The University of Delhi (DU), commonly known as Delhi University, is a premier public central university located in New Delhi, India. Established in 1922 by an Act of the Central Legislative Assembly, it has grown to become one of India’s largest and most prestigious institutions of higher learning. history.du.ac.in+2Wikipedia+2Wikipedia+2
🏛️ History and Establishment
Founded with the vision of providing quality education, DU began with just three colleges, two faculties (Arts and Science), and approximately 750 students. The founding colleges were:विकिपीडिया+2Wikipedia+2Wikipedia+2
- St. Stephen’s College: Established in 1881.Wikipedia
- Hindu College: Established in 1899.
- Ramjas College: Established in 1917.विकिपीडिया
The university’s first Vice-Chancellor was Dr. Hari Singh Gour. Over the years, DU has expanded significantly, both in terms of infrastructure and academic offerings. Wikipedia
🎓 Academic Structure
Delhi University operates through a collegiate system, comprising 16 faculties and 86 academic departments. The faculties include:Wikipedia+1Wikipedia+1
- Faculty of Arts
- Faculty of Science
- Faculty of Social Sciences
- Faculty of Commerce and Business Studies
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Management Studies
- Faculty of Mathematical Sciences
- Faculty of Medical Sciences
- Faculty of Music and Fine Arts
- Faculty of Open Learning
- Faculty of Technology
Each faculty oversees various departments that offer undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs. Wikipedia
🏫 Affiliated Colleges
DU boasts a vast network of 91 affiliated colleges spread across the city, categorized based on their campuses:
- North Campus Colleges:
- Hindu College
- Hansraj College
- Kirori Mal College
- Miranda House
- St. Stephen’s College
- Ramjas College
- Daulat Ram College
- Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College
- Indraprastha College for Women
- Swami Shraddhanand College
- South Campus Colleges:
- Sri Venkateswara College
- Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College
- Maitreyi College
- Jesus and Mary College
- Gargi College
- Kamala Nehru College
- Motilal Nehru College
- Delhi College of Arts and Commerce
- Shaheed Bhagat Singh College
- College of Vocational Studies
- Off-Campus Colleges:
- Lady Shri Ram College for Women
- Maharaja Agrasen College
- Bhaskaracharya College of Applied Sciences
- Keshav Mahavidyalaya
- Bhagini Nivedita College
- Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College
- Bharati College
- Shivaji College
- Shyama Prasad Mukherji College
- Satyawati College
These colleges offer a diverse range of courses across various disciplines.
📚 Notable Departments
Among its numerous departments, the Department of History stands out as one of the founding departments of DU. Established in 1922, it is the largest history department in India, offering a rich array of MA courses in South Asian and World History. The department is renowned for its rigorous MPhil and PhD programs, with graduates securing fellowships in top-ranked international universities. history.du.ac.in+1du.ac.in+1du.ac.in
🏆 Rankings and Recognition
Delhi University has consistently been recognized for its academic excellence. According to the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2024, DU is ranked 6th among Indian universities. Wikipedia
🎉 Student Life and Extracurricular Activities
DU offers a vibrant campus life enriched with numerous extracurricular activities, societies, and clubs. Students can engage in:
- Cultural Societies: Dramatics, music, dance, and fine arts.
- Sports: Facilities for cricket, football, basketball, athletics, and more.
- Academic Clubs: Debating, quiz, and subject-specific societies.
Annual festivals like “Rendezvous” (cultural fest) and “Tryst” (technical fest) attract participants from across the country, fostering a spirit of creativity and innovation.
🌍 Alumni and Global Presence
DU’s alumni network is vast and influential, with graduates excelling in various fields globally. Notable alumni include:Wikipedia
- Dr. Manmohan Singh: Former Prime Minister of India.
- Amitabh Bachchan: Renowned actor.
- Sheila Dikshit: Former Chief Minister of Delhi.
- R. K. Laxman: Celebrated cartoonist.
- C. N. R. Rao: Eminent chemist.
The university’s emphasis on holistic development has contributed to its graduates making significant impacts worldwide.
🏟️ Sports Facilities
The Delhi University Stadium is a notable sports complex within the North Campus. Spread over 10,000 square meters, it has a seating capacity of 2,500 permanent and 7,500 temporary seats. Originally constructed for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, the stadium now hosts various sports activities, including rugby sevens, netball, boxing, women’s wrestling, and athletics. Wikipedia
How to Reach Delhi University (DU):
DU has two major campuses — North Campus and South Campus, both well-connected by public and private transport.
🚇 By Metro:
👉 To North Campus:
- Nearest Metro Station: Vishwavidyalaya (Yellow Line)
- Exit Gate: Gate No. 3 (for Arts Faculty and colleges like Hindu, Hansraj, Miranda House)
- From the metro, most colleges are walkable or a short rickshaw ride away.
👉 To South Campus:
- Nearest Metro Station: Dhaula Kuan (Airport Express Line) or Moti Bagh (Pink Line)
- Use DTC buses or e-rickshaws to reach colleges like Sri Venkateswara, ARSD, Gargi, Jesus & Mary.
🚌 By Bus:
Delhi University’s campuses are well connected by DTC (Delhi Transport Corporation) buses. Major routes include:
- Route 100, 101, 103, 234 for North Campus
- Route 507, 511, 623, 567, 604 for South Campus
Tip: Use the Delhi Transport App or Google Maps for live bus tracking.
🚖 By Auto/Taxi:
- Available from anywhere in Delhi NCR.
- Ola/Uber service is smooth to both campuses.
🚗 By Personal Vehicle:
- Ample parking is available near Arts Faculty (North Campus) and Benito Juarez Marg (South Campus).
- Avoid peak hours as DU areas can be crowded during college timings.