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Inside Zakir Husain Delhi College, Delhi University: Courses, Infrastructure, Fees, Student Life & Placements | DU Beat

By DU Beat January 3, 2026

Explore Zakir Husain Delhi College (ZHDC), one of Delhi University’s oldest and most diverse colleges. Learn about its courses, fees, campus facilities, student societies, scholarships, and placement opportunities.

Established in 1792, Zakir Husain Delhi College, affiliated with Delhi University (DU), stands as the oldest existing college in Delhi and one of the most historically significant institutions in India. Originally founded as a Madrasa and later developed into a modern seat of learning, the college has a legacy that spans over two centuries. Located on Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Ajmeri Gate, New Delhi, it has been a symbol of knowledge, inclusivity, and cultural diversity within the University of Delhi ecosystem.

Accredited by NAAC and recognized by the UGC, Zakir Husain Delhi College offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Arts, Commerce, and Science, combining academic excellence with a strong emphasis on ethics, research, and social engagement.

Named after Dr. Zakir Husain, India’s third President and a distinguished educationist, the college continues to uphold his vision of progressive education rooted in Indian values. Its long-standing commitment to intellectual growth and nation-building makes it one of the most respected colleges under Delhi University.

Zakir Husain Delhi College Infrastructure & Campus Facilities

Located in the heart of Old Delhi, Zakir Husain Delhi College (DU) offers a well-equipped and modern campus that harmonizes heritage with innovation. The college building, constructed on Jawaharlal Nehru Marg near Ajmeri Gate, houses academic blocks, green lawns, and state-of-the-art facilities.

The campus includes smart classrooms equipped with projectors and ICT tools, multiple seminar halls for academic discussions, and a spacious air-conditioned auditorium used for lectures, cultural events, and inter-college festivals. The library, spread across three floors, holds an extensive collection of books, journals, and digital resources. It features a dedicated reference section, reading rooms, and access to e-resources through DULS and INFLIBNET, ensuring a rich academic environment for DU students.

Zakir Husain College’s infrastructure includes fully functional laboratories for subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, Zoology, Botany, Electronics, Geography, and Psychology. These labs are equipped with modern apparatus to promote hands-on learning and research.

For health and wellness, the college provides a medical room with a resident medical assistant and a visiting doctor. The gymnasium, open to both staff and students, promotes fitness and physical wellbeing. The campus cafeteria serves nutritious and affordable meals, while a State Bank of India extension counter and ATM within the campus ensure easy access to banking services.

In keeping with DU’s commitment to inclusivity, the campus is differently-abled friendly, with ramps, accessible classrooms, and washrooms. CCTV surveillance across the premises ensures student safety. The Chaupal, an open amphitheatre, and the students’ common room serve as vibrant spaces for interaction, discussions, and performances.

Courses Offered at Zakir Husain Delhi College (DU)

Zakir Husain Delhi College, University of Delhi, offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Arts, Commerce, and Science. The college provides Honours and Programme degrees under the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) and follows the multidisciplinary curriculum structure prescribed by the University of Delhi.

At the undergraduate level, the college offers B.A. (Hons.) in Arabic, Bengali, Economics, English, Hindi, History, Persian, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Sanskrit, and Urdu, along with B.A. (Programme) and B.Com (Programme) courses. Students interested in Commerce can also pursue B.Com (Hons.), one of the most sought-after programs at the college.

For students inclined towards the Sciences, the college offers B.Sc. (Hons.) courses in Botany, Zoology, Chemistry, Electronics, and Mathematics, in addition to B.Sc. (Physical Sciences) and B.Sc. (Life Sciences). The college’s science departments are well-equipped with modern laboratories, instruments, and research facilities, ensuring that students gain both theoretical and practical exposure throughout their academic journey.

At the postgraduate level, Zakir Husain Delhi College offers M.A. programs in Arabic, English, Hindi, History, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Sanskrit, Persian, and Urdu, as well as M.Com for commerce students. Science postgraduates can enroll in M.Sc. programs in Mathematics, Chemistry, Botany, and Zoology. The postgraduate programs are designed to foster advanced learning, research aptitude, and academic excellence in alignment with the University of Delhi’s standards.

