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By Ramesh Sharma

What makes for an outstanding college? Is it the location, its lush green acreage, or the fact that it has a cool canteen which has been the temple of inspiration for future rock stars and the breeding ground for aspiring NETAs? A college's reputation is, after all, like the tailor's tag on the inside of your suit. If it's an ill-fitting one, you will blame the tailor all your life. Like in every other field, colleges too are like brand names today. Some have that classy-showroom exterior, but lack in customer service inside. Yet others may have dilapidated structures for classrooms, a tennis court that also doubles up as a cricket pitch, but a faculty that tends to students like a passionate gardener. Even an average college has that one professor who leaves an indelible mark on you -- during a lecture on Hamlet, he discusses Kamal Haasan's characterisation in last night's film on Doordarshan; while teaching linguistics, he defines the boiling point of a liquid to illustrate his point.

No doubt it's the teacher who shapes the student. But there are institutions like the IITs or St Stephen's, Delhi, whose names consistently spell top-quality education. But what about those who cannot get into the IITs? How does a science or arts-stream student judge a college before seeking admission? The trouble in India is that there are colleges and colleges -- almost 250 universities and around 10,000 colleges -- and too many of them mired in mediocrity. So how does one go about identifying and grading the true centres of excellence?

It's not an easy task. Each year, since 1997, INDIA TODAY has been publishing a survey on the best colleges in the country. In continuation with this series this year, the Gallup Organization was commissioned by the magazine to conduct a poll among 450 senior academicians who included principals, vice-principals, deans and heads of departments spread across the country to select the top 10 colleges in India. The objective of the survey -- carried out in eight major cities -- was to rate the colleges in the identified streams based on certain attributes that would help students choose a college. The disciplines covered by the survey include arts, science, commerce, medicine, law and engineering. The cities surveyed were: Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune and Lucknow. The survey gives the top 10 colleges in each of the general as well as specialised streams. As parents struggle to pick the right college for their wards and students fill up multi-coloured forms, the detailed findings of the survey should help them to zero in on the institution that best fulfils their aspirations.

VITAL STATISTICS
A ready reckoner on colleges that figure in the top bracket

A

AFMC, Pune (Est: 1948) Address: Sholapur Road, Pune - 411040 Tel: 671351 Seats: 130 Cut-off: Entrance exam
This is where the armed forces' pool of specialists and super specialists come from. There's training for nurses and paramedical staff too. Good results, tough discipline.
AIIMS, Delhi (Est: 1956) Address: Ansari Nagar, New Delhi - 110 029 Tel: 6864851 Website: www. aiims.edu Seats: 50 Cut-off: Entrance exam
Aurora's Degree College, Hyderabad (Est: 1989) Address: Chikkadpalli, Hyderabad - 500020 Tel: 7661801 Website: www.aurora.ac.in Seats: BCA: 40, BSc (Computer Science): 350, BSc (Life Sciences): 220, BCom: 275 Cut-off: 60 per cent
A.V. College of Arts, Science & Commerce, Hyderabad (Est: 1968) Address: Domalguda, Hyderabad - 500 029 Tel: 7669293 Seats: BSc: 330, BCom: 300, BA: 150, BCA: 40 Cut-off: 55 per cent

B

Badruka College of Commerce & Arts, Hyderabad (Est: 1950) Address: Kachiguda Station Road, Hyderabad - 500 027 Tel: 4732832 Seats: Science: 60, Commerce: 300 Cut-off: 76.5 per cent
Bangalore Medical College, Bangalore (Est: 1954) Address: Fort, near City Market, Bangalore - 560 002 Tel: 6701529
Seats: 200 Cut-off: Entrance test
Bethune College, Calcutta (Est: 1849) Address: 181, Bidhan Sarani, Calcutta -700 006 Tel: 2411731 Seats: 20 for each subject Cut-off: Arts: 55 per cent, Science: 60 per cent
Its image as a "safe" girls college makes it popular. As does the old worldliness about the place.
Bhavans New Science College, Hyderabad (Est: 1956) Address: Narayanguda, Hyderabad - 500 029 Tel: 4754812 Seats: BCA: 53, BSc: 240, BCom: 60 Cut-off: 60 per cent
Birla Institute of Technology and Sciences, Pilani (Est: 1964) Address: Pilani, Rajasthan - 333031
Website: www.bits-pilani.ac.in
B.M. College of Commerce, Pune (Est: 1943 ) Address: B.M.C.C. Road, Pune - 411004 Tel: 5655348 Website: bmccpune@ pn3.vsnl.net.in Seats: 600 Cut-off: 81 per cent

