Established in 1870, Isabella Thoburn Degree College (ITDC), Lucknow is a private aided institution providing higher education exclusively to women. The college is affiliated to the University of Lucknow, recognised by UGC and accredited by NAAC with Grade A. Its administration rests with the Isabella Thoburn College Society, a trust associated with the Methodist Church in India.

Counted among the earliest women’s colleges in Southern Asia, ITDC offers programmes in liberal arts, science, commerce, management, education and library science. Its India Today rankings for 2024 include 42 out of 186 in Arts and 43 out of 229 in Commerce.

The college occupies a 22-acre campus at 7 Faizabad Road, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. The Sarah Chakko Memorial Library is a major academic resource, while the institution’s educational tradition centres on expanding learning opportunities for women.

ITDC Important Dates

Tentative Admission Calendar for 2027-28

Event Date
Undergraduate entrance examination May 2027, tentative
Undergraduate results and merit list June 2027, tentative
Undergraduate admission and fee submission June to July 2027, tentative
MA, M.Sc and MBA application period June to July 2027, tentative
Postgraduate merit list July 2027, tentative
Commencement of the academic session July to August 2027, tentative

Subject to revision. Kindly check with the official sources to confirm

ITDC Programmes, Eligibility and Fees

ITDC’s undergraduate, postgraduate and professional programmes are offered only to women and are listed as affiliated to the University of Lucknow. Annual charges extend from INR 12,000 for BA to INR 1,98,000 for MBA. Several undergraduate degrees provide a standard 3-year route alongside a 4-year NEP option.

Programme Duration Eligibility Annual Fee Total Fee
BA (Hons.), 10 subject options 3 years; 4-year NEP option 10+2 from a recognised board INR 12,000 INR 36,000 for 3 years; INR 48,000 for 4 years
B.Sc in Biology, Home Science or Mathematics 3 years; 4-year NEP option 10+2 with Science INR 25,000 INR 75,000 for 3 years; INR 1,00,000 for 4 years
B.Com, general commerce 3 years; 4-year NEP option 10+2 from a recognised board INR 25,000 INR 75,000 for 3 years; INR 1,00,000 for 4 years
BBA 3 years 10+2 with 45% marks INR 1,20,000 INR 3,60,000
B.Ed 2 years Graduation with 50% marks and UP B.Ed JEE qualification INR 11,085 in Year 1; INR 9,085 in Year 2 INR 20,170
B.Lib, Library Science 1 year Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university INR 25,000 INR 25,000
MA in Economics, English, Geography, Sociology or Women Studies 2 years Graduation in the relevant subject with 45% marks INR 31,900 INR 63,800
M.Sc in Biotechnology, Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Processing, or Zoology 2 years B.Sc in the relevant subject with 50% marks INR 61,000 INR 1,22,000
MBA 2 years Graduation with 50% marks INR 1,98,000 INR 3,96,000

Subject to revision. Kindly check with the official sources to confirm

The BA subject choices include English, Economics, History, Psychology, Sociology, Political Science and Geography, among others. At postgraduate level, MA is available in 5 subjects, including Women Studies, an offering associated with the college’s stated 155-year legacy in women’s education. Home Science is available as a B.Sc stream, with Nutrition and Food Processing offered at M.Sc level.

ITDC Admission Procedure

The supplied admission information lists the 2026-27 intake as concluded. Selection routes differ by programme: the main undergraduate degrees use the college’s written entrance examination, postgraduate programmes consider graduation performance with a test or interview where applicable, and professional courses follow their respective admission procedures.

Programme Group Selection Requirement Application and Admission Mode
BA / B.Sc / B.Com (Hons.) ITDC entrance examination Entrance-merit selection with offline admission
BBA ITDC entrance examination Entrance-merit selection with offline admission
MA / M.Sc / MBA Graduation merit, with a written test or interview where applicable Offline application and merit-based selection
B.Ed UP B.Ed Joint Entrance Examination Centralised state counselling
B.Lib Graduation merit Direct, merit-based admission

BA, B.Sc, B.Com and BBA Admission Steps

The stated annual undergraduate entrance cycle falls in May. Admission follows entrance-test merit and the availability of seats in each programme.

