Medical College,Kolkata (often referred to as Calcutta Medical College) was established 1835 as Medical College, Bengal in Kolkata, India as the first college of European medicine in Asia. The purpose of establishing this college was to train native youths irrespective of caste and creed in the principles and practices of medical science in accordance with the mode adopted in Europe. Medical College Bengal was established on 28 January 1835, soon followed by Madras Medical College on 2 February 1835. The college now imparts the degrees Bachelors of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) after completion of 5 and half years of medical training. Also specialization degrees like MS / MD as well as post doctoral MCh / DM degreesare offered. Besides there are nursing and several para-medical courses. The hospital associated with the college is one of the largest hospitals in Kolkata and houses several specialty and super-specialty departments. Medical College, Bengal was the first institution in India imparting a systematic education in western medicine. The British East India Company established the Indian Medical Service (IMS) as early as 1764 to look after Europeans in British India.