Surendranath College, Kolkata began as Ripon College in 1884 and received its present name in 1948-49 to honour its founder, Surendranath Banerjea. Its history started with a school founded in 1882, making it one of Kolkata's oldest degree-granting colleges. This public, government-aided institution is affiliated with the University of Calcutta (CU) and recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC).

The college has a NAAC B++ grade with a CGPA of 2.98 out of 4, valid until December 2027, along with ISO 9001:2015 certification. It does not currently feature in the NIRF college rankings. Its history includes an address by Swami Vivekananda in 1897 and the 1901 Indian National Congress session attended by Mahatma Gandhi.

The campus is at 24/2, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Kolkata 700009, beside College Street and close to Sealdah Station, the University of Calcutta and Presidency University. Students can study undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in three main streams, along with short-term certificate courses:

  • Arts: BA (General) in History, Philosophy and Political Science; BA Hons in Bengali, English, History, Journalism and Mass Communication, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Sanskrit and Sociology.
  • Science: B.Sc (General) and B.Sc Hons options in Botany, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, Geography, Mathematics, Microbiology, Physics, Physiology, Statistics and Zoology.
  • Commerce: B.Com (General and Accounting and Finance) and B.Com Hons.
  • Postgraduate: M.Sc in Computer Science.
  • Certificate programmes: Communicative English, Photography and Social Work.

The three-year B.Com programme costs INR 12,690 in total. Most BA Hons subjects have total fees of INR 26,880, while fees for most B.Sc Hons subjects range from INR 25,520 to INR 30,920. The three-year self-financed BA Hons programmes in Mass Communication and Psychology cost INR 44,880.

Admission Update: The 2027-28 admission cycle is expected to start with CUET registration in February 2027. Merit-list publication and counselling through the University of Calcutta portal are expected in July 2027.

Surendranath College Kolkata Admission Dates 2027-28

The 2027-28 admission process is expected to follow the CUET-based schedule and the University of Calcutta's centralised portal. Students should complete CUET registration and then check the CU portal for college-specific merit lists.

EventDate
CUET registration for the 2027-28 cycleFebruary 2027
CUET examination for the 2027-28 cycleMay 2027
University of Calcutta admission portal registration for the 2027-28 cycleJune to July 2027
Merit-list publication for the 2027-28 cycleJuly 2027
Admission and commencement of classes for the 2027-28 cycleAugust 2027

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

Admission requirements and the responsible admission authority vary by programme:

CourseAdmission BasisProcess
BA, B.Sc and B.Com, including General and Hons programmesCUET scoreUniversity of Calcutta centralised portal
M.Sc in Computer ScienceGraduation merit or entrance examinationCU postgraduate admission process
Certificate coursesMerit or open enrolmentCollege-level process

Surendranath College Kolkata Courses and Fees

More than 35 programme streams are available in arts, science and commerce at the undergraduate level, along with an M.Sc in Computer Science. Fees for regular aided courses remain comparatively low because Surendranath College is a government-aided institution affiliated with the University of Calcutta.

CourseDurationEligibilityTotal Fees
BA (General), History, Philosophy or Political Science3 yearsClass 12 pass and CUETINR 19,710
BA Hons, Bengali, English, History, Philosophy, Political Science or Sanskrit3 yearsClass 12 pass and CUETINR 26,880
BA Hons in Sociology3 yearsClass 12 pass and CUETINR 28,080
BA Hons in Mass Communication or Psychology, self-financed3 yearsClass 12 pass and CUETINR 44,880
B.Com (General)3 yearsClass 12 pass and CUETINR 12,690
B.Com Hons3 yearsClass 12 with 55% and CUETINR 17,520
B.Sc (General), Botany, Mathematics, Physics, Physiology or Zoology3 yearsClass 12 with PCM or PCB and CUETINR 18,690
B.Sc Hons in Botany, Chemistry, Microbiology, Physiology or Zoology3 yearsClass 12 with PCB and CUETINR 30,920
B.Sc Hons in Physics3 yearsClass 12 with PCM and CUETINR 38,320
B.Sc Hons in Computer Science3 yearsClass 12 with Mathematics and CUETINR 51,520
B.Sc Hons in Economics3 yearsClass 12 pass and CUETINR 50,120
B.Sc Hons in Geography3 yearsClass 12 pass and CUETINR 29,520
B.Sc Hons in Mathematics or Statistics3 yearsClass 12 with PCM and CUETINR 25,520 to INR 26,920
M.Sc in Computer Science2 yearsB.Sc in Computer Science or a relevant subject with 50%INR 35,000

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

B.Sc Hons in Computer Science and Economics operate as self-financed or semi-self-financed streams, which leads to higher fees than those charged for aided Hons courses. Across three years, the main government-aided programmes cost between INR 12,690 and INR 30,920.

Surendranath College Kolkata Admission Process

Undergraduate admission is managed through the University of Calcutta's centralised system. CUET scores and CU merit ranks determine selection for the college's UG programmes.

BA, B.Sc and B.Com, UG Honours and General

Applicants seeking a General or Hons seat in BA, B.Sc or B.Com must complete these stages:

  1. Register for CUET through the NTA portal.
  2. Take the CUET examination in May.
  3. Submit the CUET score to the University of Calcutta.
  4. Wait for CU to prepare the merit list and allocate seats college-wise.
  5. Complete document verification at Surendranath College after receiving an allocation.
  • Students must have passed Class 12 from a recognised board. B.Com Hons applicants need at least 55% in Class 12, while science Hons applicants must have the relevant PCM or PCB subjects.
  • Reservation rules prescribed by the University of Calcutta apply to SC, ST, OBC-A, OBC-B, EWS and PwD categories.