C

Christ College, Bangalore (Est: 1969) Address: Hosur Road, Bangalore -560 029 Tel: 5536280 Website: www.christcollege.edu Seats: Arts: 366, Science: 260, Commerce: 300 Cut-off: 60 per cent
Christian Medical College, Vellore (Est: 1900) Address: Bagayam, Vellore-632004 Tel: 262603 Website: www.cmch-vellore.etu Seats: 60 Cut-off: Entrance exam
The focus is on community health. Thrice during the course, students have to stay in villages to gauge community disease patterns.
City College, Calcutta (Est: 1879) Address: 102/1 Raja Ramohan Sarani, Calcutta- 700 009 Tel: 3501565 Website: city coll@cal3.vsnl.net.in Seats: Arts and Science: 30 to 50 depending on subject, Commerce: 300
College of Engineering, Roorkee (Est: 1847) Address: University of Roorkee, Roorkee - 247667 Tel: 72742 website: corvc@ rurkiu.ernet.in Seats: 390 Cut-off: Entrance test

D

Daulat Ram College for Women, Delhi (Est: 1960) Address: University of Delhi, Delhi - 110 007 Tel: 7256459 Seats: 600 Cut off: Arts: 75 per cent, Science: 85 per cent, Commerce: 80 per cent
Delhi College of Engineering, Delhi (Est:1940) Address: Kashmiri Gate, Delhi Website: www.dce.edu Seats:650 Cut-off: Entrance exam
D.G. Ruparel College, Mumbai (Est: 1952) Address: Senapati Bapat Marg, Mahim, Mumbai - 400016 Seats: Arts: 220, Science: 300, Commerce: 315

E

Elphinstone College, Mumbai (Est: 1856) Address: 156, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Opp. Jehangir Art Gallery Fort, Mumbai - 400032 Tel: 2844060 Seats: Arts: 120, Science: 100, Commerce: 120
Good academics, low fee structure, research hub -- the merits of this college are many.
Ethiraj College for Women, Chennai (Est: 1948) Address: 27, Ethiraj Salai, Egmore, Chennai - 600008 Tel: 8279189 Seats: Arts: 135, Science: 60, Commerce: 210 Cut off: Arts: 60 per cent, Science and Commerce: 92 per cent

F

Faculty of Law, Aligarh Muslim University Address: Aligarh - 202002 Tel: 400994 e-mail: hasj@amu.nic.in
Faculty of Law, Banaras Hindu University (Est: 1921) Address: Varanasi - 221005 Tel: 307630 e-mail: vnp@banaras.ernet.in Seats: 285 Cut-off: Entrance exam
Faculty of Law, University of Allahabad (Est: 1887) Address: Allahabad - 211002 Tel: 545020 e-mail: ccchetrapal@hotmail.com Seats: 320 Cut-off: Entrance exam
Faculty of Law, University of Cochin (Est: 1971 ) Address: Kochi - 682022 Tel: 555465 e-mail: sls@vsnl.com Seats: 100 Cut-off: 40 per cent 
Its USP lies in its separate faculty on laws relating to Intellectual Property Rights.
Faculty of Law, University of Delhi (Est: 1924) Address: University of Delhi, Delhi - 110 007 Seats: 550 Cut-off: Entrance exam
Faculty of Law, University of Madras (Est: 1951) Address: Madras University, Chepauk, Chennai - 600005 Tel: 5363778 Seats: 40 Cut-off: 40 per cent
Faculty of Medicine, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh Address: Aligarh - 202002 Tel: 400994 e-mail: hasj@amu.nic.in
Ferguson College, Pune (Est: 1885) Address: F.C. Road, Pune - 411004 Tel: 5654435 Website: www.ferguson.edu Seats: 600 Cut-off: 55 per cent
Just the place if it's all-round development you're looking for. Courses in German, Sanskrit and other subjects apart, it offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities.

