Behala College was established as a Grants-in-Aid State Government sponsored College in the year 1963 affiliated to University of Calcutta under the Refugee Rehabilitation Scheme of the Government of India. It was recognized under section 2f by UGC in 1982. Over the years the college has consolidated its position as a premier academic institution in the southern fringes of Kolkata. The college believes in inclusive education and caters to a wide array of students, with different social and financial backgrounds.

TheCollege has been re-accredited with grade ‘A’ in the second cycle of assessment by NAAC.Although the College started as an UG college, presently it offers post-graduation in four subjects with affiliation from University of Calcutta. The College is also a Study Centre of Netaji Subhas Open University and Rabindra Bharati University whereby UG and PG courses in different subjects are offered through distance education mode.

Behala College was among the few institutions that were selected by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India to receive funds (Rs. 2 crores) under RUSA scheme for infrastructure development. Besides the College has received funds from the UGC and Department of Higher Education, West Bengal from time to time, which have been utilized for improving, upgrading and modernizing teaching-learning and strengthening infrastructure.