  1. Meet the relevant Class 12 eligibility requirement, including the Science requirement for B.Sc and the 45% minimum for BBA.
  2. Complete the application process for the college-conducted written entrance examination.
  3. Appear for the entrance test and check the subsequent merit list.
  4. Choose the BA subject combination at the time of admission, where applicable.
  5. Complete document verification and deposit the required fees to secure admission.

MA, M.Sc and MBA Admission Steps

Postgraduate applicants require a bachelor’s degree in the relevant subject. The listed minimum is 45% for MA and 50% for M.Sc and MBA. Applications are submitted offline, and some programmes include a written examination or interview alongside graduation merit.

  1. Check the degree and minimum-marks requirements for the chosen programme.
  2. Complete and submit the offline application form.
  3. Attend the written test or interview if required for that programme.
  4. Follow the merit list prepared using graduation performance and any applicable selection assessment.
  5. Complete the admission formalities and fee payment after selection.

B.Ed Admission Steps

B.Ed follows the state-level UP B.Ed Joint Entrance Examination route. The supplied admission description identifies Lucknow University as the conducting institution. Seat allocation takes place through centralised state counselling using the candidate’s JEE rank and college preferences.

  1. Hold a graduation qualification with at least 50% marks.
  2. Apply for and qualify the UP B.Ed Joint Entrance Examination.
  3. Participate in state counselling and enter college preferences.
  4. Complete admission at the institution allotted through counselling.

B.Lib Admission Steps

The 1-year B.Lib programme accepts applicants holding any bachelor’s degree from a recognised university. Available seats are limited and allocated according to graduation merit.

  1. Check eligibility using the completed bachelor’s qualification.
  2. Apply directly for B.Lib admission.
  3. Complete admission according to the graduation-merit list and seat availability.

ITDC Placements and Career Pathways

Career choices at ITDC reflect its liberal arts, science and women’s education focus. Arts and science graduates commonly move towards government employment, teaching, civil services preparation or further study, while BBA and MBA graduates pursue corporate and management positions.

The reported NIRF 2024 figures record the following placement outcomes for 2023-24.

Student Group Students Placed Median Annual Salary Academic Year
Undergraduate 88 INR 3,34,000 2023-24
Postgraduate 36 INR 5,46,000 2023-24

Programme-Linked Career Directions

Career Area Common Direction Related Programmes
Civil and state government services UPSC, UPPSC and SSC preparation after graduation BA and MA, including Economics, Sociology and History
Teaching and education School or college faculty pathways after B.Ed or MA B.Ed, MA and M.Sc
Corporate and management employment Entry-level opportunities in BFSI, FMCG, retail and HR BBA and MBA
Research and academic work NET/JRF qualification for lecturer and research pathways M.Sc in Biotechnology, Chemistry and Zoology
Library and information services Librarian positions in schools, colleges and public institutions B.Lib

The MBA is presented as an affordable management option for women seeking to study in Lucknow, with a listed total fee of INR 3,96,000 over 2 years.

ITDC Rankings and Accreditation

India Today lists ITDC in its Arts, Science and Commerce college rankings. The institution is described as not participating in NIRF and does not currently hold a listed NIRF rank.

Ranking Organisation Stream 2024 Position 2023 Position
India Today Arts, BA colleges 42 out of 186 42 out of 173
India Today Science, B.Sc colleges 47 out of 211 Not available
India Today Commerce, B.Com colleges 43 out of 229 Not available

ITDC retained the 42nd Arts position across 2 consecutive years. Its NAAC Grade A accreditation relates to the assessment of its academic processes and institutional infrastructure.

