City College, Kolkata: Admission 2026, Courses, Fees, Ranking & Kolkata Campus Life

About City College Kolkata

City College, Kolkata, officially known as City College, is a state government-aided public degree college established in 1881 in Kolkata, West Bengal. The institution functions as a composite general degree college and is affiliated to the University of Calcutta. Rooted in the Brahmo Samaj movement, it operates as a grant-in-aid college under the higher education system of West Bengal.

City College is a NAAC-accredited undergraduate institution and participates in NIRF in the College category. The college offers a range of UG programmes in Arts, Science and Commerce, with structured routines under the NEP-based curriculum. It is recognised under UGC provisions and continues to attract students across disciplines through its updated academic schedules and centralized/state admission processes.

Key Highlights

Admission Dates 2026

Admissions for undergraduate programmes at City College, Kolkata for the 2026 academic session are conducted through the West Bengal Centralised Admission Portal (WBCAP) and the college’s standalone online portal. Admission is merit-based on Higher Secondary (10+2) marks with no entrance exam required.

Admission Process

City College, Kolkata offers admission to UG programmes (B.A., B.Sc., B.Com – 3-year and 4-year) through the West Bengal Centralised Admission Portal (WBCAP) and, in later phases, its own stand‑alone online portal, on a merit basis using Class 12 marks. No separate entrance test is conducted for any programme.

B.A./B.Sc./B.Com (UG) Admission

Steps to Apply

1. Go to the Centralised Admission Portal (WBCAP) and register selecting “City College, Kolkata” for relevant UG courses during the main admission rounds.
2. Fill in academic details (Class 10 and 12 marks, subjects, board) and upload required documents in the WBCAP portal; submit and lock your choices.
3. Check the published merit lists and allotment rounds; if allotted City College, confirm the seat online within the given deadline and pay the provisional admission fee through the portal.
4. Visit City College on the scheduled physical verification dates with all original documents and printouts for verification in the college office.
5. Complete college-level formalities (final fee payment if pending, submission of hard copies, signing declarations) to receive confirmation of admission and CU registration.
6. If you miss WBCAP or seek later admission, monitor the City College stand‑alone admission portal and college admission notices, apply online there, and follow the same fee payment and verification steps.

Eligibility Criteria & Fees

Documents Required

• Printout of online application form (WBCAP or college stand‑alone portal) with photograph and signature
• Proof of payment of admission fee (online receipt / bank slip)
• Class 10 (Madhyamik or equivalent) admit card / certificate for date of birth proof
• Class 10 marksheet
• Class 12 (HSC/ISC/CBSE or equivalent) marksheet
• Class 12 pass certificate
• Caste certificate for SC/ST/OBC as applicable (issued by competent authority)
• Income certificate of parent/guardian if applying for any fee concession or scholarship
• School leaving certificate / transfer certificate (where applicable)
• Migration certificate for students from boards/universities other than West Bengal Council/Calcutta University (if required at verification)
• Government photo ID proof (Aadhaar / Voter ID / PAN)
• Two recent passport-size colour photographs

Rankings & Accreditations

City College, Kolkata is ranked 101 in the NIRF India Rankings 2025 under the College category. It is NAAC A++ accredited, reflecting strong institutional quality and academic performance.

NIRF 2025

Accreditations

• NAAC: A++ (Valid till 2028)

Scholarships & Financial Aid

City College, Kolkata students access financial aid mainly through West Bengal and central government schemes such as Kanyashree, Aikyashree, Swami Vivekananda Merit-cum-Means and Post-Matric scholarships, applied via Banglar Uchchashiksha, Aikyashree, OASIS and NSP portals. The college regularly issues notices, verifies applications and acts as an institute-level facilitator for these schemes.

Institute Scholarships

Government Scholarships

External Scholarships

• Reliance Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship: Up to ₹2,00,000 over the duration of the UG degree for first-year undergraduates across India with household income under ₹15,00,000/year; open to City College students who meet eligibility and are selected in the national process.

Comparison

City College Kolkata is a reputed, NAAC-accredited, grant-in-aid general degree college affiliated to the University of Calcutta, so students usually compare it with other top Kolkata arts–science–commerce colleges like St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous) and Lady Brabourne College that share similar university affiliation, programme mix and competitive cut-offs.

Key Strengths

• City College Kolkata: Strong legacy in arts and sciences with low fees, NAAC A grade, and steady placements for a grant-in-aid, University of Calcutta–affiliated college.
• St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata: Nationally top-ranked autonomous college with NAAC A++, very strong placement outcomes, industry-linked add-on programmes and a highly competitive admission process.
• Lady Brabourne College, Kolkata: Premier women’s college with NAAC A grade, strong science and arts departments, good NIRF standing and affordable government-funded fee structure.

Campus & Infrastructure

City College, Kolkata is located in central Kolkata near College Street, spread over a compact urban campus. The college operates from a multi-storey academic building with classrooms, laboratories, and administrative blocks.

Campus Details

Academic Facilities

• Library: 60,000 books, 100 e-journals
• Labs: 10 labs
• Classrooms: 15 smart classrooms

Hostel

Other Facilities

• Auditorium with seating capacity of 300
• Indoor games room
• Common room for students
• Canteen

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the eligibility criteria for BA, BSc and BCom Honours at City College Kolkata?

For most BA/BSc/BCom Honours, you need at least 50% aggregate in Class 12 and 45% in the relevant subject; some science Honours also require PCM or Biology at 10+2. Selection is strictly merit-based on best-of-four plus subject marks through the central/college online portal.

