Calcutta University Act of 1857

The Calcutta University Act of 1857 established the University of Calcutta as a formal institution responsible for higher education and degree-awarding in the region. It aimed to modernize education along Western lines, promote scholarship, and coordinate colleges under its umbrella. The Act provided a structured governance system, including a governing body and academic staff, to oversee university operations, courses, and examinations. This legislation marked the beginning of organized university education in Bengal and laid the foundation for higher education development in India under British rule.