Delhi University's prestigious Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) has embarked on its centenary year, marking a monumental milestone in Indian commerce education. The college, which began with just a dozen students in a rented bungalow, is now a nationally recognised brand, consistently ranking as one of the most desired institutions in the country.
Humble Beginnings and a Century of Growth
The story of SRCC started not with grand buildings, but with a powerful vision. In 1926, industrialist Sir Shri Ram, along with associates like Lala Sher Singh and Lala Diwan Chand, founded the Commercial College in a bungalow in Delhi's Daryaganj. The aim was revolutionary for its time: to move beyond colonial theory and provide practical, profession-oriented education in commerce and economics to foster economic self-reliance.
The institution, which received Delhi University affiliation the same year, was renamed Shri Ram College of Commerce in 1951. A significant leap came in 1954 when it moved to its current North Campus location in Maurice Nagar, with the building inaugurated by the then Vice-President of India, Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.
The Enduring Two-Course Model and Unwavering Demand
Despite its evolution, SRCC has maintained a remarkably focused academic structure at the undergraduate level. For decades, it has offered only two flagship programmes: BCom (Honours) and BA (Honours) Economics. This model, emphasising depth over diversity, was established with the introduction of BCom (Hons) in 1949 and BA (Hons) Economics in 1958.
This focused approach has not dimmed its appeal. In the 2025 CUET-UG admissions cycle, SRCC emerged as Delhi University's top choice, with a staggering 38,795 candidates listing it as their first preference, surpassing other leading colleges. Principal Professor Simrit Kaur attributes this sustained demand to the college's commitment to specialisation, supported by a robust ecosystem of classroom teaching, over 70 active student societies, internships, and a powerful alumni network.
The alumni community, estimated at over 25,000 graduates, includes luminaries like former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, economist Sanjeev Sanyal, and actors Gulshan Grover and Nimrat Kaur, who actively mentor current students.
Future-Proofing: AI, Infrastructure, and Entrepreneurship
As SRCC steps into its next century, it is confronting modern challenges and opportunities. The college's student strength has surged from about 1,700 in 2007 to nearly 4,000 today, due to reservation policies and the four-year undergraduate programme, putting significant strain on infrastructure.
Governing Body Chairman Ajay S Shriram highlighted that interim solutions like portacabins are in use, while two major expansion projects—a seven-storey academic block and an expanded girls' hostel—have received municipal approval. Funding is being sought from the Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA).
Looking ahead, the focus is sharply on innovation. Delhi University Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh urged the college to shift from creating job-seekers to enabling job and enterprise creators. In line with this, the college is exploring the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into pedagogy and creating centres of excellence. Faculty upskilling and alumni-supported entrepreneurship initiatives are key parts of this future roadmap.
Professor Kaur emphasised that SRCC's approach to digitalisation and AI will be guided by strong ethical considerations and a focus on social responsibility, ensuring students are prepared to navigate a rapidly changing economic and technological landscape.
