St. Stephen's College is a private Christian minority institution affiliated to the University of Delhi, established in 1881 on the North Campus at University Enclave, New Delhi 110007. The college occupies a 69-acre campus and is NAAC A++ accredited. It is ranked #5 among Colleges in NIRF 2025, placing it among the top five colleges in India. St. Stephen's teaches BA Hons and BSc Hons programmes in arts and sciences; it does not offer commerce or professional programmes. All UG admissions are through CUET-UG, with an additional college interview for Christian minority seats.
Placement 2025-26 (NIRF 2026 submission): 80 UG students placed out of 381 eligible; average Rs 10.5 LPA; median Rs 8.5 LPA; highest Rs 24.5 LPA. Consulting accounted for 42.9% of offers.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | St. Stephen's College |
| Founded | 1881 |
| Type | Private Christian minority institution, affiliated to University of Delhi |
| Ownership | Private (Church of North India / Cambridge Brotherhood) |
| Location | University Enclave, North Campus, New Delhi 110007 |
| Gender | Co-educational |
| NAAC Grade | A++ (valid until Feb 2028) |
| NIRF 2025 | College #5 |
| Campus Area | 69 acres |
| Streams | Arts and Sciences (no commerce, no engineering, no MBA) |
| UG Admission | CUET-UG; 50% Christian minority seats add college interview (85% CUET + 15% interview) |
| PG Admission | CUET-PG; DU PG portal |
| BA Hons English Cutoff (2025) | 926.93 (UR, Round 1) |
| BA Hons Economics Cutoff (2025) | 904.62 (UR, Round 1) |
| BSc Hons Mathematics Cutoff (2025) | 834.08 (UR, Round 1) |
| Hostel | Yes; ~500 seats (6 blocks: 3 boys + 3 girls); Rs 50,000-60,000/yr |
| Website | ststephens.edu |
St. Stephen's offers BA Hons, BSc Hons, BA, and BSc programmes (4 years under DU FYUP from 2022-23) and MA/MSc (2 years). No commerce, engineering, law, or MBA programmes are offered.
Undergraduate (4 years, DU FYUP):
| Programme | Annual Fee (Approx.) | Total 4-Year Fee (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| BA Hons (Economics, English, History, Philosophy, Sanskrit) | ~Rs 75,740 | ~Rs 3.03 lakh |
| BSc Hons (Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics) | ~Rs 73,600-79,450 | ~Rs 2.94-3.18 lakh |
Postgraduate (2 years):
| Programme | Annual Fee (Approx.) | Total 2-Year Fee (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| MA (Economics, English, History, Philosophy) | ~Rs 49,810 | ~Rs 0.99 lakh |
| MSc (Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics) | ~Rs 49,810 | ~Rs 0.99 lakh |
As a private minority institution, St. Stephen's is not subject to DU's government fee regulations. Fees increased under NEP FYUP (from 2022-23) relative to pre-2022 data. Verify current fee schedule at ststephens.edu.
UG (2026): Two admission tracks for 50% minority and 50% non-minority seats:
Non-minority seats (50%):
Christian minority seats (50%):
Both tracks follow DU roster reservations (OBC-NCL 27%, SC 15%, ST 7.5%, EWS 10%, PwD 5% horizontal) within their respective pools.
PG (2026): MA and MSc through CUET-PG; DU PG portal.
Minimum eligibility (UG): Class 12 with minimum 45% aggregate (40% for SC/ST/PwD); subject combination as required.
| Scholarship | Eligibility | Award |
|---|---|---|
| GoI Post-Matric Scholarship (SC/ST) | SC/ST; family income below Rs 2.5 lakh/yr | Full tuition reimbursement + maintenance; apply via scholarships.gov.in |
| GoI Post-Matric Scholarship (OBC) | OBC-NCL; family income below Rs 1 lakh/yr | Partial fee reimbursement; apply via scholarships.gov.in |
| Central Sector Scholarship (CSSS) | Top 20% Class 12 board scorers; income below Rs 8 lakh/yr | Rs 10,000/yr (UG Yrs 1-3); Rs 20,000/yr (PG); apply via NSP |
| Church of North India / Cambridge Brotherhood | Christian minority students with financial need | Variable; contact CNI diocesan welfare or Cambridge Brotherhood directly |
| College Financial Assistance | Students demonstrating financial need; any category | Determined annually; apply to the college office within first semester |
| Sports Scholarship | National/state-level sports achievement | Tuition concession; contact DSW office |
SC/ST students should apply for Post-Matric Scholarship immediately on admission confirmation. Christian students from lower-income backgrounds should contact the Cambridge Brotherhood directly before and after admission.
St. Stephen's College is on a 69-acre campus at University Enclave, North Campus, New Delhi 110007. The college buildings were designed by architect Walter Sykes George and completed in 1941; the heritage campus is adjacent to Hindu College, Hansraj College, and Miranda House. Vishwavidyalaya Metro Station (Yellow Line) is approximately 5 minutes' walk from the campus gate.
