Presidency University, Kolkata

2026-05-04T17:32:56Z

203.104.128.122:

{{Short description|Public university in Kolkata, India}}
{{EngvarB|date=July 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2015}}
{{Infobox university
| name = Presidency University
| image = Presidency_University,_Kolkata_Logo.svg
| image_upright = .7
| latin_name = Universitas Praesidentialis
| motto = ''Excellence since 1817''
| established = {{circa|{{Start date and age|1817}}}}
| type = [[Public university|Public]] [[State university (India)|State University]]
| chancellor = [[Governor of West Bengal]]
| vice_chancellor = Nirmalya Narayan Chakraborty<ref>{{Cite news |last=Roy |first=Poulami |date=2024-12-07 |title=Presi, 5 other univs get permanent VCs after govt sends list to guv |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/government-appoints-permanent-vcs-in-west-bengal-universities-ending-prolonged-standoff/articleshowprint/116056328.cms |access-date=2024-12-07 |work=[[The Times of India]] Dec 7, 2024, 12.32 AM IST}}</ref>
| budget = {{INRConvert|92.86|c}}<br />{{small|([[Fiscal year|FY]]2026–27 est.)}}<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://finance.wb.gov.in/writereaddata/Budget_Publication/2026_bp23_I.pdf|title=Detailed Demands for grants for 2026-27|publisher=[[Government of West Bengal]]|year=2026|pages=188|access-date=19 Feb 2026}}</ref>
| faculty = 208 {{small|(2025)}}<ref name=nirf_stud/>
| students = 2,042 {{small|(2025)}}<ref name=nirf_stud>{{cite web |title=NIRF 2026 |url=https://www.presiuniv.ac.in/web/DCS%202026.pdf|publisher=Presidency University}}</ref>
| undergrad = 1,559 {{small|(2025)}}<ref name=nirf_stud/>
| postgrad = 1,124 {{small|(2025)}}<ref name=nirf_stud/>
| doctoral = 483 {{small|(2025)}}<ref name=nirf_stud/>
| city = [[Kolkata]]
| state = [[West Bengal]]
| country = India
| coor = {{coord|22|34|35|N|88|21|44|E|region:IN-WB_type:edu|display=inline, title}}
| campus = [[College Street (Kolkata)|College Street]]
| free_label = Other campuses
| free = {{hlist |[[New Town, Kolkata|New Town]] | [[Kurseong]]}}
| website = {{official url}}
| founders =
| nickname =
| academic_affiliations = {{hlist |[[University Grants Commission (India)|UGC]]|[[Association of Indian Universities|AIU]]}}
| accreditation = [[National Assessment and Accreditation Council|NAAC]]
| logo = Presidency University, Kolkata Wordmark Logo.svg
}}

'''Presidency University''', formerly '''Presidency College''',<ref name="banglapedia">{{cite book |last=Chakraborty |first=Rachana |year=2012 |chapter=Presidency College |chapter-url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Presidency_College |editor1-last=Islam |editor1-first=Sirajul |editor1-link=Sirajul Islam |editor2-last=Jamal |editor2-first=Ahmed A. |title=Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh |edition=Second |publisher=[[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]] |access-date=24 January 2016 |archive-date=1 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401132647/http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Presidency_College |url-status=live }}</ref> is a [[Public university|public]] [[State university (India)|state university]] located in [[College Street (Kolkata)|College Street]], [[Kolkata]]. Established in 1817 as the ''Hindoo College'', it was later renamed ''Presidency College'' in 1855 and functioned as a leading constituent college under the [[University of Calcutta]]. It is widely regarded as one of the oldest and most prestigious places of higher education in India. [[List of Kolkata Presidencians|Alumni]] of Presidency University include two Nobel laureates, leaders of the [[Indian Independence Movement]], heads of state, [[Academy Awards|Academy Award]] winners and pioneers in Bengali art and literature playing a pivotal role in shaping modern [[India|Indian]] and [[Bengal]] education and intellectual discourse.

