JNU's Northeast hostel fails to meet reservation quota, students allege

The Barak Hostel at JNU was constructed following recommendations from the Bezbaruah Committee over a decade ago to provide dedicated accommodation for northeastern students. The committee had outlined a clear 75:25 reservation formula, allocating three-quarters of hostel space to students from the eight northeastern states while reserving one-quarter for other students.

According to current residents and student activists, the hostel has consistently failed to adhere to this prescribed ratio. With northeast students comprising only 12 percent of the occupants, the facility has largely departed from its stated mandate since opening. This shortfall has reignited concerns about institutional commitments to regional inclusivity and equitable resource distribution.

Beyond the reservation compliance issue, residents have raised concerns about the condition of the relatively new structure. Reports indicate the building is experiencing signs of wear and disrepair despite being operational for only two years, raising questions about construction quality and maintenance protocols.

Students have called for urgent intervention from university administration to realign hostel allocation policies with the original committee recommendations and to address the infrastructure concerns. The matter highlights ongoing tensions between formal institutional mandates and their ground-level implementation in India's premier educational institutions.