India’s Oldest Medical College Still Running: MBBS at Just Rs 8000 per Year

Did you know India is home to Asia’s first and oldest medical college that still functions today? While lakhs of students prepare for NEET to enter modern institutes like AIIMS and JIPMER, Calcutta Medical College stands as a historic pillar in Indian medical education.

Where Is It Located?

The Calcutta Medical College, also known as Medical College, Kolkata, is located in the capital city of West Bengal, Kolkata.

It was established in 1835 by the British East India Company during colonial rule. The college started with the aim of training Indians in Western medicine, replacing traditional systems like Ayurveda and Unani in government practice.

Who Founded It?

The founder of the college was Lord William Bentinck, the then Governor-General of India. He approved the creation of this medical college based on the recommendations of Dr. John Grant, a Scottish surgeon who believed India needed local doctors trained in modern science.

Read Also: Top 10 Oldest Medical Colleges in India

What Makes It So Special?

• It was the first institution in Asia to teach medicine in the English language using the European curriculum.
• Students in the early batches were taught anatomy through dissection, which was a major cultural shift at the time.
• The college produced the first batch of Indian doctors formally trained in Western medicine.

Legacy and Achievements

Since its establishment, Calcutta Medical College has produced thousands of doctors who have served across India and the world. It has played a key role in building India’s public health system.

It also houses one of the oldest teaching hospitals in India, which continues to treat thousands of patients every day.

Lesser-Known Facts

• The college was older than the formation of many modern nations like Canada (1867), Germany (1871), or even Italy (1861).
• The first cadaver dissection in India under European medical standards happened here.
• The alumni of this college have served in World Wars, the Indian Independence Movement, and various top government positions.

Today’s Status

Today, Medical College Kolkata is a fully functioning government medical college affiliated with West Bengal University of Health Sciences (WBUHS). It offers:

• MBBS
• Postgraduate courses (MD/MS)
• Super-speciality courses

It is also listed among the top government medical colleges in India and continues to attract top NEET rankers every year.

Calcutta Medical College MBBS Intake & Fees 2025

• Annual intake: 250 MBBS seats
• Tuition & other fees breakdown:
  • One-time admission: ₹1,000
  • One-time registration: ₹2,000
  • One-time library deposit: ₹1,000
  • Yearly hostel (if applicable): ₹500
  • Yearly exam fee: ₹1,800
  • Tuition fee: ₹ 40,500 (Total Fees)
  • Other: sports, magazine, student aid fund, weaving to a total of ~$7,500 over the entire program (roughly ₹750 per month)

Calcutta Medical College NEET-UG Cutoff: 2024 vs 2023

All-India Quota (AIQ, General Category)

Year	Closing Rank
2024	~12,892
2023	~15,081

While modern institutions like AIIMS are known for excellence, it’s important to remember that India’s journey in modern medicine began nearly two centuries ago with Calcutta Medical College. It is more than a college, it’s a living museum of India’s medical legacy.

Read Also: 250 New Government MBBS Seats Likely in Karnataka for 2025-26: DME

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