DU’s St. Stephen College restricts students from wearing shorts on campus; move sparks protests

St. Stephen’s College at Delhi University has restricted students from wearing shorts in classrooms, the assembly hall, and several other places on the campus, triggering student protests on the first of the 2026-27 academic session, TOI reported.

According to an official notice, acquired by TOI, all junior members should have to “strictly adhere” to the campus regulations on dress code. The circular was approved by the St. Stephen’s new principal Susan Elias , it reported.

Whereas, students claimed that the restriction was not limited to junior members, though the notice specifically refers to them, the report added.

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Dress code practice has been in place for years: St. Stephen's students

According to the students at St. Stephen , wearing shorts has long been discouraged in certain parts of the campus, especially around the principal’s office and inside the dining hall, even though no formal rule existed earlier, the report read.

Another student stated that the practice was followed informally over the years as part of the college’s culture, it said. Furthermore, the college’s sports team have also reportedly faced difficulties because of the practice, it added.

While, students alleged that those returning from training sessions in sports outfits have, at times, been restricted from entering the dining hall due to wearing shorts, it said.

The report further stated that St. Stephen’s college handbook required students to maintain decent attire on campus, but it does not explicitly mention shorts or a detailed dress code, the report read.

Such guidelines have rarely resulted in disciplinary action, and they had not witnessed students being penalised for wearing shorts during their years at the institution, a faculty member said in the report.