Bharati College has a glorious legacy, shaped by the support and vision of committed leaders and the resilience of its founding team. Established in 1971 under the Memorandum of Association and Rules of the Bharati Mahila College Society, Jhande Walan, New Delhi, the college began its journey amidst several infrastructural challenges, notably the absence of a proper campus and the need to share space with Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Jhandewalan.
To lay the foundation of this new institution, Mrs. Kailash Kudesia, Deputy Director of Education (Science), was entrusted with the responsibility as Officer on Special Duty (OSD). In September 1971, the college appointed its first team of 12 teaching faculty members, and the appointment of the first Principal, Dr. (Mrs.) Lalita Panigrahi, followed in October 1971. The first administrative team included: Shri C.K. Jain – Superintendent (Accounts), Ms. Usha Gulati – Professional Assistant, Mr. M.K. Mehta – Upper Division Clerk, Mr. S.C. Gupta – Cashier, Ms. Madhu Wadhwa – Library Clerk, Shri D.P. Pandey- Assistant (LDC) and Mr. Garibha Ram – Library Attendants. Class IV employees who played a key role in college operations included: Shri Kamlesh, Shri Amar Singh, Shri Tara Chand, Shri Vishal Mani.
Together with the founding teaching faculty, the newly recruited non-teaching staff laid the foundation of Bharati College brick by brick with dedication and teamwork. This spirit of collaboration continued over the years, with faculty and non-teaching staff appointed after the founding members making significant contributions to the college's growth and development.
The college opened its doors with an initial intake of 295 students for the B.A. programme, and 50 admissions were transferred by the University of Delhi from a college at Timarpur. Of the 337 students who appeared in the first examination, an impressive 331 were promoted— establishing a strong academic foundation from the outset.
college’s formation was the first meeting of the Governing Body held on 18th January 1972, chaired by Shri V.N. Wanchoo, Additional Director of Education, Delhi Administration. In this meeting, Shri Lal Krishan Advani (Former LK Advani Hindi Sign LK Advani English SIgn Deputy Prime Minister of India) was unanimously elected as the founder Chairman, and Shri Madan Lal Khurana (Former Chief Minister of Delhi & Former Governor of Rajasthan) as the first Treasurer of the Governing Body.
Shri Lal Krishan Advani ji played a pivotal role in the formative years of the college. As
visionary leader, he actively participated in all Governing Body meetings, providing valuable
guidance. It was on his suggestion that the spelling of “Bharti” was officially changed to
“Bharati” to reflect a deeper cultural and linguistic authenticity.
The college crest, a symbol of its identity and aspirations, was designed by Ms. Raj Kale, a
Governing Body member. It bears the Sanskrit motto:
The library is a vital component of any institution of higher education, and Dr. Sahib Singh Verma, former Chief Minister of Delhi, played a foundational role in establishing a strong library infrastructure as the college’s first librarian.
Among the pioneering faculty members, Mrs. Veena Dutta served as the college’s first Bursar. Ms. Pramodini Varma (formerly Pramodini Dube) and Ms. Veena Puri (formerly Veena Duggal) represented the faculty in the Governing Body. The first Staff Council was constituted on 17th July 1972, with Ms. Usha Rani elected as its first Secretary and Ms. Urmil Bhatia as its first Treasurer. Among the first faculty appointees, Ms. Uma Anand was regarded as one of the most trusted and dependable members of the college. She was entrusted with the important responsibility of conducting examinations and was appointed as the Deputy Superintendent of Examinations.
This spirit of trust and togetherness reflected the familial bond shared by the early members of Bharati College. A human touch and strong bond were not only shared among the staff but also extended to the students, forming a core part of the college's ethos. One of the most cherished traditions was the farewell party for students, where all cultural performances were presented by the teachers themselves, creating unforgettable memories. A signature element of the event was the qawwali performance—one group representing the emotions of the students and the other, the heartfelt sentiments of the teachers.
The college has always been deeply committed to community outreach through its NSS(National Service Scheme) programmes. Ms. Mohini Chugh, the first NSS Officer, organized the college’s inaugural NSS camp outside the campus, setting the tone for future engagement with the community.
