Miranda House has been ranked no. 2 amongst colleges by NIRF Ranking 2024

Department of Botany



Miranda House pioneered science education for women at the University of Delhi when it started its B.Sc. Honours (Botany) course in 1948. The course not only includes a study of diversity of plants and their economic importance but also offers a comprehensive overview of cell and molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, microbiology, biotechnology and bioinformatics. Botany, along with its allied branches, provides employment opportunities in research and educational institutes, pharmacy, agriculture, horticulture and forestry. Over the years, the Department of Botany has produced a large number of dedicated scientists, teachers and those who have excelled in other areas. The Department maintains two Laboratories for teaching purposes, a Museum, a Herbarium, a Departmental Library, a Tissue Culture Facility, an Undergraduate Research Laboratory and a Botanical Garden. The Department of Botany has an active Botanical Society named Antheia which organizes lectures by distinguished academicians and scientists. The Society also facilitates participation of students in various activities across colleges of the University of Delhi. The Department of Botany is a recipient of grants from DBT under the Star College Scheme and is also involved in two University of Delhi Innovation Projects. The Department also received a minor project funded by Mahatma Gandhi National Council of Rural Education (MGNCRE) under the Ministry of Human Resource Development, in Government of India under Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) for the promotion of rural research, project amount Rs. 2 Lakhs 2021.

Teaching-Learning



The teachers of the Department adopt various teaching tools to make teaching more effective. All the teachers have been issued a netbook. They use PowerPoint presentations and charts in theory classes. In practical classes also, instructions are given with the help of charts, herbarium and live specimens, permanent slides and PowerPoint presentations. Interactive sessions are held in the routine classes. Class tests and presentations are held. Assignments are given to the students. Students are taken to the nearby ridge, and the college botanical garden and the campus as a whole to learn the names of plants and understand biodiversity.

Capacity Building



Workshops and seminars on relevant topics are also organized by the Department for students and teachers. The Department also organizes excursions for students. Teachers accompany students to visit the Yamuna Biodiversity Park, zoological park, local research institutions, like the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Department of Plant Molecular Biology at the South Campus, Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, museums, and various exhibitions to improve learning. An educational trip to the Yamuna Biodiversity Park was organized for students of B.Sc. Honours Botany II year. On 29 March, 2019 students of B.Sc. (H) Botany III Year were taken to Sulabh International Social Service Organization. They visited the toilet museum and were shown how manure can be made from human waste, the generation of biogas from waste and its use in cooking, the generation of electricity from biogas, and the potable RO water ATM. Students were also shown the vocational training being imparted in tailoring, computer use and beauty care. A field visit to Botanic Garden of Indian Republic, NOIDA, Uttar Pradesh was organized on 04 October 2019 for B.Sc. (H) Botany I, II and III Year 2019 under the aegis of DBT Star College Scheme. Students of B.Sc. (H) Botany III Year visited Chandrawal Water Treatment Plant (Chandrawal Water Works No. II), Delhi Jal Board 26 February, 2020. Virtual visit to Yakult Danone India Pvt. Ltd., Food Park, HSIIDC, Rai, Sonepat, Haryana was organized on 19 April 2021. A field visit to Department of Microbiology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) was organized on 16 March, 2022 for B.Sc. Honours Botany II year students. In IARI, students visited Biofertilizer Processing Unit, PUSA Waste Decomposer and National Center for Blue Green Algae.

Students are taken to hill stations to understand biodiversity, collect plants and visit research institutions and biodiversity parks such as the Forest Research Institute in Dehradun, Institute of Microbial Technology in Chandigarh, and Keoladeo National Park in Bharatpur. An outstation trip to Himachal Pradesh was organized from 30 October to 03 November, 2019 and Students also visited Indian Agricultural Research Institute Regional Station, Katrain, Kullu valley.

Student Progression

Students of the Department have a high retention rate in Botany. After their graduation, a significant number of our students join prestigious universities and research institutes in the country, as well as overseas, to pursue master and doctoral programs in Botany. Many have diversified past pure Botany and have transitioned into interdisciplinary/applied fields. A smaller percentage of students craft their future outside of Botany, typically serving the nation through IAS, IFS etc. and a few go on to pursue postgraduate programs abroad.  