In its first cycle as a university, Presidency received "A" grade with a score of 3.04/4.00 by the [[National Assessment and Accreditation Council|National Assessment and Accreditation Commission]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/presidency-university-gets-top-naac-rating/articleshow/56035180.cms|title=Presidency university gets top NAAC rating|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-06-26|language=en|archive-date=9 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509061630/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/presidency-university-gets-top-naac-rating/articleshow/56035180.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> It has been recognized as a [[Institutions of Eminence|University of National Eminence]] by the [[University Grants Commission (India)|University Grants Commission]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.presiuniv.ac.in/web/presi200/legacy.php|title=Legacy of Presidency University|website=www.presiuniv.ac.in|language=en|access-date=2018-06-26|archive-date=18 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218065751/http://www.presiuniv.ac.in/web/presi200/legacy.php}}</ref> It was awarded an "A" grade by the [[National Assessment and Accreditation Council]] (NAAC) in June 2024. The university received a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.13 out of 4, which is valid for five years.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-06-19 |title=Presi awarded 'A' grade by NAAC |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/presidency-university-awarded-a-grade-by-naac/articleshow/111096828.cms#:~:text=This%20story%20is%20from%20June,published%20the%20following%20articles%20recently |access-date=2025-02-03 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Presidency College, Calcutta by Francis Frith (1).jpg|thumb|The Presidency College in Calcutta, by [[Francis Frith]].]]
[[File:Presidency University - Kolkata 7404.JPG|thumb|right|The main entrance of the university at College Street]]
With the creation of the Supreme Court of Calcutta in 1773 many [[Hindus]] of [[Bengal]] showed an eager interest in learning the English language. [[David Hare (philanthropist)|David Hare]], in collaboration with [[Raja]] [[Radhakanta Deb]] had already taken steps to introduce English language education in Bengal. Babu Buddinath Mukherjee advanced the introduction of English as a medium of instruction further by enlisting the support of Sir [[Edward Hyde East]], [[Chief Justice]] of the Supreme Court of Fort William, who called a meeting of 'European and Hindu Gentlemen' at his house in May 1816.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.presiuniv.ac.in/web/introduction.php|title=Presidency University|website=www.presiuniv.ac.in|language=en|access-date=2018-06-26|archive-date=15 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515204350/https://presiuniv.ac.in/web/introduction.php|url-status=live}}</ref> The purpose of the meeting was to "discuss the proposal to establish an institution for giving a liberal education to the children of the members of the Hindu Community". The proposal was received with unanimous approbation and a donation of over Rs. 100,000 was promised for setting up the new college. The 5 Babus who contributed the most in setting up the college with their donations were - Raja [[Gopi Mohun Deb]] of [[Shovabazar Raj]], Maharaja Tej Chandra of [[Bardhaman Raj]], Raja [[Gopi Mohan Tagore]] of [[Pathuriaghata]], Babu Joy Krishna Singha of [[Jorasanko]], and Babu Ganga Narayan Das. [[Raja Ram Mohan Roy]] showed full support for the scheme, but chose not to come out in support of the proposal publicly for fear of "alarming the prejudices of his orthodox countrymen and thus marring the whole idea". Other eminent personalities of [[Calcutta]] at that time, such as [[Rani Rashmoni]], [[Dwarkanath Tagore|Prince Dwarkanath Tagore]], [[Rajchandra Das|Babu Rajchandra Das]] and [[Mutty Lall Seal]] also donated hefty amounts towards the foundation of the College.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.presiuniv.ac.in/web/presidency_history.php|title=Presidency University|website=www.presiuniv.ac.in|language=en|access-date=2018-06-26|archive-date=16 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516180229/https://presiuniv.ac.in/web/presidency_history.php|url-status=live}}</ref>