G

Gargi College, Delhi (Est:1957) Address: Siri Fort Road, Delhi - 110049 Seats: 680 Cut-off: Arts: 68 per cent, Science: 76 per cent, Commerce: 75 per cent
Goenka College of Commerce & Business Administration, Calcutta (Est: 1904) Address: 210, B.B. Ganguly Street, Calcutta - 12 Tel: 2412216 e-mail: gccba@cal2. vsnl.net.in Seats: 60 Cut-off: 65 per cent
Government College of Law, Mumbai (Est: 1855) Address: Near Churchgate Station, Mumbai - 400020 Tel: 2041707 Seats: Five-year course: 160, Three-year course: 320 Cut off: 50 per cent
Grants Medical College, Mumbai (Est: 1847) Address: Byculla, Mumbai - 400008 Tel: 3739031 Seats: 200 Cut off: Entrance exam

H

Hans Raj College, Delhi (Est: 1948) Address: University of Delhi, Delhi -110007 Tel:7257458 Website: www.cranes.org Seats: 400 Cut-off: Arts: 78 per cent, Science: 88 per cent, Commerce: 86 per cent
Hindu College, Delhi (Est: 1899)
Address: University of Delhi, Delhi -110007 Tel: 7256718 e-mail: hinducol@del3.vsnl.net in Seats: 400 Cut-off: Arts: 79 per cent, Science: 86 per cent, Commerce: 80 per cent
Remains a leader in political science. Has good clubs and co-curricular activities.

I

IIT, Chennai (Est: 1958) Address: Sardar Patel Road, Chennai - 600036 Tel: 4458000 Seats: 1,660 Cut off: Entrance exam
IIT, Delhi (Est: 1962) Address: Hauz Khas, New Delhi - 110016 Website: www.iitd.ernet.in 
The IIT edge apart, it stands out for its innovative "venture incubation" programmes and alumni funding.
IIT, Kanpur (Est: 1960 ) Address: Kalyanpur, Kanpur e-mail: director@iitk.ac.in Seats: 450
There's no hierarchy here: senior professors attend classes taught by young assistants. Has slipped from its No.1 position but it remains a trendsetter.
IIT, Kharagpur (Est:1950) Address: Kharagpur, West Bengal - 721302 Tel: 55221
e-mail: jee@hijli.iitkgp.ernet.in
IIT, Powai (Est: 1958) Address: Powai, Mumbai - 400076 Tel: 5782545 e-mail: pro@cciitb.ernet.in
Indian Institute of Management & Commerce, Hyderabad (Est: 1973 ) Address: 6-1-91, Khairatabad, Hyderabad - 500 004 Tel: 3237902 e-mail: iimc_hyd@123 india.com Seats: BCom (Honours): 80, Computers: 40 Cut-off: 60 per cent
Indraprastha College, Delhi (Est: 1925) Address: University of Delhi, Delhi - 110007 Tel: 3954085 Seats: 560 Cut-off: Arts: 85 per cent, Science: 88 per cent, Commerce: 82 per cent
Isabella Thoburn Degree College, Lucknow (Est: 1870) Address: Nirala Nagar, Lucknow Seats: 2,500 Cut-off: Entrance test

