St. Xavier's College, Mumbai

St. Xavier's College
Arms of the St. Xavier's College
MottoProvocans Ad Volandum (Latin)
Motto in English
Encouraging to Fly
TypePrivate
Established2 January 1869 (2 January 1869)
FounderSociety of Jesus
Religious affiliation
Roman Catholic (Jesuit)
Academic affiliations
ChairmanFr. Arun de Souza, SJ
RectorFr. Keith D'Souza, S.J.
PrincipalProf. Dr. Karuna Gokarn
Undergraduates2,648 (as of 2007)
Postgraduates99 (as of 2007)
Location, ,
India

18°56′36″N 72°49′53″E / 18.9432°N 72.8313°E / 18.9432; 72.8313
Campus
  • Urban
  • 2.94 acres (11,900 m2)
Websitexaviers.edu

St. Xavier's College is a private, Catholic, institution of higher education run by the Bombay Province of the Society of Jesus in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. It was founded by the Jesuits on 2 January 1869. The college is affiliated with the University of Mumbai offering undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Arts, Science, Commerce and Management. Xavier's was the first college to be granted autonomy by the University of Mumbai in 2010. In 2006, St. Xavier's was awarded the 'A+' grade by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).

The college is named after Francis Xavier, the 16th-Century Spanish Jesuit saint. Its campus in South Mumbai is built in the Indo-Gothic style of architecture, and recognized as a heritage structure. Founded by German Jesuits in 1869, Xavier's developed rapidly from 1884 to 1914. The imprisonment of German Jesuit priests during the First World War (1914–1918) led to a dislocation of the administration, which was mitigated by the appointment of other European Jesuits. The college began as an arts institution but by the 1920s had science departments as well. The college was greatly expanded in the 1930s.

The college is now run by Indian Jesuits, with a distinct focus on affirmative action for minority students. It offers undergraduate and post-graduate courses in Arts, Science, Business, Commerce or Public Policy. It is known for its famous inter-collegiate youth festival 'Malhar'.