Delhi University is exploring the conversion of vacant Type-I staff quarters into student accommodation to address hostel shortages and provide affordable housing options for students.
The University of Delhi (DU) is planning to convert vacant Type-I staff quarters into student accommodation to address the shortage of affordable housing, particularly for students coming to Delhi from other states. The proposal follows recommendations by an eight-member committee examining ways to increase the university’s accommodation capacity.
The committee has proposed renovating unused residential quarters at Reids Line and Dhaka campuses in North Campus for student use. Several of these flats have reportedly remained vacant for years, making them potential options for temporary student housing.
The university has already taken steps towards implementing the proposal. At the Postgraduate Men’s Hostel, six vacant Type-I quarters have been renovated, with the university planning to make these rooms available to students from November 2, 2026. The quarters typically consist of a room, a kitchen and a bathroom, and can accommodate students through shared arrangements.
In addition to renovating vacant quarters, DU is considering increasing occupancy in existing hostels by converting single-sharing rooms into double-sharing arrangements wherever feasible. These measures are intended to provide additional accommodation while the construction of new hostels remains dependent on government approvals and funding.
The university’s engineering department has been tasked with conducting a survey to identify other vacant Type-I quarters across its campuses that can be renovated for student accommodation and the proposal has received the Vice-Chancellor’s support.
Meanwhile, the university is working on an online portal to collect information about students’ existing living arrangements, including whether they live with their families, in paying guest (PG) facilities or in shared accommodation. The data is expected to help assess the demand for student housing and assist relevant authorities in evaluating the safety and infrastructure of PG facilities.
The committee has further recommended approaching state governments to explore hostel facilities for students arriving from different parts of the country. States such as Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan account for a significant number of students at DU.
The proposed measures could offer additional housing options to students struggling to find affordable accommodation in the Capital. However, the university’s plans for converting more vacant quarters remain subject to the identification of suitable properties and the necessary approvals.
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Image Source- University of Delhi
Aarushi Chaubey
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