J

Jai Hind College, Mumbai (1948) Address: Mumbai - 400020 Tel: 2040256 Seats: BA and BSc: 600, BCom: 500
One of the few colleges to have links and admissions to universities in the US and Australia. No wonder it has the largest student community in Mumbai.
Jesus & Mary College, Delhi (Est:1968) Address: Chanakyapuri, Delhi -110021 Tel: 6110041 Seats: 600 Cut off: Arts and Science: 78 per cent, Commerce: 80 per cent
JIPMER, Pondicherry (Est: 1956) Address: Pondicherry - 605006 Tel: 372381 Seats: 75 Cut-off: Entrance exam
Jyothinivas College, Bangalore (Est:1966 ) Address: Hosur Road, Bangalore - 560 095 Tel:5539038 Seats: 500 Cut-off: 50 per cent

K

Kamala Nehru College for Women, Delhi (Est: 1964) Address: Siri Fort Road, Delhi - 110049 Tel: 6490061 Seats: 660 Cut-off: Arts: 75 per cent, Science, Commerce: 80 per cent
Kasturba Gandhi College for Women, Hyderabad (Est: 1973) Address: West Marredpally, Secunderabad - 500 026 Tel: 7802416 e-mail: kasturba@hd2.vsnl. net.in Seats: BA: 180, BSc: 360, BCom: 180, BCA: 40 Cut-off: 60 per cent
King Edward Memorial Medical College, Mumbai (Est: 1926) Address: Acharya Dhonde Road, Parel, Mumbai - 400012 Tel: 4136051 Cut-off: Entrance exam
KEM's dissection labs are among the best in India, even Asia.
Kirori Mal College, Delhi (Est: 1953) Address: University of Delhi, Delhi - 110007 Tel: 391723 Seats: 400 Cut-off: Arts: 75 per cent, Science: 85 per cent, Commerce: 80 per cent
K.J. Somaiya College of Arts & Commerce, Mumbai (Est: 1960) Address:Vidya Nagar, Vidya Vihar, Mumbai - 400077 Tel: 5115915 Seats: Arts: 320, Commerce: 920

L

Lady Brabourne College, Calcutta (Est: 1939) Address: P1/2, Suhrawardy Avenue, Calcutta - 17 Tel: 244 8120 e-mail: lbc@cal3.vsnl.net .in Website: ladybrabourne. 8m.com Seats: 15-40 depending on subject Cut-off: 45- 65 per cent
Unusual curriculum aimed at all-round development. Ideal choice for a discerning mind.
Lady Hardinge Medical College, Delhi (Est: 1949) Address: Connaught Place, Delhi - 110001 Tel: 3363596 Seats: 460 Cut-off: Entrance exam
Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhi (Est: 1956) Address: Lajpat Nagar, Delhi - 110024 Tel: 6460434 e-mail: lsrcondf.vsnl.net.in Seats: 600 Cut-off: Arts: 80 per cent, Commerce: 90 per cent
Easily one of the most innovative colleges. Best known for its buzzing workshops, lectures and discussions.
Law College, Pune (Est: 1924) Address: Law College Road,Pune -411004 Tel: 5656775 Web- site: www.ilslaw.edu Seats: 320 Cut-off: 54 per cent
Loreto College, Calcutta (Est: 1912) Address: 7, Middleton Row, Calcutta - 700 071 Tel: 2296030 e-mail:loretcol@cal2.vsnl.net.in Seats: 30-35 for each subject offered Cut-off: 50-70 per cent
It's like school: assembly every morning, attendance rosters in class. Good results too.
Loyola College, Chennai (Est: 1925) Address: Sterling Road, Chennai - 600034 Tel: 8276749 Seats: Arts: 900, Science: 1,000, Commerce: 390 Cut off: Arts: 60 per cent, Science: 65 per cent, Commerce: 80 per cent
A new literacy programme here entails students putting in 120 manual working hours for the uplift of villages.

