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{{short description|College of the University of Delhi}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2017}}
{{Cleanup university|date=April 2017}}
{{Infobox university
| name = St. Stephen's College
| latin_name = Collegium St. Stephani, Delhi
| image = Crest of St.Stephens Coll, UOD.svg
| image_size =
| image_upright = .7
| caption = Crest of the St. Stephen's College, Delhi
| motto = {{lang-la|Ad Dei Gloriam}}
| mottoeng = To the Glory of God
| established = {{start date and age|1881|02|01}}
| principal = Prof. John Varghese<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ststephens.edu/principal/|title=Principal – St. Stephen's College, Delhi}}</ref>
| founder = Rev. Samuel Scott Allnutt
| students = Around 400 in each year
| location = Sudhir Bose Marg, University Enclave, [[New Delhi, India]]
| campus = Urban
| campus_size = {{convert|69|acre}}
| affiliations = {{ubl|[[University of Delhi]]|[[Church of North India]]<ref>{{cite web|title=The Supreme Council of St Stephen's College, Delhi|url=https://www.ststephens.edu/supreme-council/}}</ref>}}
| colours = {{color box|#D40000}}{{color box|#0892D0}} Martyr's red & Cambridge blue
| website = {{url|http://ststephens.edu/}}
| logo =
}}
'''St. Stephen's College''' is a [[constituent college]] of the [[University of Delhi]]. Awarding both [[undergraduate]] and [[postgraduate]] degrees, it is regarded as the most prestigious [[liberal arts]] college in India.<ref>https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/nation/story/20130624-india-today-best-colleges-2013-st-stephen-764104-2013-06-13</ref> It is often associated with elitism, as a place where the children of the rich and influential study.<ref>http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/-we-are-happy-to-be-elite-/221918/</ref><ref>https://www.dailyo.in/politics/delhi-university-st-stephens-college-british-raj-bullying-elitism-education-11460</ref><ref>https://www.dailyo.in/politics/st-stephens-delhi-university-miranda-house-arts-faculty-student-politics-trade-unionism-10871</ref>

In 2017, the governing body of the college unilaterally initiated a move toward making it an autonomous institution. In 2018, the plan was put on hold after the [[University Grants Commission (India)|University Grants Commission]] received legal advice against passing a favourable decision.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/news/story/ugc-unfavourable-legal-opinion-st-stephens-autonomy-1304046-2018-08-03|title=UGC encounters unfavourable legal opinion on St Stephen's autonomy}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/education-2/no-autonomy-for-delhi-universitys-st-stephen-college-here-is-what-you-should-know/1268079/|title=No autonomy for Delhi University's St Stephen College? Here is what you should know|date=3 August 2018}}</ref>

Ranked eleventh among colleges in India by the [[National Institutional Ranking Framework]] (NIRF) in 2022, the institution has produced distinguished alumni in fields like politics, law, journalism, film and business.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/st-stephens-alumni-upset-over-changes/article7978335.ece|title=St. Stephen's alumni upset over changes|newspaper=The Hindu|date=12 December 2015|last1=Sebastian|first1=Kritika Sharma}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indiatodaygroup.com/itoday/20000619/cover.html |title=The Top Colleges of India - India Today |access-date=2006-10-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061206215802/http://www.indiatodaygroup.com/itoday/20000619/cover.html |archive-date=6 December 2006 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> St. Stephen's College secured the second place on India Today's 2022 Best Art colleges.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/bestcolleges/2022/ranks/1837786?page=1 | title=India's Best Arts Colleges 2022 | date=18 March 2023 }}</ref>

[[File:Old St Stephens College.jpg|thumb|Old St Stephens College building at Kashmere Gate]]
[[File:St Stephen College Hostel.jpg|thumb|St Stephen College hostel at Kashmiri Gate]]

