Behala College Review and Verdict by CollegeDekho

Campus at a Glimpse

Behala College is a Grants-in-aid state government-sponsored college in Kolkata established in 1963. Affiliated with the University of Calcutta, Behala College is accredited by NAAC A++ grade. The college is also recognised under Section 2f by UGC. Over the years, the college has consolidated its position as a premier academic institution in the southern fringes of Kolkata. It is also the study centre of renowned institutions like Netaji Subhas Open University and Rabindra Bharati University.

There are two undergraduate courses offered by Behala College: Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BSc). These courses are offered in different disciplines such as History, Education, English, Defence, etc. Even though Behala College was started as a UG college, it has also introduced postgraduate courses recently in different streams like Chemistry, History, Mathematics, and Bengali. However, there is no clear list of PG courses offered by the college on the official website which raises the question of whether PG courses are being offered or not.

Along with the plus points, Behala College has some downsides too. Students claim that placements are available for BSc courses although there is not much placement for BA courses. This is disappointing for a college with an A++ NAAC grade as students invest a significant amount of time and money into their education, and they expect to be able to find a job after they have graduated. With no placement for a course, one may feel that their investment went down the drain.

Behala College NIRF Ranking

Even though Behala College releases the NIRF report every year, we could not find its name on the NIRF ranking 2023. This signifies two main possibilities, either the College might not have participated in the NIRF ranking process for the relevant year or it might not have met the required eligibility criteria for being ranked. NIRF ranking is voluntary, and colleges can choose not to participate. While Behala College releases a self-assessment report using the NIRF framework, it might not have submitted the necessary data to NIRF for official ranking. 

Our Take:

Not having been featured in any of the recognised rankings can turn out to be a demerit in the future. Given that rankings and recognition play a crucial role when picking out a college, Behala might be at a disadvantage merely for this. That said, the fact that the college has been successfully submitting its NIRF reports since 2019 and putting them in the public purview is certainly a plus point. 

Behala College Academia & Batch

Behala College promotes value-based education, meaning it emphasizes the importance of values such as honesty, integrity, respect, and compassion in the educational process. The college believes that these values are essential for students to become well-rounded and successful individuals which is important in a fast-paced world like today. Let's explore more about Behala College courses, curriculum, and seat intake.

Curriculum Design

Behala College follows a choice-based credit system (CBCS) which includes a skill-based course, a core course, and an elective/minor course. The courses are evaluated based on the 10-point grading system which is an upgrade to the conventional marks system. The college also has additional courses added to its curriculum like soft skills, communicative English, photography, etc. to help students brush up on their skills.

Total Courses

A total of two undergraduate courses are offered by Behala College: BA and BSc. For BA, a total of 10 specialisations are offered. For BSc, a total of 11 specialisations are offered. The courses are offered as minor and major (honours) courses. 

Seat Intake

The category-wise seat intake for BA and BSc courses at Behala College can be checked through the table below:

Our Take:

Behala College's emphasis on value-based education is quite significant, especially in today's fast-paced world. Value-based education helps students develop a strong moral compass and make decisions that are aligned with their values. Additionally, the number of seats in the college makes it convenient for students to be a part of the renowned University of Calcutta. When it comes to the faculty, students claim that they should pay more attention to students.

Behala College Infrastructure

Behala College offers state-of-the-art infrastructure. Some of the highlighted facilities include smart classrooms, a fully equipped library & labs, gyms, sports facilities, an auditorium, and others. Find further details below:

Classrooms

Behala College has well-equipped classrooms with comfortable seating and audio-visual facilities. The classrooms are also spacious and well-lit, providing a conducive environment for learning. Well, it's like any other state government-aided college in the country.

Library

The Behala College library is a well-stocked library with over 23,000 books and journals on a wide range of subjects. The library also has a digital section with access to e-books, e-journals, and other online resources. Students can check the repository by logging into the official website using their registered username and password.

Laboratories

Behala College has well-equipped laboratories for all science subjects. The laboratories are staffed by experienced and qualified laboratory technicians who provide students with the assistance they need to conduct experiments and learn about scientific concepts. 

Gym and Sports Facilities

Behala College has a well-equipped gym and sports facilities. The gym has a variety of fitness equipment, including treadmills, ellipticals, weight machines, and free weights. The sports facilities include a basketball court, a volleyball court, and a football field.

Auditorium

Behala College has a large and spacious auditorium that is used for a variety of events, such as seminars, conferences, and cultural programs. The auditorium is also equipped with state-of-the-art audio-visual facilities.

Our Take:

Behala College has a well-developed infrastructure that caters to the needs of its students and faculty. The college's classrooms, library, laboratories, gym, sports facilities, and auditorium are all well-equipped and provide students with a conducive environment for learning and growth. However, the sports facilities available don't look adequate. Moreover, there is no hostel facility and students have attested that the WiFi connection is poor as students usually have to use their mobile data. 

Behala College Internships & Placements

Behala College has its own placement cell which takes care of yearly placements for students. The main function of the cell is to arrange for training programmes to guide students on various interview techniques, group discussions, and aptitude tests. The cell also aims to achieve maximum possible placements for students and to provide guidance to students wishing to pursue Higher Education. 

Behala College Internships

Behala College provides internship opportunities which are mandatory for all the students for a tenure of two months. The college has a strong network of companies that offer internships to students. These companies include IT MNCs, banks, financial institutions, consulting firms, and manufacturing companies. Students can choose to intern at a company that is relevant to their field of study or at a company that they are interested in working for after graduation.

Behala College Placement Statistics (NIRF 2023 Report)

Top Recruiters

Our Take:

We must say that we are undoubtedly not impressed with the Behala College placement statistics. The statistics are concerning, with a placement percentage of only 9.2%. The data stays relevant to the reviews of students where they said that the college does not provide good placements. Even though some of the top companies like TCS, Reliance Jio, Times of India, etc. visit campus for placements, the placement percentage is very low with a low median package. This suggests that Behala College is struggling to place its students in jobs that offer competitive salaries.

Behala College Location

The Behala College campus is located in a residential area in the southern part of Kolkata. The campus is well-connected to the rest of the city by public transportation. There are several bus and train stops located within walking distance of the campus. Additionally, there are a number of restaurants, cafes, and shops located near the campus. Students can also find many banks and ATMs in the area. 

Behala College: Expectation vs Reality CLD Verdict

Behala College is a well-known college in Kolkata, with a reputation for academic excellence with its A++ NAAC grade. Students who choose to study at Behala College expect to receive a high-quality education and to be prepared for successful careers after graduation. However,  Behala College does meet many expectations of its students. The college offers a limited number of UG courses. Also, some students complain that the college is too crowded and that the resources are not adequate for the number of students. Also, the placement of the college is below average and does not reflect well on its ROI.