M

Madras Christian College, Chennai (Est: 1837) Address: Tambaram East, Chennai - 600059 Tel: 2375675 e-mail: mcc@giasmd01.vsnl.net.in Seats: Arts: 200, Science: 200, Commerce: 50. Cut-off: Arts: 60 per cent, Commerce and Science: 80 per cent 
Academically, MCC is behind Loyola though traditionally it boasts of having among the best faculty in economics. But it is on playing fields that Xians excel.
Madras Medical College, Chennai (Est: 1885) Address: Government. General Hospital, EVR Salai, Chennai - 600003 Tel: 5363001 Seats: 180
Meenakshi College for Women, Chennai (Est: 1975) Address: Arcot Road, Kodambakkam, Chennai - 600024 Tel: 4835466 e-mail: mcwksl@giasmd01.vsnl.net.in Seats: Arts: 200, Science: 305, Commerce: 60
MES College of Arts, Science & Commerce, Bangalore (Est: 1956) Address: Malleswaram, Bangalore - 560 003 Tel: 3347045 Seats: Arts: 200, Science: 500 Cut-off: 60 per cent
M.E. Society's Garware College of Commerce, Pune (Est: 1965 ) Address: Karve Road, Pune - 411004 Tel: 5440605 Seats: 600 Cut-off: 65 per cent
Miranda House, Delhi (Est: 1948) Address: University of Delhi, Delhi - 110007 Tel: 7256983 Seats: 700 Cut-off: Arts: 78 per cent, Science and Commerce: 80 per cent
Mithibai College, Mumbai (Est: 1961) Address: Vile Parle West, Mumbai - 400056 Tel: 6184354 Seats: 800 Cut-off: 78 per cent
Mount Carmel College, Bangalore (Est: 1947) Address: 58, Palace Road, Bangalore - 560 052 Tel: 2261759 Seats: Arts: 100, Science: 370, Commerce: 330 Cut-off: Arts: 75 per cent, Science and Commerce: 85 per cent
The most sought after women's college for all disciplines in Bangalore. Walks away with at least four to five ranks every year.

N

National College, Basavangudi, Bangalore (Est: 1945 ) Address: V.V. Road, Basavangudi, Bangalore - 560001 Tel: 6674441 Seats: Arts: 60, Science: 200 Cut-off: 60 per cent 
National College, Jayanagar, Bangalore (Est:1945) Address: 36th Cross, 2nd Main, 7th Block, Jayanagar, Bangalore - 560082
National Law School of India University, Bangalore (Est: 1987) Address: Post Box 7201, Nagarbhavi, Bangalore - 560 072 Tel: 3213160 Seats: 80 Cut-off: Entrance test
Nizam's College, Hyderabad (Est: 1887) Address: Hyderabad - 500007 Tel: 3234231 Seats: Arts: 200 Science: 255, Commerce: 90 Cut-off: 55 per cent
NMKRV College for Women, Bangalore (Est: 1971) Address: Jayanagar 3rd Block, Bangalore - 560 011 Tel: 6637042 Website: www.rss-nmkrv.com
The first women's college to start a separate department for women's studies (Samanvitha), it is a storehouse of information on the subject.
N. Wadia College, Pune (Est: 1932) Tel: 6122944 e-mail: nwadia@pn3.vsnl.net.in Seats: 470 Cut-off: 50 per cent

O

Oudh Degree College, Lucknow (Est: 1958) Address: 20-A, Vikramaditya Marg, Lucknow Seats: 400

P

Pachaiyappa's College, Chennai (Est: 1842) Address: P.H. Road, Chennai -600030 Tel: 6412094 Seats: Arts: 440, Science: 440, Commerce: 220 Cut-off: 80 per cent
P.G. College, Hyderabad (Est: 1987) Address: Secunderabad - 500003 Tel: 7842169 Seats: BA: 180, BSc: 360, BCom: 360, BCA: 20
Presidency College, Calcutta (Est: 1817) Address: 86/1 College Street, Calcutta -700 073 Tel: 2412738 e-mail: principc@cal.vsnl.net.in Seats: 20-40 depending on subject Cut-off: Arts: 55-65 per cent
Means different things to different people: a glorious tradition, glittering alumni, student politicking. But it still manages to churn out toppers.
Presidency College, Chennai (Est: 1840) Address: Kamaraj Salai, Chennai - 600005 Tel: 8544894 Seats: Arts: 390, Science: 415, Commerce: 48 Cut-off: Arts: 70 per cent, Science: 85 per cent, Commerce: 93 per cent
P.S.G. College of Technology, Coimbatore (Est: 1951) Address: Peelamedu, Coimbatore - 641004, Tamil Nadu Tel: 572177 e-mail: psg/coimbatore@dartmail.dartnet.com Seats: 300 Cut-off: Entrance exam
One of the first colleges to cash in on the it boom, it is well-known for its science and technology entrepreneurs' park.

