NHRC seeks detailed report on DU hostels from Delhi govt, UGC after Satya Niketan building collapse
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has given notices to the Delhi government and the University Grants Commission (UGC) asking for a detailed report on hostel and other accommodation facilities for students at Delhi University (DU), as mentioned by the Press Trust of India.
The notices were issued after the collapse of a decades-old building that was running as a boys’ paying guest (PG) accommodation in Satya Niketan near DU’s south campus on September 6, 2026. It is reported that seven people were killed and several others were injured in that incident.
The NHRC has asked the authorities to review the condition and capacity of existing hostel facilities and identify the need for new accommodation required for students. The commission has also given directions that the issues should be identified after discussions with Delhi University.
NHRC: Assessment of existing, new hostels
According to the NHRC proceedings dated September 7, the proposed report said that the only focus cannot be on constructing new hostels. It should also find out if any existing older hostel facilities need renovation, upgrading, expansion, or other improvements.
The authorities should find out the requirement for additional hostels and share specific recommendations for increasing the accommodation capacity for students. The NHRC has received a complaint from students outside Delhi, which alleged that limited hostel availability has caused them to shift to expensive accommodation.
The proceedings reads, "Let the Chief Secretary, Government of NCT of Delhi, and the Chairman, University Grants Commission, be directed to furnish a comprehensive report on the aforesaid aspects, in consultation with the University of Delhi, for augmentation of hostel accommodation in the colleges/institutions concerned," as reported by PTI.
DU hostel shortage
The NHRC said that the concerns raised indicate possible violations of the human rights of victims and other affected students. The commission has asked for details of college-wise hostel requirements, measures, finances and time required for implementation.
It has also referred to an earlier report from Delhi University stating that funding for improving and expanding hostel infrastructure would need to come from agencies including the UGC and the Delhi government. According to the university's report, DU and its affiliated colleges have been asking for additional funds to build more hostels.
PTI reports that NHRC has received and taken note of a report submitted by the University of Delhi’s Joint Registrar (Colleges) on November 11, 2025, and stated that “The report states, inter alia, that admissions to undergraduate programmes of the University of Delhi are made in 65 constituent/affiliated colleges; out of these, 12 colleges are 100 per cent funded by the government of NCT of Delhi, while the remaining 53 colleges are funded wholly or substantially (100 per cent or 95 per cent) by the University Grants Commission (UGC).”