The National Human Rights Commission has taken serious cognisance of DU’s hostel shortage (Representative image)
The matter was taken up by the Commission in 2025 following a complaint filed by The Network for Access to Justice and Multidisciplinary Outreach Foundation. The complainant had pointed out that DU has around 72,000 undergraduate students, while the availability of hostel accommodation remains highly inadequate. On September 30, 2025, the matter was considered by an NHRC Bench headed by Priyank Kanoongo, which sought an Action Taken Report (ATR) from the concerned authorities under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. In its response, DU stated that its undergraduate programmes are offered through 65 constituent and affiliated colleges. The Commission has fixed October 15, 2026, as the deadline for submission of the report, ANI reported.
The Commission has directed the Delhi government and University Grants Commission (UGC) to take steps to augment hostel accommodation, news agency ANI reported. The NHRC treated the matter as an issue concerning the human rights of students, ANI reported. It should also examine the possibilities of upgrading, expanding, renovating and augmenting existing hostel infrastructure, besides assessing the feasibility and requirement of new or additional hostel facilities, ANI reported. The Commission’s intervention seeks to ensure that access to higher education is not limited to securing admission but is also supported by adequate and affordable residential facilities for students. (With agency inputs) You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Delhi | Silver Rate in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi | Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Petrol Price in Delhi | Diesel Price in Delhi | CNG Price in Delhi | LPG Price in Delhi Stay updated with the latest Delhi news.
NEW DELHI: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken serious cognisance of the shortage of adequate and affordable hostel facilities for University of Delhi (DU) students, particularly those coming from outside the national capital. It was submitted that students from outside Delhi often have to rely on expensive paying guest (PG) accommodation or private rented premises, putting an additional financial burden on them and affecting their education and well-being. As the requisite report was not received within the stipulated period, the Commission issued a reminder to the authorities and granted additional time for submission. Subsequently, the response furnished by DU was taken on record. The university also acknowledged the accommodation difficulties faced by students coming from outside Delhi and informed the Commission about the need for infrastructure improvement, including additional or new hostel facilities. However, the Commission observed that DU’s response did not adequately address the core issue raised in the complaint. It noted that the response did not provide a clear assessment of existing hostel capacity and the actual shortfall, the additional capacity required, the need for new hostels, the financial responsibilities involved or a definite timeline for implementation. The NHRC Bench headed by Kanoongo has now directed the chief secretary, Government of NCT of Delhi, and the chairman, UGC, to coordinate with DU and submit a comprehensive, specific and action-oriented report on increasing hostel accommodation. The Commission made it clear that the plan should not be limited to constructing new hostels. The proposed report is required to assess existing hostel capacity and infrastructure, examine possibilities for renovation, upgradation and expansion, and determine the requirement and feasibility of new or additional hostels. It should also assess the requirements of each college individually, propose suitable interventions, determine institutional and financial responsibilities, and provide a clear timeline for implementation. The NHRC has directed the chief secretary, Delhi, and the UGC chairman to submit the specific, consolidated and action-oriented report in coordination with DU within four weeks. Download the TOI App.
The proceedings, initiated last year over concerns regarding inadequate hostel facilities for DU students, have now moved towards a concrete and time-bound institutional response.