The University of Calcutta was founded on 24 January 1857, following a July 1854 despatch from the Court of Directors of the East India Company to the Governor-General of India in Council proposing universities at Calcutta, Madras and Bombay. It first adopted the pattern of the University of London and gradually modified its constitution. Its address is on College Street, Kolkata.
In its NIRF 2025 data submission the university reported 11,251 students on undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, including 8,918 on two-year postgraduate programmes, and 2,802 PhD students (1,092 full-time and 1,710 part-time). Prof. Ashutosh Ghosh has been Vice-Chancellor since 30 October 2025, after an earlier spell as interim Vice-Chancellor. His message lists NAAC reaccreditation and filling faculty and staff vacancies among his priorities.