St. Stephen's College, Delhi

St. Stephen's College, Delhi, one of the oldest and most prestigious colleges in India, was founded in 1881 by Cambridge Mission to Delhi and is affiliated with the University of Delhi. The college has a long history of academic excellence, with notable alumni including Khushwant Singh, Rahul Gandhi, and Arun Shourie. St. Stephen's College, Delhi has been ranked as one of the top colleges in India by National Institutional Ranking Framework and has produced many distinguished alumni who have made significant contributions to Indian National Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party, and other fields. The college is known for its strong faculty, which includes professors from Oxford University, Cambridge University, and Indian Institute of Technology Delhi.

● History

The history of St. Stephen's College, Delhi dates back to 1881, when it was founded by Samuel Scott Allnutt, a Church of England missionary, with the support of Viceroy of India, Lord Ripon. The college was initially affiliated with the University of Calcutta and later with the University of Punjab, before finally becoming a part of the University of Delhi in 1922. During the Indian independence movement, the college played a significant role, with many of its students and faculty members participating in the Non-Cooperation Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian National Congress. The college has also been associated with other notable institutions, including St. John's College, Cambridge, Trinity College, Cambridge, and King's College, Cambridge.

● Academics

St. Stephen's College, Delhi offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in subjects such as English literature, History, Economics, Philosophy, and Mathematics, among others. The college is known for its strong faculty, which includes professors from Harvard University, Stanford University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The college has a strong research focus, with many of its faculty members publishing research papers in top international journals, including Nature (journal), Science (journal), and The Lancet. The college is also a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities and has partnerships with other top universities, including University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and Australian National University.

● Campus

The campus of St. Stephen's College, Delhi is located in the heart of Delhi and is spread over an area of 25 acres. The college has a mix of modern and historic buildings, including the iconic St. Stephen's College Chapel, which was designed by Henry Medd. The campus is also home to a number of other notable buildings, including the Mallinson Library, which has a collection of over 100,000 books, and the Rajendra Prasad Auditorium, which hosts a number of cultural events throughout the year. The college is also close to other notable institutions, including Delhi University Library, Jawaharlal Nehru University, and Indian Institute of Technology Delhi.

● Student Life

Student life at St. Stephen's College, Delhi is vibrant and diverse, with a range of extracurricular activities and clubs available to students. The college has a strong debating culture, with its debating team having won a number of national and international competitions, including the Oxford Union and Cambridge Union Society. The college also has a number of cultural societies, including the Drama Society, Music Society, and Film Society, which organize a range of events throughout the year. The college is also home to a number of student organizations, including the National Service Scheme and the National Cadet Corps, which provide opportunities for students to engage in community service and leadership development. Students at the college also participate in a number of sports, including Cricket, Football, and Basketball, and the college has a strong rivalry with other top colleges in Delhi, including Hindu College, University of Delhi, Hansraj College, and Ramjas College.

● Notable Alumni

St. Stephen's College, Delhi has a long list of notable alumni, including Khushwant Singh, Rahul Gandhi, Arun Shourie, and Kapil Sibal. Other notable alumni include Fali Nariman, Soli Sorabjee, and Montek Singh Ahluwalia, who have all made significant contributions to Indian politics, law, and economics. The college has also produced a number of notable Bollywood personalities, including Shah Rukh Khan, Anurag Kashyap, and Vidya Balan. The college has a strong network of alumni, with many of its graduates going on to attend top universities, including Harvard University, Stanford University, and University of Oxford.

● Admissions

Admissions to St. Stephen's College, Delhi are highly competitive, with the college receiving thousands of applications each year. The college uses a combination of Class 12 board exam results and entrance exams, such as the University of Delhi entrance exam, to select students. The college also has a strong focus on sports quota and extracurricular activities, with a number of seats reserved for students who have excelled in these areas. The college is also a member of the Delhi University Sports Council and has a strong rivalry with other top colleges in Delhi, including Hindu College, University of Delhi, Hansraj College, and Ramjas College. Students who are admitted to the college are also eligible to apply for a range of scholarships, including the National Scholarship Scheme and the University of Delhi Scholarship.