Kamala Nehru College opens DU's first pre-marital communication centre

Kamala Nehru College, a women's college of the University of Delhi, has opened a pre-marital communication centre called "Tere Mere Sapne", the first such centre in a Delhi University college. The centre was inaugurated by National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson Vijaya K Rahatkar, in the presence of students and teaching and non-teaching staff, as reported on October 29 and 30, 2026. It will offer voluntary counselling to young people who are considering marriage, with the aim of helping them communicate better, understand each other and handle difficulties as partners.

Many young people now study and work before marriage and bring their own expectations to it. Structured help for couples before marriage is still uncommon, and the main advice usually comes from family. Pre-marital counselling tries to create a space for conversations about expectations, careers, money and family life before, rather than after, problems arise.

The NCW's programme frames this as communication rather than instruction. The centre's stated aims are to promote healthy relationships, mutual understanding and effective communication among young adults, and to help them approach relationships with more understanding. For women in particular, the opportunity to discuss expectations openly before marriage can help them make informed choices and recognise warning signs early.

Placing a centre inside a women's college is significant. It brings the service to young women where they already are, in a setting that is familiar and trusted, rather than requiring them to seek out a separate agency. Because the counselling is voluntary, students can choose whether to use it. The college's plan to bring in trained psychologists and counsellors will matter for quality, since the first sessions will be run by teachers trained by the NCW.

The programme fits a modern idea of family values: keeping the commitment and partnership that marriage represents, while making sure both partners enter it with understanding and equal voice. In September 2026, the NCW was reported to be planning a pre-marital communication centre in every taluka and block, and a college model like this one could be copied by other universities if it works well.

Short-term: Students and young people connected to the college can begin using the voluntary counselling service. The college will work on bringing in professional counsellors.

Long-term: If the centre is used and valued, other colleges in Delhi University and elsewhere may set up similar centres, widening access to pre-marital guidance for young adults.

Who is affected: Students of Kamala Nehru College and other young people considering marriage; their families; teachers trained to run the centre; and the NCW, which is expanding its programme.

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