Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Mukherjee Nagar Aspirants Face High Costs, Housing Struggles and Pressure
Mukherjee Nagar in Delhi is a place where many students go to prepare for government exams.
They hope to get jobs that will improve their families’ lives.
Living there can be expensive because students must pay for rooms, food, water, libraries and medicine.
Some students say their rooms are small and may not have enough light, air or safety measures.
They also complain that landlords may deduct money from their deposits.
Many students feel pressure from their families and society to succeed.
Reports of paper leaks in some exams make some students lose confidence.
Even with these problems, they continue studying because they remember their families’ hopes.
Mukherjee Nagar attracts thousands preparing for UPSC, SSC and state-level government exams.
Students report concerns over costly and nutritionally limited food, purchased water and expensive medical care.
Aspirants allege that cramped rooms, rooftop housing, varying PG rents and security-deposit deductions increase financial strain.
Rent, deposits, advance payments and brokerage can require students to arrange Rs 20,000-25,000 in their first month.
Students also describe intense family pressure and demoralisation linked to reported paper leaks in some non-UPSC examinations.
- Who
- Students preparing for UPSC, SSC and state-level government examinations, along with local MP Manoj Tiwari.
- What
- An NDTV ground report examined the financial, housing, health, food and mental-pressure challenges faced by aspirants.
- When
- The report describes the students’ ongoing preparation and daily living conditions; no specific publication date is provided.
- Where
- Mukherjee Nagar in Delhi, a major coaching and examination-preparation hub.
- Why
- Students come seeking government jobs and a better future, while the report highlights the costs and pressures involved.
Students’ Concerns
Official Response
Living conditions and costs
Students’ Concerns
Students allege that food, water, healthcare and housing are costly, while some rooms lack adequate ventilation, light and safety measures.
Official Response
Manoj Tiwari said he regularly receives information about such concerns and that efforts are made to address them through the relevant departments.
Room rentals and brokerage
Students’ Concerns
Aspirants say landlords and brokers exploit high demand, with differing rents for similar PG facilities, deposit deductions and first-month costs of Rs 20,000-25,000.
Official Response
The report does not provide a specific response from landlords or brokers; Tiwari said elected representatives are working at their respective levels on student grievances.
Examination credibility
Students’ Concerns
Students preparing for SSC and certain state-level examinations said reports of paper leaks damage morale, although they had no specific complaints about UPSC.
Official Response
No response from the examination authorities is included in the report.
- Daily meals
- One student estimated that breakfast and two meals cost about Rs 300 per day, excluding rent and other expenses.
- Packaged water
- A 20-litre water bottle reportedly costs between Rs 50 and Rs 90.
- Medical consultation
- Students said a general-physician consultation can cost between Rs 1,000 and Rs 1,500.
- Room rents
- Some small rooftop rooms reportedly rent for Rs 5,000 to Rs 6,000.
- Library fees
- Library memberships can cost between Rs 2,100 and Rs 3,000 per month.
- First-month housing costs
- Rent, deposit, advance payment and brokerage may require Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000 initially.
- Security deposits
- Students said landlords may deduct deposits for cleaning, repairs or other reasons when rooms are vacated.