== History ==
The history of St. Stephen's College can be traced to St. Stephen's High School, founded in 1854 by Samuel Scott Allnutt, chaplain of Delhi, run by the Delhi Mission of the [[United Society Partners in the Gospel|United Society]]. With the closure of Government College, Delhi, in 1879 because of financial problems, [[Valpy French]] immediately urged the [[Cambridge Mission to Delhi|Cambridge Mission]], an [[Anglican]] mission organised by the alumni of [[University of Cambridge]], to fill the breach.<ref name=a>{{cite web|url=http://ase.tufts.edu/chemistry/kumar/ssc/html/sschis.html|title=St. Stephen's College, Delhi, India: History|website=ase.tufts.edu|access-date=17 September 2017}}</ref> The other major aim for the foundation of the college was response to [[British Raj|British Indian Government]]'s policy of promoting English education in India.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.letsintern.com/blog/top-colleges-in-the-university-of-delhi/ |title=9 Outstanding Colleges in University of Delhi |access-date=2015-10-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151224110242/http://www.letsintern.com/blog/top-colleges-in-the-university-of-delhi/ |archive-date=24 December 2015 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
It was Samuel Scott Allnutt of [[St. John's College, Cambridge]], who was mainly responsible for founding the college. Finally on 1 February 1881, in support of the work of the [[United Society Partners in the Gospel]], the Cambridge Brotherhood founded the St. Stephen's College. Allnutt served as its first principal.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indianpost.com/viewstamp.php/Paper/All%20over%20five%20pointed%20watermark%20paper/ST.%20STEPHENS%20COLLEGE |title=St Stephens College - IndianPost |access-date=2015-10-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208111008/http://www.indianpost.com/viewstamp.php/Paper/All%20over%20five%20pointed%20watermark%20paper/ST.%20STEPHENS%20COLLEGE |archive-date=8 December 2015 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

The college's first premises were in [[Chandni Chowk]], [[Delhi]], with five boarders and three professors, and was an [[List of academic institutions formerly affiliated to the University of Calcutta|affiliate]] of the [[University of Calcutta]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/gardeners-son-begins-new-chapter-in-st-stephens-133-year-history-660233|title=Gardener's Son Begins New Chapter in St.Stephen's 133-year History|website=Ndtv.com|access-date=17 September 2017}}</ref> but later in 1882, it changed its affiliation to [[University of the Punjab|Punjab University]]. The Punjab University received its charter more than one year after the founding of St. Stephen's College, which became one of the two institutions first affiliated to it and moved into premises in [[Kashmere Gate (Delhi)|Kashmiri Gate, Delhi]].<ref name=b>{{cite web|url=http://www.thedelhiwalla.com/2013/06/02/city-monument-old-stephens-kashmere-gate/|title=City Monument – Old Stephen's, Kashmere Gate|date=2 June 2013|website=Thedelhiwalla.com|access-date=17 September 2017}}</ref>

In 1906, principal G. Hibbert Ware abdicated his post in favour of [[S. K. Rudra]] who became the first Indian to head a major educational institution in India. The decision was frowned upon at the time, but Rudra proved to have a tenure of extraordinary importance for the college.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?_e_pi_=7,PAGE_ID10,5635841459|title=Google Books|website=books.google.com|access-date=17 September 2017}}</ref>

[[Charles Freer Andrews]], a prominent lecturer at the college and member of the [[Cambridge Mission to Delhi|Cambridge Brotherhood]], was active in the [[Indian independence movement]], and was named ''deenbandhu'' (friend of the poor) by [[Mahatma Gandhi]] on account of his work with the needy and the trade union movement. Currently, a portrait ofAndrews is hung beside the portrait of his good friend [[Rabindranath Tagore]] in the principal's office. It is also believed that Rabindranath Tagore completed the English translation of ''[[Gitanjali]]'', for which he was awarded the [[Nobel Prize in Literature]], while a guest at the college.<ref name=a/>