At first, the classes were held at Gorachand Bysack house called Garanhatta (later renamed 304, Chitpore Road), which was rented by the college. In January 1818 the college moved to 'Feringhi Kamal Bose's house in Chitpore.<ref name="feringhikamalbose'shouse">This building is a historic one because Raja Ram Mohan Roy inaugurated his [[Brahma]] Sabha there and [[Alexander Duff (missionary)|Alexander Duff]] of the [[General Assembly of the Church of Scotland|Scottish Missionary Board]] started his educational establishment, the [[Scottish Church College, Calcutta|General Assembly's Institution]] there as well a few years later in 1830.</ref> From Chitpore, the college moved to [[Bowbazar]] and later to the building that now houses the [[Sanskrit College]] on [[College Street (Kolkata)|College Street]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.adageindia.in/marketing/cmo-strategy/presidency-university-takes-one-back-in-the-history-with-their-latest-campaign/amp_articleshow/56206188.cms|title=Ad Age Homepage - Ad Age|website=www.adageindia.in|language=en|access-date=2018-06-26|archive-date=26 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626111435/http://adage.com/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Transformation to university===
On 19 March 2010, the [[Government of West Bengal]] passed the Presidency University Bill, 2009 in the State Legislative Assembly.<ref name="university">{{cite web |author=Our Bureau |date=2010-03-20 |title=The Telegraph – Calcutta (Kolkata) | Frontpage | CM beats Mamata to Presidency |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100320/jsp/frontpage/story_12240219.jsp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612163639/https://www.telegraphindia.com/1100320/jsp/frontpage/story_12240219.jsp |archive-date=12 June 2018 |access-date=2012-08-01 |publisher=Telegraphindia.com}}</ref> On 7 July 2010, the then [[Governor of West Bengal]], [[M. K. Narayanan]] gave his assent to the Presidency University Bill.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110811082710/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-07-08/kolkata/28305503_1_pg-courses-ug-courses-assent Presidency varsity bill gets governor's assent]</ref> On 23 July 2010, the Government of West Bengal published the gazette notification completing all the legal formalities for presidency to become a full university.<ref>{{cite web |author=Express News Service |url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/presidency-university-legal-steps-complete/651060/ |title=Presidency University legal steps complete |publisher=Express India |date=2010-07-24 |access-date=2012-08-01 |archive-date=9 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309054906/http://expressindia.indianexpress.com/latest-news/presidency-university-legal-steps-complete/651060/ }}</ref> [[Amiya Kumar Bagchi|Amiya Bagchi]] was given the responsibility of chairing a committee set up to select and appoint the first vice-chancellor of the university.
[[Amita Chatterjee]], a retired professor of philosophy at [[Jadavpur University]], was appointed as the first Vice-Chancellor of Presidency University on 5 October 2010.<ref name="vc">{{cite web |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1101006/jsp/frontpage/story_13024538.jsp |title=The Telegraph - Calcutta (Kolkata) | Frontpage | Comfort factor confines Presidency to home pool |publisher=Telegraphindia.com |date=2010-10-06 |access-date=2012-08-01 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304103457/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1101006/jsp/frontpage/story_13024538.jsp }}</ref>

In 2011, Higher Education Minister [[Bratya Basu]] suggested that a mentor group, along the lines of the Nalanda mentor group, would be formed to oversee the work of the university. At the beginning of June 2011, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, [[Mamata Banerjee]], announced that a committee would be formed with [[Amartya Sen]] as its chief mentor and Harvard-based [[Sugata Bose]] as its chairman to oversee the running of the college and perform the task of appointing all its officials and faculty members. The Presidency mentor group
<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.pmg.org.in/members.html | title=Presidency Mentor Group | access-date=2013-11-26 | archive-date=11 September 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190911140450/http://www.pmg.org.in/members.html | url-status=live }}</ref> also includes as its members 2019 Economics [[Nobel Prize]] winner [[Abhijit Banerjee]], [[Ashoke Sen]], Sabyasachi Bhattacharya, [[Nayanjot Lahiri]], [[Himadri Pakrashi]], [[Rahul Mukerjee]] and [[Isher Judge Ahluwalia]], [[Swapan Kumar Chakravorty]]. [[Sukanta Chaudhuri]] resigned from the committee in 2012.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-08-25/kolkata/33384950_1_sukanta-chaudhuri-mentor-group-presidency-university | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202224207/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-08-25/kolkata/33384950_1_sukanta-chaudhuri-mentor-group-presidency-university | archive-date=2013-12-02 | work=[[The Times of India]] | title=Sukanta Chaudhuri quits | access-date=2013-11-26}}</ref>

