ST. STEPHEN'S COLLEGE, DELHI, was founded on 1 February 1881 by a Christian Mission from Cambridge, England. The Revd Samuel Scott Allnutt was its Founder and  First  Principal.  Starting with just five students and three teachers in a small house in Chandni Chowk, the College has come a long way. It has at present over eight hundred men and women students reading B.A. and B.Sc. (Honours and Pass) and M.A. and M.Sc. courses in Economics, English, History, Mathematics, Political Science, Philosophy, Sanskrit, Hindi, Urdu, Persian, Physics and Chemistry. The College is now housed in spacious buildings constructed in 1941 in the University  of Delhi Enclave.

The composition of the community of students and teachers in St. Stephen's reflects its truly national character. Drawing its members from every state and community in India, including the  weaker section of  society,  the  College presents  a broad  spectrum  of  its  unity  and  variety. This  has  been,  to  a  large  extent,  made possible by the  availability of  ample facilities in residence. There is  provision  for three  hundred men students   and thirty two teachers to live in College. The  fullness of life experienced in St. Stephen's is considered to be one of its most distinctive features. This has  been achieved  by the active involvement of every member of the College, irrespective of cultural and religious differences, in its total life.

Traditionally, St. Stephen's College has stood for the development  of integrated personality  as  the  ultimate  goal  of  the educational  experience  that  it offers  to its students. Hence the  emphasis  is  on formation   of  character  and   cultivation of the right values and commitments.

Life in St. Stephen's College is marked by  the  personal touch, and this, fortunately,  is  possible  even  today   despite  the steady  expansion of  the students' population. This is what every Stephenian carries with  him or  her  when  leaving  the College; the memory of a few rare moments of insight and discovery that take place through personal interaction is cherished by each student. The College has been   fortunate to have, over the years, a succession of great men of character and vision. Deenabandhu Charles Andrews, member of the faculty, (1904-14), who founded the College Magazine "The Stephenian", and the Falstaff Society, forerunner of the present Shakespeare Society and whose vision  and mission were acclaimed throughout India; Principal S.N. Mukarji to whose undaunted vigour and courage of conviction the present College campus is an enduring monument; and others, before and after them, have left a tradition that posterity shall not willingly let die.

The College has always been in the mainstream of national life. Mahatma Gandhi was a frequent visitor at the house of Mr. S.K. Rudra, the  fourth  Principal of the College. Many historic decisions were taken by Gandhiji in this house. In the context of independence, St. Stephen's has continued to play its part by pursuing with zeal the high ideals of University education, and educating generations of men and women, whose presence is felt in every sphere of national life.

Indian Posts and Telegraphs Department is happy to issue a special postage stamp to commemorate  the centenary of this institution.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India