With the establishment of the University of Delhi in 1922, the college became a constituent college of the university.<ref name=d>{{cite web|url=http://www.du.ac.in/du/index.php?page=about-du-2|title=About DU - University of Delhi|website=Du.ac.in|access-date=17 September 2017}}</ref>

Women were first admitted in 1928, as there were no women's colleges in Delhi affiliated with the [[Anglicanism|Anglican Church]] at the time; after the founding of [[Miranda House]] in 1949, women were not accepted as students until 1975.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120505/jsp/frontpage/story_15454277.jsp#.Vhz9Jl2t-o8|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120508113357/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120505/jsp/frontpage/story_15454277.jsp#.Vhz9Jl2t-o8|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 May 2012|title=Oh boy! Still at girls' mercy|website=Telegraphindia.com|access-date=17 September 2017}}</ref>

{| class="toccolours" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; font-size: 85%; background:#ffffcc; color:black; width:20em; max-width: 25%;" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
! style="background-color:#cccccc;" | Principal
|-
| style="text-align: left;" |
* Samuel Scott Allnutt, 1881-1898
* John Wright, 1899-1902
* G Hibbert Ware, 1902-1906
* [[S. K. Rudra|Susil Kumar Rudra]], 1906-1923
* Francis Fitzhugh Monk, 1923-1926<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZthKAAAAYAAJ|title=A History of St. Stephen's College, Delhi|last1=Monk |first1=Francis Fitzhugh |year=1935 }}</ref>
* Satya Nand Mukarji, 1926-1945
* Douglas Raja Ram, 1945-1960
* Satish Chandra Sircar, 1960-1972
* William Shaw Rajpal, 1972-1984
* John H Hala, 1984-1991
* [[Anil Wilson]], 1991-2007
* [[Valson Thampu]], 2008–2016<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailyo.in/voices/st-stephens-autonomy-delhi-university-ugc-hrd-ministry/story/1/24241.html|title=Ex principal of St Stephen's asks whether college will be damned by autonomy?}}</ref>
* John Vargheese, 2016–present<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ststephens.edu/archives/history1.htm|title=St. Stephen's College, Delhi – Official website of St. Stephen's College, University of Delhi, Delhi|website=Ststephens.edu|access-date=17 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160211183720/http://www.ststephens.edu/archives/history1.htm|archive-date=11 February 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
|}

=== Etymology ===
The college was named after [[Saint Stephen]], who was adopted by the Anglican Church as the [[patron saint]] of Delhi after Christian converts were reportedly stoned to death during the [[Rebellion of 1857|1857 uprising]], as they were the first Christian martyrs in [[North India]] and were stoned, parallels to Saint Stephen were obvious.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.victorianweb.org/history/empire/india/12.html |title=St Stephen's, Delhi - Victorian Web |access-date=2015-10-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150708190431/http://www.victorianweb.org/history/empire/india/12.html |archive-date=8 July 2015 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

== Present form ==
St. Stephen's College is a co-educational institution of higher learning. It is one of the three founding colleges of [[University of Delhi]], along with [[Hindu College, University of Delhi|Hindu College]] and [[Ramjas College]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://du.ac.in/index.php?page=about-du-2 |title=About DU |website=Du.ac.in |publisher=University of Delhi |access-date=2017-01-31 }}</ref> In spite of its location in [[North India]], the college has always striven to admit students and select teachers from all communities and from all parts of India. It also admits a small number of students from overseas. The college offers a number of scholarships and awards to meritorious students. These are endowed over a period of time.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.redbull.com/in-en/top-colleges-in-india-offering-sports-scholarships |title=Top Indian colleges that offer sports scholarships |date=11 June 2015 |website=Redbull.com |publisher=Red Bull |access-date=2017-01-31 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.tiarafoundation.com/st_stephens.html |title=Tiara St. Stephen's Special Opportunity Award |website=Tiarafoundation.com |publisher=Tiara Foundation |access-date=2017-01-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151006042738/http://www.tiarafoundation.com/st_stephens.html |archive-date=6 October 2015 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> As of February 2017, the governing body of St. Stephen's College has decided to go ahead with the proposal to seek autonomy for the institution.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/education/news/despite-opposition-stephens-decides-to-seek-autonomous-status/articleshow/57347492.cms |title=Despite opposition Stephen's decides to seek autonomous status |access-date=2017-02-25 }}</ref>

