What are the rules in a youth hostel?

Residents must follow discipline, maintain cleanliness, adhere to fixed entry/exit timings, and respect fellow occupants. Consumption of alcohol, drugs, and misconduct is strictly prohibited.

How to fill a hostel application form?

A hostel application form is filled by providing personal details, educational information, address, and required documents such as ID proof and photographs. It must be submitted along with prescribed fees.

What is the age limit to stay in a hostel?

The age limit varies depending on the hostel, but youth hostels generally allow individuals between 18 to 35 years. Some hostels may permit students outside this range with special permission.

What are the benefits of membership in youth hostels?

Youth hostel membership allows access to economical accommodation, safe lodging, and basic facilities across various locations. It also encourages social interaction, travel experience, and cultural learning.

How do you request a principal for admission?

A formal written request is submitted to the principal stating the reason for admission, course details, and personal information. The application should be polite, concise, and properly addressed.

How to write an application for hostel clearance?

An application for hostel clearance should mention the reason for leaving, date of vacating, and confirmation of no pending dues. It is addressed to the hostel warden or concerned authority.

How to write a letter of admission?

A letter of admission should comprise of all relevant details such as name, course, institution, and reference number.

Do hostels provide bedding?

Some hostels provide basic bedding such as mattresses or beds, while others require residents to bring their own bedding. Availability depends on hostel rules and category.

Jaagruk Bharat is a private organization offering support for documentation and government scheme access. We are not affiliated with any government body. Official services are available on respective government portals. Our goal is to make processes easier and more accessible for citizens.

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Youth Hostel Scheme | Eligibility, Benefits & Application Process

Q: What is the youth hostel scheme?

The Youth Hostel Scheme is an initiative aimed at providing safe, affordable accommodation to students and young travelers, especially during educational tours and travel. It promotes cultural exchange, discipline, and low-cost travel.

Pragya Pathak

Author

Updated: 17-12-2025 at 3:30 PM

The Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, under the direction of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, has put forward a new initiative called the Youth Hostel Scheme. This Government scheme aims to promote the construction and maintenance of youth hostels and also increase tourism in different states across the country.

Read the article to learn more about the government hostel scheme, ranging from its meaning and benefits to eligibility criteria and the process of Youth hostel booking online, including information on Youth hostel membership fee.

Overview

The table below summarises some key details about the government Youth Hostel scheme that one should know.

Name of the scheme	Youth Hostel Scheme
Launched by	Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Launched in	1961
Objective	To provide safe and affordable hostel facilities to the youth of the country
Target group	Students or youngsters of the country aged between 15 to 30 years
Benefits	Helps the youth of the country in accessing affordable hostel facilities
Youth hostel membership	Minimal charges, varies from one location to another
Mode of application	Youth hostel booking online

What Is The Youth Hostel Scheme?

The Government of India launched the Youth Hostel Scheme under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to help young people in the country access accommodation services at affordable prices while travelling for various reasons, such as education or leisure. The government scheme aims to encourage the construction and use of Youth hostels, which provide all the needed facilities at nominal prices. It is constructed in various states of India, such as the Youth Hostel Delhi, Mumbai, and Noida.

What Are The Objectives Of The Youth Hostel Scheme?

Certain main objectives of the Youth Hostel Scheme outline its major goals. Some of the main objectives of the government Youth Hostel scheme are:

The scheme aims to provide lodging that is well under the budget and label it as ‘Youth Hostels’ across India.
One of the objectives of the government Youth Hostel scheme is to promote youth travel for purposes that are related to recreation and tours.
Promote an environment where interactions can be made between Indian and international youths for added exposure, as the hostels are located in areas of cultural interest.
To develop an interest in environmental protection and community living.
Along with cheap and affordable stays, the hostels also foster a sense of comfort by allowing guests to order meals at the hostel or even cook their own food.

Benefits Of The Youth Hostel Scheme

The benefits of the government Youth Hostel scheme include offering tourists and travellers an affordable and reliable alternative to expensive hotels. Some key benefits include:

Accommodation starts at a very low cost of Rs. 150 per night.
Different types of rooms are provided, such as private and family rooms, under the government Youth Hostel scheme. Dormitory facilities are also available and start from Rs. 150 per night at select locations.
Situated in places of cultural importance, helping residents understand the vibrant nature of the surroundings, and also mingle with the locals as well as other travellers.
Have the liberty to cook their meals or buy the food from the in-house canteens that the hostel provides.

Eligibility Criteria Of The Youth Hostel Scheme

Interested individuals or groups of individuals first need to ensure whether they fit into the eligibility criteria of the Youth Hostel Scheme or not. The eligibility criteria are as follows:

There is no applicable age restriction under this govt scheme, but applicants who are under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian during their stay.
To avail of the facilities provided by the youth hostels, the applicant must obtain a membership of the Youth Hostels Association of India (YHAI).
The membership is open to all the citizens of India, as well as foreign residents visiting India.

What Are The Documents Needed For The Youth Hostel Scheme?

To apply for the Youth hostel booking online, the individual must provide some supporting documents. The list of those documents is as follows:

YHAI membership application form
Identity proof, such as an Aadhaar card, a passport, or Voter ID
Passport-sized photograph

Application Process For The Youth Hostel Scheme

Interested and eligible applicants can apply for the Youth Hostel Scheme by following the steps mentioned below in detail:

Step 1: To start the Youth hostel registration, enrol as a YHAI member by providing identity details and paying the Youth Hostel membership fee.

Step 2: After this is done, applicants can visit the official website of the Department of Youth Affairs.

Step 3: From there, click on the Apply Now option under the youth hostels section.

Step 4: Fill out the required details and provide consent for Aadhar as biometric and KYC, and complete the Youth hostel registration process.

Step 5: Once you have successfully applied, the list of hostels can be checked on the list online.

List Of Hostels Under The Youth Hostel Scheme

The list of hostels associated with the Youth Hostel Scheme can be accessed by visiting their official website. Along with the names of the hostels with their locations, it also clearly mentions the number of beds available and booking charges. The table below comprises the list of hostels under the scheme as mentioned in the list of youth hostels in India PDF:

Name and Address	City	State
Youth Hostel, Balaji Nagar, Kadapa – 516003, YSR District, Andhra Pradesh	Kadapa	Andhra Pradesh
Youth Hostel, Paltan Bazar, PO. Guwahati – 781008, Assam	Guwahati	Assam
Youth Hostel, Fraser Road, Near Maurya Hotel, Patna, Bihar – 800001	Patna	Bihar
Youth Hostel, Opposite Govt. Arts & Science College, Sector - 16, Gandhinagar – 382016, Gujarat.	Gandhinagar	Gujarat
Youth Hostel, Sirsa, Haryana	Sirsa	Haryana
Youth Hostel, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh	Bhopal	Madhya Pradesh

Conclusion

The Youth Hostel Scheme promotes a cost-effective travel and cultural experience for Indian youth. By establishing hostels nationwide, the initiative improves the accessibility of budget lodging. It empowers young people to explore India and discover its various unpopular but beautiful parts while travelling on a budget. The government scheme also organises educational tours and group activities to imbibe the qualities of cooperation and understanding among people from various geographical locations and cultures.

This is not simply a social welfare scheme for youth but a scheme that also encourages young individuals to travel and witness the beauty their own country has.

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