The University of Calcutta (also known as Calcutta University) (Bengali: কলিকাতা বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়) is a public university located in the city of Kolkata (previously Calcutta), India, founded on 24 January 1857. It was the first multidisciplinary modern university in South Asia, as the oldest institution to have university status, Senate of Serampore College (University), Serampore) was granted freedom to grant degrees in theology only. Within India it is recognized as a "Five Star University" and a "Centre with Potential for Excellence" by the University Grants Commission. Within all state Universities all over India, Calcutta University occupies the top rank in terms of the highest number students who cleared the PhD entrance eligibility exam in Science conducted by Central Govt (CSIR-UGC NET) to became eligible to pursue PhD studies with full Govt. Scholarship. It is a state-government administered urban-based affiliating and research university. It has its central campus in College Street (called Ashutosh Shiksha Prangan).