Surendranath College's Review and Verdict by CollegeDekho

Campus at a Glimpse

Established in 1884 as Ripon College by the visionary Surendranath Banerjea, Surendranath College, now 138 years old and has stood the test of time, evolving into a symbol of academic excellence in Kolkata, India. In 1948-49, it was renamed Surendranath College in honour of its founder. Affiliated with the University of Calcutta, the college has a rich history and continues to make strides in the world of education. The college has been accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), earning a B++ grade in 2007 and a B+ grade in 2016. 
Surendranath College offers a diverse range of academic programmes, including four undergraduate general degree programmes, 22 undergraduate honours degree programmes, and a master's degree programme. The institution takes pride in its state-of-the-art facilities, such as ICT-enable classrooms, a 320-seat auditorium, two recording studios, a well-equipped gymnasium, and an eco-friendly campus with a Green Building Policy and solar panels for sustainable energy.
However, Surendranath College faces challenges including limited space, a lack of a second campus, no playground or hostel, and constraints on faculty and student exchange programmes due to structural and governmental policies. The college also struggles with issues such as limited add-on courses, a majority of technical staff being temporary, and limited international visibility.

Surendranath College NIRF Ranking

Despite participating in the NIRF Ranking 2023, Surendranath College has not yet managed to secure a position in any of the ranking categories.

Surendranath College Academia & Batch Size

Surendranath College follows the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) across its 27 programmes, which is recommended by the University of Calcutta. What sets the college apart is the freedom it gives students to pick from 793 different courses and electives. This doesn't stop here. In the last five years, Surendranath College has introduced 38 extra courses and activities. These are not just for getting jobs but also for learning skills that are valuable globally. Additionally, the college includes subjects that relate to current social and economic issues, making education more relevant and meaningful. 

Surendranath College - Seats Available VS  Students Admitted (2020-21)

Our Take

Surendranath College stands out for its flexible education approach, offering students the freedom to select from a wide range of courses. The inclusion of subjects addressing current social and economic issues makes education more practical and valuable. According to the demand ratio data, it's evident that general degree programmes have more demand. However when compared to the number of seats available vs number of students admitted, it is evident that this colleges is not a first choice for the student community and hence the seats remain vacant almost for all courses. The institute needs to make efforts to make it's name more crdible and meet the educational standards so that students aspire to take admission at this institute.

Surendranath College Infrastructure

Classrooms:

Surendranath College has ICT-enabled classrooms that integrate technology for better learning experiences.

Auditorium:

Surendranath College offers a 320-seat auditorium for hosting events and seminars.

Library:

Surendranath College's library has a long history, starting alongside the college itself before India's independence. It's a source of pride, with a spacious area of 3283 sq ft. Besides the central library, there are 15 departmental libraries for different subjects like arts, science, commerce, and bioscience. This collection of books and resources supports the academic and research needs of students, faculty, and research scholars, making it an essential part of college life.

Wifi:

The campus has a good telecom network with intercoms for 24/7 internet connectivity, along with two additional BSNL landlines for communication needs.

Our Take

Surendranath College provides students with a well-rounded educational environment. Facilities include modern ICT-enabled classrooms, a spacious auditorium for events, a well-established library, and 15 departmental libraries. The widespread Wi-Fi connectivity further enhances the academic experience, ensuring students have access to seamless connections for educational and research activities. However, one major drawback is the lack of hostel facilities due to limited campus space.

Surendranath College Placements

The Surendranath College Placement Cell claims to provide quality placement opportunities for its students. The cell conducts diverse activities, including orientation programmes, internships, workshops, and training, aimed at enhancing students' skills and grooming their personalities.
According to students, the college attracts various companies for placements, with approximately 60% of students securing job opportunities in different firms. The salary packages vary, ranging from an average of INR 20,000 per month to the highest offered salary of INR 40,000 per month, with the lowest at INR 1 LPA. Let’s check the Surendranath College placement statistics 2022 according to the NIRF report 2023.

Surendranath College Placements - Course-wise 

Surendranath College Top Recruiters

Our Take

Surendranath College has a decent placement rate, placing about 60% of its students in different companies. Considering both the NIRF report's course-wise data and students’ feedback, the salary package offered is quite average, with salaries ranging from INR 1 LPA to 2.3 LPA. 

Surendranath College Diversity & Representation 

Surendranath College's convenient location, just 400 metres from Sealdah station in Kolkata, makes it accessible and attracts first-generation learners from across West Bengal, even from remote villages. Students from other states also choose this institution, highlighting its appeal and reach as a centre for quality education. Let’s take a look at the demographic representation and gender ratio at Surendranath College as per the NIRF report 2023.

Surendranath College Demographic Representation 

Surendranath College Gender Ratio

Our take

Surendranath College's location near Sealdah station attracts students from various parts of West Bengal and other states. The NIRF 2023 report indicates that the maximum number of students are from West Bengal, while a considerable number hail from outside the state. Additionally, the gender ratio, although slightly male-dominant, shows a healthy balance of male and female students both in undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Surendranath College Faculty

According to students, Surendranath College has dedicated and experienced professors who are praised for their teaching and ability to explain the basics effectively. The faculty is highly qualified and friendly, creating a supportive atmosphere. However, some students have reported that class schedules can be irregular, often requiring them to request classes. 

Surendranath College Location

Surendranath College is conveniently located in Kolkata, West Bengal, with easy accessibility via various transportation options. Situated near Sealdah Station, it's a short walk (about 400 meters) from the Sealdah Railway Station, making it a convenient destination for commuters arriving by train. Additionally, the college is well-connected through the Kolkata Metro, with Sealdah Metro Station within walking distance. For those travelling by road, numerous bus routes connect to and from Sealdah. Due to it’s central location, Surendranath College attracts students from various parts of Kolkata and West Bengal

Surendranath College: Expectation vs Reality CollegeDekho Verdict

Established in 1884 as Ripon College and later renamed to honour its founder, Surendranath College is known for its academic excellence in Kolkata, India. Affiliated with the University of Calcutta, it offers a variety of academic programmes and various facilities, including a 320-seat auditorium, a spacious library, and ICT-enabled classrooms. The college's flexible curriculum gives students the liberty to choose from a wide range of courses, including those addressing current social and economic issues. However, space constraints, limited add-on courses, average placement packages, challenges in faculty stability, and the absence of hostel facilities pose some obstacles. Nonetheless, due to it’s location, it remains accessible and attracts students from various backgrounds. The verdict is clear: Surendranath College stands as a historical institution with potential, but there are challenges to address for its continued growth.

Final Verdict Checklist!