The college’s course structure emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, critical thinking, and holistic education, preparing students to pursue higher studies, competitive examinations, and professional careers across various fields.

Scholarships & Financial Assistance at Zakir Husain Delhi College

Zakir Husain Delhi College provides several scholarships and fee concessions to support deserving and underprivileged students. Scholarships are both merit-based and need-based, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder academic pursuit.

Recent scholarships include the PM Vidyalaxmi Scholarship, KARM Fellowship (2024–27 Batch), EdCIL Vidyanjali Foundation, and Sathyabama Institute Scholarships for Students with Disabilities. The college also extends Delhi University freeships and government scholarships for meritorious students from economically weaker backgrounds.

Through these initiatives, the college reaffirms its mission of promoting equality, accessibility, and inclusion in higher education.

Extracurricular Activities & Student Life

Beyond academics, Zakir Husain Delhi College is a hub of creativity, leadership, and cultural engagement. The college hosts numerous societies and student organizations, covering areas such as literature, performing arts, social work, environmental activism, and debating.

Societies like the Women’s Development Cell, Green Beans, Equal Opportunity Cell, Consumer Club, and Gandhi Study Circle promote awareness around gender equality, sustainability, and civic responsibility. Performing arts groups, dramatics clubs, and music societies keep the campus vibrant with performances, competitions, and annual cultural events.

The college’s annual festivals and departmental newsletters, including the celebrated college journal “Akademos” (ISSN 2231-0584), encourage academic writing and interdisciplinary scholarship. Through these platforms, students develop leadership, communication, and organizational skills that complement their academic learning.

Internships & Placements at Zakir Husain Delhi College

The Career Counseling and Placement Cell of Zakir Husain Delhi College plays a vital role in preparing students for their professional journeys. It conducts workshops, skill enhancement sessions, and corporate seminars to train students in resume writing, interviews, and career planning.

Recent seminars include “How to Ace the Personal Interview Round” (October 2023) by Mr. Jayanta Saha, “Future of Hiring” (January 2024) by Mr. Akhilesh Kumar (COO, DayZero), and “Understanding Start-up Business Models” (February 2024) by Mr. Arshdeep, Enterprise Head at Digiaccel Learning. Another popular session, “College to Corporate,” was conducted by Ms. Rachita in February 2024.

The college also hosted its flagship Annual Job and Internship Fair – VRITI’24 on 5–6 March 2024, featuring industry leaders, government officials, and recruiters such as Physics Wallah, Axis Bank, Tata AIA, Bajaj Capital, Intellipaat, TCS, Star Health, Hireyy, Lorien Finance, and Metvy among others. The fair connected hundreds of students with internships and full-time placements, reinforcing the college’s commitment to bridging the gap between academia and industry.

Zakir Husain Delhi College has also signed an MoU with Internshala for the 2023–24 academic session, providing structured online internship opportunities for students.

Recognition & Rankings

Zakir Husain Delhi College, as one of the oldest institutions under Delhi University, enjoys a reputation for academic rigor and inclusivity.

NAAC Accreditation: Accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC)
Recognized by: University Grants Commission (UGC)
Legacy: Oldest college in Delhi, established in 1792
The college continues to be ranked among Delhi University’s top institutions for Arts, Commerce, and Science, maintaining a strong record in academics, research, and student outcomes.

Notable Alumni of Zakir Husain Delhi College

Over the years, Zakir Husain Delhi College has produced an impressive list of alumni who have contributed significantly to diverse fields such as education, media, literature, and public service.

Prominent alumni include Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, founder of Aligarh Muslim University; Deputy Nazir Ahmed, renowned Urdu essayist and ICS officer; Ravi Chaturvedi, India’s first Hindi cricket commentator and former faculty member; and Vikas Divyakirti, celebrated educator and co-founder of Drishti IAS.