Campus facilities: central library (90,000+ books and e-resources), science laboratories (physics, chemistry, mathematics, computing), sports complex (cricket, football, basketball, badminton, tennis), chapel, auditorium, student common rooms, medical dispensary, Wi-Fi.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Campus area | 69 acres |
| Address | University Enclave, North Campus, New Delhi 110007 |
| Hostel blocks | 6 blocks: 3 for boys, 3 for girls |
| Hostel capacity | ~500 seats |
| Annual hostel fee | ~Rs 50,000-60,000/yr (boys); girls slightly higher |
| Hostel amenities | Furnished rooms, mess, 24x7 security, common room; block tutors for each block |
| Hostel eligibility | Priority to outstation students; apply at time of admission |
Hostel demand significantly exceeds the ~500-seat capacity for a student body of ~2,000+. Outstation students must apply immediately on receiving admission offer. Day scholars commute via Vishwavidyalaya Station (Yellow Line, 5 mins walk).
St. Stephen's has been consistently ranked among India's top 5 colleges in every NIRF cycle. NIRF 2025 places it at #5 in the College category (NIRF 2024 was #3). NAAC A++ (valid until Feb 2028) is the highest NAAC grade. Founded in 1881, it is one of three founding colleges of the University of Delhi. This 145-year institutional legacy has produced alumni in the Indian Administrative Service, Supreme Court, Parliament, Oxford and Cambridge, leading newsrooms, and global consulting firms. No Indian arts and science college has a comparable alumni network in public life.
St. Stephen's reserves 50% of UG seats for Christian minority students (college interview counts 15% of selection, CUET 85%). The remaining 50% are filled purely on CUET score through DU CSAS. This makes St. Stephen's the only top-5 NIRF college where a category-eligible student has a separate admission pathway beyond pure CUET cutoffs. Non-Christian students compete on CUET score alone; competition is intense -- BA Hons English general cutoff was 926.93 in 2025, among DU's highest.
NIRF 2026 (AY 2025-26): 80 UG placed / 381 eligible; avg Rs 10.5 LPA; median Rs 8.5 LPA; highest Rs 24.5 LPA. Consulting dominated with 42.9% of offers. Top employers: Bain and Company, McKinsey and Company, Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan, Citi, American Express. BA Hons Economics had 45.5% placement rate; BSc Hons Mathematics 29.5%. The 20.99% overall rate reflects the full eligible pool -- many graduates pursue UPSC, Oxford/Cambridge/LSE for postgrad, law, and journalism rather than campus placement.
St. Stephen's is residential with ~500 hostel seats in 6 blocks on a 69-acre heritage campus at North Campus. The campus buildings (completed 1941, designed by Walter Sykes George) are a heritage landmark. Academic culture is tutorial-based (small-group teaching alongside lectures). Student societies are among DU's most active. For students oriented toward UPSC, research, law, or journalism, St. Stephen's peer network and alumni support are unmatched. Many students enter the college specifically to access these non-corporate career tracks.
As a private minority institution, St. Stephen's charges above government DU rates: BA Hons Rs 75,740/yr (total 4yr ~Rs 3.03 lakh); BSc Hons Rs 73,600-79,450/yr. This is significantly above government DU colleges but well below private universities. SC/ST students can apply for full tuition reimbursement via GoI Post-Matric Scholarship. Christian minority students should inquire about CNI/Cambridge Brotherhood scholarships. NAAC A++ (highest grade) at this fee level makes St. Stephen's the most cost-efficient top-ranked private institution among DU affiliated colleges.
| Framework | Category | Year | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIRF | College | 2025 | #5 |
5 courses offered. Fees in INR lakhs.
| Course | Specialization | Duration | Total seats | Total fee | Avg package |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B.Sc (Bachelor of Science) | — | 48 months | — | ₹3.06L | — |
| BA (Bachelor of Arts) | — | 48 months | — | ₹3.03L | — |
| BA (Bachelor of Arts) | Honours (General) | 48 months | — | ₹3.03L | — |
| M.Sc (Master of Science) | — | 24 months | — | ₹0.99L | — |
| MA (Master of Arts) | — | 24 months | — | ₹0.6L | — |
1-year placement history, latest data from 2025.
2 cutoff records across exams, courses, and categories.
| Year | R | Exam | Course | Category | Gender | Quota | Opening | Closing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | CUET UG | B.Sc (Bachelor of Science) | General | Gender-Neutral | — | — | 834.08 pctl |
| 2025 | 1 | CUET UG | BA (Bachelor of Arts) | General | Gender-Neutral | — | — | 926.93 pctl |
Campus size, faculty strength, hostel facilities, and academic infrastructure.
