Brief History of the Department

The Department of Commerce was established in 1977 with a modest beginning of four faculty members and has since evolved into a distinguished centre of academic excellence within the University. Guided by its founding vision of empowering women through quality education in commerce and management, the department has consistently upheld high academic standards while fostering a disciplined and student-centric learning environment.

Over the years, the department has witnessed remarkable growth through continuous curriculum enrichment, the integration of technology into teaching and learning processes, and the development of strong industry linkages. Its commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and holistic student development has contributed significantly to its reputation as a leading centre for commerce education.

The department’s dedication to excellence is reflected in several notable achievements. Among these, Ms. Renu Gulati was conferred the Teaching Excellence Award by the University of Delhi for the academic session 2013–14, highlighting the department’s sustained commitment to quality teaching and academic distinction.

Notable Alumni

The department’s alumnae have excelled globally across academic, entrepreneurial, corporate, and public-sector domains. Many alumnae have earned prestigious professional qualifications such as Chartered Accountant (CA), Cost and Management Accountant (CMA), ICWA, and other internationally recognized certifications, reflecting the department’s strong academic foundation.

A significant number of graduates have been placed in leading organizations, including Deloitte, KPMG, Barclays, Accenture, Bain & Company, PwC, D. E. Shaw, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, Google, and Expedia Group. Several alumnae hold leadership positions such as Chief Financial Officers (CFOs), Global Controllers, and Senior Vice Presidents. Several alumnae have established successful ventures in diverse fields ranging from health and wellness research to e-commerce and brand consultancy.

Among the department’s distinguished alumnae are Prof. Aruna Jha (1992), Professor at Shri Ram College of Commerce, University of Delhi; Vandana Sriram (1994), Senior Vice President, Global Finance, at Azenta Life Sciences, USA; Vasundhara Gupta (1984), former Director General in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India; Baldeep Kaur Sodhi (1982), Chief Financial Officer of Kirusa Inc., USA; Shweta Bharti (1996), Managing Partner at Hammurabi & Solomon Partners; and Geetika Arora (2021), who secured All India Rank 22 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination.

Thrust area/ Expertise/ Research area

The department provides a strong foundation in core areas such as Accounting, Finance, Business Law, Economics, Management, Research, and Entrepreneurship through a well-balanced combination of lectures, tutorials, practical exposure, and continuous evaluation.

The key areas of focus include:

i)Accounting and Finance

ii)Business Law, Taxation, and Governance

iii) Management and Organisational Studies

iv) Entrepreneurship and Innovation

v) Business Analytics and Digital Competence

vi) Economics and Business Environment

The department actively promotes research and inquiry in areas such as entrepreneurship, ethical decision-making, financial literacy, and digital transformation. Special emphasis is placed on integrating emerging disciplines, including data analytics using R and financial technologies, into the curriculum and research ecosystem.

Experiential learning forms an integral part of the academic framework and is supported through seminars, expert lectures, workshops, and industrial visits. Students gain practical exposure through visits to institutions such as the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE), Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), the Accounting Museum, various industries, and DUCAT, enabling them to connect theoretical concepts with real-world business practices.

Important Milestones

• Establishment of the Department of Commerce in 1977, marking the beginning of its journey towards academic excellence and women’s empowerment through commerce education. 
• Receipt of the Teaching Excellence Award (2013–14) by Ms. Renu Gulati, conferred by the University of Delhi in recognition of outstanding contributions to teaching and learning. 
• Successful completion of the University of Delhi Innovation Project (IP201) (013–15), titled “Exploring and Identifying Ethical Decision-Making Patterns in Indian Women Entrepreneurs.” 
• Organisation of a National Seminar on “Online Retail in India: Emerging Trends and Future Challenges” on 18–19 February 2015, providing a platform for academic and industry discussions on the evolving retail landscape. 
• Recognition as one of the pioneering departments in technological integration at the University of Delhi through the establishment of a dedicated one-to-one computer laboratory for students. 
• Continuous enrichment of the curriculum through the incorporation of practical and industry-relevant skills, including Tally, HTML, Advanced Analytics using statistical tools and R Programming, along with professional training in Advanced Excel, E-commerce, E-filing, Finance, and Marketing. 
• Sustained engagement with industry and institutions through educational visits and interactions with organisations such as the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE), Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), industrial establishments, trade fairs, and DUCAT. 
• Creation of a vibrant year-round platform for student-led academic and co-curricular activities through the establishment of the Commerce Academic Society, fostering leadership, creativity, and academic engagement. 
• Development of a strong and globally accomplished alumnae network, with graduates occupying leadership positions across corporate, academic, entrepreneurial, and public-sector domains. 
• Organisation of a 40-hour Certificate Course on Financial Literacy in collaboration with the National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM), enhancing students’ financial awareness and investment knowledge. 
• Conduct of a 40-hour training workshop on Data and Analytics, titled “Women in Data Program,” for second- and third-year students in association with the Learning Links Foundation and in partnership with Dell Technologies, promoting data-driven skills and digital competence. 
• Organisation of a workshop on “Fundamentals of Investing in the Capital Market” for faculty and non-faculty members in collaboration with Central Depository Services (India) Limited (CDSL), contributing to financial literacy and professional development within the institution.

NEP 2020 Initiatives and ImplementationIn alignment with the vision and objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Department of Commerce has undertaken several initiatives to promote holistic, multidisciplinary, skill-oriented, and experiential learning. The Department has effectively integrated academic rigor with practical exposure, research orientation, entrepreneurship development, and digital competency to prepare students for the evolving global economy.

The curriculum has been enriched through the introduction of Skill Enhancement Courses (SECs) such as Digital Marketing, Personal Financial Planning, Creativity and Innovation, and Advanced Spreadsheet Tools, enabling students to acquire industry-relevant competencies. In addition, Value Added Courses (VACs) on Financial Literacy and Digital Empowerment have been offered to enhance students’ financial awareness, digital skills, and lifelong learning capabilities.

In accordance with NEP 2020's emphasis on research and critical inquiry, the Department actively encourages undergraduate research and provides opportunities for students to engage in scholarly activities. Workshops and training programmes such as Data Analysis Using SPSS: Concepts and Applications, Research Essentials: From Primary to Secondary Insights, Understanding Mendeley: A Beginner’s Guide to Reference Management, and Research Reporting: Crafting Clear and Compelling Narratives have been organised to strengthen research aptitude and analytical skills. Students have also been encouraged to present their research work at conferences and academic forums within the University of Delhi.

Entrepreneurship and innovation have been promoted through dedicated workshops and lecture series, including Pillars of Entrepreneurial Success and Innovation and Entrepreneurship. These initiatives aim to nurture creativity, problem-solving abilities, and entrepreneurial thinking, encouraging students to become innovators and job creators.

The Department has also strengthened industry-academia linkages through interactive sessions, expert lectures, and experiential learning opportunities. Programmes such as From Campus to Corporate: Bridging the Gap through Skill Development, interactive sessions on Digital Marketing, Mutual Funds & Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) with industry experts provide students with practical insights into contemporary business practices and career pathways.

Experiential learning, a key component of NEP 2020, is facilitated through industrial visits to organisations such as DUCAT, the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC), and Yakult. These visits expose students to real-world business operations, industrial processes, and organisational practices, thereby enhancing the application of classroom learning in professional contexts.

Through these initiatives, the Department continues to advance the principles of NEP 2020 by fostering multidisciplinary learning, research culture, innovation, employability, digital literacy, and holistic student development.

List of Faculty Members