== Campus ==
[[File:Church inside Saint Stephens College , Delhi University (cropped).jpg|thumb|Church inside Saint Stephen's College]]
The campus is located in the North Campus of the University of Delhi and designed by the distinguished [[Welsh people|Welsh]] architect [[Walter Sykes George]]. The construction was completed in 1941.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://dome.mit.edu/handle/1721.3/55975 |title=St. Stephen's College - Dome, MIT Library |access-date=2015-10-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150916040259/http://dome.mit.edu/handle/1721.3/55975 |archive-date=16 September 2015 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The college had previously functioned from a campus in [[Kashmiri Gate (Delhi)|Kashmiri Gate, Delhi]], housed in distinctive [[Indo-Saracenic Revival architecture]]. This building now houses the [[Election Commission of India|Election Commission]] of [[Delhi]].

In fact, some college playing fields are still located between [[Kashmere Gate (Delhi)|Kashmiri Gate]] and [[Old Delhi#Walls and gates|Mori Gate]].<ref name="b" /> Facilities for a number of sports are provided for on the college campus. The Francis Monk Gymnasium, the Ladies Common Room, and the Junior Common Room provide facilities for indoor sports and recreation. A chapel is open to all members for worship and meditation.<ref name="a" />

=== Residence halls ===
There are different parts of the residence halls by means of the buildings having a main block and an extension. Originally only for male students (termed "Scholars in Residence"), three of these blocks are now allotted to female students.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dubeat.com/du-colleges/st-stephens-college/|title=St. Stephen's College - DU Beat|website=Dubeat.com|access-date=17 September 2017}}</ref> These blocks have a capacity of 500 men and women. Each block is supervised by a member of the faculty functioning as block tutor. Porters and other staff who work in residence are referred to as "gyps" and "karamcharis" respectively.<ref name=c>{{cite web|url=https://prezi.com/j_ovnqjassez/historical-landmarks-of-north-campus/?_e_pi_=7,PAGE_ID10,5737605587|title=Historical Landmarks of North Campus|website=prezi.com|access-date=17 September 2017}}</ref>

=== Library ===
The St. Stephen's College library has rare [[Sanskrit]] and [[Persian language|Persian]] manuscripts. It also offers digital services to students and has its own homegrown [[online public access catalog]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.duupdates.com/10-amazing-facts-about-st-stephens-college/ |title=10 cool facts about St. Stephen's College |date=2016-06-06 |website=Duupdates.com |publisher=DU Updates |access-date=2017-01-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218210304/http://www.duupdates.com/10-amazing-facts-about-st-stephens-college/ |archive-date=18 February 2017 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> There is also a college archive housed in the library, containing various documents relating to the history of the college.

== Organisation and administration ==
The college has also introduced a one of a kind certificate course in "Citizenship and Cultural Richness" which brings together a series of lectures by eminent Indian academics in a variety of fields ranging from science to literature, economics and social values. This had been touted as outreach by the principal of the college.<ref name="http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi">{{cite news |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/course-on-citizenship-and-cultural-richness-launched-at-st-stephens/ |title=Course on 'Citizenship and Cultural Richness' launched at St Stephen's
|date=2015-03-08 |website=Indianexpress.com |publisher=The Indian Express |access-date=2017-01-31 }}</ref>

