VIDYAJYOTI COLLEGE OF THEOLOGY is one of the oldest and most venerable institutions of learning run by the Jesuits in India. It started in Asansol, West Bengal, India, in 1881, as a house for training in philosophy and theology for expatriate young European missionaries that at that time volunteered for service in India and came to the country without having yet done the years of study required for the priesthood. In 1889 the Seminary, as it was then called, was transferred to the foothills of the Himalayas, in Kurseong, Darjeeling District, about 1800 metres above sea level, where for 82 years grew into an important centre of research and teaching of Indian religions and Christian theology, open to Indian and foreign Jesuits working in South Asia. In 1932 the Holy See recognized it as a Faculty of Theology directly under its Congregation for Education, authorized to offer degrees of Licentiate and Doctorate in theology recognized in the Catholic Church.

In 1972 the St Mary’s College, as it was then called, was transferred to Delhi where it took the name of Vidyajyoti College. It also opened its doors to any duly qualified students interested in the subjects it offers. As a result of a restructuring of its academic programme from 1978 the College opened extension centres in various parts of the country aimed at greater integration with the various cultures of India and at eventually teaching and studying theology in our rich local languages. At present the faculty has five such extension centres in Chennai, Patna, Ranchi, Shanti Niketan and Varanasi. Students do part of their courses in these centres and complete them in the national centre in Delhi.

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