Delhi University thesis binding format, explained

Most theses get sent back for rebinding for the same handful of reasons — wrong spine text, the wrong margin on the binding edge, or a cover colour the department doesn't accept. None of it is complicated once you know the exact spec, so here's what Delhi University actually asks for.

Margins and page setup

Leave a 1.5-inch margin on the binding edge and 1-inch margins on the remaining three sides. This isn't a style preference — hardbound binding physically consumes part of the inner margin, and a tighter setting means text disappears into the spine.

Cover and spine

Standard submissions use a navy or black cover with gold-foil spine text: candidate name, degree, and year, read top-to-bottom when the book lies flat. Departments vary on exact wording — check your department's guideline sheet before finalising, not after the book is bound.

Paper weight

90–100 GSM is the standard for the body text — heavy enough that ink from one side doesn't show through the other, without making a 200-page thesis unreasonably thick. Certificate/declaration pages are sometimes printed on a heavier stock (120 GSM) to signal they're official pages, but check with your department first.

How many copies

Most departments require 3–5 bound copies: one for the department library, one or two for examiners, one for your supervisor, and one for yourself. Confirm the exact count with your department before ordering — reprinting a single extra copy later costs more than adding it to the original order.

• Binding edge margin: 1.5"
• Other margins: 1"
• Body paper: 90–100 GSM
• Cover: navy or black, gold-foil spine text
• Typical copy count: 3–5

Ordering with MYBD

Select "Delhi University" at checkout on the Thesis & Dissertation Printing page and the margin, cover and spine spec above is applied automatically — no need to re-enter it per copy.