In 1886, Kadambini Ganguly became the first female graduate of Calcutta Medical School and first practicing female physician in South Asia. Her graduation marked a significant change for the face of the medical field as neighboring medical schools also began opening up their doors to female students. In fact, 2 years later in 1888, Campbell Medical School also began admitting female students and, unlike Calcutta Medical School that only admitted students with BA degrees, no prior formal education or knowledge beyond the native Bengali language was necessary for admission. Kandambini Ganguly’s 1886 triumph triggered the great influx of female physicians in India, including Sen herself who graduated from Campbell Medical School in 1894.

Sources: 

Sen, Indrani. (2012). Resisting patriarchy: Complexities and conflicts in the Memoir of Haimabati  Sen. 47. 55-62. 

“Kadambini Ganguly.” UncoverED, January 1, 1970. http://uncover-ed.org/kadambini-ganguly/.