The University of Delhi is the premier university of the country and is known for its high standards in teaching and research and attracts eminent scholars to its faculty. The University of Delhi was established in 1922 as a unitary, teaching and residential university by an Act of the then Central Legislative Assembly. Only three colleges existed then in Delhi: St. Stephens College founded in 1881, Hindu College founded in 1899 and Ramjas College founded in 1917, which were affiliated to the University. The University thus had a modest beginning with just three colleges, two faculties (Arts and Science) and about 750 students. In October 1933, the University offices and the Library shifted to the Viceregal Lodge Estate, and till today this site is the nucleus of the University (Main Campus).

In an effort to cope with this enormous expansion, the University in the early seventies initiated a new organizational pattern based on the multi-campus concept. The South Campus made a beginning in 1973 by starting postgraduate programmes in some departments of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences in a rented building. The campus acquired land near Dhaula Kuan where the building of Arts Faculty was first constructed. Offices and teaching activities shifted to this campus in 1983. A beginning has been made towards establishing the East and West Campuses of the University. The East Campus is being developed with the University College of Medical Science as its nucleus, while the West Campus will have as its focus on Engineering and Technology. When the University Grants Commission started establishing Centres of Advanced Studies in the country, 6 were awarded to the University of Delhi out of a total of 18 such centres in the early sixties. These were in Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, Economics and Sociology. These Centres of Advanced Studies are now the centres of excellence in teaching and research in their respective areas.

At present, there are 14 faculties, 86 academic departments and 79 colleges spread all over the city, with about 2,20,000 students.The University has just completed the implementation of fibre-optic networks on the North and South Campuses.The Vice-President of India is the Chancellor of the University of Delhi.

Departments / Faculties

1.   Applied Social Sciences & Humanities

2.   Arts

3.   Ayurvedic & Unani Medicine

4.   Commerce & Business Studies

5.   Education

6.   Int. Disp. & Applied Sciences

7.   Law

8.   Management Studies

9.   Mathematical Sciences

10.  Medical Sciences

11.  Music & Fine Arts

12.  Science

13.  Social Sciences

14.  Technology

Facilities

Correspondence - The School of Open Learning is a part of the Campus of Open Learning. It was formerly known as The School of Correspondence Courses and Continuing Education, established under the University of Delhi in 1962, is a pioneer Institution in the field of Distance Education in India. The School offers Undergraduate/Postgraduate Degree courses in the subjects of Arts/Humanities and Commerce. The medium of instruction is primarily through well- prepared printed course material which is distributed by mail to all the enrolled students. This is also supplemented through Personal Contact Program conducted for the benefit of students at various study centers run by the School. An experienced faculty is always available at the main campus for academic interaction with students.

Other Open Learning Centres

• Centre for Professional and Technical Training
• UKIERI Project
• DU-GENPACT Project
• Courses Under Professional skills Project in Collaboration with CII
• DU-MetLife Insurance Course

Hostels - For the benefit of out of station students, the University runs eleven hostels with a large number of rooms. These hostels are typically available for post-graduate and research students. Apart from this, several colleges also have hostel facilities.

Some Hostels -

• Ambedkar-Ganguly Students House for Women
• D.S. Kothari Hostel
• Geetanjali Hostel (South Campus)
• Gwyer Hall
• International Student's House
• International Students House for Women

Delhi University Library System - Having more than 34 libraries in its fold, the DULS is accomplishing its task of reaching to wider academic community. With advanced web activity and the subscription of as good as 29 high quality electronic databases being made available through campus network to teachers, students and research scholars. In addition to this 20 more databases are also accessible through UGC-INFONET Digital Library Consortium. DULS also promotes Open Access e-resources. DULS is regularly conducting innovative Information Literacy Programs (ILP) for the benefit of students, researchers and Faculty members

Some Libraries -

• University Library
• Central Science Library
• Arts Library
• Ratan Tata Library
• Law Faculty Library
• South Campus Library
• DUCC Library

University of Delhi Learning Management System - This is the entry point for various online courses and other support material for regular courses of the University. This site is meant to be used by both students and teachers of this institution.Courses can be initiated by faculty members of Delhi University and its constituent colleges. To initiate a course,an email with all the details can be sent to webmaster@du.ac.in and/or director@ducc.du.ac.in All course material is, by default, accessible to anyone who visits the site.

Alumni - Very large numbers of Alumni of Delhi University have distinguished themselves at various levels - academics, civil services, sports, business, judiciary, etc. and have been honoured with National and International awards. It is a matter of pride and honour for Delhi University to have such eminent Alumni. At the level of the University, there is an Alumni Association, which has important role in the governance of the University. It has its representation in the University Court and the Executive Council, the highest decision making Bodies of the University. Besides, the Alumni office facilitates to establish contact, to exchange views, to renew communication and to rewire ties that had got disconnected with time.

Sports - The University has a very active and vibrant Sports program. The Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy for the best overall sports performance among Indian Universities has been won by the University of Delhi many times. Each college also has a sports programme and several of our students have been outstanding sportsmen at the National and International levels. At present, the University has a Main Sports Complex of about 8 acres with a small stadium, which was even used for the organization of Handball and Archery Competition of the 9th Asian Games in 1982.

There is another open space in the vicinity on the polo grounds near Kingsway Camp, which has sports facilities for Football, Hockey, Cricket or any other such Sports on an area of about 22 acre. The University is known for its cricket culture mainly on the Main Sports Complex and improvises for play facilities of activities like Volleyball, Basketball, KhoKho, Kabaddi, Softball, Handball, Football, Hockey, Gymnastics, Archery, Shooting, Indoor Shooting, Judo, Wrestling, Yogasana, table Tennis, Korfball, Netball etc. from time to time. Besides the available area it has full corporation and assistance from neighboring colleges for the use of facilities like Squash Rackets, Badminton, Table Tennis, Power Lifting, Wt. Lifting and Boxing etc.

University Centres

• Agricultural Economics Research Centre
• Centre For Envir. Management of Degraded Ecosystem
• Centre for Inter-disciplinary Studies of Mountain & Hill Environment
• Centre For Professional Development in Higher Edu.
• Centre For Science Education & Communication
• Developing Countries Research Centre
• Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Centre For Biomedical Research
• Women Study Development Centre

Scholarships - Scholarships / Awards are available at Undergraduate & Postgraduate Level in various Science Courses at the University of Delhi

Extra Curricular Activities - Culture Council of the University of Delhi is active in promoting cultural activities in the University.

DUSU - The Delhi University Students Union is very active and elections are held every year where students from all the colleges and faculties choose their student representatives. Several of the DUSU office bearers have gone on to play an important part in national and state politics.