Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira


Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira is an autonomous degree college affiliated with the University of Calcutta, India located in Belur, Howrah near Belur Math.

History

The Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira is a fully residential degree college for boys affiliated to the University of Calcutta founded in 1941 by the Ramakrishna Mission. The name 'Vidyamandira' was given by Swami Vivekananda in 1898 who had envisioned such an institution modeled on the ancient Indian 'Gurukula' system. Swami Vimuktanandaji and Swami Tejasanandaji Maharajs were the first Secretary and the first principal, respectively, of this premier institute of higher learning. Swami Shastrajnandaji Maharaj is the current principal of the college. He has been holding the position since April, 2013.
It was accredited 'A+' grade by the NAAC, India in 2005. In 2013 the college was re-accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council with CGPA 3.120 out of 4 according to the present gradation policy. Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira has been placed in the college category by the National Institutional Ranking Framework. At the very beginning, it started as an intermediate arts college. In the year between 1945 and 1946, the college got affiliation in commerce and science subjects. It was upgraded into a three-year degree college from July 1960. The higher secondary section was added in September 1978 and later on discontinued as per the West Bengal state government policy. In the year 1994, two new courses, B.Sc in Computer Applications and Industrial Chemistry commenced under the UGC scheme of vocationalization of degree education. B.Sc in Computer Application was changed to B.Sc Computer Science Honours course in 2009 academic session. Postgraduate courses in Bengali, Sanskrit, Mathematics and Applied Chemistry have been introduced recently. From 2013 July academic session postgraduate course in Philosophy was introduced.
In April, 2010 the University Grants Commission recognized Vidyamandira as a 'Centre of Potential for Excellence' ; in June, 2010 Vidyamandira was awarded with 'Autonomous' status in academic affairs, implying that Vidyamandira will be able to frame the syllabus, introduce new courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, formulate teaching-learning-evaluation methods and offer degrees of its own.
Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira ranked ninth nationally among colleges in 2018 National Institute Ranking Framework
The college ranked 7th among colleges in India by the National Institutional Ranking Framework during 2020.

Academics

At present 14 undergraduate and 5 postgraduate courses are offered.
Vidyamandira offers B.A. and B.Sc. Honours Courses in 14 subjects and M.A. and M.Sc. courses in 5 subjects.
;Departments offering science courses
;Departments offering humanities and social sciences courses
There are around 600 students enrolled in this college. The students have to stay at five hostels at the sprawling campus: 'Shree', 'Vidya', 'Vinay', 'Vivek' and 'Shraddha'. These hostels are called "Bhavanas". They are expected to lead a disciplined life under the supervision of the monastic members of the Ramakrishna order while at the college.