www.xaviers.edu, 022-22620661
The Society of Jesus, a Christian religious group, founded the college
in 1869 with just six students on the rolls. It was declared
autonomous in 2010
Annual intake: 360 students (for arts in senior college)
USP: St Xavier's, a CPE, was declared autonomous in 2010, which allows
it to formulate its own syllabus. It has introduced a special honours
programme which encourages students to take up independent projects to
earn extra credit. It is one of the few Mumbai colleges with a campus
to speak of. A beautiful neo-gothic structure, its arches and
expansive sports ground allow for both academic and co-curricular
activities. Malhar, one of the city's largest college festivals, has
garnered a following from all over India. Each department conducts its
own festivals, in addition to cultural ones including English, Hindi
and Marathi dramatics, classical music and band performances. It has a
consistently good placement record
Placement record: Companies that visited include McKinsey, Citibank,
Development Bank of Singapore and Wipro. The highest package is R10
lakh a year and average, R4 lakh.
Famous alumni: Zubin Mehta, Rajdeep Sardesai, Shabana Azmi, Shobha De,
Cyrus Broacha and Vidya Balan
Xavier's is part of a rich educational tradition, with a philosophy to
make men and women for others. Our faculty is committed and competent,
and the alumni achievements speak for our endeavours
—Fr Fraser Mascarenhas, principal
Ruia College, Mumbai
www.ruiacollege.edu, 022-24143098
Ramnarain Ruia College of Arts and Science was established in 1937
under the Shikshana Prasaraka Mandali, Pune. It is affiliated to the
University of Mumbai
Annual intake: 440 in the arts department (BA)
USP: Ruia is a College with Potential for Excellence (CPE), a status
given by the University Grants Commission (UGC). "Every year we have
a minimum of one dozen university rank holders, including both arts
and science students," says Devayani Ganpule, vice principal. The
college has a 'Self Vision Centre' for visually-impaired students to
record their lectures and take print-outs of the same. Almost 10
classrooms are equipped with audio-visual aids
Placement record: "Most of our students pursue further studies after
graduation. Hence, we do not have placements that can be compared to
that of a B-school.
However, those who do wish to work after taking their degrees, are
informed, if any company approaches us with a job offer for our
students," says the vice principal
Famous alumni: Narendra Jadhav, member, Planning Commission and former
vice chancellor, Pune University; Manohar Joshi, MP, former
Maharashtra CM; Dilip Chitre, famous literary personality
We ensure a balance between teaching and learning and that a student's
personality is groomed so he can meet the demands of the world
outside. Our NSS and NCC departments are very well known. We have more
than 30 associations for ECA
—Devayani Ganpule, vice principal
Jai Hind College, Mumbai
www.jaihindcollege.com, 022 - 22041095 / 0256
It was established in 1948 as an arts and science college by a small
group of teachers who worked at DJ Sind College, Karachi
Annual intake: 240 (senior college)
USP: A vibrant college with a great off-Marine Drive location, Jai
Hind is known for going beyond the syllabus. Co-curricular activities
are given as much importance as independent research and project work.
It has various active societies including the Literary and Debating
Society, the National Entrepreneurship Network and the Social and
Dramatics Union. Facilities include an audio-visual centre, a sports
gymkhana and a plush auditorium
Placement record: Employers include Google, McKinsey, Ernst & Young,
DirectI and other MNCs. The highest package was R4 lakh a year and
average, R3.5 lakh.
