Two days after the collapse of a decades-old building housing a paying guest accommodation in Delhi’s Satya Niketan that killed seven people, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the Delhi government and the University Grants Commission (UGC), seeking a comprehensive report on hostel and accommodation facilities for students.
In its proceedings dated September 7, the rights panel directed the Delhi Chief Secretary and UGC chairman to coordinate with the University of Delhi and submit a “specific, consolidated and action-oriented report” within four weeks.
The NHRC said the exercise should not be limited to construction of new hostels. The authorities have been asked to assess existing hostel infrastructure and examine the feasibility of renovating, upgrading, expanding or otherwise augmenting old facilities, besides assessing the need for new hostels.
The move follows a complaint by the Network for Access to Justice and Multidisciplinary Outreach Foundation, which flagged the shortage of hostel facilities for students of Delhi University.
The complaint said the university admits around 72,000 undergraduate students, while hostel availability remains “highly insufficient”.
It also highlighted the difficulties faced by students from outside Delhi in finding affordable accommodation, alleging that the shortage forces many into expensive paying guest facilities and private rentals, placing a financial burden on them and affecting their studies and well-being.
The NHRC said the allegations in the complaint prima facie indicated a violation of the human rights of the students and called for urgent intervention.
The commission has asked the Delhi government and UGC to submit an assessment of existing hostel capacity and infrastructure, including the scope for renovation, upgradation and augmentation. The report must also assess the need and feasibility of new hostels and recommend measures to create adequate accommodation.
The proposed plan is also required to specify college-wise requirements, proposed interventions, allocation of institutional and financial responsibilities and definite timelines for implementation.
The NHRC’s direction comes against the backdrop of the September 6 collapse of the old building in Satya Niketan near Delhi University’s South Campus, which housed a boys’ paying guest accommodation. Seven people were killed and several others injured in the incident, bringing renewed attention to the safety and availability of student accommodation in the capital.
The NHRC had previously taken cognisance of the issue in September 2025 following proceedings before a bench headed by its member Priyank Kanoongo. It had then sought an action taken report from the Delhi Chief Secretary and the Secretary, Ministry of Education.
A report submitted by the University of Delhi in November 2025 stated that undergraduate admissions were spread across 65 constituent and affiliated colleges. Of these, 12 were fully funded by the Delhi government, while the remaining 53 were funded wholly or substantially by the UGC.
The university said funds for infrastructure enhancement, including expansion of hostel facilities, would have to be provided by the respective funding agencies, the UGC and Delhi government.
It also acknowledged the difficulties faced by students coming from outside Delhi and said the university and its colleges had been pursuing the matter with the funding agencies for additional and new hostel facilities.
(With inputs from PTI)
