About
OfficialInstitute of Psychiatry is a public mental hospital and teaching institution in Kolkata, West Bengal, established in 1817.
- Established in 1817
- Public mental hospital under Government of West Bengal
- Affiliated to West Bengal University of Health Sciences
- Third oldest surviving mental hospital in the country
- Annual intake of 10 MD-Psychiatry students
- Centre of Excellence for manpower development in Mental Health
History
The institute was started in 1817 as a private asylum by Mr. I. Beardsmore, known as the European Lunatic Asylum, Bhowanipore, with arrangements to look after 50-60 European patients. It is the third oldest surviving mental hospital in the country. In 1989 it was incorporated as the teaching, training and research wing of the Department of Psychiatry of IPGME&R, and in 1991 it was rechristened as Institute of Psychiatry.
About
Institute of Psychiatry (IOP) is one of six mental hospitals under the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of West Bengal. It is located at 7, D. L. Khan Road, Kolkata - 700025, and has an area of about 10,316 square meters. As the apex institution of Psychiatry in West Bengal, IOP recognises its responsibility to educate the society.
Academics
IOP has an annual intake of 10 MD-Psychiatry students, all having the approval of the Medical Council of India. It offers training for MPhil in Clinical Psychology, MPhil in Psychiatric Social Work and Post-basic Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing. The Department of Clinical Psychology provides M.Phil in Clinical Psychology with 8 seats per year.
Recognition and Research
IOP has been identified as a Centre of Excellence for manpower development in Mental Health under the National Mental Health Programme by the Government of India. It established an Advanced Sleep Laboratory, the first in India, and a 24 Hrs. Psychiatric Emergency, the second in India next to NIMHANS, Bangalore. It hosts a Tele-Manas cell (14416), and conducted the first psychiatric epidemiology study funded by the West Bengal Government, known as the SCOPE study, led by Prof Dr Pradip Kumar Saha as Principal Investigator.
Quick stats
Courses offered
3
Avg placements
Not yet verified
Total intake
8
Hostel
No
Data last verified October 2026 · compiled from official sources