Which Educational Institution was the first to start college classes for women?

Concept

To identify a historical ‘first,’ match the exact milestone named in the question—here, the start of college-level classes for women—not merely the founding of a girls’ school or a later women’s college.

A school could begin college classes and later develop into a separate college; the institution’s name at the time of the milestone is therefore decisive.

Application

Bethune School began college classes for women in 1879. Those classes later developed into Bethune College, so the institution named in the question is Bethune School for Girls.

Contrast

• Central Hindu Girls School was established in 1904, after the 1879 milestone.

• Vasanta’s predecessor institution began in 1913, and Vasanta College attained intermediate-college status in 1922; both milestones are later than 1879.

• Miranda House was founded in 1948, after the 1879 milestone.

Cross-check

The official UGC NET December 2021–June 2022 final answer key identifies Bethune School for Girls as the keyed response, consistent with Bethune College’s institutional history.

Therefore, the answer is Bethune School for Girls.