The West Bengal Assembly has approved the establishment of two new privately-owned universities: Rabindranath Tagore University in Dhaniakhali, Hooghly, and Ramakrishna Paramhansa University in Agarpara, North 24-Parganas. This legislative move will increase the total number of universities in the state to 44, including both private and state-aided institutions. Currently, West Bengal hosts 14 private and 28 state universities. This move not only expands the state’s educational infrastructure but also honors the legacies of two of Bengal’s most revered cultural figures.
Rabindranath Tagore University will be managed by the Kalipada Saha Memorial Trust, while Ramakrishna Paramhansa University will be promoted by the Ramakrishna Vivekananda Mission. Government approval is anticipated soon, clearing the way for construction to begin.
In addition to these two universities, the Bhawanipore Gujarati Education Society College (BESC) will be upgraded to university status, further strengthening the state’s higher education network. The Bhawanipore Global University will be set up in Tollygunge, on three acres of land, marking the first private university within the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) limits.
List of private universities in West Bengal in the order of their establishment:
| University | Year of Establishment |
| Techno India University | 2012 |
| Adamas University | 2014 |
| Seacom Skills University | 2014 |
| JIS University | 2014 |
| Amity University | 2015 |
| University of Engineering and Management (UEM) | 2015 |
| The Neotia University | 2015 |
| Brainware University | 2016 |
| St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata | 2017 |
| Sister Nivedita University | 2018 |
| Swami Vivekananda University | 2019 |
During the Assembly session, Education Minister Bratya Basu highlighted the transformation of West Bengal’s higher education sector, noting that the state had only 11 state-funded universities before 2011. Over the past 13 years under Mamata Banerjee’s leadership, the number has expanded significantly to 44, reflecting a focus on improving educational infrastructure.
25% reservation for West Bengal students
The newly approved legislation also mandates a 25% reservation for students from West Bengal, a 5% quota for economically disadvantaged students on scholarships, and a 50% reservation for local candidates in non-teaching roles. These measures aim to ensure greater accessibility and opportunities for local communities.
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In addition to offering standard academic programmes, the new universities will emphasise specialised fields to align with emerging market demands. Proposed courses include vocational studies, hospitality, fashion technology, food and nutrition, and business-oriented disciplines such as MCA, BCA, and BBA.
