Overview

Visva-Bharati University, commonly known as Visva-Bharati, is a Central University established in 1921 at Santiniketan, West Bengal, India. Founded by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, it is a unique institution emphasizing interdisciplinary education blending arts, culture, and sciences. Visva-Bharati operates from a single main campus in Santiniketan.

It is recognized under the University Grants Commission (UGC) and accredited with an NAAC grade A+ as of 2023. The university has special status under the Visva-Bharati University Act and is monitored by the Ministry of Education, Government of India.

Official website: https://www.visva-bharati.ac.in/

Quick Facts

• Founder: Rabindranath Tagore
• Vice-Chancellor: Prof. Bidyut Chakrabarty
• Student Count: Approximately 10,000 (UG, PG, PhD) (2023)
• Departments/Faculties: 12 major faculties covering Arts, Science, Humanities, Social Sciences, Music, Fine Arts, Agriculture, and more
• Contact Info: Phone: +91-3463-254671, Email: registrar@visva-bharati.ac.in
• NAAC Grade: A+ (2023)
• NIRF Ranking: Ranked 62 overall in India (2023) (Source)

Courses & Programs

• Faculties:
  • Faculty of Arts (Anthropology, Bengali, English, Philosophy, History)
  • Faculty of Science (Botany, Zoology, Physics, Chemistry, Environmental Science)
  • Faculty of Performing Arts (Music, Dance, Drama)
  • Faculty of Agriculture (Agronomy, Horticulture)
  • Faculty of Social Sciences (Sociology, Political Science)
  • Faculty of Education
• Popular Courses: BA, BSc (3 years UG), MA, MSc (2 years PG), MPhil, PhD programs
• Mode: Regular (full-time); limited distance education via VKS
• Intake: Varies by department; typically 30–60 per program

Admissions

• Mode: Merit-based and entrance exams, depending on the course
• Accepted Exams: Visva-Bharati Admission Test (VBAT), CUET for UG courses, department-specific tests for PG and research programs
• Typical Timeline: Application opens April-May, entrance exams June-July, admission list July-August
• Admission page: https://www.visva-bharati.ac.in/Admissions
• Application Steps:
  1. Register online on the university portal
  2. Upload documents and pay application fees online
  3. Submit and download admit card
  4. Appear for entrance test if required
  5. Check merit list and confirm admission

Eligibility

• UG Courses: Completion of 10+2 or equivalent with minimum 50% aggregate; specific subjects depending on faculty
• PG Courses: Relevant UG degree with minimum 50%; departmental entrance test or CUET score required
• PhD: Master's degree with minimum 55%, followed by PhD entrance and/or interview
• Documents Needed: Mark sheets, certificates, photo ID, passport-size photos, caste certificate (if applicable)

Fee & Scholarships

• Indicative Fees: Tuition fees approx. ₹5,000–15,000 per year (varies by course)
• Hostel Fees: ₹6,000–12,000 per annum including mess charges
• Exam Fees: Included in semester fees generally
• Scholarships: Govt-based SC/ST/OBC/EWS scholarships, merit scholarships available via university and central schemes (see UGC scholarships)

Placements

• Placement Percentage: Approx. 60% in arts/social science departments; varies by department
• Average CTC: ₹3–4 LPA in sectors like education, media, cultural organizations
• Top Recruiters: Government cultural bodies, NGOs, publishing houses, media organizations
• Placement Cell: Placement Cell Contact, Email: placement@visva-bharati.ac.in
• Internships: Mandatory for certain courses in Performing Arts, Agriculture, and Social Sciences

Campus & Facilities

• Hostel accommodations for male and female students with mess facilities
• Sports playgrounds, gymnasium, and cultural clubs
• Well-equipped science and humanities laboratories
• Central library with extensive collections including rare manuscripts
• Health care center and medical facilities on campus
• Wi-Fi enabled campus with transport services linking Santiniketan town
• Annual cultural fest “Poush Mela” and other student clubs

Faculty & Research

• Notable faculty includes experts in Indian culture, literature, arts, and sciences
• Research centers: Centre for Tagore Studies, Institute of Rural Reconstruction, Environmental Studies
• Ongoing projects with UGC and MoE grants
• MoUs with several national and international cultural and academic organizations

Rankings

• NIRF 2023: Ranked 62 overall, 45 in University category (NIRF Official)
• NAAC: A+ grade, 2023 accreditation
• India Today 2023: Ranked among top 50 universities in India (Not officially released online)
• QS Asia/World: Not available on official sources as of 2024-06-01

Results, Cut-Offs & Seat Matrix

• Results and cut-offs published online post entrance exams on official exam portal
• Category-wise cut-offs available generally for PG and select UG courses
• Seat matrix varies by faculty: typically 30–60 seats per department

How to Reach

• Nearest Airport: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata (Approx. 160 km)
• Nearest Railway Station: Bolpur Shantiniketan Railway Station (2 km from campus)
• Local Transit: Auto-rickshaws, buses from Bolpur town to campus

FAQs

1. Q: How do I apply for undergraduate courses at Visva-Bharati?
   A: Applications are online via the university admission portal during April-May. Admission may be based on CUET scores or the university entrance test.
2. Q: What is the fee structure for BA and BSc courses?
   A: Tuition fees range from ₹5,000 to ₹10,000 per year depending on the course; hostel and mess fees are extra.
3. Q: Does Visva-Bharati offer distance education?
   A: Limited distance programs are offered via the VKS center, but most courses are regular full-time mode.
4. Q: Is there reservation for SC/ST/OBC candidates?
   A: Yes, reservation follows Government of India guidelines applicable to central universities.
5. Q: What scholarships are available?
   A: Scholarships for SC/ST/OBC/EWS and merit-based scholarships are available through government schemes and university funds.
6. Q: When are entrance exams conducted?
   A: Entrance tests usually happen in June-July for the new academic session starting July-August.
7. Q: Are hostel facilities compulsory?
   A: Hostel accommodation is available but not compulsory; students can choose to live off-campus.
8. Q: How is placement support provided?
   A: The Placement Cell organizes training, campus interviews, and connects students with recruiters mainly in cultural and educational sectors.
9. Q: Can I pursue research at Visva-Bharati?
   A: Yes, PhD programs across faculties are available with entrance test/interview and research grant support.
10. Q: How to contact university for queries?
    A: Registrar office phone: +91-3463-254671, email: registrar@visva-bharati.ac.in