To expand access to higher education in South East Manbhum (present-day Purulia), the Manbhum Ananda Ashram Nityananda Trust (MANT) took a decisive step to support local youth and help them build confidence and capability on par with students across West Bengal.

In 1965, the centenary of Ramananda Chatterjee inspired the Trust to establish a degree college in his honour. When large donations were not forthcoming, the community stepped in —small contributions from ordinary people collectively made the institution possible.

Starting its journey in 1971, Ramananda Centenary College is a Govt. aided Undergraduate Degree College offering Arts and Science courses. The college‘s specific mission is to instill knowledge and awareness among the people of the region for bringing a positive change in their living pattern. The institution serves a duality of purposes; it focuses its attention on both its students and the neighbouring community. The NAAC Accreditation Committee awarded grade ‘B’ to the college in the year 2017. In the past ten years student strength has gradually increased and so has accompanying strength of teaching and administrative staff.

The college is affiliated to Sidho-Kanho-Birsha University and currently offers 4 years-UG Course with Major (Hons. / Hons. with Research) in a variety of subjects. From the year 2023 the admission in UG courses is in the system Curriculum & Credit Framework for Undergraduate Programme (CCFUP) in accordance with NEP 2020, we continue to strengthen technology-enabled learning through upgraded classrooms and participatory teaching aids.