The entrance of the campus is marked with a small guardhouse on the left. On the wall of the guard room is a plaque dedicated to durwan (guard) Ram Eqbal Singh, who died defending the institute from rioters.<ref>{{cite news|title=Presi guardian angel|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1130414/jsp/bengal/story_16782140.jsp#.U2kXpXYWf-I|access-date=6 May 2014|newspaper=The Telegraph, Calcutta|date=2013-04-14|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304100356/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1130414/jsp/bengal/story_16782140.jsp#.U2kXpXYWf-I}}</ref> The university held its bicentenary celebrations in 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/trends/200-years-of-a-legacy/367941.html|title=200 Years of a Legacy|work=Tribune India|access-date=28 June 2018|archive-date=18 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018074303/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/trends/200-years-of-a-legacy/367941.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Archives with over 200-yr-old records on Presidency College inaugurated|date=13 December 2022 |url=https://www.millenniumpost.in/kolkata/archives-with-over-200-yr-old-records-on-presidency-college-inaugurated-502047|access-date=12 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Presidency University, Kolkata's eminent educational institution|url=https://www.getbengal.com/details/presidency-university-kolkatas-eminent-educational-institution|access-date=12 November 2023}}</ref>

==Campus==
===New Town campus===
The New Town campus of Presidency University is located in Kolkata, near the [[Biswa Bangla Convention Centre]], The campus spans 10 acres with two 14-storey towers, the campus was inaugurated in February 2019 by the [[Chief Minister of West Bengal]], Mamata Banerjee, and classes likely began in July 2019. It was built at a cost of Rs 183 crore over two years, reflecting a significant investment in educational infrastructure. The campus houses five advanced study centers, enhancing its research and academic offerings School of [[Biotechnology]] (integrated with School of Crop Technology), School of Astrophysics, School of Earth Sciences, School of Public Policy, School of Data Informatics, [[Cyber Security]], and [[Big data|Big Data]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 Feb 2019 |title=Presidency second chapter opens in New Town |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/presidency-university-second-chapter-opens-in-new-town/cid/1684932 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622125151/https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/presidency-university-second-chapter-opens-in-new-town/cid/1684932 |archive-date=22 June 2021 |access-date=19 Feb 2019 |website=[[The Telegraph (India)]] 19.02.19, 07:09 AM}}</ref>

===Himalayan Centre of Presidency University===
Established as the third campus of Presidency University, Kolkata, the '''Himalayan Centre''' at Dow Hill, [[Kurseong]], is an expansion into specialized research and higher education.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Banerjee |first=Amitava |date=24 Jul 2025 |title=Presidency University all set to launch its third campus in Dow Hill, Kurseong |url=https://www.millenniumpost.in/nation/presidency-university-all-set-to-launch-its-third-campus-in-dow-hill-kurseong-620241#:~:text=The%20campus%20will%20feature%20hostel,astrophysics%2C%20biotechnology%20and%20climate%20science. |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250729193920/https://www.millenniumpost.in/nation/presidency-university-all-set-to-launch-its-third-campus-in-dow-hill-kurseong-620241 |archive-date=29 Jul 2025 |access-date=24 Jul 2025 |work=MillenniumPost 24 July 2025 7:17 PM |location=[[Darjeeling]]}}</ref> Inaugurated following an announcement in August 2015 by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the project was backed by an initial state government investment of ₹30 crore, The campus was designed to leverage the unique geographical and ecological vantage point of the [[Eastern Himalayas]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rai |first=AK |date=22 Aug 2015 |title=30 Crore Presidency University Campus in Kurseong |url=https://kalimpongonlinenews.blogspot.com/2015/08/30-crore-presidency-university-campus.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128203024/https://kalimpongonlinenews.blogspot.com/2015/08/30-crore-presidency-university-campus.html |archive-date=28 Nov 2023 |access-date=23 Aug 2015 |work=Kalimpong News |location=[[Kurseong]] |agency=[[Indo-Asian News Service]]}}</ref>
As of July 2025, the university began recruiting key administrative and academic positions.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Banerjee |first=Bireswar |date=25 Jul 2025 |title=Bireswar Banerjee |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/recruitment-process-initiated-for-academic-posts-at-hill-campus-of-presidency-prnt/cid/2114932 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250726023539/https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/recruitment-process-initiated-for-academic-posts-at-hill-campus-of-presidency-prnt/cid/2114932 |archive-date=26 Jul 2025 |access-date=25 Jul 2025 |work=[[The Telegraph (India)]] 25.07.25, 10:13 AM |location=[[Kolkata]]}}</ref>

