Poll: India's best Arts colleges of 2011

Browse through the top 10 list of arts colleges of 2011 and register your vote for the best arts college in India.

The annual India Today survey results for the best colleges in the country for 2011 were declared last week. More than 1500 colleges had participated in the survey which ranked institutions stream-wise offering courses in arts, science, commerce, engineering, medicine and law.

The institutions were assessed for the following parameters:

• Reputation
• Academic Input
• Student Care
• Infrastructure
• Placement
• Perceptual Rank
• Factual Rank

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Click next to know the top 10 arts colleges in India and register your vote for the best arts college on the last slide

Maintaining its first position from last year is Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhi.

When it was established in 1956 by the late Sir Shri Ram in memory of his wife, the college had 243 students, 9 faculty members, 4 support staff and 3 distinct courses of study.

However, it had a strong aim, to provide access to higher education of women.

Today with over 2000 students pursuing 16 courses of study, both the humanities and commerce programmes are well equipped by an able staff, besides an exhaustive library, hostel facilities and a number of other student friendly resources.

Moving up the ladder is St Stephen's College, Delhi which was on third position last year.

Founded by Rev Samuel Scott Allnutt, on 1 February 1881, St. Stephen's is the oldest college in Delhi.

The college was known as one of the premier institutions offering degrees in liberal arts and science in the country.

While its founder members were not only great academicians, they were also active participants and contributed greatly to the cause of the nation.

Today, they cater to undergraduate and post graduate students besides offering all round development by initiating activities and dedicated student societies in debating, dramatics, mountaineering, film and music appreciation, social service, photography, electronics and astronomy.

Click next to know the top 10 arts colleges in India and register your vote for the best arts college on the last slide

Slipping down one rank from last year is Loyola College, Chennai.

Founded in 1925, it is one of the oldest colleges in the city and is known for its high academic standards and quality education in the city.

Although the college continues to be affiliated to the University of Madras, it functions as an autonomous body since July 1978.

It has a 100-acre campus and is conveniently located in the heart of the city.

There are 18 departments (for Arts, Commerce and Science) and 9 special Institutes offering more than 111 programs to over 10,000 students. It has 10 departments offering M.Phil programs and 14 departments that offer Ph.D programs.

Out of 277 faculty members, over 114 hold doctoral degree.

Staying put at number four is St. Xavier's College, Mumbai

Founded by German Jesuits in January 1869, it is known for its characteristic architecture and is also regarded as one of the top ranked colleges in Mumbai particularly for Arts.

This year, it gained autonomous status under the University of Mumbai.

It has over 20 academic departments catering to various courses of study.

Some of the notable alumni from this college would be actors Shabana Azmi, Vidya Balan and Anil Kapoor, writer cum socialite Shobha De, musician Zakir Hussain among others.

Click next to know the top 10 arts colleges in India and register your vote for the best arts college on the last slide

Also known as Christ University, the Christ College, established in July 1969, has the rare distinction to be the first institution in Karnataka to be accredited by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) UGC for providing quality education.

Spread over a 25 acre campus, the Christ University was granted the deemed university status in 2008.

Today, the college offers courses in Science, Law, Business Administration, Commerce, Management, Humanities, and Social Sciences.

Among the professional ones, it offers courses in Business Management, Computer Application, Hotel Management, Mass Communication, Social Work, Engineering and Tourism.

Click next to know the top 10 arts colleges in India and register your vote for the best arts college on the last slide

On sixth position is Hindu College, New Delhi.

Established in 1899, the Hindu College, Delhi is one of the oldest and profound colleges of the country.

An active participant of the freedom struggle movement, the college is known for its academic excellence across science, arts and commerce.

Spread over 25 acres of land, the college has over 15 departments offering undergraduate and graduate courses to over 2000 students annually.

It is ably supported by a strong academic and non-teaching staff.

Click next to know the top 10 arts colleges in India and register your vote for the best arts college on the last slide

Suffering a slight setback is St. Xavier's College, Kolkata which was on ninth position last year.

Named after St. Francis Xavier, a Jesuit saint of the 16th century, who travelled to India, St Xavier's College was founded in the year 1860 with just 40 students.

It is an autonomous college affiliated to the University of Calcutta.

After gaining autonomous status in July 2006, it also came to be known as the first autonomous college of West Bengal, India.

The College offers UG and PG Courses under five faculties, namely Arts, Science, Commerce, Business Administration and Education and as of 2010, has close to 6000 students under its roll.

The college also owns the credit for having a commemorative stamp depicting the college campus issued by the Indian Post in its name.

Click next to know the top 10 arts colleges in India and register your vote for the best arts college on the last slide

On eighth place is Miranda House, Delhi.

A residential college for women, Miranda House is also regarded as one of the premier women's institutions of Delhi University.

It was founded in 1948 with a student strength of 33.

Today, the college offers undergraduate and post graduate courses across 16 academic departments in liberal arts and science to more than 2,500 students.

The college building which was designed by renowned architect Walter Sykes George was recently declared as a heritage building.

Click next to know the top 10 arts colleges in India and register your vote for the best arts college on the last slide

From being seventh last year, Fergusson College, Pune features on the ninth position this year.

The college got its name on January 2, 1885, to acknowledge the efforts of Sir James Fergusson, the first patron of the Deccan Education Society who strived towards the formation of the college.

What's interesting to note is that the college was inaugurated by William Wordsworth, the grandson of the famous English poet.

They started by offering courses in Arts in its inception days. However, in 1892, it commenced offering courses in Science and since then has maintained high standards of education.

The college is located in the heart of the city, has a sprawling campus and caters to the many needs of the 5,500-odd student community from sports, games and cultural facilities.

Click next to know the top 10 arts colleges in India and register your vote for the best arts college on the last slide

On tenth position is Presidency College, Chennai

The beginnings of this college date to October 1840 when Presidency School, a preparatory school was started.

The schools later developed into Presidency College.

When the University of Madras was founded in 1857, Presidency College was affiliated to it.

The college has about six academic departments offering courses under the Arts stream.

Do you agree with the India Today ratings? Cast your vote and let us know your choice for the best Arts college in the country.