These alumni reflect the college’s enduring legacy of intellectual excellence, public service, and leadership which are hallmarks that continue to define Zakir Husain Delhi College, Delhi University.

Image Credits: DU Beat Archives

Neeraja Unnikrishnan

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DUB News

Kerala Students at DU Allege Police Brutality and Humiliation After Clash near Red Fort

By DU Beat October 3, 2025

Two Kerala students from Delhi University alleged mob assault, police brutality, cultural humiliation, and extortion near the Red Fort. MP John Brittas demanded an inquiry, while police cited contradictory hawker testimonies disputing claims.

Two students from Kerala were subjected to violence and false accusations of theft last week near the Red Fort area. These students were from their 1st year of undergraduate studies at Delhi University’s Zakir Hussain Delhi College. Taking action on the incident, Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas has written to Satish Golcha, Delhi Police Commissioner. He demanded an investigation into what he termed “an inhuman attack, custodial assault and cultural humiliation”.

The letter stated that the students – identified as Aswanth I T and Sudhin K – were rudely confronted by a group of scoundrels on September 24th and falsely accused of theft. The letter alleged,

Instead of extending protection, the policemen colluded with the mob… The students were dragged, beaten with fibre lathis, stomped upon, stripped and humiliated in the most degrading manner.”

The letter further informed that their footwear and phones were seized non-consensually. They were allegedly coerced into false confessions, and one of them was mocked for wearing a mundu, a traditional Kerala attire. The MP described the incident as “custodial brutality” and an “affront to the cultural and linguistic diversity enshrined in our Constitution.” The CPI(M) MP demanded a robust inquiry to find the culprits as well as the return of the belongings of the victims.

Police have responded by stating that an inquiry has been enforced based on the allegations. However, they have been presented with different and contradictory testimonies of the incident. DCP (North) Raja Banthia said,

We have ordered an enquiry into their allegations. However, hawkers have alleged that they came five-six days ago and purchased goods worth Rs 14,000. They paid Rs 4,000 in cash and showed an online payment of Rs 10,000, which was not actually made. When they came again on the 24th, the hawkers identified them, and a scuffle took place.”

Some hawkers brought the two students to the Red Fort police after allegedly thrashing them in the market, according to a source of the police. DCP Banthia said,

“The matter was settled, and both parties left. There was no PCR call or complaint or any representation to supervisory officers regarding this incident by the two students. As far as the allegations of beating by police personnel are concerned, nothing has been substantiated till now. But we are further enquiring into the matter”

However, Sudhin, one of the victims, has another side to tell:

Instead of helping us, he slapped both of us multiple times and made us sit on our knees in front of all the people. He took my friend’s phone and gave it to the locals. My friend’s phone was an iPhone, and he tried to take back the phone and run, but he was beaten a lot and dragged to a police booth.”

He further added, “Another police officer, an ASI [assistant sub-inspector], started hitting us. He removed our lungi and started hitting us and kicking us on our faces and private parts with his boots. We have been in Delhi for a month and did not know Hindi very well.” He said that when his friend struggled to speak, the ASI kicked him, saying, “Talk in Hindi,” Mr Sudhin said. “It is still difficult for him to eat food even now.” He said the police officers at the booth also made fun of them for wearing lungis.

Mr Sudhin was allegedly tortured at the police booth and was coerced into accepting the charges and making a settlement of Rs. 20,000.

Image Source– Just Dial

Divyanshi Dusad

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DUB News

Muslim Students from Kerala Assaulted and Evicted from Apartments in Lakshmi Nagar

By DU Beat October 8, 2024

A group of Muslim students from Kerala, residing in Lakshmi Nagar, were forcibly evicted from their apartment at midnight on 2nd October after allegedly being assaulted by the other residents in the building. Video footage from the incident shows one resident trying to strangle a student in daylight who had returned to the building after being evicted at midnight.

