From the Principal’s Desk

It is with immense pride and gratitude that I welcome you to Indraprastha College for Women — the oldest and first women's college of the University of Delhi, with a proud legacy spanning over a century. Established in May 1924, the College has been a pioneer in women's education in India, nurturing generations of empowered, confident, and socially responsible women. Rooted in the ideals of excellence, equity, and service, the College continues to uphold its rich heritage while embracing the opportunities of the future.

In alignment with the transformative vision of the National Education Policy 2020, the College is committed to the effective implementation of the Undergraduate Curriculum Framework (UGCF). Internships, apprenticeships, project work, and community outreach are integral parts of this framework. The curriculum fosters holistic, multidisciplinary education, creativity, innovation, and critical thinking — truly reflecting the spirit of the National Education Policy. The new academic framework provides maximum choices and flexibility to students to chart their own academic journey. Through this progressive model, the College aims to create an environment that encourages intellectual curiosity and lifelong learning among the young women of our country.

At Indraprastha College for Women, we firmly believe that academic achievement flourishes only when students are emotionally grounded and mentally well. Recognising this, the College has established a dedicated Student Wellness Centre on campus, staffed by qualified counsellors and medical professionals committed to the holistic care of every student.

Our team of trained counsellors provides confidential one-on-one sessions, group support programmes, and mindfulness workshops to help students navigate academic pressure, personal challenges, relationships, and life transitions. We foster a culture where seeking help is seen as a sign of strength, not weakness.

The campus medical facility is equipped to address day-to-day health needs, with a resident doctor available during college hours. Students have easy access to first-aid, routine check-ups, and referrals to specialist care when needed. We are committed to ensuring that no student faces health-related barriers to her education.

Beyond professional support, the College nurtures peer support networks, stress-relief initiatives, and creative outlets — from art and music spaces to yoga sessions — so that every student finds her own path to well-being. We believe a healthy mind and a healthy body are the foundation on which great scholars and leaders are built.

The College actively engages with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through a wide range of dedicated programmes and initiatives. It contributes to SDG 3 (Good Health & Well-Being) by promoting healthy lifestyles through mental health support, campus medical facilities, and wellness programmes. In alignment with SDG 4 (Quality Education), the institution ensures inclusive, equitable, and high-quality education while fostering lifelong learning opportunities for women from diverse backgrounds. SDG 5 (Gender Equality) remains central to its mission, as the College consistently champions women’s empowerment through education, leadership development, financial support, scholarships, and efforts to dismantle social, economic, and cultural barriers.

The College also supports SDG 6 (Clean Water & Sanitation) through rainwater harvesting and responsible water management practices, and SDG 7 (Affordable & Clean Energy) by promoting clean energy awareness and initiatives on campus. Addressing SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), it provides access to quality higher education for women across varied socioeconomic and regional backgrounds. Furthermore, the institution advances SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption) by encouraging sustainable practices, SDG 13 (Climate Action) through environmental programmes and carbon reduction efforts, SDG 14 (Life Below Water) via awareness initiatives on marine conservation, and SDG 15 (Life on Land) through biodiversity conservation, plantation drives, and Nature Positive University initiatives.

The College proudly supports and actively participates in the Viksit Bharat Campaign, contributing to the nation's vision of becoming a developed, self-reliant, and inclusive society by 2047. Our students and faculty are continuously engaged in outreach, innovation, and community initiatives that echo this national mission.

The College takes great pride in its Museum and Archive, which meticulously documents and celebrates the rich legacy, traditions, and milestones of our institution. It stands as a living testament to our century-old journey of empowering women through education.

Environmental stewardship is central to the College's identity. Approximately 65% of the campus area is under green cover, home to more than 900 geotagged trees representing 91 different species, as well as 12 species of butterflies and 9 species of dragonflies — a thriving urban ecosystem.

Key sustainability initiatives include the establishment of a Zero Single-Use Plastic (SUP) Zone across the campus, promoting environmentally responsible practices among all stakeholders. The institution has implemented rainwater harvesting pits to support groundwater recharge and ensure sustainable water management. A campus-wide system for garbage segregation and waste management further strengthens its commitment to environmental responsibility. Additionally, an organic decomposing machine is used to convert waste into organic fertilisers, contributing to eco-friendly agricultural practices within the campus. Regular plantation drives are conducted to enhance green cover, along with the collection and reuse of wastewater for irrigation purposes. The institution also undertakes environmental auditing and has been recognized through Green Awards for its continuous efforts toward sustainability.

