CIFE, Kolkata Centre has historical importance in imparting fisheries education in India. It was established in 1947 as 'Inland Fisheries Training Centre' (IFTC) under Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI), Barrackpore in West Bengal under Government of India. This Centre was solely responsible for providing trained manpower to fisheries sector in the country as during that time there was no fisheries college or university. It was taken over by CIFE in October, 1967. The CIFE along with its various centres were brought under the fold of the ICAR in April, 1979. The course run by the Centre was reorganised from the 1981-82 session when an improved syllabus and a new curriculum designated as “One Year Post-graduate Certificate Course on Inland Fisheries Management” was introduced. The Centre was shifted to its own new building complex, established at 32-GN Block, Sector -V, Salt Lake City, Kolkata, on 20th June 1997 and started functioning under the name of “CIFE, KOLKATA CENTRE". The one year post-graduate certificate course was upgraded to one year semester pattern "Post-Graduate Diploma in Inland Fisheries" (PGDIF) from 2000-2001. The PGDIF was replaced by a new course 'Professional Development Progrmame' (PDP) comprising four modules from 2009 to 2015. From 2014, the new and improved "Post-Graduate Diploma in Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Management" (PGDIF&AM) was introduced for state fisheries officers.

Objectives

1. To conduct diploma courses for officials of various State Governments of India.
2. To conduct need-based training and research programmes for Eastern and North Eastern States.
3. To offer consultancy and advisory services in relevant areas of fisheries.