On October 2nd, 2024, a group of Muslim students from Kerala studying at Delhi University’s Zakir Hussain College were assaulted and forcibly evicted from their rented flat in Lakshmi Nagar, New Delhi, by other residents residing in the same building. The Muslim students had rented the apartment one and a half months ago and signed an agreement for a 6-month period. Tension escalated when the residing students, living on the third floor, brought their college friends to their apartment. The neighbours did not take it well and accused the students of creating disturbances in the area. Restricting their entry and exit to the building, the residents set a curfew from 5 AM to 11 PM. However, on 2nd October, Wednesday, a female resident and her male friend allegedly assaulted and forced the students to leave the building at midnight.

As per the Timeline Daily report, the students had to leave the place around midnight and stay at a friend’s place instead. The next morning, two of the friends, Sahal Ameen and Safwan Kudukkan, residing nearby, confronted the lady about the alleged attack. The lady with three guys came outside and had a verbal confrontation with the students. The students stated that the matter escalated into a physical fight. Video footage of the same was posted on social media, according to which one individual was seen trying to strangle a student. The students also claimed that one of the attackers stated that according to the building’s registry, Muslims were prohibited from renting or purchasing apartments—a rule which apparently the landlord was unaware of.

Reports indicate that the concerned police station treated the students unfairly when they brought the matter to their attention. The students were taken to the police station in the police vehicle while the lady involved was allowed to arrive in her private car. Further, the students were allegedly denied access to basic necessities at the police station, while the lady was treated better.

“This incident illustrates the challenges Muslims face in finding housing in Delhi,” one of the students said.

At the police station, the lady and her business partner, according to the students, alleged that the students were creating a disturbance with around 15-20 people living in the apartment. The lady, who claimed to have been molested at first, shifted her stance to being hit in the shoulder.

After the intervention of Rajya Sabha MP from the Muslim League, the situation seemed to have improved. However, the students eventually were asked to vacate the flat by the landlord, who wanted to avoid trouble and confrontation. The landlord granted them two weeks ‘ notice to leave.

“Despite our legal rights, the landlord, who had been cooperative, requested we leave to avoid further trouble,” the students said to Maktoob.

This incident illustrates the increasing Islamophobia and the issue of housing faced by Muslim students in New Delhi who struggle to find decent accommodations due to their different religious identities.

Image Credits: Timeline Daily

Reeba Khan

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News

Student from Zakir Hussain Delhi College Attacked, Left with 38 Stitches

By DU Beat August 7, 2017

A young student, currently enrolled at the University of Delhi, received 38 stitches on her waist after she was brutally attacked with supposedly a blade by an unidentified youth. The incident took place on a Thursday afternoon in North Delhi’s Timarpur.

The first-year student from Zakir Hussain Delhi College was on her way to college around 3 pm. She was walking along a lake in Nehru Vihar when the attack took place. The Police has been speculating that it was an offense committed by a stalker, but the Delhi Police Commissioner of North Delhi, Jatin Narwal, has so far ruled that out after the probe which involved speaking to the victim in detail. “It appears to be the work of a thief who may have tried to snatch her bag to rob it,” said the officer to the Hindustan Times.

The 18-year old woman further quoted that she remembered seeing the suspect with some other young men in her neighbourhood a couple of times in the last few days, but his activities never elicited substantial suspicions.

“A youth in his early 20s approached me from behind and attacked my waist with a sharp object. He ran away immediately after that,” she said, describing the gruesome incident. On seeing her profusely bleeding, a few passersby called the police. By the time the police arrived, she was already rushed to the hospital. “I received a long cut on my waist and was given 38 stitches. But now I am recovering”, the woman commented.

The Commissioner expressed the strong likelihood of catching the culprit, and remarked, “We have strong clues about his identity and hope to arrest him soon.”