The NCC unit of the college has been active and commendable since its inception, under the dedicated leadership of a full-fledged NCC officer, Mr. Vijay Bhalla. Notably, on 21st March 1978, Shri L.K. Advani attended the Annual NCC Day and appreciated the outstanding work of the NCC unit. Sportshas been another strong pillar of the college since its inception, nurtured and strengthened under the able leadership of Ms. Amarjeet Sandhu.
The founding principal, Mrs. Lalita Panigrahi, a distinguished History faculty member from Lady Shri Ram College, laid a strong academic foundation by appointing highly qualified and meritorious teachers. She emphasized recruiting faculty with outstanding academic credentials, setting a benchmark of excellence that continues to define Bharati College. In 1973, the B.Com. (Pass) course was introduced, followed by the college’s first Honours programme—B.A. (Hons.) Political Science—in 1976. The academic offerings steadily expanded over the years: Hindi Honours in 1977, Sanskrit Honours in 1987, B.Com. (Hons.) in 1989, English Honours in 1990, and History Honours in the same year under her able leadership.
In its meeting held on 29th May 1998, the Governing Body resolved that Bharati Mahila College would henceforth be known as Bharati College. This change was subsequently approved by the Executive Council in its meeting held on 13th November 1998
A turning point in the college’s history came with the allotment of land in Janakpuri for a permanent campus. The project, initially stalled, was revived and brought to life by Mrs. Mohini Chugh, the then officiating principal. She undertook the daunting task of navigating the complex paperwork, securing approvals from various civic agencies—Municipal Corporation, Jal Board, Electricity Department—and overseeing the construction of the new campus. Thanks to her relentless dedication and leadership , the current campus was completed and became functional within just three years (1995–1998), and the college shifted to its present premises at C-4, Janakpuri, on 20th September 1998 .The campus was inaugurated by Smt. Sushma Swaraj, the then Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting , in the esteemed presence of Dr. Jagdish Mukhi, the then Finance Minister of Delhi. Dr. Mukhi, as the MLA of the Janakpuri constituency, played a pivotal role in facilitating the relocation to the new premises.
Dr. Asha Gupta, a renowned academician, led the college from 2000 to 2003, further strengthening the institution's academic environment before taking on the role of Director, Hindi Division, University of Delhi.
Her successor, Dr. Pramodini Varma, brought a visionary zeal that transformed the college into a hub of cultural and intellectual vibrancy. Her tenure focused on promoting co-curricular and extra-curricular activities , fostering all-round development. Under her stewardship, several infrastructural developments took place, including the creation of a Theatre Room, Committee Room, and Seminar Room, and the laying of the foundation stones of the Girls’ Hostel, the Auditorium, and the new academic block . The college further enhanced its academic profile with the introduction of M.A. Hindi in 2002 in her tenure.
A brief but warm leadership was provided by Dr. Kanta Rani Bhatia , who served as Officiating Principal for a year. During a period of administrative turmoil and challenging circumstances, Dr. Sandhya Jain took charge as Acting Principal of the college and efficiently managed its affairs during a brief tenure of four months, from July 2016 to November 2016 .The next chapter was shaped by Dr. Mukti Sanyal, who served as the officiating principal and was admired for her empathetic leadership . She provided a sense of ease, accessibility, and support , always ready to listen to and address the concerns of students, parents, and staff. Her approach created a compassionate environment and a culture of mutual respect and growth. She played a pivotal role in the introduction of four prestigious Honours programmes—Sociology, Psychology, Journalism, and Mathematics—in 2017, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s continued growth and commitment to academic excellence. During the challenging COVID-19 period (2020–2022), Dr. Rekha Sapra served as the officiating principal.
Each of these leaders, along with the dedicated faculty and staff—past and present—have contributed immensely to the growth and reputation of Bharati College . Today, the college stands tall with a sprawling campus, lush gardens, a modern auditorium, a Girls’ Hostel , and state-of-the-art facilities, befitting a leading modern institution of higher education.
Bharati College, since its very inception, has stood as a testament to the power of vision, perseverance, and collective effort. From its humble beginnings to its current stature, Bharati College’s journey is a testament to resilience, visionary leadership, and unwavering commitment to excellence in women’s education .