The campus focuses on academic disciplines including [[Public administration|Public Administration]], [[Astrophysics]] and [[Space Sciences]], and Himalayan [[Geological studies|Geological Studies]] and [[Tectonics]]. A defining feature is the proposed [[astronomical observatory]], intended to be the first of its kind in the region. Additionally, the university has utilized this site for research in [[Climate change|Climate Change]], [[Biodiversity]], and [[Social anthropology|Social Anthropology]], specifically documenting the indigenous cultures of the hills.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Basu |first=Somdatta |date=20 Sep 2015 |title=Presidency climbs new heights with Kurseong campus |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/presidency-climbs-new-heights-with-kurseong-campus/articleshow/49030496.cms#:~:text=This%20centre%20will%20study%20the,unique%20from%20any%20other%20region. |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170105201918/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/presidency-climbs-new-heights-with-kurseong-campus/articleshow/49030496.cms |archive-date=5 Jan 2017 |access-date=20 Sep 2015 |work=[[Times of India]] {{!}} TNN {{!}} Sep 20, 2015, 07.00 AM IST |location=[[Kolkata]]}}</ref>

==Organisation structure==
=== Governance ===
Like every [[State university system|state university]] in [[West Bengal]], Presidency University is headed by the [[Chancellor (education)|chancellor]], who is the [[Governor of West Bengal]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://rajbhavankolkata.gov.in/html/ourgovernor.html#:~:text=Our%20Governor%3A%20Raj%20Bhavan%2C%20West%20Bengal%2C%20India&text=of%20West%20Bengal-,Shri%20La.,Bengal%20on%2018th%20July%2C%202022.|title=Our Governor: Raj Bhavan, Kolkata |work=The Raj Bhavan, Kolkata |access-date=2022-08-22}}</ref> The vice-chancellor is the academic and administrative head of the institution. The post of the vice-chancellor replaced that of the principal after Presidency College received university status. [[Anuradha Lohia|Professor Anuradha Lohia]] was the first permanent vice-chancellor of the institution.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education/news/decks-cleared-for-re-appointing-anuradha-lohia-as-the-vc-of-presidency-university/articleshow/64453900.cms|title=Decks cleared for re-appointing Anuradha Lohia as the VC of Presidency University|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-06-28|archive-date=21 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721090100/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/education/news/decks-cleared-for-re-appointing-anuradha-lohia-as-the-vc-of-presidency-university/articleshow/64453900.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> The current [[Registrar (education)|Registrar]] of the university is Dr. Debajyoti Konar.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/calcutta/presi-panel-invites-nominees-for-vc-222596|title=Presi Registrar invites nominees for VC|work=The Telegraph|access-date=28 June 2018|archive-date=28 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628124836/https://www.telegraphindia.com/calcutta/presi-panel-invites-nominees-for-vc-222596}}</ref>