ITDC Campus Life and Facilities

Situated at 7 Faizabad Road, Lucknow, the centrally located 22-acre campus is accessible from major parts of the city. The college has more than 3,000 students, over 100 faculty members and 20+ departments.

The Sarah Chakko Memorial Library serves as the principal academic library. It commemorates Dr. Sarah Chakko, described as a pioneering alumna and former principal who later became the first woman president of the World Council of Churches. Biology, Chemistry and Zoology laboratories support practical learning for B.Sc and M.Sc students.

Facilities include an on-campus hostel for women from outside Lucknow, a common room, a canteen and grounds for sports and co-curricular activities. Hostel places are allocated on a priority basis; applicants should contact the college for current availability and charges. Annual festivals and student societies contribute to campus cultural activities within the college’s stated 155-year tradition of women’s education.

ITDC, Loreto College and Mahila PG College Compared

ITDC, Loreto College Lucknow and Mahila PG College Lucknow are presented as women-only institutions affiliated to the University of Lucknow. Students considering arts, science and commerce programmes can compare their management, locations, programme offerings and institutional profiles.

Comparison Point ITDC Lucknow Loreto College Lucknow Mahila PG College Lucknow
Address or locality 7 Faizabad Road, Lucknow Hazratganj, Lucknow Lucknow
Institutional type Private aided, Methodist Church management Private aided, Catholic management Government women’s college
University affiliation University of Lucknow University of Lucknow University of Lucknow
Admission by gender Women only Women only Women only
NAAC grade A A Not publicly listed
Year established 1870 1942 1960
Management programmes BBA and MBA BBA Limited offerings
India Today Arts ranking, 2024 42 out of 186 Not ranked Not ranked

Among these institutions, ITDC has the earliest establishment year and is the only one listed with a dedicated MBA programme. Loreto College is described as having an arts and cultural focus, with its location in Hazratganj providing central-city access. Government funding supports lower fees at Mahila PG College, which is identified as a choice for students from economically weaker sections.

ITDC Frequently Asked Questions

Ques. Who can seek admission to the programmes offered by ITDC?

Ans. Admission is restricted to women across the college’s programmes. This includes BA, B.Sc, B.Com, BBA, MBA, MA, M.Sc, B.Ed and B.Lib.

Ques. Which accreditation and academic affiliations are associated with the college?

Ans. ITDC has NAAC Grade A accreditation, UGC recognition and affiliation to the University of Lucknow.

Ques. Do all ITDC applicants follow the same selection route?

Ans. The routes vary by course. BA, B.Sc, B.Com and BBA use the college’s own entrance examination, with the stated annual cycle falling in May. B.Ed follows UP B.Ed JEE, while MA, M.Sc and MBA use offline applications and graduation-merit selection, with a written test or interview where applicable.

Ques. How does the BA fee change between the three-year and four-year routes?

Ans. The annual BA fee is INR 12,000. The listed total is INR 36,000 for the 3-year route and INR 48,000 for the 4-year NEP structure.

Ques. What is the listed cost of completing the MBA?

Ans. MBA fees are INR 1,98,000 per year, giving a total of INR 3,96,000 over 2 years. The programme is described as one of the more affordable management options for women in Lucknow.

Ques. Where did ITDC stand in the 2024 Arts, Science and Commerce rankings?

Ans. India Today’s 2024 rankings placed ITDC at 42 out of 186 in Arts, 47 out of 211 in Science and 43 out of 229 in Commerce.

Ques. What accommodation option is available to students coming from other cities?

Ans. The college provides an on-campus hostel for outstation women students. Allocation follows a priority basis, and the college should be contacted directly for current seat availability and hostel fees.

Ques. How did Isabella Thoburn’s school develop into a college?

Ans. American Methodist missionary Isabella Thoburn founded the institution as a school in 1870, and it developed into a college in 1886. Now affiliated to the University of Lucknow, it is recognised among the earliest women’s colleges in Southern Asia.