Students actively participate in programmes of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Sports, and the Ministry of Youth Affairs.

The College serves as a Nodal Centre for the Nature Positive University (NPU) Programme, dedicated to the ecological restoration of the campus and the University of Delhi. Seventeen other colleges have taken the NPU pledge, and approximately 500 students across the university are actively engaged as NPU Ambassadors, championing green campus restoration.

In recognition of its sustained environmental initiatives and responsible waste management practices, the College has received multiple awards and recognitions from the Ministry of Education, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), and other reputed organisations in recent years. The College is certified by the Mahatma Gandhi National Council of Rural Education as a Social Entrepreneurship, Swachhta and Rural Engagement Cell (SES-REC) Institution, reflecting its commitment to community-oriented sustainability practices. In 2023, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi officially declared the campus a “Zero Waste Campus” in recognition of its effective waste segregation, recycling, and sustainable waste management systems. The College also received the Environmental Audit Platinum Award (2023–24) from Green Mentors following an independent external environmental audit. Further strengthening its global standing, the institution was honoured with the Global Green College Award (2025) at the 9th NYC Green School Conference in New York for its leadership in advancing green higher education in alignment with the UNESCO IESALC framework. In the same year, it received the ‘Sustainability Excellence Award 2025’ and the ‘Green Campus Award’ from the National EduTrust of India, along with the Zero Waste Campus Award and the Green and Sustainable Education Leadership Award from the Indian Institute of Ecology and Environment for its exemplary work in waste management, sustainability, and eco-friendly practices. Most recently, in 2026, the College was awarded the Department of Botany Cup at the 68th Annual Flower Show of the University of Delhi for its outstanding Herbal Garden display, highlighting excellence in plant diversity, design, and awareness of medicinal plants.

Inclusivity is not merely an aspiration at Indraprastha College — it is a lived value. Our dedicated Enabling Unit provides specialised sports facilities and trained coaches for para-athletes, empowering differently-abled students to compete at the highest levels and bring laurels to the College. We are proud of every medal and award our students have won, and we remain committed to ensuring equal opportunities for all.

Looking ahead, Indraprastha College envisions its future through the lens of Nari Shakti — the collective strength of women. We aim to further expand academic excellence, promote leadership among young women, enhance research capabilities, and foster a culture of inclusivity and sustainability. Our vision is to empower our students not only as scholars but as changemakers who shape a more just, equitable, and progressive world.

With sustainability as its prime motto, the College is committed to advancing a range of forward-looking initiatives aimed at holistic development and environmental responsibility. These include the enhancement of academic laboratories to strengthen research and learning infrastructure, as well as the establishment of incubation centres to foster student entrepreneurship and innovation. The College also envisions the development of a dedicated herbal garden to promote biodiversity and awareness of medicinal plants, alongside the installation of EV charging stations to encourage eco-friendly transportation on campus. Plans are underway to set up a paper recycling plant to further reinforce sustainable waste management practices. In addition, the institution seeks to contribute to community development through capacity building and skill enhancement initiatives in adopted villages under the Unnat Bharat Programme. Recognizing the importance of well-being, a dedicated Mental Health Resource Hub with expanded counselling services is also proposed. Collectively, these initiatives reflect the College’s determined progress towards achieving a Zero Carbon Campus.

We are proud to welcome students every year from diverse corners of India and the world. Our international students hail from countries including Bangladesh, Nepal, Turkey, Tibet, Russia, the United States of America, Canada, and Mozambique, among others. Arriving from varied geographical, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds, our students are enveloped by the rich flora, fauna, and biodiversity of our campus — and by a community that makes them feel truly at home. The College proudly champions cultural pluralism, celebrating diversity as a source of strength. We remain committed to our founding values while dynamically adapting to the needs of the 21st century. As we step forward, our legacy becomes our strength — and our students, our greatest promise.

Warm regards,

Prof. Poonam Kumria
Principal

Indraprastha College for Women