GetMyUni's Verdict on Ramjas College

Parvathy Krishnakumar

“One of the oldest and most reputed colleges under Delhi University, Ramjas College is well-known for its academic excellence and vibrant campus environment. It also has maintained its glory when it comes to placement opportunities.”

Among the first three colleges established under the University of Delhi, Ramjas College is one of the oldest and finest colleges in the country. It is renowned for its most reputed professors and exuberant students. Founded in 1917, the college is located on the North Campus. It offers a wide array of courses across various disciplines at different levels. As it is one of the best colleges in the country, the college has a tedious admission process with high cut-off mark requirements.

With several clubs and societies, the campus life at the college is vibrant and enriching. To enhance the campus experience, the college has a well-facilitated infrastructure that caters to all the academic and extracurricular needs of the students. Apart from that, the infrastructure holds a rich cultural heritage, with several renowned personalities being part of the college.

However, the students at the college are actively involved in politics, which may be disruptive in some scenarios. In addition, though the college has a strong reputation, the placement opportunities available to the students are not as successful as their counterparts in terms of the salary packages offered. Nonetheless, the college still holds a particular reputation that fetches students respect within the industries.

Table of Contents

• Plethora of Courses
• Reputed & Renowned Professors
• Historically Valued Infrastructure
• Well-Facilitated Hostel
• Dynamic College Life
• Decent Placements
• Overall Impression of Ramjas College

Plethora of Courses

As mentioned earlier, the college offers a wide range of programs across different disciplines at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The primary departments at the college are Science, Arts and Commerce. Comparatively, there are fewer postgraduate programs than undergraduate courses. The number of seats available for each course is limited, and therefore, the admission process is complex, with only those students who score the highest marks getting seat allotment.

Since it is affiliated with Delhi University, the college has maintained its reputation for its academic excellence. The course curriculum for the programs is revised regularly to include advanced topics and concepts based on the changes in the respective field. Moreover, it has been consistently ranked among the top colleges in the country for most of its programs.

Some of the most popular courses at the college, as per students' reviews, are as follows:

• B.Sc (Hons.) in Mathematics/ Statistics/ Botany/ Zoology/ Physics/ Chemistry/ Life Sciences
• BA (Hons.) in English/ Hindi/ Sanskrit
• BA (Hons.) in Political Science/ Economics/ History
• BA (Hons.) in Music
• B.Com (Hons.)
• MA in English/ Bengali/ Philosophy/ Operational Research/ Music
• M.Sc in Physics/ Chemistry/ Mathematics/ Botany/ Zoology/ Operational Research
• M.Com.

While the college offers traditional courses, it also has niche programs that are relevant to the current transformations in the industry. The courses are well-designed to give students a strong foundation in their respective fields. Thus, the college is an ideal place for those who intend to pursue a career in research and academia. 

While it offers various research opportunities for students from different fields, the college does not provide doctoral degree programs. However, students can publish research papers for which they can seek help from faculty members. The college also provides the necessary resources and facilities for cutting-edge research in the Arts, Science and Commerce fields. Students are also encouraged to pursue interdisciplinary programs where they can choose electives from other departments.

Apart from the courses in the fields mentioned above, the college is also famous for its School of Foreign and Indian Languages (SFIL), through which it offers one-year part-time diploma and certificate courses in different languages in collaboration with the Department of Germanic and Romance Studies and Department of East Asian Studies of the University of Delhi.

Students who wish to learn more about different languages are provided with exposure to their respective cultures through various cultural events and art forms conducted by their respective embassies and cultural centres.

Affordable Course Fees

Aside from the fact that it is one of the most reputed colleges in terms of academics, the college has highly nominal tuition fees, which are affordable to students from diverse backgrounds. The annual course fees, however, vary depending on the course level, specialisation, year of study and the categories of students. There are special fee exemptions for students who belong to the PWD category to ensure quality education is accessible to all students, irrespective of their abilities. 

According to the latest fee structure, the course fee for undergraduate programs for students who belong to General/ OBC/ SC/ ST/ KM/ CW/ EWS categories ranges from INR 14,906 and INR 19,021 in the first year and INR 14,151 to INR 18,166 in the second and third years. The course fee for PWD students is INR 125 for the first year and INR 120 for the second and third years. There are variations in the course fees depending on the programs.

The annual fee for postgraduate students in the General/ OBC/ SC/ ST/ KM/ CW/ EWS categories is INR 14,542 in the first year and INR 13,787 in the second year, irrespective of the course specialisation. The annual fee for the first and second years for PWD students is INR 3635 and INR 3447, respectively.

As an encouragement for students who belong to underrepresented categories, the college offers various scholarships based on merit and need. Students can avail of these scholarships to make education more accessible and affordable.

