Marking 100 years of academic excellence, SRCC’s centenary curtain raiser brought together leaders and alumni to reflect on its enduring contribution to India’s economic and institutional leadership.
New Delhi | January 2, 2026
Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), a premier institution in commerce and economics education, formally set the stage for its centenary celebrations with a Curtain Raiser event at its North Campus on Friday. The landmark programme marked the beginning of a year-long series of academic, policy, and alumni-led initiatives commemorating the college’s 100-year journey from 1926 to 2026.
The event witnessed participation from eminent academicians, policymakers, industry leaders, and distinguished alumni, underscoring SRCC’s deep-rooted influence on India’s economic, administrative, and governance frameworks. The centenary roadmap includes national and international academic conferences, policy dialogues, alumni engagements, and global collaborations aimed at preparing the institution for future challenges.
The ceremony was chaired by Professor Yogesh Singh, Vice Chancellor of the University of Delhi, who attended as Chief Guest, along with Ajay S. Shriram, Chairman of the SRCC Governing Body. The programme began with a floral tribute to Sir Shri Ram, the visionary industrialist who founded the institution as The Commercial School in 1920 with the aim of nurturing indigenous business leadership.
A commemorative coffee table book titled Timeless Frames was also unveiled, documenting SRCC’s evolution from its early days in Daryaganj to its current standing as a globally respected academic institution.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. Yogesh Singh described SRCC as a globally recognised academic brand whose contribution extends far beyond rankings. He noted that over a century, the institution has helped shape generations of economists, administrators, jurists, and business leaders who have played key roles in nation building.
Referring to India’s recent achievement of becoming the world’s fourth-largest economy, the Vice Chancellor said the milestone highlights the importance of institutions like SRCC in producing world-class thinkers and leaders. He encouraged the college to focus its next phase on entrepreneurship, business incubation, artificial intelligence, and digital finance, stressing that future leaders must be creators of enterprises and ethical decision-makers.
SRCC Governing Body Chairman Ajay S. Shriram said the centenary curtain raiser was both a moment of reflection and a blueprint for the future. Recalling the college’s modest beginnings and its rise as a national leader in commerce education, he said SRCC’s greatest strength lies in its faculty, students, staff, and alumni. He outlined future priorities including research excellence, infrastructure development, AI-enabled learning, inclusion, sustainability, and stronger alumni engagement.
Welcoming the guests, SRCC Principal Prof. Simrit Kaur said the centenary celebrations represent a shared achievement shaped by generations of the SRCC community. She reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to ethical education, social responsibility, and leadership grounded in values.
The event also featured reflections from eminent alumni and well-wishers. Sangeeta Jaitley recalled the formative influence SRCC had on the late Arun Jaitley’s life and public service. Former Supreme Court judge Justice A.K. Sikri, FDCI Chairman Sunit Sethi, industrialist and social advocate Sminu Jindal, former Union Minister Vijay Goel, and entrepreneur Neeraj Ghei shared insights on how SRCC shaped their professional journeys and leadership values.
The ceremony concluded with the illumination of the historic campus, symbolising the beginning of SRCC’s next century, followed by a cultural presentation featuring a Kathak–Bharatanatyam jugalbandi and musical tributes celebrating the institution’s rich legacy.