Is there any entrance exam for admission to City College Kolkata UG courses?

No separate entrance test is conducted. Admissions to BA, BSc and BCom (Honours and General) are fully merit-based on Class 12 marks through the online admission portal linked from the official college website and WB centralized admission portal.

How does the online admission process at City College Kolkata work?

Candidates register on the WB centralized/college portal, fill academic and personal details, upload scanned documents (Class 10 and 12 mark sheets, ID proof, photograph), and pay the application fee online. The college then publishes merit lists, followed by online fee payment and on-campus document verification.

What is the approximate first-year fee for BA, BSc and BCom at City College Kolkata?

First-year tuition and related fees are relatively low: BA around ₹3,050, BSc around ₹2,910 and BCom Honours roughly ₹10,000–₹15,000 depending on subject and combination. Fees are semester-wise and displayed in the admission notices and prospectus each year.

Does City College Kolkata offer any scholarships or fee concessions?

Students can apply for state and central schemes such as Kanyashree, minority scholarships and SC/ST/OBC scholarships routed through the college. Fee concessions are linked to government norms and category reservations; details are notified during the admission cycle on official notices.

Is there an option to pay City College fees in instalments or only once a year?

Fees are typically collected semester-wise, meaning you do not pay the entire three-year amount at once. Admission fee and first-semester fee are paid during admission, while subsequent semester fees are paid before each term the college’s notified schedule.

Does City College Kolkata have campus placements for BCom and BSc students?

The college has a Career and Counselling Cell that coordinates placement-related activities. Some students from BCom and science streams secure jobs in accounting, auditing and entry-level corporate roles, but many still opt for CA, CS, CMA, MSc or other higher studies rather than mass campus placements.

What kind of companies recruit BCom (Hons) students from City College Kolkata?

Recruitments are largely from local and regional firms in accounting, taxation, audit and small corporate offices rather than large national IT firms. Reviews highlight roles such as accountant, audit officer and tax assistant, usually offering entry-level salary packages for fresh graduates.

Does the college help with internships during graduation?

Formal, centrally arranged internships are limited; there is no large-scale dedicated internship drive. Interested students generally arrange internships on their own with CA firms, local businesses or research guides, using recommendation letters from departmental teachers when needed.

How is the faculty quality and teaching in City College Kolkata?

Most departments have experienced faculty members affiliated with the University of Calcutta syllabus, many with NET/SET or PhD qualifications. Student reviews often mention supportive and knowledgeable professors, though some non-teaching staff behaviour is rated as strict or unhelpful.

What is the class size and typical teaching pattern for UG courses?

Classrooms commonly accommodate around 60–70 students per section. Teaching is mainly through chalk-and-talk, with some departments using projectors and digital classrooms; practical-based subjects use dedicated laboratories and computer labs during scheduled practical sessions.

Does City College Kolkata have good laboratory facilities for science courses?

There are separate, well-equipped labs for Physics, Chemistry, Zoology and other sciences, including dedicated computer labs for Physics, Mathematics and Commerce. One review mentions 9 physics laboratories, including a general and computer lab, with sufficient apparatus for University of Calcutta practicals.

Is hostel facility available at City College Kolkata for outstation students?

The college does not have its own on-campus hostel for either boys or girls. Students typically stay in nearby private PGs or hostels around College Street and adjacent areas; typical PG costs range around ₹3,000–₹5,000 per month including food, depending on sharing and amenities.

How is the canteen and food quality inside the campus?

The campus has student and departmental canteens offering affordable snacks and meals, with some reviews praising low prices. Other students find the main canteen’s hygiene and variety average, so many depend on numerous food options available on College Street and the surrounding area.

What sports and gym facilities are available for students?

The college offers indoor and outdoor sports including cricket, football, volleyball, table tennis, carrom and chess, plus an indoor multi-gym on campus. Annual sports events are held, and there is a sports quota for talented athletes during admissions in line with university norms.

Does City College Kolkata have any hostel or strict dress code for daily classes?

There is no college hostel and no formal uniform for regular degree students. The expectation is modest, decent attire suitable for a traditional academic environment; jeans and casual wear are common, but students avoid explicitly inappropriate clothing during classes and examinations.

How convenient is commuting to City College Kolkata from different parts of the city?

The college is on College Street in central Kolkata, close to Mahatma Gandhi Road and Central Metro stations and major bus routes along MG Road and Esplanade. This location makes daily commuting relatively easy from areas like Howrah, Salt Lake, Dum Dum and South Kolkata.

Can students do part-time jobs or coaching while studying at City College?

Classes are usually held in daytime slots, leaving evenings and some mornings free, which students use for CA coaching or part-time tutoring. There is no ban on part-time work, but attendance and internal assessment requirements under Calcutta University must be met to avoid detention.

How is City College Kolkata compared with other North Kolkata colleges for BCom (Hons)?

City College is an old, Calcutta University–affiliated institution on College Street with low fees and a strong environment for CA/CS aspirants. Compared with many private colleges, its ROI is high, but it has more limited infrastructure and corporate placements than some newer, specialized commerce institutes.

Is a degree from City College Kolkata good enough for higher studies like CA, MBA or MSc?

Graduates receive a University of Calcutta degree, which is widely accepted for CA, CMA, CS, MSc and MBA admissions across India. Many BCom students use the college mainly as a base while focusing on professional exams, and science graduates routinely appear for CU and other universities’ MSc entrance processes.