Shyam Lal College was established in 1964 by Padmashree Late Shri Shyam Lal Gupta, the then Chairman of Shyam Lal Charitable Trust under University of Delhi. The foundation stone was laid down by Dr. Zakir Hussain, the then Hon'ble Vice President of India and Chancellor of the University of Delhi.The college is housed in a spacious building on G.T. Road, Shahdara with a sufficiently large infrastructure for both academic as well as extra-curricular activities.

SLC strives for meaningful transformation of learners to responsible citizens by providing them with an all inclusive and value based education.

SLC provides a constantly caring, supportive and secure teaching and learning environment for engagement with the students and other stakeholders to achieve excellence in academics, sports, extra-curricular activities and develop analytical temper with a focus on instilling strong values to prepare them as leaders. SLC adopts environment friendly practices and formulates strategies for strengthening research and innovation in the college that expand the realm of knowledge.