The Controller of Examinations, the Chief Librarian, the Finance officer and the Dean of students, along with the Dean of Arts and the Dean of Sciences, are the other important office holders of the university.<ref name=":1" /> The university is guided by a mentor group. The Mentor Group is chaired by [[Sugata Bose]], the [[Gardiner Professor of Oceanic History and Affairs]] at [[Harvard University]]. Nobel Laureate and [[economist]] [[Amartya Sen]] serves as the Advisor to the chair.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/quality-faculty-top-priority-presidency-mentor-group/article2398883.ece|title=Quality faculty top priority: Presidency mentor group|date=2011-08-26|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-06-28 |language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=28 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628101142/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/quality-faculty-top-priority-presidency-mentor-group/article2398883.ece|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/presidency-mentor-group-to-reach-out-to-brilliant-students-in-117122400589_1.html|title=Presidency Mentor Group to reach out to brilliant students in|agency=Press Trust of India|date=2017-12-24|work=Business Standard India|access-date=2018-06-28|archive-date=28 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628124915/https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/presidency-mentor-group-to-reach-out-to-brilliant-students-in-117122400589_1.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{collapse top|List of Principals}}


=== Principals of Presidency College ===

{{columns-list|colwidth=20em|
*J. Kerr, 1842–1848
*[[David Lester Richardson]], 1848–1849
*E. Lodge, 1849–1852
*J. Sutcliff, M.A., 1852–1856
*Leonidas Clint, 1856–1857
*E. Lodge, 1857–1858
*J. Sutcliffe, M.A., 1858–1863
*W. Grapel, 1863–1864
*J. Sutcliffe, M.A., 1864–1875
*H. Woodrow, 1875
*[[C. H. Tawney]], 1875
*J. Sutcliffe, M.A., 1875
*Alfred Croft, 1876
*[[C. H. Tawney]], 1876–1881
*G. Bellet, 1881–1882
*John Elliot, 1882–1883
*[[Alexander Pedler]], 1883
*John Elliot, 1883
*G. Bellet, 1883
*John Elliot, 1884–1885
*[[C. H. Tawney]], 1885
*W. Griffiths, 1885–1886
*[[C. H. Tawney]], 1886–1887
*[[Alexander Pedler]], 1887
*[[C. H. Tawney]], 1887
*[[Alexander Pedler]], 1887–1889
*[[C. H. Tawney]], 1889
*[[Alexander Pedler]], 1889
*[[F. J. Rowe|Frederick James Rowe]], 1889
*[[C. H. Tawney]], 1889
*W. Griffiths, 1892–1896
*[[Alexander Pedler]], 1896–1897
*J. H. Gilliland, 1897
*[[F. J. Rowe|Frederick James Rowe]], 1897–1898
*J. H. Gilliland, 1898
*[[F. J. Rowe|Frederick James Rowe]], 1898
*William Booth, 1898
*A. Clarke Edwards, 1899–1902
*[[Prasanna Kumar Roy]], 1902
*A. Clarke Edwards, 1902–1903
*[[Prasanna Kumar Roy]], 1903
*A. Clarke Edwards, 1903
*M. G. D. Prothero, 1904–1905
*[[Prasanna Kumar Roy]], 1905–1906
*Alexander Macdonnell, 1906
*A. Clarke Edwards, 1906–1907
*Henry Rosher James, 1907–1909
*Hugh Melville Percival, 1909
*Henry Rosher James, 1909–1911
*C. W. Peake, 1911–1912
*Henry Rosher James, 1912–1916
*[[William Christopher Wordsworth]], 1916–1917
*John Rothney Barrow, 1917–1924
*[[William Christopher Wordsworth]], 1924
*H. E. Stapleton, 1924–1926
*T. S. Sterling, 1926–1927
*Professor Abdul Khalek M.A, 1927–1929
*John Rothney Barrow, 1929–1930
*Jahangir Cooverjee Coyajee, 1930–1931
*Bhupatimohan Sen, 1931–1934
*Bhupatimohan Sen, 1934–1936
*[[Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis]], 1936
*Bhupatimohan Sen, 1936–1942
*[[Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis]], 1942
*Bhupatimohan Sen, 1942–1943
*Apurbakumar Chanda, 1943
*[[Jyotirmoy Ghosh]], 1943–1944
*Apurbakumar Chanda, 1944
*[[Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis]], 1945–1946
*[[Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis]], 1946–1947
*[[Muhammad Qudrat-i-Khuda]], 1947
*[[Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis]], 1947
*Jogischandra Sinha, 1947
*[[Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis]], 1948
*Jyotirmoy Ghosh, 1948–1950
*Jyotishchandra Sengupta, 1950
*Jyotirmoy Ghosh, 1950–1951
*Jyotishchandra Sengupta, 1951–1956
*[[F. J. Friend-Pereira]], 1956–1958
*Sanat Kumar Basu, 1958–1967
*Rajendralal Sengupta, 1967–1969
*Samerendranath Ghoshal, 1969–1970
*Sudhir Chandra Shome, 1970
*Pratul Chandra Mukherjee, 1970–1975
*Sudhir Chandra Shome, 1975–1976
*Pratul Chandra Mukherjee, 1976–1979
*Bijoy Shankar Basak, 1979–1982
*Achinta Kumar Mukherjee, 1982–1986
*Sunil Kumar Rai Chaudhuri, 1986–1991
*Amal Kumar Mukhopadhyay, 1991–1997
*Nitai Charan Mukherjee, 1997–2000
*Amitava Chatterjee, 2001–2005
*Mamata Ray, 2005–2008
*Sanjib Ghosh, 2008–2010
*Amitava Chatterjee, 2010
}}
{{collapse bottom}}

