As SRCC enters its 100th year, academic leaders and alumni reflect on the institution’s legacy in nation-building and its future focus on innovation, entrepreneurship, and ethical leadership.
New Delhi | January 2, 2026
Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), one of India’s most prestigious institutions for commerce and economics education, formally kicked off its centenary celebrations with a Curtain Raiser event at the North Campus on Friday, marking 100 years of academic excellence and national contribution.
Marking the beginning of its centenary year (1926–2026), the event brought together senior academicians, policymakers, industry leaders, and distinguished alumni to reflect on SRCC’s enduring role in shaping India’s economic, administrative, and governance landscape. The Curtain Raiser also outlined a year-long calendar of academic conferences, policy dialogues, alumni engagements, and international collaborations designed to prepare the institution for the challenges of the next century.
The ceremony was graced by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Delhi, Prof. Yogesh Singh, as the Chief Guest, along with Mr. Ajay S. Shriram, Chairman of the SRCC Governing Body. The programme began with a floral tribute to Sir Shri Ram, the visionary industrialist who laid the foundation of the institution in 1920 as The Commercial School, with the aim of nurturing indigenous business leadership.
A commemorative coffee table book titled Timeless Frames was also unveiled, documenting SRCC’s journey from its early days in Daryaganj to its emergence as a globally recognised centre of academic excellence.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. Yogesh Singh described SRCC as a globally respected academic institution whose influence extends well beyond rankings. He said that over a century, SRCC has not only built strong academic foundations but has also shaped generations of economists, administrators, judges, and business leaders who have contributed significantly to the nation’s progress.
Referring to India’s recent milestone of becoming the world’s fourth-largest economy, Prof. Singh said the achievement highlights the importance of institutions like SRCC in producing world-class economists, entrepreneurs, and policy thinkers. He urged the college to intensify its focus on entrepreneurship, business incubation, artificial intelligence, and digital finance to remain relevant in a rapidly evolving global economy.
Chairman of the SRCC Governing Body, Mr. Ajay S. Shriram, said the centenary celebrations were both a moment of reflection and an opportunity to chart the institution’s future direction. Recalling SRCC’s journey from modest beginnings to national prominence, he emphasised that the college’s greatest strength lies in its faculty, students, staff, and alumni. He added that the institution would prioritise academic excellence, research, infrastructure development, AI-enabled learning, inclusion, sustainability, and stronger alumni engagement in the years ahead.
Welcoming the guests, SRCC Principal Prof. Simrit Kaur said the centenary marked a collective achievement shaped by generations of the SRCC community. She reiterated the college’s commitment to ethics, social responsibility, and purpose-driven leadership, noting that these values have defined SRCC’s identity for the past hundred years.
The event also saw participation from several eminent alumni and well-wishers, including Sangeeta Jaitley, wife of former Union Minister Arun Jaitley, who recalled the formative influence of SRCC on his public life. Former Supreme Court Judge Justice A.K. Sikri, former Union Minister Vijay Goel, FDCI Chairman Sunit Sethi, industrialist Sminu Jindal, and entrepreneur Neeraj Ghei also shared reflections on the institution’s lasting impact.
The ceremony concluded with the illumination of the historic SRCC campus, symbolising the dawn of its next century, followed by a cultural presentation that paid tribute to the institution’s rich heritage and evolving journey.
