Dev Nagar Campus
University Campus
S. Gurdeep Singh Randhawa
(1971 – 1988)
S. Gurdeep Singh Randhawa, the visionary principal of SGTB Khalsa College from 1971 to 1988, left an indelible mark on the institution. Under his transformative stewardship, the college emerged as a beacon of academic excellence. G.S. Randhawa’s supervision guided college's relocation from Dev Nagar to its current university campus premises, laying the groundwork for a modern, state-of-the-art institution.
A masterful balance of discipline and approachability characterized Randhawa's leadership style, fostering a culture of respect, trust, and open communication. His academic virtuosity shone in teaching 19th-century British fiction and poetry, including Byron's epic "The Prisoners of Chillon," with unparalleled proficiency. During tumultuous teachers' strikes in the 1980s, Randhawa's diplomatic finesse ensured harmony, safeguarding staff interests without compromising academic integrity.
Dr. Udham Singh
(1988)
Dr. Udham Singh, originally from Khudpur near Lahore, served as the Officiating Principal of SGTB Khalsa College in 1988. An Economics graduate from Khalsa College, Amritsar, where he ranked third in the university, Dr. Singh joined SGTB Khalsa College, Dev Nagar, as an Economics lecturer and played a pivotal role in its relocation to North Campus. Working alongside colleagues, he successfully appealed to Vice Chancellor V.K.R.V. Rao to secure land, resulting in the college moving to its current site, formerly two British bungalows.
During his tenure as Vice Principal, Dr. Singh introduced two pioneering courses, BSc (H) Mathematics and BSc Computer Science—the latter a first for SGTB Khalsa College—and established Electronics and Computer Labs to bolster the college’s infrastructure. His teaching career also extended to the Delhi School of Economics, where he instructed M.A. students, including prominent figures such as Isher Ahluwalia.
An active member of the academic and cultural community, Dr. Singh has held posts including President of the Indo-Soviet Cultural Society and Secretary of DUTA. In his leisure, he enjoys reading and listening to ghazals, sharing with students his message to “set a socially useful, achievable target and pursue it with dedication.”
Dr. Tirath Singh
(1988 – 1995)
Dr. Tirath Singh, who served as Principal from 1988 to 1995, ran the college with a firm hand. He, alongside his colleagues Harbans Singh Talwar and Har Bilas Middha, created a close-knit familial atmosphere in the Physics Department. Remaining a dedicated teacher, his theory classes would often extend to practical class but the students wouldn’t mind staying for the extra hours.
As a qualified lawyer, Tirath Singh would offer insightful legal perspectives in the academic discussions around subjects both political and non-political. As Principal, he was a strict disciplinarian, sometimes prioritizing legalistic decisions over academic freedom. This led to challenging situations, but he remained resolute.
The academic excellence, needs and innovative measures weren’t compromised, and an atmosphere of academic development superseded in all arenas. After retiring in 1995, he moved to Green Park and his ill health and Alzheimer's disease resulted in his passing away. The institution will forever be indebted to his contributions and will continue to honour his legacy.
Dr. D.S. Claire
(1995 – 2004)
Dr. D.S. Claire, who served as Principal from 1995 to 2004, had a long-standing connection with SGTB Khalsa College. He joined the college as an additional teacher in July 1962 for Honours Courses in Political Science, after serving as a Tutorial Fellow in the Centralised Tutorial Scheme at the Arts Faculty building.
Dr. Claire was an accomplished individual, having been an all-rounder in school and participating in India's first Republic Day parade. Despite being selected for the Indian Administrative Services (IAS), he opted for academics over administration, following his passion.
With over three decades of teaching experience, Dr. Claire was well-versed in the challenges, concerns, and expectations of the institution. As Principal, he adopted a humane approach, involving teachers and employees in decision-making processes and extending support to students. He prioritized listening to students' genuine demands and engaging parents in disciplinary matters, focusing on guidance rather than punishment.