B.Sc.(H) Botany 2018-21

Aarohi Rawat (Panjab University, Chandigarh)- M.Sc. Botany

Akshita Solanki (National Forensic Science University, Delhi campus - NICFS)- M.Sc Forensic Science

Ashmita (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)- M.Sc. Botany

Bharti Singh (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)-M.Sc. Botany

Divya Jaitak (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)-M.Sc. Botany

Jyoti (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)- M.Sc. Botany

Kriti Choudhary (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)- M.Sc. Botany

Mamta (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)- M.Sc. Botany

Meghana Mariam Mathew (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)- M.Sc. Botany

Muskaan Johnson (DPMB, South Campus, University of Delhi)- M.Sc. Plant Molecular Biology

Neeraj Kumari (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)- M.Sc. Botany

Pallavi Sharma (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)-M.Sc. Botany

Saifali Dhyani (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)- M.Sc. Botany

Shweta Rana (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)- M.Sc. Botany

Swati Nayak (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)-M.Sc. Botany

Tamanna Yadav (Vanasthali Vidyapith, Rajasthan)-M.Sc. Bioscience

Vankudothu Swathi (Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram)- M.Sc. Biotechnology

B.Sc.(H) Botany 2017-20

Anu Middha  (IIT Roorkee)  -M.Sc. Biotechnology

Monika (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)- M.Sc. Botany

Shreya Sharma (University of Hyderabad)-M.Sc. Plant Biology and Biotechnology

Akanksha Tripathi (University of Allahabad)- M.Sc. Botany

Shikha Dalal (Department of Botany, University of Delhi- M.Sc. Botany

 Kirti (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)-M. Sc Botany

Anu Deepthi Marni (TERI University, Delhi)- M.Sc. Plant Biotechnology

Aadyanjali (GGSIPU, Delhi)- M.Sc. Environment Management

Shailja (Indian Institute of Management, Rohtak)- MBA

Aditi (University of Delhi)- M.Sc. Plant molecular Biology and Biotechnology

Ashima Gupta (TISS, Mumbai)- MA Labour Studies and Practices

Kanika Thakur (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)- M.Sc. Botany

Kanchan (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)- M. Sc. Botany

Soumya (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)- M.Sc. Botany

Sakshi Yadav (University of Allahabad)- M.Sc. Botany

Lekhani (Central University of Haryana)-M.Sc. Biotechnology

Prity (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)- M.Sc. Botany

Shreya Bhardwaj (Panjab University, Chandigarh)- M.Sc. Botany

Pranjal Agrawal (Department of Environmental Studies, University of Delhi)- M.Sc. Environmental studies

B.Sc.(H) Botany 2016-19

Ankita Dash (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)- M.Sc. Botany

Aarushi Chib (Jammu University)- M.Sc. Botany

Deepika (Department of Botany, CBLU)- M.Sc. Botany

Haripriya (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)- M.Sc. Botany

Irom Valentina Devi (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)-M.Sc. Botany

Kareena Singh (Ferguson College,Pune)- M.Sc. Botany

Kamakshi Kaushik (GSSIPU, Delhi)-M.Sc. Environment Management

Kavita (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)-M.Sc. Botany

Kirandeep (Punjab University)-M.A. Economics

Kanchan (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)- M.Sc. Botany

Kajal (Maharashi Dayanand University, Rohtak)-B.Ed.

Megha Anand (Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi)-M.Sc. Environmental Science

Megha Singh (Department of Management Studies, J.C. Bose University of Science and Technology, YMCA)-MBA

Muskan (Amity University)-M.Sc. Biotechnology

Neetu Kumari (Galgotias University)- M.Sc. Microbiology

Pallapothula Devi Akilandeshwari (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)-M.Sc. Botany

Sangeetha (Department of Botany, CBLU)-M.Sc. Botany

Vaishali (Great Lakes Institute of Management, Gurgaon)-MBA

B.Sc.(H) Botany 2015-18

Akanksha (Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi)-M.A. Sociology, Enrolled in M.Phil. Sociology

Ankita (Choudhary Charan Singh Haryana agricultural University)- M.Sc. Food Science and Technology

Chaynika Gujela (Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi, Delhi) -Diploma in Biotechnology & Naropa Fellowship- Entrepreneurial and Leadership Program

Deeksha Gairola (Amity University, NOIDA) -M.Sc. Biotechnology

Dimple (Northumbria University Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom) -M.Sc. Safety Health and Environmental Management with Advanced Practice

