GCAC Kolkata, also known as Government College of Art and Craft, Kolkata was established in 1864. It is a public college, affiliated with the University of Calcutta. It is one of the premier art institutes in Kolkata, built to impart comprehensive training and knowledge in the fields of arts & crafts. The college has been accredited with the NAAC “A” grade. It has been approved by UGC. The college has been ranked 201-300 by NIRF in 2024.
GCAC Kolkata offers programs at the UG & PG levels are offered at GCAC, Kolkata. The popular courses offered are BFA (4 years) & MFA (2 years). The fee ranges between INR 997 and INR 2,025, depending on the selected course. Admissions to both courses are based on the merit scores of the previous qualifying examinations.
GCAC Kolkata’s official placement report of has not been released yet. However, as per the NIRF Report 2024, 18 out of 97 UG students got placed with a median salary of INR 2.4 LPA in the year 2023. The top recruiters are Cognizant, Times of India, Rediffusion, Dainik Bhaskar, Decor, and Fab India.

GCAC Kolkata Rankings
Below is a table showing GCAC Kolkata Rankings:
| Agency | Category | Ranking | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIRF | Overall | 201-300 | 2024 |

Quick Rundown of student reviews:
- The college is supported by a strong academic program and faculty.
- The infrastructure is decent with a positive learning environment.
- There are no accommodation facilities for students.
- Placements are not guaranteed for most students.
GCAC Kolkata Courses & Fees 2026
GCAC Kolkata offers courses in the fields of arts & crafts at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The two courses offered here are BFA and MFA. Fees for the first year range between INR 997 and INR 2,025. More details about GCAC Kolkata courses and fees structure have been tabulated below:
GCAC Kolkata Admission Process 2026
Admissions to GCAC Kolkata are available for UG & PG level programs on the basis of merit only. For enrollment in the BFA program, students must have cleared the 10+2 examination, and for enrollment in the MFA course, students must have cleared their graduation. GCAC Kolkata Admission process can be easily carried out online by following some simple steps mentioned below:
- Step 1: Check the eligibility of both courses on the official website.
- Step 2: Visit @gcac.applythrunet.co.in/ and navigate to the admissions section.
- Step 3: Select your desired program according to the eligibility criteria.
- Step 4: Click on the application form to begin the process.
- Step 5: Sign up and then log in with your user ID & password.
- Step 6: Fill in all the necessary information in the application form.
- Step 7: Upload the important documents.
- Step 8: Ensure that you submit your application prior to the deadline.
- Step 9: Download the admit card and the application form, both, and complete the process.
Documents Required

