Bethune College, Kolkata  was established in 1849. The College is affiliated to the University of Calcutta.

It is accredited by NAAC at A Level. Bethune College is the first woman college in India. at the undergraduate degree course level. The mission of the College has always been the development of a complete woman.

Bethune College is committed to the cause of empowerment of women from all sectors including those who are socially and economically deprived through access to higher education enabling them to transform into intellectually vibrant, socially responsible, self-reliant women.

Today women are leaders who epitomise the human values of caring, sharing and re-building societies sans stress and violence. The College provides literary and scientific education as well as empowers the students to be honest citizens of the nation.

In 1856, the Government took charge of the Hindu Female School, later renamed as Bethune School. The Managing Committee of the school was then formed and Pandit Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar, the celebrated social reformer responsible for the eradication of the custom of Sati and a relentless supporter of women's emancipation was made the Secretary. In August 1878, Bethune School was amalgamated with Banga Maha Vidyalaya which was founded by Miss Annette Akroyd with the help of Durgamohan Das, Dwarka Nath Ganguly and Anandamohan Basu.

It was in 1878 that Bethune School had the honour of sending up the first woman candidate for the Entrance Examination of the University of Calcutta. When Kadambini Ganguly (nee Basu) cleared the examination, college classes were arranged for her in Bethune school to enable her to pursue her studies for the F.A. examination. This is how the College started. And for many years to follow, this College remained the only institution offering the scope of higher education for girls in India.

Kadambini Ganguly was joined by Chandramukhi Basu in 1881. Both women graduated in 1883 becoming the first female graduates of Calcutta University. Kadambini Ganguly joined Calcutta Medical College as the first Indian lady student and later became the first practicing lady doctor in India. Chandramukhi Basu joined Bethune College as Lecturer in English and later became the First Lady Principal of the Institution.

MISSION

The mission of the College has always been the development of a complete woman. Bethune College is committed to the cause of empowerment of women from all sectors including those who are socially and economically deprived through access to higher education enabling them to transform into intellectually vibrant, socially responsible, self-reliant women. Today women are leaders who epitomise the human values of caring, sharing and re-building societies sans stress and violence. The College provides literary and scientific education as well as empowers the students to be honest citizens of the nation..

MOTTO

The motto of the College "Vidya Vindatey Amritam" means 'knowledge provides immortal bliss.'

The three glowing lamps - centrally for 'knowledge' side by side 'humanity' and "transparency", and the wheel for 'dynamism through exercise' constitute the emblem.

GOAL

The goal of Bethune College is to endow its learners with access to higher education through quality teaching-learning process. The College has always attempted to support and sustain the vision of John Elliot Drinkwater Bethune who paved the path of progress for women by liberating them from their shackled existences and by illumining their future with the help of education.