The Sanskrit College and University, Kolkata

One of India's most prominent institutes for classical, oriental, and liberal arts education is The Sanskrit College and University (SCU), which was founded in 1824 and became a full-fledged university in 2016. It is run by the State Government and approved by the University Grants Commission (UGC). It is situated in the academic center of Kolkata, West Bengal.

SCU, which has almost 200 years of academic history, combines old knowledge systems with modern learning frameworks. It is known for providing contemporary degree programs while maintaining and promoting Indian traditional education.

Courses Offered

Program LevelCourse NameDuration
UG (Honours)BA (Hons) Sanskrit4 Years (FYUP)
 BA (Hons) English4 Years
 BA (Hons) Bengali4 Years
 BA (Hons) Pali4 Years
 BA (Hons) Linguistics4 Years
 BA (Hons) Philosophy4 Years
 BA (Hons) Ancient Indian & World History4 Years
PG (Acharya/MA)Sanskrit, Pali, Philosophy, Bengali, English, History2 Years
Doctoral (Ph.D.)Sanskrit, Pali, Linguistics, Ancient Indian History3–5 Years

Campus and Infrastructure

  • Main Campus: College Street, Kolkata — within a vibrant academic hub
  • Library: One of the richest collections of rare Sanskrit manuscripts (20,000+) and over 2 lakh printed books
  • Nabadwip Research Campus: Dedicated to Indological studies and manuscript preservation
  • Faculty: Experienced scholars in Indian classical philosophy, linguistics, and humanities
  • Hostel: Limited facility primarily for outstation research scholars

Why Opt for SCU?

  • A heritage of education spanning more than 200 years
  • The leading repository for traditional Indian knowledge systems
  • robust academic heritage with a contemporary framework that is congruent with NEP and CBCS
  • Reasonably priced education and degrees accepted by the UGCPerfect for students who want to work in teaching, research, cultural studies, or as language specialists

Admission Process (2025)

Eligibility Criteria:

ProgramMinimum Requirement
UG10+2 with at least 50% aggregate (Sanskrit-specific for BA Sanskrit)
PGBA in relevant subject with minimum 50–55% marks
Ph.D.Master's in subject + Interview & Research Proposal

Admission Method:

  • UG/PG through merit-based selection or entrance (CUET UG/PG) as per latest notification
  • Ph.D. via departmental research aptitude evaluation

Online/Distant Mode

SCU does not currently provide online or remote degree programs. All classes are only available on campus in normal full-time mode.

Career Prospects

  • Graduates and scholars from SCU go on to work in:
  • Colleges & Universities as lecturers or researchers
  • Cultural institutions and manuscript preservation projects
  • Translation & Interpretation for classical texts
  • Civil services and public sector exams
  • Media, content writing, and language-based roles

Questions that are often asked (FAQs)

Q1: What is SCU's main program?

A1: The B.A. (Hons.) in Sanskrit is the main curriculum. It lets you study classical Sanskrit literature and philosophy in depth.

Q2: How do I apply to get in?

A2: You can apply online using the university's official website.

Q3: What do you need to do to be able to get into the B.A. (Hons.) program?

A3: Candidates must have finished their 10+2 education with at least 60% in the subject they are applying for.

Q4: Are there scholarships available at SCU?

A4: Yes, SCU gives out a number of scholarships based on both merit and need.

Q5: Are there any hostel rooms available?

A5: Right now, SCU does not have any hostel facilities.