Garima Shuklam (Allahabad University) -B.Ed

Harshita Priyadarshini (Department of Anthropology,University of Delhi) -M.Sc. in Anthropology

Hibu Asung (Department of Botany, University of Delhi) -M.Sc. Botany

Iftesam Khan (Environmental Studies Department,University of Delhi) - M.Sc. Environmental Studies

Namita Singh (Vaco Binary Semantics)- PG Diploma in Mass Communication

Pallavi Jha (Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, UP) -M.Sc. Botany

Pooja Yadav (Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar University Agra) -M.Sc. Botany

Rajni Yadav (Department of Botany, University of Delhi) -M.Sc. Botany

Shaily (Kalinga University, Chatishgarh) -M.Sc.

Shivani Bhati (Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi)- M.Sc. Biotechnology; (Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi) -Ph.D. in Biotechnology

Stanzin Lhadol (University of Delhi)-  M.Sc. Buddhist Studies; (IGNOU)- MA in Philosophy

Sushmita Ningthoujam (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)- M.Sc. Botany

Viveka Thapliyal (Maharshi Valmiki College of Education, University of Delhi)- B.Ed.

Banita Yadav (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)- M.Sc. Botany

Iqra Nafees Khan (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)- M.Sc. Botany; (NIPGR)-  Ph.D.

Megha Khari (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)- M.Sc. Botany

M. Tomuilim Tontang (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)- M.Sc. Botany

 

B.Sc.(H) Botany 2014-17

Anita (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)- M.Sc. Botany

Apurva (Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi)- M.Sc. Life Sciences

Ayushi Bolia (Department of Environmental Studies, University of Delhi) -M.Sc. Environmental Studies

Deepali Manchanda (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)- M.Sc. Botany

Deepika (Panjab University, Chandigarh)- M.Sc. Botany

Deepshikha (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)- M.Sc. Botany

Diksha Nara (Maharashi Dayanand University, Rohtak)- B.Ed.; (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)- M.Sc. Botany

Himanshi Verma (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)- M.Sc. Botany

Iqra Shah (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)- M.Sc Botany; (Kashmir University) -B.Ed.

Karuna Sharma (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)- M.Sc. Botany, M.Phil.

Kopal Dixit (ACBR, University of Delhi)- M.Sc.; (IIT Roorkee)-Ph.D.

Kumari Himanshi M.Sc. Botany

M. Ancy Nianlamlun Zou (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)- M.Sc. Botany

Neeharika (Panjab University, Chandigarh)- M.Sc. Human Biogenomics

Ningthoujam Bidyarani Devi (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)- M.Sc. Botany

Nisha Sella (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)- M.Sc. Botany

Pooja (TERI University)-M.Sc. Environmental Studies and Resource Management

Priya Jha (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)- M.Sc. Botany

Rohini Yadav (Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Bengaluru)-MBA

Ruchi Yadav (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)- M.Sc. Botany

Shipra Ruhal (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)- M.Sc. Botany

Shivangi Mathur (Jamia Hamdard, Delhi)- M.Sc. Botany, Diploma in Environmental Monitoring and Impact Assessment

Shrestha Yadav (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)-M.Sc. Botany; (Maharashi Dayanand University, Rohtak)-  B.Ed.

Shweta Khokhar (TERI University)- M.Sc. Environmental Studies and Resource Management

Simran Sekhri (Forest Research Institute, Dehradun)- M.Sc. Environmental Management; (Brandenburg Technical University, Germany)- Masters in Environmental and Resource Management

Sujata (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)- M.Sc. Botany

Sumita (Mumbai University)- MBA in Marketing

Tabitha Jianthuilu  Gonme (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)- M.Sc. Botany

Tapsi Choudhary (CCS University, Meerut)- M.Sc. Botany

B.Sc.(H) Botany 2013-16

Anisiya Naorem (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)- M.Sc. Botany; (NBRI, Lucknow)- Ph.D.

Diksha (Chandigarh University)- M.Sc. Botany

Ninadini Sharma (International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) in Göttingen Max Planck Institute, Germany)- M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Molecular Biology

Priyanka (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)- M.Sc. Botany

Ruchi Bhatt (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)- M.Sc. Botany

Shreya Gupta (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)- M.Sc. Botany; (National Institute for Plant Genome Research, Delhi)- Ph.D

Sumedha Wadhwa (Department of Botany, University of Delhi)- M.Sc. Botany

Recent Achievers….

