University of Delhi

New Delhi, India · founded 1922 · 400,000 students · public research university

Known for: The University of Delhi is one of India's most prestigious and largest universities, renowned for its high academic standards, influential research output, and its elite constituent colleges like St. Stephen's and Lady Shri Ram. It is a top destination for humanities, sciences, and professional courses.

Rankings

QS World: #407
Times Higher Education: #601
ARWU Shanghai: #501

Top programmes

Arts
Science
Commerce
Law
Social Sciences
Mathematical Sciences

Notable alumni

Amitabh Bachchan — Legendary Bollywood actor, regarded as one of the greatest actors in the history of Indian cinema.
Shashi Tharoor — Author, politician, former UN Under-Secretary-General, and Member of Parliament.
Narendra Modi — Current Prime Minister of India.
Shah Rukh Khan — Bollywood superstar actor, film producer, and television personality.
Shyam Benegal — Acclaimed film director and screenwriter, pioneer of the 'parallel cinema' movement in India.
Shakuntala Devi — Mathematician and writer, popularly known as the 'Human Computer' for her mental calculation abilities.
Shobhana Bhartia — Chairperson of the Hindustan Times Group, noted media executive.
Shivshankar Menon — Former National Security Advisor and Foreign Secretary of India.

Traditions

Annual cultural festival 'Antardhwani'
College-specific festivals like 'Crossroads' (St. Stephen's)
Intense student union elections

If University of Delhi were…

As a food: Butter chicken — Rich, ubiquitous, and fiercely contested—like DU's prestige, it’s a North Indian classic everyone wants a piece of, best served with ambition.
As an athlete: Virat Kohli — Aggressive, stylish, and relentlessly competitive—embodies DU's blend of elite status and street-fighter hustle in India's academic league.
As a person alive today: Raghuram Rajan — Globally respected economist with policy chops—mirrors DU's output of sharp, pragmatic leaders who navigate power corridors effortlessly.
As a historical figure: Chanakya — Ancient strategist who mastered statecraft—echoes DU's reputation as a factory for India's political and bureaucratic elite.
As a movie or TV show: House of Cards — A ruthless drama of power and ambition set in iconic institutions—just like DU's politically charged campus life and careerist culture.
As a US president: Theodore Roosevelt — Energetic expansionist who believed in speaking softly and carrying a big stick—reflects DU's dominance and diplomatic yet competitive edge.
As a city: Washington D.C. — The nation's power center where policy and prestige collide—DU is where India's future leaders cut their teeth before ruling the capital.
As an element: Gold — Precious, malleable, and the standard of value—like a DU degree, it opens doors and signifies elite status in any Indian room.
As a car: 1985 Ambassador Mark IV — Delhi's storied prestige and political ferment demand Hindustan Motors' flagship—once the chariot of ministers and intellectuals, now a symbol of India's pre-liberalization academic elite. It's North Campus gravitas on w

Campus life

Campus life is dynamic and diverse, centered around its North and South campuses and its famous constituent colleges, each with its own strong identity. The university is known for its intense academic competition, vibrant political and cultural societies, and a bustling social scene in the national capital.