A Policy of affirmative action for admitting more women students has resulted in an “unusual” increase in the number of women at the Jawaharlal Nehru University. Women students, however, are taking the news with a pinch of salt as the increased numbers have led to a space crunch in the hostels.

As a result, many are forced to share rooms.

“This is the first time that five rebate points have been given to all girl students, resulting in an increase in the number of girl students this year,” deputy registrar (admissions) D Tekchandani said.

University figures how 1,174 students out of a total 1,545 applicants for hostel accommodation have so far been allotted hostels. The break-up shows 83 per cent of male students have got accommodation, compared to 67 per cent of women students who have been successful.

JNU has three hostels for women, four for men, four “mixed hostels” and a hostel for married scholars.

But the shortage for rooms for women has meant the university authorities are resorting to alternative provisions. These include accommodating women students at a temporary dormitory in Chandrabhaga Hostel and allowing new students to share rooms with those already allotted hostel rooms.

But even such emergency steps are not adequate to solve the problem, students said. Ning, an MPhil student, said: “I was allotted hostel. But since there were no rooms available, I was put on the waiting list.” For now, she has to do with sharing a room with an acquaintance as the third roommate.

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