Q

Queen Mary's College, Chennai Address: Kamaraj Salai, Chennai - 600005 Tel: 8511230

R

Ramnarain Ruia College, Mumbai (Est: 1937) Address: Matunga, Mumbai - 400019 Tel: 4143098 Website: rrc02@gi asbm01.vsnl.net.in
Reddy Women's College, Hyderabad (Est: 1954) Address: Narayanguda, Hyderabad - 500029 Tel:7564296 Seats: BA:120, BSc: 135, BCom: 20, Computer: 33 Cut-off: 60 per cent

S

Sri Ram College of Commerce, Delhi (Est: 1926) Address: University of Delhi, Delhi - 110007. Tel: 7257905 e-mail: srcc @delnet.in.nic.in Seats: 325 Cut-off: 89 per cent
Shri Shikshayatan College, Calcutta (Est: 1955) Address: 11, Lord Sinha Road, Calcutta - 71 Tel: 2826033 Seats: 20-20 depending on subject Cut-off: 55-75 per cent
S.P. College, Pune (Est: 1916) Address: Tilak Road, Pune Tel: 4442572 Seats: 250
Sri Venkateshwara College, Delhi (Est: 1961) Address: University of Delhi, South Campus Website: www.Venkateshwara college.edu Seats: 800 Cut-off: Arts: 76 per cent, Science: 84 per cent, Commerce: 86 per cent
Stella Maris College, Chennai (Est: 1947) Address: 17, Cathedral Road, Chennai - 600086 Tel: 8271541 e-mail: smc@md3.vsnl.net.in Seats: Arts: 250, Science: 250; Commerce: 160, BCA: 64, Fine Arts: 40 Cut-off: Aptitude test
Considered a happening college, Stella Maris always brings home trophies from sports meets. Academics is not far behind.
St Joseph's College of Arts & Science, Bangalore (Est: 1882) Address: Residency Road, Bangalore - 560 001 Tel: 2211429, 2245831 Seats: Arts: 250, Science: 476 Cut-off: 50 per cent
St Joseph's College of Commerce, Bangalore (Est: 1972 ) Address: 163, Brigade Road, Bangalore - 560 025 Tel: 5570955 Website: www.indiainternet.com/sjcc Seats: 200 Cut-off: 80 per cent
St Paul's Cathedral Mission College, Calcutta(Est:1864) Address: 33/1, Raja Rammohan Roy Sarani (Amherst Street), Calcutta - 700 009 Tel: 3503682 Seats: 30 to 35 depending on subject. Cut-off: 50-75 per cent
St Stephen's, Delhi (Est: 1881) Address: University of Delhi, Delhi - 110007 Tel: 7257271 Seats: 320 Cut off: 88-90 per cent
After topping three times in a row, this last repository of the Oxbridge culture has slipped this time. But few colleges can still match its fierce work culture.
St Xavier's, Calcutta (Est: 1860) Address: 30, Park Street, Calcutta - 700016 Tel: 2475995 e-mail: sxclg@giascl01.vsnl.net.in Seats: Arts: 110, Science: 250, Commerce: 600 Cut-off: Arts and Commerce: 60 per cent, Science: 75 per cent
The yuppieland among Calcutta's colleges, its new courses in computers and videography are popular.
St Xavier's College, Mumbai (Est: 1869) Address: Nahapalika Marg, Mumbai - 400001 Tel: 2620661 Seats: BA: 600, BSc: 600, BCom: 500
Symbiosis International, Pune (Est: 1983) Address: Senapati Bapat Marg, Pune - 411004 Tel: 5653903 e-mail: syma_c@pn2. vsnl.net.in Seats: 720 Cut-off: 76 per cent