Attendance Policy

Based on the rules and regulations of the university, students must have a minimum attendance of 67% across all subjects, in both theory and practical classes, to be eligible to appear in the university examinations. The minimum attendance requirement is more lenient than those of several public and private colleges in the country, which makes it easier for students.

Reputed & Renowned Professors

The professors at the college are highly educated and are praised for their effective teaching methods that ensure all students gain valuable knowledge through their programs. The majority of the professors are PhD holders from reputed universities with extensive knowledge and experience in the research field. They stay up to date with the latest developments in their respective fields, which ensures students gain relevant knowledge and skills to excel in their careers. 

With abundant experience, the professors employ diverse teaching methods that are not only effective but also refreshing. They conduct interactive learning sessions, such as group discussions, case studies, presentations, etc., which makes the classes more exciting. While some professors still employ traditional teaching methods, they ensure that all students understand even complex concepts thoroughly. 

Most professors are available at the college even after their classes, which makes it easier for the students to access them with their doubts and mentorship. Though there are variations in terms of approachability, students are generally impressed with the availability of professors, which helps them learn more about the subject beyond the books. 

The professors value both theoretical and practical learning and, hence, organise workshops, seminars and other academic events, which help students gain more insights into their course and career prospects. Apart from that, certain faculties, such as English, Economics, etc., are consistently ranked among the top colleges, and the professors in these departments play a significant role in maintaining such reputations. 

Overall, students are immensely appreciative of the professors at the college. Even though there are some variations in the quality of professors across disciplines and also within the same department, the general standard is maintained. 

Historically Valued Infrastructure

The college's infrastructure is considered to be a perfect blend of traditional architecture and modern facilities that provide a conducive environment for academics and extracurricular activities. As it was established over a hundred years ago, the college campus holds a certain old-world charm that enhances the overall college experience of its students. Even though it is smaller than the other colleges in the country, Ramjas College has all the facilities and amenities that cater to the needs of its students. 

The college has over 90 traditional classrooms that are spacious enough to accommodate large groups of students. Though the classrooms are of classic design, these are well-equipped with modern learning facilities, such as projectors, whiteboards, etc., which enable students to have an interactive learning experience. Along with that, the college's academic infrastructure also consists of spacious seminar halls for educational events.

The college has well-maintained and adequately equipped laboratories in the science departments that have the necessary facilities and instruments to ensure students gain hands-on learning experience with modern technologies. The college also has multiple computer labs for students to access online and digital resources, with high-speed internet connectivity and advanced software.

The library at the college has a rich collection of more than 1 lakh books, journals, research papers, theses, and other reference materials, along with rare book collections of old books that are no longer available in the market. It consists of an extensive collection of academic and supplementary resources for all subjects.

Apart from the print resources, the college library also boasts a vast collection of digital resources, along with online databases that can be accessed through the computer systems provided within the library. It has a spacious seating area that helps students to read and study peacefully.

The college has a multitude of facilities for a variety of sports, such as Archery, Basketball, Football, Taekwondo, Powerlifting, Chess, Volleyball, Athletics, etc. The college's sports teams actively participate in various inter-university events, and the facilities at the college are highly beneficial for training and practice. Also, the college has a well-equipped gymnasium and fitness centre, which consists of various equipment for the students to maintain their physical health alongside their education.

The central canteen at the college is a separate building with ample indoor and outdoor seating. There are different stalls for various food and beverages, and the general hygiene within the canteen is satisfactory. There are multiple food stalls placed across the campus at other locations as well.

Apart from the facilities mentioned above, the college has a large amphitheatre, conference hall, auditorium and medical facilities. In general, the college has a beautiful infrastructure that is well-maintained to match the ever-evolving academic needs of the students while keeping its traditional charm intact.

Well-Facilitated Hostel

The college has separate hostels for boys and girls, conveniently located within the campus. The housing facilities are available to its students based on their merit and performance in the selection process. The hostel is distinct and convenient for students to access the academic facilities in the college. 

The hostel is well-furnished, with common rooms, a gymnasium, and laundry facilities. Students have mentioned that living in the hostel at the college is a distinct experience, with a variety of extracurricular activities happening throughout the year. In comparison to the off-campus housing facilities, the hostels are affordable, especially for those who hail from other parts of the country. 

The hostel also has a separate magazine, which is a forum for the students to express their creative ideas. The common rooms are different for boys and girls, and cultural activities are organised regularly. Similar to the academic infrastructure, the hostel is also of traditional architecture, with decently spacious rooms and facilities. As there are limited seats for hostel accommodation, students are advised to apply for the hostel along with their college application. 

The hostel has a designated committee led by the professors of the college, with a full-time warden who is responsible for the administration. They are also authorised for electing the student representatives.