M.Sc in Computer Science

Admission to the M.Sc Computer Science course is completed through the CU postgraduate process.

  1. Apply through the CU postgraduate admission system.
  2. Take the CU PG admission test for Computer Science and wait for the merit list.
  3. If shortlisted, complete document checks and pay the course fee at the college.
  • Applicants need a B.Sc in Computer Science or a related discipline from a recognised university with at least 50%.

Certificate Programmes

The college handles enrolment for its short-term certificate programmes in Communicative English, Photography and Social Work. Entry is open or merit-based, and the fees range from INR 250 to INR 1,000.

Surendranath College Kolkata Campus and Infrastructure

Surendranath College occupies an urban campus on Mahatma Gandhi Road, next to College Street, which is described as the world's largest second-hand book market. Sealdah Station is only minutes away, while the University of Calcutta's main campus and Presidency University are also nearby. Students can reach the college using Kolkata's metro, buses and railway network.

Science teaching is supported by departmental laboratories for Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, Microbiology, Physiology, Computer Science and Geography. The library combines a physical book collection with an Online Public Access Catalogue, commonly called OPAC. An LMS, or Learning Management System, is used for digital academic work. Students can also seek placement and career support from the Career and Vocational Advisory Cell (CVAC).

The campus has active NCC and NSS units. Research grants support faculty publications and departmental research. As the college operates from a city campus, it does not provide an on-campus hostel, and students travel from Kolkata and nearby districts.

Surendranath College vs Scottish Church College vs Asutosh College Kolkata

Surendranath College, Scottish Church College and Asutosh College are long-established, government-aided institutions affiliated with the University of Calcutta. Students considering heritage colleges in Kolkata often compare them because they attract a similar group of applicants.

ParameterSurendranath College KolkataScottish Church College KolkataAsutosh College Kolkata
Established188418301916
TypeGovernment-aided, publicGovernment-aided, minority institutionGovernment-aided, public
AffiliationUniversity of CalcuttaUniversity of CalcuttaUniversity of Calcutta
NAAC GradeB++Available on the NAAC portalAvailable on the NAAC portal
LocationMG Road, near College StreetUrquhart Square, Central Kolkata1 Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Road
B.Com Hons Total FeesINR 17,520Comparable rangeComparable range
Notable DistinctionSwami Vivekananda delivered an address here in 1897; NAAC B++ and ISO certificationOldest institution among the three, with a strong science traditionNamed after a Supreme Court justice and known for a strong science faculty

Founded in 1830, Scottish Church College is the oldest in this comparison. Surendranath College has NAAC B++ accreditation, ISO 9001:2015 certification and a well-connected MG Road location. Asutosh College is particularly associated with its science programmes. All three provide education at broadly comparable government-aided fee levels.

Surendranath College Kolkata FAQs

Ques. What are the origins of Surendranath College Kolkata?

Ans. The institution was founded by freedom fighter and statesman Surendranath Banerjea and became Ripon College in 1884. It was renamed Surendranath College in 1948-49 as a tribute to him. The University of Calcutta-affiliated institution is among Kolkata's oldest degree-granting colleges.

Ques. Which NAAC grade has Surendranath College Kolkata received?

Ans. Surendranath College Kolkata has a NAAC B++ grade with a CGPA of 2.98 out of 4. This accreditation remains valid until December 2027. The institution is also certified under ISO 9001:2015 for quality management systems.

Ques. How much does the B.Com programme at Surendranath College Kolkata cost?

Ans. The full three-year fee is INR 12,690 for B.Com (General) and INR 17,520 for B.Com Hons. These fee levels place both programmes among the more affordable B.Com choices in Kolkata.

Ques. What steps are required for undergraduate admission to Surendranath College Kolkata?

Ans. Students first register for the Common University Entrance Test through the NTA portal and take the examination in May. The University of Calcutta then processes CUET scores through its centralised admission portal and allocates seats using CU merit lists. Surendranath College does not conduct a separate entrance examination for its undergraduate programmes.

Ques. Can students stay in a hostel on the Surendranath College Kolkata campus?

Ans. No, the college has no on-campus hostel. Its Mahatma Gandhi Road location is close to Sealdah Station and is served by metro, bus and rail routes. Students generally commute from different parts of Kolkata and nearby districts.

Ques. What makes Surendranath College a notable option in Kolkata?

Ans. Established in 1884, Surendranath College is one of Kolkata's oldest and most historically important degree colleges. It holds NAAC B++ accreditation and ISO 9001:2015 certification. The government-aided college offers arts, science and commerce programmes at affordable fees and is affiliated with the University of Calcutta. Its location near College Street and Sealdah Station also makes it easy to reach.

Ques. What is the expected starting time for Surendranath College's 2027-28 admissions?

Ans. The 2027-28 process is expected to begin with CUET registration in February 2027. The examination is expected in May 2027, followed by CU merit-list publication in July 2027. Applicants should use the NTA portal for CUET registration and check the University of Calcutta admission portal for the specific schedule.