-Degree Is Not Just a Certificate but a Commitment : Vice-President
-Over 50% Graduates and Over 70% Gold Medallists are Women
New Delhi : The Vice-President of India and Chancellor of the University of Delhi, C. P. Radhakrishnan, graced the 102nd Convocation of the University as the Chief Guest today, where degrees were conferred upon more than 1.2 lakh graduates.
Addressing the gathering, the Vice-President lauded the University’s remarkable 104-year journey and its unwavering commitment to academic excellence and continuity. Tracing its historic evolution, he noted that the University began with just three colleges, two faculties, eight departments, a modest library of donated books, and around 750 students. Today, it has expanded significantly to include 16 faculties, 86 departments, 90 colleges, 20 halls and hostels, more than 30 centres and institutes, 34 libraries, and over six lakh students. “Delhi University has indeed come a long way in its historic journey,” he remarked.
Appreciating the scale of the ceremony, he observed that the number of graduating students was larger than the population of many countries, reflecting the vast academic footprint of the University.
Describing the institution as one of India’s most distinguished centres of higher learning, the Vice-President said that for over a century it has nurtured individuals who have gone on to shape India’s intellectual, political, scientific, and cultural landscape. He told the graduating students that they now become part of a remarkable lineage of alumni who have influenced not only India but the world.
Highlighting the University’s growing academic stature, he expressed satisfaction over its consistently improving national and international rankings, noting that it has retained the top position among Indian universities in the QS World University Rankings for four consecutive years.
Emphasizing the significance of the occasion, the Vice-President said that convocation is not merely a ceremonial event but both an ending and a beginning. It celebrates years of dedication, learning, and self-discovery while marking the graduates’ entry into a broader arena of responsibility.
He observed that graduates are stepping into a world undergoing profound transformation, where technology is reshaping industries, artificial intelligence is redefining the nature of work, climate change is challenging development models, and democracies across the globe are being tested. In such a world, he said, a degree represents not just a certificate but a commitment to serve society, contribute to the nation’s progress, and uphold the principle of “Nation First – Rashtra Pratham.”
Referring to India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat @ 2047, the Vice-President said that the role of youth is crucial at this stage. Under the leadership and vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he noted, India has articulated the aspiration of becoming an Aatmanirbhar Bharat and building a developed nation by 2047, when the country will mark 100 years of Independence.
He emphasized that Aatmanirbharta represents the ability to innovate, manufacture, research, and develop solutions rooted in Indian realities while remaining globally competitive. Universities, he said, must become engines of research, entrepreneurship, and indigenous knowledge systems. Viksit Bharat, he added, stands for inclusive growth, technological leadership, social harmony, environmental sustainability, and transparent and accountable institutions, ensuring that development reaches every citizen.
Addressing the graduates as architects of this vision, the Vice-President said that whether they become scientists, civil servants, entrepreneurs, artists, lawyers, teachers, or innovators, they will shape India’s future by 2047. The realization of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat, he noted, will depend on their integrity, competence, compassion, and innovative spirit.
The Vice-President also expressed happiness that over 50 percent of the graduates and more than 70 percent of the gold medallists are women, noting that the number of women receiving degrees this year exceeds that of men. He described this as a reflection of the remarkable progress in women’s education in India and extended his best wishes to all graduating students for their success.
In his concluding remarks, he urged the graduates to carry forward the spirit of inquiry and remember that learning is a lifelong process. He also called upon them to remain grateful for the opportunities they have received and mindful of the responsibilities that come with them. The Vice-President encouraged students to say “No to Drugs” and to use social media constructively.
The convocation ceremony was attended by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Yogesh Singh, faculty members, dignitaries, and students.