GCAC Kolkata Scholarships
GCAC aids students financially in the form of both government-funded scholarships and awards based on their merit and needs. The following is the detailed information about GCAC Kolkata scholarships:
Private Scholarships (Institute-Funded)
- Rashbihari Dutta Memorial Scholarship
- Shilpacharya Jainul Abedin Scholarship
- Rathin Mitra Award
- Basanta Ganguli Award
- Ajoy Bankim Memorial Scholarship
- Rabindranath Tagore Award
- Pulin Krishna Kundu and Pranab Kumar Basu Trust Board
- Nandalal Bose Award
- Shree Ram Lubhaya Pareswar Memorial Scholarship
- Romen Roy Scholarship
- Geeta Das Award
- Mrinal Kanti Das Award
- Gaganendranath Tagore Award
- Abanindranath Tagore Award
- Dhirendranath Brahma Award
- Jamini Roy Award
- Bhunath Mukherjee Memorial Scholarship
- Soumika Roy Memorial Scholarship
- Bimal Das Gupta Memorial Scholarship
- Goutam Pal Scholarship
- Rekha Paul Scholarship
- Ajoy Bankim Memorial Scholarship (duplicate name appears)
- Jiban Debnath Memorial Award
- Reba Debnath Cash Award
- Biswamit Cash Award
- Manjushree Munshi Memorial Scholarship
- Shyama Das Sengupta Merit Welfare Award
- Jalandhar Memorial Cash Award
- Prof. Supriyo Das Award
- Kamala Rani Paul Memorial Award
- Soumika Roy Memorial Scholarship (repeat)
- Halodhar Pal Award
- Sudhangshu Bikash Award
- Percy Brown Award
- Badhan Das Award
- Haren Das Memorial Cash Award
- Mukul Dey Award
- Niramoy Roy Award
- Chandan Das Cash Award
- Governor’s Award for Best Exhibit in Annual Exhibition
- Sakti Burman Award for 2nd Best Exhibit in Annual Exhibition
- Ramlal Dhar Award
- Saibal Ghosh Memorial Scholarship for Best Water Colour
- Gopal Ghosh Memorial Scholarship for 2nd Best Water Colour
- Rabi Jain Memorial Scholarship for 3rd Best Water Colour
- Sumanta Dey Smriti Puraskar
GCAC Kolkata Placements
GCAC Kolkata has not yet officially released its placement details. However, the NIRF Report for the college placements has been released. While the PG department couldn’t secure any placements, 18 out of 97 UG students got placed with a median salary of INR 2.4 LPA in the year 2023. The top recruiters are Cognizant, Times of India, Rediffusion, Dainik Bhaskar, Decor, and Fab India.
GCAC Kolkata Placement Highlights
Below is a table highlighting the figures of GCAC Kolkata Placements:
| Particulars | Placements Statistics 2023 |
|---|---|
| Total Students | 97 |
| Total Students Placed | 18 |
| Median Package (3-Year UG) | INR 2.4 LPA |
| Top Recruiters | Decor and Fab India |
GCAC Kolkata Campus & Facilities
GCAC is situated in the heart of Kolkata, adjacent to the Indian Museum. The campus infrastructure is a blend of colonial architecture and modern facilities. Popular locations, such as Victoria Memorial & Park Street, are in proximity to the campus.
Academic Facilities
- GCAC offers specialized programs in an array of choices such as painting, modelling & sculpture, graphic design, applied art, textile design, & more
- The faculty is led by experienced professionals, including associate and assistant professors.
Library & Learning Resources
- The college has a library that supports research and learning purposes, along with the implementation of e-governance across various operations such as planning, administration, finance, & student support, which ensures efficient management.
Cultural & Recreational Facilities
- Student Common Room: A dedicated space for students to relax.
- Playground: A playground with limited space for sports & recreational activities.
- Events: Cultural Events are held throughout the year, including exhibitions & workshops.
Quick Rundown of the YouTube Video
- This YouTube video features a student touring the college campus and highlighting the various departments.
- The student shows how to reach the college via metro, and the landmarks around it.
- The video also features a very artistic college campus, with very intricate detailing in its infrastructure
- Segregation of various specializations, such as the wood and leather department, the textile department, & more, can be seen clearly.
- Students in the clips can be seen curating intricate designs and crafts in the healthy and state-of-the-art atmosphere of the college campus.
- A playground with students playing badminton and relaxing can be seen in the video.
GCAC Kolkata Main Gate