=== Departments ===
In academics, the university consists of two faculties – the Faculty of Natural and Mathematical Sciences and the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. Both Faculties are headed by [[Dean (education)|deans]]. A total of 16 departments function under the university. They are: [[Bengali Language|Bengali]], [[English language|English]], [[Hindi]], [[History]], [[Performing Arts]], [[Philosophy]], [[Political Science]], [[Sociology]], Life Sciences, [[Chemistry]], [[Economics]], [[Geography]], [[Geology]], [[Mathematics]], [[Physics]] and [[Statistics]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.presiuniv.ac.in/web/organisationsturcture.php|title=Presidency - Organisation Structure|access-date=28 June 2018|archive-date=30 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630085419/http://www.presiuniv.ac.in/web/organisationsturcture.php|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Departments of Presidency University, Kolkata|url=http://www.presiuniv.ac.in/web/department.php|access-date=12 November 2023}}</ref>
{{clear}}

{| style="border:1px solid #ddd; background:#fefefe; padding:3px; margin:0; margin:auto;"
|+ style="font-size: 100%" | '''Departments of Presidency University'''
|- style="vertical-align:top; font-size:90%;"
|
*[[Bengali language|Bengali]]
*[[Life Sciences]]
*[[Chemistry]]
*[[Economics]]
|
*[[English language|English]]
*[[Geography]]
*[[Geology]]
*[[Hindi]]
|
*[[History]]
*[[Mathematics]]
*[[Performing Arts]]
*[[Physics]]
|
*[[Philosophy]]
*[[Political Science]]
*[[Sociology]]
*[[Statistics]]
|
*Institute of [[Health Sciences]]
*School of [[Astrophysics]]

|}

{| class="floatright" style="width:22em; padding:0.2em; margin-left:0.5em; border: 1px solid #a2a9b1;"
|+List of Vice Chancellors
|-
! scope="row" | [[Amita Chatterjee]]
| 2010–2011
|-
! scope="row" | [[Malabika Sarkar]]
| 2011–2014
|-
! scope="row" | [[Anuradha Lohia]]
| 2014–2023
|-
! scope="row" | [[Subhro Kamal Mukherjee]] ''(acting)''
| 2023–2024
|-
! scope="row" | Nirmalya Narayan Chakraborty
| 2024–''Incumbent''
|}

