ABOUT US
St. Stephen's College, Delhi, is one of India's most prestigious and historic constituent colleges of the University of Delhi (DU), renowned for its liberal arts and sciences education. Established in 1881, it is the oldest college in Delhi and one of the three original founding colleges of DU. The college fosters intellectual rigor, ethical values, and holistic development, with an acceptance rate of approximately 1.33%. It ranks 14th in the NIRF 2024 College category and has been accredited with an 'A' grade by NAAC. Located in the University Enclave, North Delhi, the campus spans a verdant 15-acre site, home to over 3,000 students and a diverse faculty. As a Christian minority institution under the Church of North India (CNI), it emphasizes character-building alongside academics, producing alumni like Jawaharlal Nehru, Amartya Sen, and Arun Jaitley.
History and Establishment
Founded on February 1, 1881, by the Cambridge Mission (a group of Cambridge University dons) under Rev. Samuel Scott Allnutt as its first Principal, St. Stephen's began as a modest institution in Chandni Chowk with five students and three professors. It was initially affiliated with the University of Calcutta (1882) and later Punjab University (1891). The college filled a void left by the closure of Delhi College in 1879, offering higher education in a region lacking such facilities. It became a constituent college of DU upon its establishment in 1922. Women were first admitted in 1928 due to the absence of affiliated women's colleges, but admissions ceased post-1949 (Miranda House founding) until resuming in 1975, making it co-educational again. The campus shifted from Kashmiri Gate (now housing the Election Commission of Delhi) to its current DU Enclave location in 1941. Notable early visitors included Mahatma Gandhi (1915) and C.F. Andrews.
Affiliation and Governance
Affiliated with the University of Delhi since 1922, St. Stephen's operates under DU's North Campus framework and is recognized by the UGC under Sections 2(f) and 12(B). It is governed by the Church of North India (CNI) as a minority institution, with 50% seats reserved for Christian applicants via aptitude tests and interviews. The Governing Body includes ecclesiastical and academic representatives, ensuring alignment with DU's semester-based curriculum while upholding institutional values.
Mission and Vision
The college's motto, "Ad Dei Gloriam" (To the Glory of God), underscores its commitment to holistic education that integrates faith, reason, and service. Its vision is to nurture leaders of integrity who contribute to society through critical inquiry, cultural appreciation, and ethical action. St. Stephen's aims to bridge Eastern and Western thought, promoting excellence in academics, extracurriculars, and community engagement.
Academic Programs
St. Stephen's offers undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) programs across arts, humanities, sciences, and commerce, following DU's Choice-Based Credit System (CBCS). Admissions are via CUET UG/PG, supplemented by college-specific aptitude tests and interviews for shortlisted candidates.
| Category |
Key Programs |
Departments Involved |
| UG |
B.A. (Hons) in English, Economics, History, Philosophy, Sanskrit, Political Science; B.Sc. (Hons) in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Computer Science; B.Com (Hons) |
12 departments including Humanities (English, History), Sciences (Physics, Chemistry), Commerce |
| PG |
M.A. in English, Economics, Philosophy, Sanskrit, Operational Research; M.Sc. in Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics |
English, Economics, Sciences (limited seats; merit-based post-CUET PG) |
| Other |
B.A./B.Sc. Program (multi-disciplinary combinations) |
Interdisciplinary |
The curriculum emphasizes research, seminars, and field trips, with high pass rates (99%+) and top DU rankings.
Facilities and Infrastructure
The historic campus blends colonial architecture with modern amenities, supporting academics, sports, and residential life:
| Facility |
Description |
| Academic |
Air-conditioned classrooms with smart boards; advanced science labs (BSL-2 for Chemistry/Biology); central library (1,00,000+ books, digital access via JSTOR/INFLIBNET, archival section); computer centre (150+ PCs, high-speed Wi-Fi); 3 seminar halls with AV systems. |
| Sports & Recreation |
Full facilities for cricket, football, basketball, badminton, tennis, table tennis, squash; indoor gymnasium; annual sports meets. |
| Residential |
6 hostels (named after former Principals) for ~500 students (boys/girls separate); mess, common rooms, Wi-Fi, 24/7 security. |
| Support Services |
On-campus dispensary (nurse + doctor visits from St. Stephen's Hospital); auditorium; canteen; photocopy/stationery; NSS/NCC units. |
| Other |
Eco-friendly initiatives (solar panels, rainwater harvesting); chapel for spiritual activities. |
The campus is accessible via metro (Vishwavidyalaya station) and well-connected to New Delhi Railway Station (8 km) and IGI Airport (20 km).
Achievements and Research
- Rankings: NIRF 14th (2024); EducationWorld #1 Non-Autonomous College (2020-21).
- Research: UGC CPE and DBT grants fund projects (₹1+ crore); faculty/student publications; innovation hub for startups.
- Extracurricular: Annual fest "Cyclone"; strong alumni network (Stephanian Society); sports titles (e.g., cricket champions).
- Notable: First DU college to introduce women's education (1928); alumni include 8 Padma awardees and global leaders.
Student Life and Enrollment
With ~3,000 students (co-ed since 1975), the college promotes a vibrant community through 20+ societies (debating, dramatics, music). Fees are affordable (UG: ₹40,000-43,000/year), with scholarships for merit/SC/ST/Christian students. The blend of academic seriousness and cultural richness defines Stephanian life.