Dr. Claire is remembered for his refined manners, composed temperament, and unwavering commitment to fair play.
Dr. B. S. Rattan
(2004 – 2005)
Dr. B.S. Rattan served as principal of SGTB Khalsa College from 2004 to 2005, a brief tenure marked by his commitment to empowering students and restoring dignity to the teaching profession. Known for his vision of the college as a close-knit fraternity, he championed efficient, politics-free administration and provided encouragement, honors, and financial support to reserved candidates.
A distinguished English Literature professor, Dr. Rattan was also an authority on Punjabi Literature, Sikh history, and culture. His scholarly interests spanned cinema, music, and sports; he was an accomplished singer and even managed Delhi University’s cricket and basketball teams. His classes on Romantic Poets, Homer, and Sophocles inspired English honors students, blending idealism with intellectual growth.
Remembered as a charismatic educator and mentor, Dr. Rattan also served as Vice Principal, renowned for his dynamic presence in staff meetings. Truly “A Man for All Seasons,” his legacy embodies integrity, versatility, and unwavering dedication to education.
Prof. Jaswinder Singh
(2005 – 2023)
Prof. Jaswinder Singh’s decade-long tenure was characterized by wisdom, vision, inclusivity, support, and innovation.
Principal Singh's leadership fostered a culture where ideas flourished, and aspirations soared. He believed in every individual's potential, ensuring they felt valued and empowered to contribute to the college's growth. His commitment to preserving Punjabi heritage and knowledge was evident in various national and international symposiums organized and participated in by the college.
Under his stewardship, the college witnessed significant progress, including the establishment of the Guru Angad Dev Teaching Learning Centre in 2016 and the Centre for E-Learning in 2014 under the UGC E-PG Pathshala Project. He also oversaw the development of e-content for postgraduate courses and Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) on the SWAYAM portal.
Principal Singh's leadership extended beyond the college, with roles such as Co-Convenor of the UGC Committee for Choice Based Credit System and Member of the Standing Committee (Students) of the Academic Council, University of Delhi. His innovative approach introduced hybrid learning tools, career counseling, and industry interactions, while prioritizing infrastructural development and community engagement.
Prof. Singh currently serves as Vice Chancellor of Eternal University, Baru Sahib.
SGTB Khalsa College is indebted to him for his unwavering commitment to excellence and support to the academic community.
Prof. Surinder Kaur
(2023 – 2024)
Prof. Surinder Kaur made history as Khalsa College’s first female Officiating Principal, serving from October 2023 to July 2024. Prior to this role, she held significant positions, including the Girls Hostel Warden, Bursar, and Vice Principal. She also served as the Convenor of the Examination Committee in the challenging time of Covid outbreak in the world. She calmly managed the conduction and evaluation of OBE – Open Book Examinations, in the tumultuous period of online and offline mode of the teaching during the phase of Covid outbreak and quarantine.
Prof. Kaur is a respected academic and botanist. She was the college’s first IST Professor and has published numerous research papers in national and international journals. Notably, she pioneered the “Green Initiative” to foster an eco-friendly campus culture and enhanced the Guru Har Rai Botanical Garden, transforming it into a thriving hub for botanical research, education, and conservation. Under the “Green Initiative” she introduced Mushroom Cultivation in the college, acquainting the students to the process of Composting, Spawning, Casing, Pinning and Cropping the mushrooms.
Her diligence and support did not remain limited to academics, but also accommodated extra-curricular societies and endeavors. Under her leadership various creative societies emerged which are a proof of her sensitive understanding of the times, milieu and shifting career trends of the world.
Under her leadership, Khalsa College experienced substantial improvements – The academic standards rose, new teaching methods emerged and the number of research projects increased.
Prof. Surinder Kaur’s contributions have had a lasting impact on Khalsa College. Her legacy continues to inspire future educators, researchers, and leaders. We honour her achievements and her commitment to excellence.