U

University College of Law, Hyderabad (Est: 1950) Address: Osmania University campus, Hyderabad - 500007 Tel: 7018928 Seats: 160 Cut-off: Entrance test

V

Vijaya College, Bangalore (Est: 1942) Address: Jayanagar, Bangalore - 560011 Tel: 6632871
Vivekananda Education Society, Mumbai (Est:1979) Address: Chembur, Mumbai - 400071 Tel: 5227514 e-mail: vesasc @vsnl.com Seats: Arts:100,Science: 200, Commerce: 300 Cut-off: Arts: 45 per cent, Science: 55 per cent, Commerce: 70 per cent

W

Wesley Degree College, Hyderabad (Est: 1983) Address: Old Lancer Lane, Secunderabad - 500 025 Tel: 7825576 Seats: BA 50, BSc: 80, BCom: 210, Computers: 40 Cut-off: 50 per cent
Wilson College, Mumbai Address: Opposite Girgaum Chowpatty, Mumbai - 4000007 Tel: 3637663
Women's Christian College, Chennai (Est: 1915) Address: College Road, Chennai - 600006 Tel: 8276798 Seats: Arts: 120, Science: 224, Commerce: 100
Some other top colleges identified by the survey have not been included in the above list for want of details. They include: Dr Ambedkar College of Arts & Commerce, Aurangabad, IIT Guwahati, Jogmaya Devi College, Calcutta, National Degree College, Lucknow, DAV Degree College, Lucknow, Shia Degree College,Lucknow and Syndenham College of Commerce and Economics, Mumbai.

Arts
TOPPER: ST XAVIER'S MUMBAI

Students describe this 131-year-old institution as "the coolest place on earth". But there's something about St Xavier's College, Mumbai, that makes the high and mighty beg, plead, cajole and sometimes even threaten the principal to admit their wards. As Fr Joe Dias SJ, the principal, puts it: "It's the liberal and homely atmosphere that is the main attraction." No matter what your social background, ideology or goals are, there's room for everyone -- leftists, capitalists, scholars and even aspiring rock stars. It is perhaps the liberal culture that makes Xavierites acutely aware of their ultimate goal: academic excellence. No wonder, the college even allows its students to rate their teachers on levels of competence and interaction.

METHODOLOGY

Each of the 450 academicians surveyed was asked to name the colleges they were aware of, both within their city and outside. Next they were provided a comprehensive list of colleges and their awareness of these was assessed. The respondents were then asked to distribute 100 points across the seven specific parameters on a high-to-low importance basis -- reputation, curriculum, academic input, student care, admission procedure, infrastructure and job/placement opportunities.

The respondents assigned higher points to the aspects they considered as very important. The average importance assigned to each aspect was cumulated for every discipline. To arrive at "ranks" within a particular discipline, the "importance" assigned by a respondent to a particular parameter was multiplied by his rating of the college on that particular aspect. Adding such weighted ratings across the seven aspects help arrive at an "importance weighted rating" for the college. This rating for every college was then subjected to a second-level of weighting. The proportion of the people who are aware of a particular college was multiplied with the college's "importance weighted rating" to arrive at "overall cumulative ratings (weighted)" for every college. The colleges were thus ranked based on their "overall cumulative ratings (weighted)".

SCIENCE
TOPPER: PRESIDENCY, CHENNAI

Having come into being before any other college in Tamil Nadu, the Presidency, Chennai, is regarded as the mother of the University of Madras. Among the most prestigious and reputed colleges in those days -- only the privileged class studied there -- it is the alma mater of such greats as Nobel laureates C.V. Raman and Chandrashekar, as also people of eminence like former Maharashtra governor C. Subramaniam. Facing the vast Marina beach, the college founded by Lord Elphinstone in 1840 lives on in the glory of its past. Its buildings wear a dilapidated look, but it still maintains an intangible decorum within its hallowed walls. The labs are quieter, but its strength lies in its PhD courses -- it has over 200 research scholars.
Continued in the next page.

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