New Delhi, September 8, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken serious note of the shortage of adequate and affordable hostel accommodation for University of Delhi (DU) students and directed the Delhi Chief Secretary and University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman to take concrete steps to increase residential facilities.
The NHRC intervention comes amid concerns over student accommodation following the multi-storey building collapse in South Delhi’s Satya Niketan on Sunday, in which seven people were killed and several others injured. The building was being operated as a boys’ paying guest facility named ‘Hostel Daze’, and concerns have been raised that several of those trapped in the debris could be students. Search and rescue operations were continuing.
The Commission had taken up the hostel issue in 2025 following a complaint filed by The Network for Access to Justice and Multidisciplinary Outreach Foundation. The complaint pointed out that DU has around 72,000 undergraduate students, while hostel capacity remains inadequate.
Students arriving in Delhi from other parts of the country often have to depend on expensive PG accommodation or private rentals because of limited university and college hostel facilities. The complainant said this adds to the financial burden on students and families and can affect their education, living conditions and overall well-being.
The NHRC treated the matter as a human rights issue, noting that access to higher education should be supported by adequate residential facilities.
On September 30, 2025, an NHRC Bench headed by Priyank Kanoongo sought an Action Taken Report under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. After the report was delayed, the Commission issued a reminder and granted additional time. DU subsequently submitted its response, which was taken on record.
DU informed the Commission that its undergraduate programmes are offered through 65 constituent and affiliated colleges. It acknowledged accommodation difficulties faced by students from outside Delhi and highlighted the need for infrastructure improvement, including additional or new hostels.
However, the NHRC found the response inadequate, saying it did not clearly assess existing hostel capacity, quantify the accommodation shortfall or specify the additional capacity required.
The Commission also noted the absence of sufficient details on new hostel requirements, financial responsibilities and a definite implementation timeline.
The NHRC has now directed the Delhi Chief Secretary and UGC Chairman to coordinate with DU and submit a comprehensive, specific and action-oriented report within four weeks. The deadline has been fixed for October 15.
The action plan must consider not only construction of new hostels but also upgrading, expanding, renovating and augmenting existing facilities. The Commission has further sought college-level assessments to identify accommodation gaps and determine actual hostel requirements.
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