Feature Image Credits – 10minutos.com

Ankita Dhar Karmakar

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Campus Central

Day 1 at Taarunya '16, Zakir Husain Delhi College

By DU Beat January 12, 2016

On National Youth Day, 12th January 2016, The National Service Scheme (NSS) unit of Zakir Husain Delhi College, University of Delhi commenced its two day youth convention ‘Taarunya’16’. The day also marks the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda who is known for being a torch bearer of Indian values and practices; which formed the central theme of the convention. Upon commencement, a brief documentary about the NSS and Zakir Husain Delhi College was played to enlighten the audience in every aspect. On first day itself, the convention secured enthusiastic student participation from various colleges across Delhi. The presence of chief guests Meenakshi Lekhi (Hon’ble Member of Parliament) and Swami Shantatmananda (Secretary of RamaKrishna Mission) proved pivotal for the promulgation of Taarunya. [caption id="attachment_37974" align="aligncenter" width="730"] Ms. Meenakshi Lekhi[/caption] The first session on day one comprised of welcome addresses by Mr. Mukesh Jain (NSS Program Officer) and Dr. R. Prabhakar Rao (Principal). Meenakshi Lekhi stressed on the importance of environment sustainability and cleanliness for the progress of our nation. Swami Shantatmananda counselled the students to wisely choose a role model as a base for their future and further implored the students to maintain a “never give up” approach to their every endeavor. The last session, being a technical session, comprised of talks by four prominent speakers from various fields –

Prof. Sushma Yadav, Chairman of Indian Institute of Public Adminstration
Dronacharya Bhupender Dhawan, National Coach for Bodybuilding and Powerlifting
Dr. Devesh Vijay, Associate Professor, Department of History, Zakir Husain Delhi College
Dr. Shubnum Singh, CEO of Max Institute of Health Education and Research

The speakers shared their experiences and imparted a great deal of knowledge which was both inspiring and motivational. The first day of the event came to an end by extending a vote of thanks to all speakers who were honored with a mementos. After witnessing a massive footfall and support on first day, expected participation on second day has augmented for sure. For more information: www.facebook.com/Taarunya16]]>

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Campus Central

India Quiz & Seminar on SWOT Analysis

By DU Beat September 24, 2015

Sarmaya, The Commerce Society of Zakir Hussain Delhi College(E) in collaborations with MBAGuru, Leader in Adaptive Preparation for CAT organized a India Quiz & Seminar on SWOT Analysis conducted by the eminent youth Motivator Mr. Vikram Gehlot on 23rd September 2015. The Quiz had two rounds, Preliminary and Finals, the event begin with a preliminary round to shortlist TOP 6 teams out of 130 Teams present in the auditorium. The prelims consisted questions from various topics such as Mythology, History, Politics, Current Affairs, Sports, Business. Later on, Mr. Vikram Gehlot was honoured by Dr. Iqbal Sayeed, President, Sarmaya and invited to take up the session, with a pack of 600 odd Individuals in the auditorium, speaking about the various trends in the markets regarding the career option that students opt, and the insight as to what they want to do in life, Vikram Sir drew a parallel between the both. Students at the end of an hour-lasting session were highly motivated to really think about the pondering career oriented questions. “The event concluded by awarding the winners, Team of Bishal Kumar, Ramjas College and Pratik Panda, Hansraj College won the Ist Prize after a wonderful set of final questions put up by the duo Quiz Masters – Mohak Chibbar and Drona Vatsyayan. Team of Saawan and Karthik from Zakir Husain Delhi College(M) finished second in the nail biting finals. The other teams to qualify for the finals included Team of Prithvi Raj, GB Pant Engineering College and Abhishek Shukla from Zakir Husain Delhi College (M), Nitij Rao and Nandakumar . N from Hindu College, Arpan Banerjee from Hindu College and Shvabh Chakarwarti from DCSC, Anindita Roy from Ambedkar University and Kartik Mishra from G L Bajaj battled out in the finals.” As told by Rishabh Jain, PR Head, Sarmaya]]>

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Spo(r)tlight

Akshay Chhibber Memorial Soccer Tournament starts, Stephen’s beats Hindu in inaugural match

By Akhil Goswami January 24, 2014

The first major DU football tournament of 2014 started on 23rd January, the inaugural day of the 7th Akshay Chhibber Memorial Soccer Tournament. St. Stephen’s witnessed a thrilling start to the competition as the hosts defeated their long term rivals Hindu by 1-0. The second match of the day also encountered another similar 1-0 defeat with Sri Venkateswara College managing to scrape a win against the boys from Zakir Hussain.