Timely meals are served thrice a day through the mess facilities in the designated dining hall, which is well-maintained and clean. Though the food is served hygienically, there are limited varieties of food items, which may be an issue for those who are not accustomed to the type of food. However, students can raise concerns with the mess committee, which is led by the student representatives.

The hostels have strict rules and regulations regarding curfew timing, guest visiting, and other codes of conduct that students may find restrictive. However, the safety and security of the students are assured by the round-the-clock security guards placed at different locations on the campus.

The annual hostel fee is inclusive of different charges, such as maintenance, yearly programs, service charges, renovation and repair, electricity and water, mess charges, etc. The annual hostel fee for girls is approximately INR 37,590 and INR 34,790 for boys. 

As there are only limited seats available in the hostels provided by the college, students may be forced to stay at private PGs and hostels. There are over 300 PGs available around the campus, with varying facilities and luxuries according to the budget and preferences of the students. Typically, the monthly rents for the PGs available near the college range between INR 6000 and INR 20,000, based on the room type, occupancy and luxuries provided.

Dynamic College Life

Apart from being one of the top colleges in the country for its strong academic excellence, the college offers students several opportunities to nurture their talents and skills in extracurricular activities through the numerous clubs and societies available. Along with that, the college also organises various events and inter-college fests where students can showcase their talents and express their creativity. 

As mentioned above, the college has numerous societies for various interests ranging from cultural and literary clubs to tech and sports clubs, such as drama, quizzes, debates, fine arts, dance, music, photography, etc. Students who share common interests come together to exchange ideas, polish their skills and exhibit their talents. Besides, student societies are one of the significant ways for students from different disciplines to interact and connect with like-minded individuals.

The students at the college are actively involved in campus politics, and the students' union is formed through elections every year. The student representatives from the union are responsible for the various activities on the campus. The union helps students to nourish their interpersonal and leadership skills.

Besides, the college organises inter-college fests and competitions, and the different sports teams have won multiple tournaments. Students who are interested in various sports have numerous opportunities to practice and participate in these competitions. The sports facilities are well-utilised by such students. 

Along with the on-campus activities, the hostels also have a vibrant and enriching atmosphere, with multiple events and activities organised every month. Overall, the college has a dynamic and enriching campus atmosphere where students can pursue their passions alongside their academics.

Diversity on Campus

The student body at the college is rich in terms of regional, gender and socioeconomic diversity, with students from different backgrounds coming together and building successful careers. As the course fees are relatively affordable, education at the college is accessible to students from all walks of life. The reputation of the college also invites students from all over the country, making the campus a culturally diverse place.

Cultural diversity is nurtured through celebrating different cultural festivals, which also helps students to learn more about the country. The regional and cultural representation from other parts of the country also contributes to the linguistic diversity on campus. The student body at the college has a balanced gender ratio with robust representation of female students across different courses. The college also has multiple cells and organisations to ensure the welfare of students from underrepresented communities.

Dress Code

The college does not have any defined uniform or dress code imposed on the students. They are allowed to wear anything comfortable and appropriate for an academic environment. There are no restrictions on clothing for students.

Decent Placements

Although the college holds a particular reputation for its strong academics, the placement opportunities available to students are less than expected. However, the college has maintained a decent placement record over the years. According to the past years' records, the placement rate was around 80%. The college has seen a significant increase in the placement rate in recent years.

The placement prospects vary from one discipline to another. Most number of placements are for students from B.Sc, B.Com and BA English disciplines. Students are placed across different disciplines. The college has an active placement cell, which is led by a professor, and the core team of the cell consists of students. The placement cell conducts different training programs and activities to prepare students for the placement drives.

The college collaborates with industry leaders to organise seminars, guest lectures and workshops, which help students acquire internship opportunities and enhance their chances of getting good placement opportunities. Along with that, the college has a strong alumni network that offers valuable guidance and assistance.

Based on the previous year's record, the highest salary package offered to the students at the college was INR 19.25 LPA, and the average package was INR 5.6 LPA. Since many students are interested in pursuing higher education, research, and a career in academia, the placement rate is lower than that of its counterparts.

Overall Impression of Ramjas College

It can be concluded that Ramjas College is an ideal institution for students who intend to pursue higher education in Arts, Science and Commerce fields. The college is renowned for its strong academic excellence, remarkable faculty members and impressive infrastructure. Holding rich historical value, the college has witnessed exponential growth in the modern world. 

Although there are challenges in getting admission to the college, every student graduates with a reputed degree and a memorable campus experience. In any case, aspirants are recommended to connect with the past and present students of the college to learn more about the courses offered, the admission process, and the career prospects available at the college.

Some of the pros and cons of Ramjas College are mentioned below for better understanding.

*Source: ramjas.du.ac.in