Thousands of students admitted to colleges under the University of Delhi face a persistent hurdle each academic year — securing affordable on-campus housing. With hostel vacancies falling far short of demand, many are forced to seek lodging in the private paying guest (PG) market or租 rented flats across the national capital, often at steep premiums.
University officials acknowledge that the institutional hostels can accommodate only a fraction of the student body. Current figures suggest that less than one-fifth of enrolled students secure a university hostel berth, leaving the vast majority to navigate Delhi's increasingly expensive private rental landscape. For students from economically weaker sections and those arriving from outside Delhi, this gap translates into significant financial hardship.
Private PGs near campus have seen rents climb sharply over recent years. A single room in a modest PG in areas like North Campus or Karol Bagh can cost between ₹8,000 and ₹15,000 per month, while shared accommodations push the figure even higher when utilities and meals are included. Many students report that these costs consume a large portion of their family income or leave them juggling part-time work alongside their studies.
Student unions have repeatedly raised the issue with university authorities, calling for an expansion of hostel infrastructure and greater transparency in the allotment process. They argue that the inability to secure cheap on-campus housing effectively bars deserving candidates from lower-income backgrounds from accessing one of India's most prestigious university systems.
The problem is compounded by Delhi's broader housing crisis, where rising property prices and limited supply make renting an already challenging prospect. While the university has undertaken some reconstruction and renovation of existing hostel blocks, critics say these efforts fall well short of the scale needed to address the growing enrollment numbers.
