Medical students scramble for study space as basement libraries close

Samad Hoque
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, August 4
More than 10,000 medical students in the Gautam Nagar area of the Capital are finding it difficult to secure a seat in libraries after those operating in the basements of residential buildings were closed following the tragic deaths of three Civil Services aspirants in a basement coaching centre in Old Rajinder Nagar last month due to flooding.
The incident has raised serious concerns and questions among students, who come from various states across the country to prepare for competitive examinations, often while living in cramped accommodations.
Delhi has long been a hub for coaching centres — Old Rajinder Nagar is a major centre for Civil Services preparation, Laxmi Nagar for Chartered Accountant exams, and Gautam Nagar for medical students. Behind the country’s top medical institute, the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), lies a dense network of coaching centres, students and medical practitioners, easily recognisable by their lab coats or scrubs.
Shashank, a student preparing for NEET-PG, said students spend most of their time in libraries rather than at their rented accommodations. “Every third building in this area had a library in the basement. The smallest of these libraries had a seating capacity of 30-40 students, while some had a capacity of 100 students,” he added.
However, since the tragic incident in Rajinder Nagar, building owners have shut down libraries operating from basements, as none of them followed safety guidelines. The libraries typically had narrow passageways that could only accommodate one person at a time and only one exit — similar to the Rau’s IAS Study Circle, where three students lost their lives.
Fearing sealing and action from the Municipal Corporation, these basement libraries have been closed, and “To-let” (available for rent) signs now hang on their doors.
“These libraries charged Rs 1,500-2,000 per month. Since students don’t want to travel far to study, some took advantage of the situation and began operating libraries from their basements,” a student explained.
Now that the basement libraries have closed, those operating on upper floors have gained an edge, and these libraries are now filled to capacity with students.
In one of the libraries that The Tribune visited, two floors were operating with almost 100 students each. There was hardly any space for students to walk and small cubicles had been set up for them to study.
Aaron (name changed), who was searching for a seat in the library, said, “Sadly, we now have to book a slot in the libraries to study. There are only two or three libraries operating in the area, and each of them is full. I couldn’t find a seat in any of them.”
He mentioned that he would be appearing for the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) — an exam for students who have completed their degrees from foreign institutions and must pass to obtain a licence to practice in India.
“We can’t let our degrees go to waste; we’ve spent a hefty amount. If we don’t qualify for the exam, our degrees are worthless,” Aaron added.
Similarly, four- or five-storeyed buildings, with each floor housing at least four units, are common in the area. Inside, two or three rooms are typically shared among students, as rent is exorbitantly high.
Shashank said in addition to securing a seat in a reputed medical college, students in Delhi also have to compete for good accommodations and library access.
A property dealer, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said, “Currently, no rooms are available until August 11, as postgraduate exams are approaching. The same situation applies to libraries.”
The minimum rent in the area starts from Rs 12,000 to Rs 15,000.
Dr Manish Jangra, Founder and C\hief Adviser at the Federation of All India Medical Association, said, “Since the closure of basement libraries, those still operating have started charging students around Rs 4,000-5,000 per month. Students also share space in untidy and cramped housing. These property owners are taking advantage of the students’ situation. At least 10,000-15,000 students residing in the area have been affected.”
“Every month, we spend around Rs 20,000, which includes rent, food and minimal living expenses. I try to spend as little as I can because it doesn’t feel right to keep asking my parents for money,” Aaron said.
He completed his graduation in November 2022 from Kazakhstan and is now preparing for his third attempt at the FMGE.

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Capacity Crisis
After three students lost their lives at a coaching centre, building owners have shut down libraries operating from basements, as none of these followed safety guidelines. Now, the libraries operating on upper floors have gained an edge, and these are now filled to capacity with students.