Lok Sabha Question No. 5819 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-30
Subject: Status of Youth Hostels in Maharashtra
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Shri Vishaldada Prakashbapu Patil, Dr. Bachhav Shobha Dinesh, Ms. Praniti Sushilkumar Shinde

## Government of India Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports Department of Youth Affairs

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5819 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.03.2026

Status of Youth Hostels in Maharastra

5819. DR. BACHHAV SHOBHA DINESH: MS. PRANITI SUSHILKUMAR SHINDE: SHRI VISHALDADA PRAKASHBAPU PATIL:

Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:

- (a) the total number of youth hostels established and operational in Maharashtra,  particularly  in  Sangli,  Solapur,  Nandurbar,  Bhandara and  Dhule  districts along  with the occupancy/utilisation  rates compared to demand;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  assessed  that  current  facility standards, affordability and accessibility criteria may be inadequate for students and young travellers, particularly from rural areas;
- (c)  the  details  of  international  exchange  programmes  linked  with youth hostels and the extent of participation of youth from Maharashtra, particularly from Sangli, including barriers such as lack of awareness, language support or financial aid; and
- (d)  the  details  of  monitoring,  feedback  and  grievance  redressal mechanisms in place to ensure quality, safety and equitable access to youth hostels for youth across all regions of the said State?

THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS

## ANSWER [DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA]

- a)  Two  Youth  Hostels  have  been  constructed  in  the  State  of Maharashtra,  located  at  Chhatrapati  Sambhajinagar  (Aurangabad) and Buldhana. No Youth Hostel has been established in the districts of Sangli, Solapur, Nandurbar, Bhandara or Dhule.
2. (b) Under the Youth Hostel Scheme, land is provided by the respective State Governments/UT Administrations, while construction is undertaken by the Central Government. The scheme is designed to provide  safe  and  affordable  accommodation  to  youth,  including students and young travellers, at nominal charges, and is accessible to  all  youth  in  the  age  group  of  15-29  years  irrespective  of  their background  or  region.  However,  no  such  assessment  has  been carried out in this regards.
3. (c)  The  international  exchange  programmes  of  the  Department  of Youth Affairs are implemented under the International Cooperation Sub-Scheme  of  Rashtriya  Yuva  Sashaktikaran  Karyakram  (RYSK), under which International Youth Exchange Programmes are organised with various countries in consultation with the Ministry of External Affairs. These programmes are not linked to youth hostels. These  programmes  are  designed  to  promote  exchange  of  ideas, values  and  culture  amongst  youth  of  different  countries  and  to provide international exposure to Indian youth. As these are bilateral engagements conducted in consultation with the Ministry of External Affairs, participation is not disaggregated by State or district.
4. (d) The day-to-day operations of Youth Hostels are managed by the Hostel Management Committees (HMCs) constituted by the respective State Governments/UT Administrations, which are responsible for maintenance, safety, and service standards. Monitoring is undertaken at the State/UT level, with oversight by the Department of Youth Affairs. Feedback and grievance redressal are addressed locally through complaint registers and oversight by the HMCs to ensure quality, safety, and equitable access.

*****