==Academics==
===Rankings===
{{Infobox India university ranking
| type = College
| NIRF_C_2021=8}}
St. Stephen's is ranked eighth among colleges in India by the [[National Institutional Ranking Framework]] (NIRF) in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021 |title=India Rankings 2021, National Institute Ranking Framework (NIRF) |url=https://www.nirfindia.org/nirfpdfcdn/2021/pdf/Report/IR2021_Report.pdf |access-date=2022-08-27|page = 95 |publisher=[[Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India]]}}</ref> ''[[India Today]]'' ranked St. Stephen second among art colleges<ref>{{Cite web|title=Best Arts Colleges 2020: List of Top Arts Colleges 2020 in India - Page1|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/bestcolleges/2020/ranks/1824920?page=1|access-date=2021-03-16|website=www.indiatoday.in}}</ref> and third among science colleges in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Best Science Colleges 2020: List of Top Science Colleges 2020 in India - Page2|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/bestcolleges/2020/ranks/1824932?page=2|access-date=2021-03-16|website=www.indiatoday.in}}</ref>

===Admission===
The college has its own selection process unlike other colleges under [[Delhi University]]. The college has an online application process where prospective applicants are expected to fill in their interests and academic achievements. The college releases a list for students selected to an interview and admission test by the first week of June. Every department has its own academic criteria and admission test/interview process. The interview constitutes 15% of the evaluation process.<ref>{{cite web |title=St. Stephen's Interview : Tips to turn a worrier into a Warrior |url=https://notsostephanian.com/st-stephens-interview-tips-to-turn-a-worrier-into-a-warrior/ |website=Not So Stephanian |date=25 July 2020 |publisher=Not So Stephanian}}</ref> Candidates called for interview are usually selected in a ratio of 5:1. St. Stephen's generally receives around 30,000 applicants for 400 seats each year leading to an incredibly low admit rate of 1.33%.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/st-stephens-cutoff-a-staggering-99-per-cent/article7323886.ece|title=St. Stephen's cut-off a staggering 99%|first=Kritika Sharma|last=Sebastian|date=17 June 2015|access-date=17 September 2017|newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref>

==Student life==
=== Student societies ===
Student clubs and societies have always played an important role in the life of the college, and are seen as vital to student development. Each academic subject has a society which sponsors lectures and discussions. The popular extra-curricular societies and clubs engage in activities concerned with debating, dramatics, wall climbing and trekking, film, social service, photography, quizzing and astronomy. The social service league is the largest and most active society of St. Stephen's College which follows the mantra "Service above Self". It works for the betterment of the underprivileged sections of the society.<ref>{{cite web |title=All about societies |url=https://notsostephanian.com/all-about-societies-at-st-stephens-college/ |website=Not So Stephanian|date=25 July 2020 }}</ref> In continuance of a long tradition, the Planning Forum regularly invites distinguished visitors to address and join issue with students on various topical issues.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://daily.bhaskar.com/news/DEL-st-stephens-from-hostel-to-hangout-zones-know-your-du-college-4291572-NOR.html|title=St Stephen's: From hostel to hangout zones, know your DU college|date=14 June 2013|website=Daily.bhaskar.com|access-date=17 September 2017}}</ref>

== Notable alumni ==
{{Main|List of alumni of St. Stephen's College, Delhi}}
Alumni and students of St. Stephen's College are called "Stephanians". The college has produced many distinguished alumni, including several members of the [[Indian Parliament]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/mag/2004/08/01/stories/2004080100280300.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041201103343/http://www.hindu.com/mag/2004/08/01/stories/2004080100280300.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 December 2004|title=Stephanians in Parliament|last=thmky|website=[[The Hindu]]|date=2004-08-01|access-date=17 September 2017}}</ref> and the [[President (government title)|president]]s of three countries.

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
* {{official}}

{{University of Delhi}}
{{Delhi}}
{{Protestant missions to India}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:St. Stephen's College, Delhi}}
[[Category:Delhi University]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges in Delhi]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges affiliated with the Church of North India]]
[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1881]]
[[Category:1881 establishments in British India]]

St. Stephen's College, Delhi - Revision history

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