DU has expanded seats by 18% this year, with the rest of the 54% -- for the 27% OBC quota -- to be implemented in the next two years, a substantial number of seats will be added to the university. Already this year, the university has added almost 7,000 seats. However, most DU colleges don't have a hostel facility, a fact that forces most outstation students to stay in rented accommodation in nearby areas. Colleges that have hostel have a long waiting list, with entry into them being closely contested.

A measure of how important hostels are can be seen from the fact that Sri Venketeswara college principal, Dr A Sankara Reddy, tells this paper: "This year I expect the cut-offs in my college to be higher, as our new hostel will be starting from this academic session. So several candidates from outside Delhi will also be applying, driving up the percentages."