Famous alumni: John Abraham, Ajay Piramal, Tina Ambani
We are especially known for our arts programme. We make theoretical
subjects practical — our methods are project-based and field-study
based. Students learn a lot through frequently-organised seminars
—Kirti Narain, principal
Loyola College, Chennai
www.loyolacollege.edu, 044-28178200
Started by the Society of Jesus in 1925, Loyola gained autonomy in 1978
Annual intake: Around 2,200
USP: The UGC has recognised it as a CPE. "The faculty's reputation is
worth noting," says Jaiprakash Gandhi, a career consultant. The
college provides mentorship and remedial classes to students
Placement record: The major employer so far is Sutherland Global
Services. The highest offer is R45,000 a month
Famous alumni: Former presidents S Radhakrishnan and R Venkatraman
We provide good quality education with a social commitment
—Rev B Jeyaraj, principal
Stella Maris, Chennai
www.stellamariscollege.org, 044-28111987/1951
Started in 1947, this is an autonomous, minority college for women
Annual intake: 1400
USP: The college admits students from all strata of society and has a
good support system — scholarships, sponsorships, mentoring, pathway
programme, career guidance and placements
Placement record: Employers include Deloitte, Google, McKinsey, etc.
The highest pay package so far is R4 lakh a year.
Famous alumni: Padma Subrama-niam, bharatnatyam dancer; Nirmala
Lakshman, senior journalist(The college scores) in excellence in
academics, sports, outreach, and placements Sr Jasintha Quadras,
principal
Ethiraj College for Women, Chennai
www.ethirajcollege.in, 044-28279189
Founded in 1948 by barrister VL Ethiraj, it gained autonomy in 1999
Annual intake: 2336 (arts and science)
USP: The UGC recognised Ethiraj as a CPE in 2004-05. Each department
offers inter-disciplinary courses. It has platforms for many
activities such as Students in Free Enterprise
Placement record: Visiting companies include World Bank, Deloitte,
McKinsey, Google. Highest package: R4.5 lakh
Famous alumni: Jayanti Natrajan, MP; Joshna Chinnappa, international
squash player
The institution seeks to (ensure) experiential learning through
application of knowledge...
—AM Swaminathan, chairman
St Xavier's College, Kolkata
www.sxccal.edu, 033-22551101
Started in 1860 by the Society of Jesus,
St Xavier's got affiliated to Calcutta University in 1862. It's now autonomous
Annual intake: Between 35 and 40 per subject
USP: Personal attention from the faculty members is the USP of this
institution. Lab and library facilities are highly rated by students.
The college has the latest computer and multi-media-aided classrooms.
Placement record: The companies that came this year include Kearney,
Google and Pearson Group, says the college's placement cell blog
Famous alumni: Jyoti Basu, the late CM of West Bengal; tennis player
Leander Paes
Our college is very international. There is no students' politics. Our
placement records can be the envy of any college
—Fr Felix Raj, principal
Jadavpur University, Kolkata
www.jadavpur.edu, 033-24146666/ 6194/ 6643/ 6495/ 6443
Its history goes back to the freedom movement when the National
Council of Education merged with a technical education society. In
1950, the varsity was born under a state lawAnnual intake: Between 30
and 40 (per programme)
USP: The UGC has recognised it as a University with Potential for
Excellence. The university boasts of a strong placement record. It has
many international students
Placement record: Companies that visited for arts students were
Google, Cognizant and Wipro. The highest offer was R5 lakh a year
Famous alumni: Actress Swastika Mukherjee; actor Prambrata Chatterjee
Ours is one of the top five universities in India, according to the UGC
—Pradip Narayan Ghosh, vice chancellor
Presidency University, Kolkata
presidencycollegekolkata.ac.in, presidencyadmission.net, 033-22411960
Presidency originated in 1817as Hindoo College, which was renamed
Presidency College in 1855. It became a university in 2011
Annual intake: 30 in each subject
USP: Some of its departments have the most respected teachers in the
country. The university reports 100% placement in most programmes
Placement record: Major companies that came for recruitment include
Essar Vodafone, Google, and Cognizant Technologies. The highest
package offered was R5 lakh a year
Famous alumni: Nobel laureate Amartya Sen; Oscar winning film director
Satyajit Ray
This institution has helped many poor, meritorious students reach the
pinnacle of their sectors
Amita Chatterjee, vice chancellor