GCAC Kolkata Building

GCAC Kolkata Wood & Leather Department

GCAC Kolkata Playground

How to Reach Governemnt College of Art & Craft, Kolkata?
By Air
- Nearest Airport: Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU)
- Distance to GCAC: Approx. 15 km
- Travel Options: Taxi Rides & Ride-Hailing Services (available 24*7)
- Airport Bus: CSTC operates buses from Airport Gate No. 2 to Park Street every 30 minutes. The journey is almost 50 minutes, and the ticket costs between INR 20 and INR 65.
By Metro
- Nearest Metro Station: Part Street Metro Station (Blue Line)
- Distance to GCAC: Approx. 1 kilometre (10-15 minutes on foot)
By Bus
- Nearby Bus Stops
- Mayo Road: Approx. 700 metres from GCAC
- Park Street: Approx. 1 kilometre from GCAC
By Road
- Address: 28, Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Park Street, Kolkata - 700016
- Route: From Central Kolkata, head towards Park Street.
- GCAC is located adjacent to the Indian Museum.
- Limited Parking is available; thus, public transport is recommended.
Local Transport
- Auto-Rickshaws
- E-Rickshaws
- Ride-Hailing Services
GCAC Kolkata vs JNAFAU vs BFA
Here is a tabulated difference between GCAC Kolkata, JNAFAU, & BFA:
| Particulars | GCAC | JNAFAU | BFA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Government College of Art & Craft | The Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University | Bengal Fine Arts College |
| Establishment Year | 1864 | 1940 | 1979 |
| Type | Public | State University | Private |
| Campus Size | 1.58 acres | 4.32 acres | 1.16 acres |
| NAAC Accreditation | Grade “A” | - | - |
| Total Courses | 14 | 24 | 2 |
| Courses Offered | UG & PG | UG, PG, & Doctoral | UG |
| Popular Programs | BFA & MFA | BFA & B.Arch. | BFA |
| Entrance Exam | - | FADEE, NATA, EAMCET & more | - |
| Top Recruiters | DECOR & Fab India | MC Design Consultants Pvt. Ltd., TCS, Cognizant, Godrej, and more | - |
| Other Amenities | Library, studios, workshops, galleries, playground, student common room, cultural event spaces, digital facilities, grievance and welfare cells | Library, hostels, auditorium, computer labs, design studios, sports facilities, cafeteria, student activity center, research and training labs | Library, studios, workshops, exhibition spaces, computer lab, seminar hall, student activity spaces, art galleries |
| Who can join? | Ideal for students passionate about painting and design | Ideal for those interested in art with industry experience | Ideal for local students seeking affordable art education |
| Official Website | Government College of Art & Craft | The Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University | Bengal Fine Arts College |
Legendary Pioneers of GCAC Kolkata
Below is a table showing all the legendary pioneers of GCAC Kolkata:
| Picture | Name |
|---|---|
|
|
Henry Hover Locke |
|
|
Ernest Binfield Havell |
|
|
Percy Brown |
|
|
Abanindranath Tagore |
GCAC Kolkata FAQs
Ques. How is GCAC Kolkata different from other Art Colleges in India?
Ans. GCAC Kolkata is one of the oldest and premier art institutes in India. It is known for its heritage and its reputation as an old institution. It has renowned alumni, and it is located in Central Kolkata, which ultimately provides exposure to students. The campus environment is deeply rooted in fine arts, and it appeals to both modern and traditional learners.
Ques. Does GCAC have tie-ups with galleries or other institutions?
Ans. The college has maintained decent collaborations with cultural bodies, local art societies, and exhibition platforms. Students frequently participate in inter-institute exhibitions, competitions, & workshops. These collaborations open up opportunities for networking and community building, both for students and the college.
Ques. What is the student life at GCAC Kolkata?
Ans. The student life at GCAC Kolkata is creative and community orientated. Students are always working in studios and workshops, developing their creativity in various mediums of art for example painting, wood and leather work, textile designing, and more. Additionally, students often work in groups and collaborate with others adding to the learning experience. Throughout the year, there are exhibitions and workshops giving students a platform to showcase their work.
Ques. Is GCAC Kolkata good for pursuing a career in applied arts or only in painting?
Ans. It is a pre-conceived notion that GCAC Kolkata is a good institute only for painting, but the college has old and established departments for applied arts, sculpture, textile, and other creative departments. Students who are keen in areas such as advertising design, commercial illustration, and visual communication can also find good opportunities in this college.

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Comments
Found 10 Comments
GCAC is a state-aided college, meaning you apply via the centralised portal, not directly. You can now log in, choose your course (e.g., BFA Painting, Sculpture, Textile), submit documents, and pay the fee all through wbcap.in.
The Government College of Art & Craft (GCAC), Kolkata, conducts its admission process for the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) program through a structured procedure. Candidates must have completed their 10+2 (Higher Secondary) or equivalent examination from a recognized board. The students need to fill out the prescribed application form. This form can be obtained either by downloading it from the official GCAC website or by collecting it directly from the college office.
The Government College of Art and Craft (GCAC) in Kolkata initiates its admission process for undergraduate and postgraduate programs in the field of fine arts during the months of June and July each year.
You can contact the college for the admission details. Also, you can visit the college for the applications. You can also access your application status through the online admisison portal of the college.
Applicants should be 23 years of age or below on the 1st of July in the year of admission. This means that candidates older than 23 years as of that date are not eligible for admission
To take admission in the Government College of Art and Craft (GCAC), Kolkata, the admission process does not require an entrance exam for undergraduate programs, such as for the BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts). Admission is based on your marks in the 12th standard (or equivalent) and sometimes a merit list is prepared by the college.
In general, pursuing a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) requires a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) or a similar undergraduate degree in a related field(e.g., art history, design, or visual arts) that includes substantial coursework in art and design, you might be eligible for an MFA program.
You can apply offline for the admisisons. Government College of Art and Craft is known as a premier art institute of Kolkata. The college follows methodical traditions of imparting full time, comprehensive training in diverse branches of arts and crafts. Since its inception, the college greatly prides itself as being one among the most successful art colleges in India. The college aims to develop creative and innovative professionals through highly efficient trainings and skills development. The vision of the college is dedicated to produce artists and creative minds for future, reflecting all the evolving needs and requirements of this industry.
You need to communicate directly to the college to know the admission process of BFA as it is not available in online mode.
Is distance education Available?
No, distance education is not available in the Government College of Arts and Crafts. There are only regular and on-campus, mode courses offered to the students.