Preceding kick-off, the chief guest for the event, Revd. Dr. Valson Thampu (Principal, St. Stephen’s College), spoke a few words on upholding the spirit of the game and gave his best wishes to the teams participating.

The inaugural match, St. Stephen’s v/s Hindu has always traditionally been a match of some importance. Supporters from both colleges seemed to be present in plenty, with the energy and the passionate chanting of the fans adding an extra flavour to the game. The only goal of the match, a stunning half-volley from about 25 yards out was scored within the first ten minutes of play by Piyush Khattar. The match also saw a Stephen’s goal disallowed as the assistant referee raised the flag for a foul on the Hindu goalkeeper. Apart from this, another controversial point in the match was a penalty appeal from the Hindu players which was also not given. However, despite what the score line may suggest, Stephen’s were clearly dominant, keeping possession for long spells with a natural rhythmic fluency in their style of passing. The Hindu team, despite having a sturdy defence overall, did not seem to be comfortable with the ball in the opposition half, giving away the ball rather cheaply at times.

This match was followed by another intense battle, with the clear favourites of the tournament, Sri Venkateswara College taking on Zakir Hussain. A fine display of attack and counter attack, Sri Venkateswara finally managed to scrape out a 1-0 victory after a fiercely competitive performance put in from both the sides. The goal finally came from a penalty in the second half with Sachin Kohli calmly converting from the spot to give his team a lead. Despite all the chances created by both sides, the football in the attacking-third of the park was not as impressive as the play in midfield and defence, with both attackers missing clear cut goal-scoring chances. On the whole, an entertaining for the neutrals.

With recognizable football teams such as SRCC, Kirori Mal, Ramjas and Hansraj still raring to go, this tournament only promises to get more competitive and exciting as eliminations start to kick in. A prelude to the Inter-College tournament, the Akshay Chhibber Memorial Soccer Tournament gives us a glimpse of what Delhi University football teams have to offer. Whether it is seen as a wakeup call by some teams, or an opportunity to make a statement by others, what is clear is the fact that the battle for DU footballing hegemony seems to be already up and running!

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Events

Zakir Hussain Delhi College to organise two-day conference on ‘Challenges of Development’

By Abhinav Kumar August 4, 2013

Zakir Hussain Delhi College, University of Delhi is organising a two-day national conference on “Challenges of Development: Re- Visit to Inclusiveness”. The conference is scheduled to be held on 4^th and 5^th of November 2013 in the College campus at Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, New Delhi.

Organised mainly by the Department of Commerce, the conference seeks to adjudge various government policies and its impact at ensuing equality and social justice in the society. The conference also envisages at evolving futuristic policies to forge ahead with a motive to correct the mal-adjustment cropped up in the society. The conference will address the need to foster a bridge between growth and social justice with the effective intervention of the state by providing more emphasis on equality over growth, between pro-capitalist economists and economists with a sociological background.

Corporate, academicians and research scholars can submit their papers for the conference. The deadlines for sending the abstract and the full length papers along with the registration fees are 10^th August and 10^th September 2013, respectively. The authors will be intimated about the acceptability of their papers by 30^th September, 2013. Selected articles along with a souvenir and a proceeding will be published into a book.

Dr. M. A. Beg, the conference convener, tells that there will be a lot of activities like paper presentations and panel discussions during the conference. He added that panel discussions will be attended and moderated by professors and scholars from various universities like Himachal University. Accommodation for outstation participants will also be arranged at University Guest House/ International Students Hostel, University of Delhi besides being paid their to and fro travel fare. Best Paper award will be given for each session on the basis of credits earned in Paper Writing Skills and Paper Presentation Skills.

The Conference will be dealing in sub-themes like Sustainability and growth, FDI and growth, Education and growth and Poverty and growth with a focus on trickle-down effect and Pareto optimality. The Conference aims to yield substantial addition to the existing stock of knowledge through various intellectual deliberations during the conference.

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