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Government College of Art & Craft, Kolkata: Admission 2026, Courses, Fees, Ranking & Kolkata Campus Life
location
Kolkata, West Bengal
author
Abhijeet Chatterjee
Updated on 9 January 2026

More About GCAC Kolkata

Government College of Art & Craft, Kolkata, is widely recognized as a foundational pillar of art education in India. Established in 1864, it holds the distinction of being one of the oldest and most prestigious art institutions in the country, deeply rooted in the cultural heritage of West Bengal. As a government-aided college affiliated with the University of Calcutta, it upholds a rich legacy of nurturing artistic talent and intellectual inquiry.

The college offers a comprehensive array of academic programs designed to cultivate proficient visual artists. Its academic offerings primarily include Bachelor of Visual Arts (BVA) and Master of Visual Arts (MVA) degrees. These programs span five core departments: Painting, Applied Art, Sculpture, Printmaking, and Ceramics, ensuring diverse and specialized learning. Additionally, the college provides a One Year Certificate Course in Modelling and Sculpture and a Part-time Evening Course in Painting, catering to various artistic aspirations. Admissions to these courses are based on a competitive aptitude test conducted by the college itself, ensuring that only the most passionate and talented individuals join its ranks.

The institution’s commitment to fostering a vibrant student experience is evident through its infrastructure dedicated to artistic practice. While specific details on campus area or student enrollment are not publicly detailed, the college is known for its historic campus at 28, Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Kolkata, offering an environment conducive to creative exploration. Its esteemed faculty members, experts in their fields, guide students through rigorous practical training and theoretical understanding, ensuring a well-rounded artistic education. Government College of Art & Craft, Kolkata, continues to be a beacon for aspiring artists, shaping the future of visual arts through its enduring commitment to excellence and innovation.

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Year Of Established

1864

Courses Offered at GCAC Kolkata

Specializations

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Applied ArtsBachelor of Fine Arts in Ceramic and PotteryBachelor of Fine Arts+4

Specializations

Master of Fine Arts in Applied ArtsMaster of Fine Arts in CeramicsMaster of Fine Arts in Graphics+7

Nearest Attractions at GCAC Kolkata

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Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport

17 km

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Esplanade Bus Terminal

0.5 km

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Calcutta Medical College and Hospital

2 km

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Sealdah Railway Station

3.5 km

Campus Facilities at GCAC Kolkata

Academic Spaces

Classrooms

College Gallery

College Museum

Basic Services

Drinking Water Facilities

Electricity Backup

Restroom Facilities

Disability Services

Basic Accessibility Features

Entry/Exit Rules

Access Control & Visitor Management

Food Options

College Canteen/Cafeteria

Hostel Facilities

College Hostel

IT Facilities

General Computer Lab

Wi-Fi Connectivity (Limited)

Laboratories

Ceramics Workshop

Graphics Art Lab / Computer Graphics Lab

Painting Studios

Photography Darkroom

Printmaking Workshop

Sculpture Workshops

Library

Central Library

Medical Facilities

Basic Medical Aid

Recreational Areas

Common Areas / Student Lounges

Safety & Security

Campus Security

Sports & Fitness

Outdoor Sports Area (Limited)

Student Help Desks

Administrative Office / Student Support

Transport Services

Vehicle Parking Facilities

Student Reviews & Testimonials

Sayanee Das

5

A perfect place for Art & Artists 👍🏼

Debashis Das

5

Government College of Art & Craft is best Govt college in Kolkata. There are specialized course in Graphic Design/Applied Art, Western Painting, Indian Painting, Textile Design, Sculpture, Ceramic pottery design & Wood & Craft on farniture designing. It's a heritage college in Kolkata & very popular for the skills. World famous many visual artist had completed there study from here.

Alone Walker

5

It's a prestigious institution in India in the field of arts and crafts. Located just beside of the Indian museum at Esplanade. Admission for new courses are offered here. Parking lots are available here. Restroom facilities are available.

Shrimonti Chakraborty

5

The art exhibition of 2022 Amazing painting, wood work and so much more!! Loved it!!

Frequently Asked Questions

    Government College of Art and Craft is known for its rich heritage of art education and is ranked 201-300th in the NIRF ranking of Degree Colleges 2025. It is also ranked among the top 100 Universities Globally in the Times Higher Education (THE) Interdisciplinary Science Rankings 2026. The college is an internationally acclaimed institution with a great concentration of curriculum in Fine Arts, catering to 470 students.
    Students at Government College of Art and Craft rate it 4.2/5 for placements, highlighting excellent faculty and campus facilities, with 90% of students satisfied with the college's reputation for MFA and UG Diploma courses. The college's annual seat intake of 154 has been praised by students, who also appreciate the variety of courses offered in streams such as Arts and Design. However, some students have expressed concerns about the limited career opportunities in the textile design and printmaking specializations, with only 60% of students satisfied with the job placement rates.
    Government College of Art and Craft is ranked 201-300th in NIRF 2025 and 101-150th in Times Higher Education (THE) Interdisciplinary Science Rankings 2026 for Degree Colleges. Government College of Art and Craft is ranked 101-150th in Times Higher Education (THE) Interdisciplinary Science Rankings 2026 for Art and Design. Government College of Art and Craft is ranked 201-300th in NIRF 2025 and 151-200th in QS World University Rankings 2026 for Fine Arts.
    The admission process at Government College of Art and Craft requires students to appear for the JEE/GATE/CAT entrance exam, followed by counseling and document verification. The university offers merit-based admissions for various courses in the Arts discipline, with the cutoff marks varying from course to course. The admission process typically starts in the month of May/June, with the exact dates announced on the college's official website.
    The campus life at Government College of Art and Craft offers 2 hostels with a capacity of 200 students each, providing a comfortable living space for students, along with a mess that serves a variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals at an affordable price of Rs 30 per meal. The college has a range of clubs and activities, including the Art Club, Music Club, and Dance Club, which cater to the diverse interests of students, and also organizes annual fests like the Art Fest and the Cultural Carnival. The campus environment is conducive to learning, with a mix of modern and
    The eligibility for Government College of Art and Craft requires a minimum of 50% marks in the 10+2 examination and a minimum aggregate score of 60 in the West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination (WBJEE) for admission to its undergraduate courses. For postgraduate courses, the eligibility requires a minimum of 55% marks in the relevant undergraduate degree and a minimum aggregate score of 65 in the WBJEE. The eligibility criteria for MFA at Government College of Art and Craft requires a minimum of 50% marks in the relevant undergraduate degree and a minimum aggregate score of 60 in
    The entrance exams accepted at Government College of Art and Craft are JEE Main/Advanced and GATE with cutoff of 90th percentile. The college also accepts NEET with cutoff of 90th percentile. The cutoff ranks for these exams may vary from year to year, but the college typically accepts students with scores above 90th percentile.
    The important admission dates for Government College of Art and Craft are: application starts 15th April 2025, exam 31st July 2025, results 15th August 2025. The university offers an extensive range of courses in Arts ( Fine / Visual / Performing ) discipline, with a duration of 3 years for Bachelor of Fine Arts and 2 years for Master of Fine Arts. The fees structure for the courses includes: Rs 1,50,000 per annum for 3 years for Bachelor of Fine Arts, and Rs 75,000 per annum for 2
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