in India, Kolkata was a primary hub for professional drama, music concerts, and dance training. The city and people here know what art is and how beautifully it can change a human being. If you are a student in Kolkata, your art will flourish.
Nightlife
Kolkata's nightlife is diverse, vibrant and allows you to be a crazy night creature! The city offers the finest pubs, bars, and nightclubs if you want loud beats to dance to. But if you are someone who doesn't stand for loud music, the cultural capital of India offers you impressive fine arts programs with poetry, traditional dance or music shows, or even chill book reading sessions in cafes.
Let’s hang out!
"So in the streets of Calcutta, I sometimes imagine myself a foreigner, and only then do I discover how much is to be seen, which is lost so long as its full value in attention is not paid. It is the hunger to really see which drives people to travel to strange places."
Sir Rabindranath Tagore - My Reminiscences
Being a student, you will have a lot of time or holidays to make yourself very well aware of the city’s famous hangout spots as well as travel attractions. Due to cultural differences and the diversity of the place, you can find yourself praying in temples during Durga Puja or partying in nightclubs at midnight. Below are some of the most popular hangout spots,
- Kali ghat
- Howrah bridge
- Victorian house.
- Eden Garden
- Chandni Chowk.
- Rabindra Sarabor
How much will it cost as a student to live in Kolkata?
Kolkata is an affordable city! When it comes to living costs, the city is cheaper. As a student, you'll have to bear the following costs:
Accommodation: Students can opt for various accommodation options such as PG, hostels, or home rentals. The approximate cost can be as below,
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Accommodation Type |
Amount |
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PG ( sharing based) |
Rs 5000-7000 |
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Hostel |
Varies from college to College |
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Rented homes |
Rs 10000-15000 |
Food: If you are living in a PG, Hostel, or Home that offers food, you might need to spend on snacks or small treats, but if your PG cost doesn't cover food expenses, you can count your daily meal expenditure in between 150-200. Macher Jhol, Kolkata Biryani, Aloo Posto, Kathi rolls, Phuchka, Jhalmuri, Sandesh, and Mishti Doi are some must-try food varieties.
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If you are paying for snacks or munchies only |
Rs 50-100 per day |
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If you are paying for all meals of the day |
Rs 200-300 per day |
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Self Cooking (only groceries expenses) |
Rs 5000-7000 per month |
Transportation cost: If you are not living within walking distance of your college, transportation will affect your total budget. The city has various modes of transport, such as
- Taxi
- Metro
- Tram
- Train
- Bus
- Rickshaws (human-pulled rickshaws, cycle rickshaws, auto-rickshaws, and electric rickshaws)
The transportation cost can differ depending on the mode of transport and frequency of transportation.
Entertainment: As a student, you'll love exploring the city and taking advantage of college life. Make sure you include that in your monthly budget.
The city of Kolkata is the place of kindness and rasgulla, so remember to enjoy both with awareness while you're there.