Sulochana Meena (2017-2020): IAS, 2022

Students and Research

Results

Faculty Achievements

Dr. Janaki Subramanyan, Dr. Saloni Bahri and Dr. Somdutta Sinha Roy have successfully completed seven innovation projects under the University of Delhi Innovation Scheme. Dr. Janaki Subramanyan and Dr. Saloni Bahri were a part of the 9-member team to receive the Australian Leadership Awards Fellowships (ALAF) to participate in the project Building Leadership Capacity in Undergraduate Science Teaching at the University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia, in April 2013. Dr. Rashmi Shakya was selected by the University of Delhi under the Faculty Training programme for doing Masters in Systems and Synthetic Biology in the University of Edinburgh, UK, in 2012. Dr. Somdutta Sinha Roy, Ms. Jyoti, Ms. Mamta, Ms. Muskan Johnson, Ms. Saifali Dhyani & Dr. Saloni Bahri got awarded third prize in poster presentation on Protection of plant varieties in the National Conference on “Intellectual Property Rights (IPR): Challenges and Prospects”, Maitreyi College, University of Delhi, 22-23 October 2019. Dr. Deepali supervised a Ph.D. student as a co-guide along with Dr. Subhash Nigam and the thesis entitled “Integrated applications of algal biomass for industrial effluents treatment and biomolecules production”, Department of Biotechnology, Amity University, Noida was submitted in 2019. Dr. Elangbam Geetanjali and Dr. Deepali received a minor project entitled "Ecological, Agricultural and Livelihood Sustainability: An Integrated Rural Development Study of the Loktak Lake Manipur” funded by Mahatma Gandhi National Council of Rural Education (MGNCRE) under the Ministry of Human Resource Development, in Government of India under Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) for the promotion of rural research, project amount Rs. 2 Lakhs, 2021.Dr. Rashmi Shakya has been awarded Department of Science and Technology- SERB International Research Experience (SIRE) Award 2022 for duration of six months to carry out a research assignment at Valencia, Spain.

Distinguished Alumnae

Several students pursue post-graduation in Botany and other disciplines. Following post graduation, many students continue at DU for their doctoral work. Currently 11 students of Miranda House are pursuing Ph.D. at the Department of Botany, DU. Some students move on to other premier institutions for their Ph.D. Some former students are pursuing higher studies at JNCASR, NIPGR, IITs, IISER Mohali, TERI, FRI, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Hamdard, and Lady Hardinge Medical College. A number of students after successful completion of their Ph.D. are serving as college and school principals and teachers, as scientists, in civil services, and other fields. Some former students are in foreign universities for post-doctoral work. Ninadini Sharma is pursuing her M.Sc./Ph.D. in Molecular Biology at the International Max Planck Research School, Gottingen, Germany.

Alumnae of B.Sc.(H) Botany

  • Dr. Neelam Sharma (1978) and Dr. Anuradha Aggarwal, Principal Scientists, NBPGR, New Delhi
  • Ms. Anju Chandna Puri (1978), Principal, DAV School, Vasant Vihar, Delhi
  • Ms. Rohini Kapur Ghalaut, (1987), was in NIIT for the last 13 years. Currently among the top 10 finalist teams in the Intel and DST Innovate for Digital India Challenge
  • Dr. Meenu Kapur (1989), Associate Professor, GGSIP University, New Delhi
  • Dr. Saman Habib (1989), Principal Scientist, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow; INSA Young Scientist Awardee
  • Prof. Sudeshna Mazumdar-Leighton (1989), Department of Botany, DU
  • Dr. Payal Mago, Principal, Shaheed Rajguru College of Applied Sciences for Women, DU
  • Dr. Himani Pandey, (1991), Indian Administrative Service, Jharkhand cadre
  • Dr. Shruti Rai (1996), Joint Director, Ministry of Environment & Forests
  • Dr. Parul Khurana (2000), Assistant Professor of Biology, School of Natural Science and Mathematics, Indiana University
  • Dr. Geetanjali Kaushik (2003), Associate Professor in Management and Campus Director of Mahatma Gandhi Mission Medical College, Aurangabad
  • Ms. Aryaka Akhoury (2006), Indian Administrative Service, UP cadre. Currently Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation
  • Ms. Shashi Meena (2011), Scientist, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi
  • Ms. Sweta (2011), Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology, Mahatma Gandhi Central University, Motihari, Bihar