New Delhi, Nov. 6 -- With a draft regulatory framework for paying guest (PG) accommodations and private student hostels ready for consultation, the Delhi government is working towards bringing student accommodation facilities under a common safety and registration mechanism. However, consolidated figures on structural safety certificate submissions and enforcement action against 100 buildings identified as dangerous or unsafe by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) are still being compiled, officials said.
The Department of Training and Technical Education (DTTE) and the Department of Higher Education (DHE) have jointly prepared a comprehensive draft regulatory framework for PG accommodations and private student hostels. The draft was circulated among members for comments during the second meeting of the High-Powered Committee (HPC) on October 8, 2026.
In a parallel exercise, a joint body comprising the MCD, Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Vice-Chancellor of Delhi University and the Member Secretary of the HPC has been tasked with examining provisions of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957, and the Master Plan for Delhi (MPD) to identify necessary modifications for implementing the proposed framework.
An official said the MCD, with technical assistance from Netaji Subhas University of Technology (NSUT), had developed a centralised online PG portal for registration and collection of basic information about accommodation facilities. At its October 8 meeting, the HPC decided that the portal would be finalised and made operational at the earliest. Its first phase will focus on initial registration and collection of basic details through a simple, user-friendly interface. However, a specific launch date is yet to be announced. Separately, Delhi University has also developed a Student Accommodation Portal for institutional students, which was slated to go live.
On the safety front, the MCD has identified 100 dangerous or unsafe buildings and PG accommodations. The civic body, in consultation with NSUT and Delhi Technological University (DTU), has been directed to prioritise technical and structural assessments and initiate necessary enforcement action under applicable rules.
Delhi Police has also recommended mandatory CCTV surveillance in common areas, including entrances, lifts, parking areas and lobbies, with footage retained for 45 days.
However, figures on structural safety certificates submitted by October 30, notices issued, properties sealed and establishments ordered to vacate remain awaited.
Education Minister Ashish Sood told *Millennium Post*, "Ensuring the safety, security, and well-being of every student studying in the National Capital remains the utmost priority of the Delhi Government." He said the government was maintaining oversight of compliance notices, safety certification submissions and field enforcement, adding that comprehensive audit reports and statistics were being compiled and would be shared publicly.
"Delhi is home to thousands of bright young minds who come here to build their futures. Their safety is non-negotiable," he said, reassuring parents that the government was working towards ensuring safety, care and dignity in student accommodation facilities.
The regulatory exercise follows concerns over student safety in privately operated PGs and hostels, particularly after recent building collapse incidents. The proposed framework aims to establish uniform safety standards, improve accountability among operators and create a centralised database for monitoring such facilities.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.