== Rankings ==
During its tenure as a college, formal national ranking systems like the [[National Institutional Ranking Framework]] (NIRF) were not in place. However different news outlets ranked ''Presidency college'' as one of the leading institutes for [[humanities]] and [[Natural science|natural sciences]].
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Ranking years
!1998
!1999
!2000
!2001
!2002
!2003
!2004
!2005
!2006
!2007
!2008
!2009
!2010
|-
|Science
|2nd<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=web archive |url=http://media2.intoday.in/microsites/bestcolleges/Science_2010.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009162943/http://media2.intoday.in/microsites/bestcolleges/Science_2010.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|2nd<ref name=":0" />
| -
| -
|3rd<ref name=":0" />
|2nd<ref name=":0" />
| -
|3rd<ref name=":0" />
|4th<ref name=":0" />
|8th<ref name=":0" />
|3rd<ref name=":0" />
|5th<ref name=":0" />
|3rd<ref name=":0" />
|-
|Humanities
|2nd<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-06-06 |title=Best Colleges: 20 year toppers in Arts colleges |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/best-colleges/story/india-today-best-colleges-survey-top-arts-colleges-195933-2014-06-06 |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>
|2nd<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-06-06 |title=Best Colleges: 20 year toppers in Arts colleges |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/best-colleges/story/india-today-best-colleges-survey-top-arts-colleges-195933-2014-06-06 |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>
| -
|1st<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-06-06 |title=Best Colleges: 20 year toppers in Arts colleges |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/best-colleges/story/india-today-best-colleges-survey-top-arts-colleges-195933-2014-06-06 |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>
| -
| -
| -
| -
|2nd<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-06-06 |title=Best Colleges: 20 year toppers in Arts colleges |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/best-colleges/story/india-today-best-colleges-survey-top-arts-colleges-195933-2014-06-06 |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>
|6th<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-06-06 |title=Best Colleges: 20 year toppers in Arts colleges |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/best-colleges/story/india-today-best-colleges-survey-top-arts-colleges-195933-2014-06-06 |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>
|4th<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-06-06 |title=Best Colleges: 20 year toppers in Arts colleges |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/best-colleges/story/india-today-best-colleges-survey-top-arts-colleges-195933-2014-06-06 |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>
|7th<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-06-06 |title=Best Colleges: 20 year toppers in Arts colleges |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/best-colleges/story/india-today-best-colleges-survey-top-arts-colleges-195933-2014-06-06 |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>
|6th<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-06-06 |title=Best Colleges: 20 year toppers in Arts colleges |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/best-colleges/story/india-today-best-colleges-survey-top-arts-colleges-195933-2014-06-06 |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>
|}
Presidency University, Kolkata was in the inaugural list of the top 50 institutions in the [[National Institutional Ranking Framework]](NIRF) in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Presidency University, Kolkata: Courses, Fees, Admission 2024, Placements, Cutoff |url=https://www.shiksha.com/university/presidency-university-kolkata-51529 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250118115608/https://www.shiksha.com/university/presidency-university-kolkata-51529 |archive-date=2025-01-18 |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=www.shiksha.com |language=en}}</ref> In 2025, the university was ranked 124 in Asian University Rankings - Southern Asia.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Presidency University, Kolkata |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/presidency-university-kolkata#:~:text=Rankings%20&%20ratings,-RANKINGS&text=Presidency%20University,%20Kolkata%20is%20one,University%20Rankings%20-%20Southern%20Asia%202025. |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=Top Universities |language=en}}</ref> The university was ranked 151-200 overall in India by the [[National Institutional Ranking Framework|NIRF]] (National Institutional Ranking Framework) in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NIRF 2024 Overall ranking |url=https://www.nirfindia.org/Rankings/2024/OverallRanking200.html}}</ref>

{{Infobox India university ranking|NIRF_O_2024=151-200|type=University}}

==Notable alumni==
{{See also|List of Kolkata Presidencians}}Alumni of Presidency University include two [[Nobel laureate in economics|Nobel Laureates in Economics]], leaders of the [[Indian Independence Movement]], heads of state, Academy Award winners, academicians and pioneers in [[Bengal Renaissance|Bengali renaissance]].

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Presidency University, Kolkata}}
* {{official|http://presiuniv.ac.in/}}
{{Portal bar|India|Education}}

{{Kolkata topics}}
{{Universities in West Bengal}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Presidency University, Kolkata| ]]
[[Category:19th century in Kolkata]]
[[Category:Academic institutions associated with the Bengal Renaissance]]
[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1817]]
[[Category:1817 establishments in British India]]
[[Category:Universities in Kolkata]]
[[Category:Hindu universities and colleges]]

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Presidency University, Kolkata