Delhi (known locally as Dilli, Hindi: दिल्ली), is the National Capital of India and the second-largest metropolis in India. With over 13.8 million residents, it is one of the largest metropolises in the world by population. Delhi has become the fastest growing cities of the world due to the high rate of immigration. It situated between the Himalayas and Aravalis range in the heart of the Indian sub-continent. Delhi has an area of 1483sq.km and a literacy rate of 81.82%. While Hindi is the official language, English is considered to be the associate official Language. Urdu and Punjabi are the second official language.

Delhi has two distinct faces – Old Delhi & New Delhi. The Mogul Emperor Shahajahan, the creator of Taj Mahal, built old Delhi, This part of the city comprises of the Red Fort (the main palace) the Jama Masjid (the praying center) and the Chandni Chowk Market (one of Asia’s largest wholesale market.)

New Delhi was built by the British rulers of India. This part of Delhi is famous for the Rashtrapati Bhawan, (home to the President), the Oval shaped Parliament House (the seat of the Indian Democracy), the central avenue ‘Raj Path’ with its water ways and lush green gardens, which lead up to the India Gate, (a memorial for the Indian soldiers martyred during the World War I.

The hub of New Delhi is Connaught Place, where you'll find most of the airline offices, travel agents and banks. 'Old' Delhi is a couple of kilometers north. On the southern side of Connaught Place is Janpath, which has streets lined with colorful mid-ranged and budget friendly shops. There are a number of cinemas and performing art centers around Connaught Place helping you familiarize with the rich traditions of art and culture. All government offices, ministries, major corporate houses, international trade fair grounds – are within a three-kilometer radius from the World Trade Center.

Number of universities: 1950-51: 27 -- 2000-01: 254

Number of colleges: 1950-51: 578 -- 2000-01: over 10,000 (some estimate over 13,000)

Number of college graduates per year: 20 lakh (2 million) [BBC Jan 07]

Number of teachers in higher education: 1961: 62,000 (estimate)-- 1997: over 320,000 -- 2003: over 330,000 (estimate)

Number of students enrolled: 1961:17.9 million -- 1991: 72.4 million

Average number of students per teacher: 220

People partaking of higher education: 1 person out of every 14,000

Education enrolment by level < Tertiary level: 11,295,041 (3rd of 150)

Education spending (% of GDP): 4.1% (82nd of 132)

Education spending (% of total government expenditure): 12.7% (68th of 96)

Public spending on education, total % of government expenditure: 10.74 % (57th of 103)

Tertiary enrollment: 10.5% (94th of 151)

Education spending (% Tertiary): 20.3% (42nd of 108)