Delhi University Releases Draft Policy on On-Campus Businesses

In a balancing act between campus discipline and student entrepreneurship, Delhi University has released a draft policy that prescribes new rules and frameworks for operating businesses within the varsity premises. The policy, up for public and student feedback at present, also aims to regularize commercial activities conducted by students while encouraging innovation and experiential learning. With DU having lakhs of students across multiple colleges, the proliferation of on-campus ventures-from café pop-ups to merchandise startups-has pushed the administration to establish clearer guidelines.

The draft policy has come up, according to university officials, in response to a visible increase in student-run businesses, particularly after the pandemic when many students had started looking for independent sources of income. From social media-based thrift stores, home-baked food stalls, and stationery brands to college-merch ventures, these businesses have become commonplace, with informal business zones emerging inside campuses. These ventures might be ingenious, argue the DU authorities, but unregulated commercial activity can lead to space misuse, crowding, and potential conflict with existing vendors.

Key Provisions of the Draft Policy

The draft spelt out that the students or a group of students intending to operate a campus business must first register the venture with the concerned college administration. A committee comprising representatives from the faculties, the Student Welfare Office, and student representatives would scrutinize the applications and grant permissions according to feasibility, space allocation, and suggested business model.

The significant changes include the concept of “Designated Business Zones” in chosen colleges, which will work like organized kiosks or stalls on a scheduled basis. The policy outlines that no commercial activity shall be allowed within the academic corridors, libraries, main entrances, and high-congestion areas. Additionally, the use of classrooms by students as a place for storing goods or for production purposes will not be allowed.

Another important clause is that the ventures should be genuinely committed to being ethical and environmental; this includes discouraging single-use plastic, ensuring consumable items are safe to eat, and forbidding business ideas that promote any sort of discriminatory or offensive messaging. In addition, MLM or any cryptocurrency promotion-based ventures will be completely banned on campus.

Supporting Student Entrepreneurship

Despite imposing restrictions, the policy also outlines ways the university plans to support student-run enterprises. DU is proposing mentorship workshops in collaboration with alumni entrepreneurs, business incubators, and faculty from commerce and management departments. Select ventures may also be allowed to participate in university fairs, entrepreneurship festivals, and showcase events with an aim to help students scale their initiatives beyond campus.
The draft encourages experience-based learning, noting that running a small venture teaches financial literacy, communication, management, negotiation, and problem-solving— skills increasingly valuable in the modern economy. University officials say regulation’s purpose is not to limit enthusiasm but ensure fairness, safety, and accountability on shared public campuses.

Concerns and Mixed Responses

Initial student reactions, particularly from the North and South Campus colleges, have been mixed. Some welcome the clarity and legitimacy that the policy will provide. “Earlier, there was always confusion about whether a stall was allowed or who could set one up. This will at least ensure fairness,” said a third-year student from Miranda House who runs a handmade jewelry stall.

But others are apprehensive that such bureaucratic sanctioning procedures will discourage spontaneity. A student from Ramjas College, who was part of event-based food setups, argued, “Part of DU culture is the creativity that comes from informal spaces. If every small idea needs paperwork, many students won’t even try.” Many are afraid that regulation might unwittingly favor students with prior business knowledge or better resources at the expense of grassroots initiatives.

College canteens and local vendors too have raised apprehensions about the trend, citing that more student ventures would take away their share of customers. Although the draft policy maintains that pricing should be reasonable and not exploit campus exclusivity, it does not address competition apprehension raised by long-standing vendors.

Next Steps

Delhi University has invited suggestions from students, parents, and faculty for the next two weeks before finalizing the policy. Once approved, implementation is expected in phases, with select colleges as pilot sites. If successful, the policy can be a model for other universities also experiencing similar cultural shifts toward student entrepreneurship.
With DU still evolving both as a learning institution and as a hotbed of innovation, the challenge will lie in maintaining the balance between encouraging creativity and preserving the integrity of shared academic spaces. The draft policy represents an attempt to find that equilibrium-one that will shape campus life and student culture in the years to come.