From the Old Rajinder Nagar basement tragedy to the Satya Niketan hostel collapse, a series of incidents raises serious questions over the safety of students in Delhi
Student Safety Problem in Delhi: The students who come from different parts of the country to Delhi in the hope of education, competing in examinations, and having good career prospects face another problem here: safety of their study and living place. In recent five years, some tragic events that took place in coaching centres, hostels, PGs, and other institutions have been creating doubts as to how safe these places for Delhi's students are.
This recent tragedy happened in Satya Niketan, where a multi-storey building, which was used as a student accommodation, collapsed. And there is one more recent example, which occurred in July 2024 in the Old Rajinder Nagar coaching centre, where a basement flooded and three UPSC aspirants were killed.
In all these cases, we see not only a problem of some particular institutions but the problem of the whole buildings, hostels, basements, coaching centers and rented student accommodation in the capital city.
Satya Niketan Hostel Collapse: Seven Lives Lost
On September 6, 2026, a five-storied building at Satya Niketan, located near Delhi University’s South Campus, came crumbling down when it was in use as a student PG/ hostel. Seven people lost their lives in the accident, while some others managed to escape the same.
It has been reported that the building was in existence for over five decades and there had been a renovation going on within its premises. As per initial information, water retention in the basement along with construction or repairs may be some of the reasons for the disaster.
Such an event has brought into light the hasty construction of private PG/hostels near the Delhi university campuses. It has also been suggested in some reports that there has been lack of permission to construct such buildings.
Action is already taken in regard to this tragedy, where an FIR has been filed against the owner of the building and suspension of municipal officials. Plans have been made by the Delhi government in regard to structural audits and safety certification of all public buildings.
Old Rajinder Nagar Basement Tragedy: Three UPSC Aspirants Drowned
Notably, less than two years before this tragedy took place in Lajpat Nagar in New Delhi, the same city had experienced a terrible tragedy involving student safety in an area known as Old Rajinder Nagar, which happens to be one of the largest coaching centers in the Capital City.
On the evening of 27th July 2024, heavy rains and flooding made it possible for the basement of Rau's IAS Study Circle, which students were using as a library, to be filled with water. As a result of this incident, three UPSC aspirants - Tanya Soni, Shreya Yadav and Nevin Delvin – met their demise when the basement of the place got filled with water.
This tragedy brought about nationwide protests by students who questioned the use of the basement, drainage system, building permissions, emergency exits and the general safety of coaching centers that happen to accommodate many students.
The tragedy brought out the vulnerability of New Delhi's coaching centers to extreme rainfall and flooding. A place designed or permitted for some activity becomes fatal when it is being used to accommodate many students without any emergency plans in place.
Mukherjee Nagar and the Fire-Safety Question
Coaching centers and hostels in Delhi have been involved in several fire emergency cases too.
One such coaching center that has experienced fire hazards is Mukherjee Nagar. A fire hazard case in 2023 involving a girls' PG in this region led to the evacuation of numerous people, raising issues related to evacuation plans for the building, stairs, and overall fire safety measures. Such cases reveal the vulnerability of students who stay in congested dormitories.
In case of an emergency situation, the problem lies with the stairs, the exit route, or even poor planning of the structure.
Educational Buildings and Fire Incidents
The issue is not confined to any particular hostels.
According to 2025 data provided by Delhi Fire Services, there have been 130 fire-related incidents at educational institutions during the period January 2023 – May 2025. According to the report, the figures grew from 47 incidents in 2023 to 64 in 2024.
The statistics reflect the requirement for routine checks on electrical fittings, kitchens, laboratories, generator rooms, classrooms, libraries, hostels and other highly populated places.
The problem becomes more difficult for those institutions which are situated in densely populated localities of Delhi.
A Common Pattern: Students in High-Risk Buildings
Even though the details surrounding these cases vary, there are certain factors that make them alarming.
In one instance, students were cornered by floodwater that was rising fast in the basement area. In another case, students were residing in a multi-storied, old building that was under repair.
In cases of fires, the problem of escape of students from densely populated buildings using restricted means comes to fore.
These accidents beg for consideration regarding the conduct of routine safety checks and rectification of any lapses before an accident occurs.
The students of Delhi are especially vulnerable since there are thousands of students living in rented rooms, PGs, and privately owned hostels without knowing anything about the structural safety, fire clearance and other emergency measures.
Regulation Cannot Begin After a Tragedy
The repetitive occurrence of such incidents makes it evident that prevention is key.
A structural audit of old buildings, a fire safety audit, an electrical audit, and a drainage audit must be carried out before the disaster strikes. The hostels and PGs housing many young individuals need to have regular audits.
The coaching institutes must have an evacuation plan, proper exits, and proper emergency procedures in place. The basements must not be used as high occupancy study rooms unless it is ensured that they fulfill all the criteria of safety.
Likewise, the hostel management must ensure emergency contact information, fire safety equipment, and proper evacuation procedures.
Parents Need Safety Information Too
While selecting institutions for their children, parents normally rely on reputation, achievements, faculty, and costs. But today's events have proved that accommodation and campus safety cannot be ignored by any means.
Parents who send their children to study at Delhi must first ensure that the hostel or PG provided to them has proper facilities for fire safety and evacuation.
It is essential that students also be aware of the same.
A Five-Year Warning for Delhi
From fires in student accommodation and educational institutions to the tragic deaths in the basement of Old Rajinder Nagar and the Satya Niketan hostel collapse, there have been a few incidents in Delhi that have brought out the weaknesses in the infrastructure around its students.
Although the tragedies may differ from each other, the underlying theme is common: student safety can no longer be taken for granted.
Delhi is one of the biggest cities in India in terms of education and competitive examination aspirants. Thousands of aspirants visit the city annually to make something out of themselves.
But they should not have to put their life at risk just in order to educate themselves.
The onus now lies on educational institutions, hostel and PG providers, and civic bodies to ensure regular safety inspection, timely punishment for violations, and emergency preparedness as an inherent part of the educational system.
After every tragedy, we should not ask what went wrong? We should ask why the risks were not identified before they took lives?
