Started by Dr. Annie Besant in 1913, this college is one of the oldest institutions in the state and has done pioneering work in the field of women's education in India. The college is affiliated to the Banaras Hindu University and offers the 3 years' B.A. (Hons) courses in Arts and Humanities (Social Sciences) and a one year B. Ed.(teacher-training) course in Education. It has 850 students ranging in age from 18-22 years, most of whom are day scholars living in the city. The college runs buses to transport them from their homes in Varanasi. There is a hostel on campus called Vasanta Ashram with accommodation for 120 girls coming from other towns in India.