Bombay, University of

one of India’s largest universities. Founded in 1857. Until 1904 the functions of the University of Bombay were limited to holding examinations and organizing academic study in so-called affiliated colleges. After 1904 the University of Bombay received the right to directly organize academic activities—the delivery of lectures and the publication of scientific works necessary to the process of academic work. Until 1948 the University of Bombay held examinations for secondary school, thereby exerting a great influence on the content of secondary education.

The present structure of the University of Bombay was defined by the 1953 Bombay University Act, under which all colleges affiliated with the University of Bombay were incorporated into it. The University of Bombay received the right to determine the minimum qualifications for teachers employed in the colleges, approve their appointment, and control academic and tutorial work in the colleges. At the same time, a certain autonomy remained with the colleges, which joined the University of Bombay “as equals among equals.” Therefore, the University of Bombay is called a federal university. After India won its independence (1947), the university expanded the training of cadres for agriculture and industry and increased its attention to research work in the field of the natural sciences and technology. Under the 1953 act it also received the right to organize correspondence education. This was begun by organizing lectures in English for those who do not have an opportunity to study at the University of Bombay. In addition, evening classes were opened at the university for workers, with instruction in the Hindi and Marathi languages.

In the 1969–70 academic year, the University of Bombay comprised 58 colleges and seven faculties: the humanities, science, commerce, law, medicine (including pharmacology), technology, and stomatology.

More than 80,000 students were attending the university. The University of Bombay includes a number of scientific research institutions, including institutes of pedagogy, psychology, and others.