The National Human Rights Commission has urged the Delhi government and the University Grants Commission to come up with a concrete, time-bound plan to increase hostel capacity for Delhi University students. The plan would evaluate existing facilities, address renovations or construction of new residence halls, and identify responsibilities and a clear timetable for implementation by October 2026.
India
-Onindia Staff
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Delhi government and the University Grants Commission (UGC) to take concrete steps to address the lack of adequate and affordable hostels for Delhi University (DU) students.
The commission has asked the Principal Secretary to the Government of NCT of Delhi and the Chairman of the UGC to coordinate with the Delhi University and prepare a comprehensive, specific and time-bound action plan to increase the number of hostel beds.
The National Human Rights Commission has urged the Delhi government and the University Grants Commission to come up with a concrete, time-bound plan to increase hostel capacity for Delhi University students. The plan would evaluate existing facilities, address renovations or construction of new residence halls, and identify responsibilities and a clear timetable for implementation by October 2026.
The NHRC’s intervention followed a complaint filed in 2025 by the Access to Justice and Multidisciplinary Assistance Foundation, which highlighted the severe shortage of hostels for DU students, especially those coming from outside Delhi.
According to the complaint, Delhi University has an enrollment of around 72,000 students and available hostel facilities remain woefully inadequate. Students coming to Delhi from other parts of the country often have to depend on expensive guest accommodation (PG) or private rented accommodation. The additional financial burden, the complaint states, could negatively impact the education and overall well-being of students.
The NHRC has approached this issue as a matter of human rights of students. On September 30, 2025, the NHRC bench headed by member Priyank Kanungo sought an action taken report (ATR) from the concerned authorities under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. Since the report was not submitted within the stipulated time, the Commission subsequently issued a reminder and granted additional time to the authorities.
NHRC finds response to DU inadequate
Delhi University subsequently filed its response, stating that its undergraduate programs are offered in 65 of its constituent and affiliated colleges. The university also acknowledged the accommodation difficulties faced by students from outside Delhi and highlighted the need for improved infrastructure, including setting up more and new hostels.
However, the NHRC noted that the response did not sufficiently address the central issue raised in the complaint. The commission noted that there was no clear assessment of existing hostel capacity, actual housing shortages, additional capacity required, the need for new hostels, financial responsibility or a specific timeline for implementation.
##What has NHRC asked Delhi government and UGC to do?
The NHRC has directed the Chief Secretary of Delhi and the Chairman of the UGC to collaborate with the Delhi University and submit a consolidated action plan to expand hostel accommodation.
The commission clarified that the solution should not be limited to the construction of new dormitories. The authorities have also been asked to explore the possibility of renovating, upgrading, expanding and expanding the existing hostel infrastructure.
The proposed report must specifically include:
– Assessment of existing hostel capacity and infrastructure.
– Possibilities for reconstruction, modernization and expansion of existing facilities.
– The need and feasibility of creating new or additional dormitories.
– Assessing housing needs at the college level.
– Details of proposed interventions.
– Determination of institutional and financial responsibility.
– Clear and specific deadlines for implementation.
October 15 Deadline for action plan
NHRC has given four weeks to Delhi Chief Secretary and UGC Chairman to submit a specific, consolidated and action-oriented report in coordination with Delhi University. The commission has set October 15, 2026 as the deadline for filing the report. The probe, which began last year over concerns about a lack of accommodation space, has now turned to specific institutional measures.
The NHRC intervention emphasizes that access to higher education should not be limited to university admission. Students, especially those moving from other parts of the country, must also have access to adequate, affordable and supportive accommodation to continue their education.