By: Express News ServiceMumbai | September 27, 2025 09:17 PM IST 2 min readCurrently, there are 441 government-run hostels which are operational across the state including 230 for boys and 211 for girls. (File photo)Maharashtra has announced a significant hike in allowance given to student residents of hostels managed by the Social Justice department of the state. The decision hiking allowance comes after over 14 years, and serves as a great relief to thousands of students who reside in these hostels and were seeking increase in allowance for a while now.The decision was announced by the Social Justice department, via a Government Resolution (GR) issued in this regard on Friday. As per the GR, the revised allowance, which is different for division, district and taluka level hostels, will be applicable from the ongoing month. The subsistence allowance at divisional level is increased to Rs 1,500 from Rs 800 a month. At district and taluka level, it has increased from Rs 600 and Rs 500 to Rs 1,300 and Rs 1,000, respectively. Apart from regular allowance, the sanitary allowance which is particularly for girls, is also increased from Rs 100 to Rs 150. The revised allowance will be applicable from the ongoing month of September.Currently, there are 441 government-run hostels which are operational across the state including 230 for boys and 211 for girls. These hostels have a combined intake capacity of 43,890 students including 23,570 boys and 20,320 girls. Even as the allowances given to students are expected to be revised every five years, there was no increase for almost 14 years, despite repeated demands by students.While students welcome the hike in allowance, many said that this is too little and too late. “In changing times, this allowance is not adequate enough for us. While there is hike, in principle, the amount was so less that the hike hardly makes a difference,” said a student resident from a Social Justice department-run hostel in Mumbai.Apart from the complaints about delay and unsatisfactory increase in allowance, students have also pointed out that there is shortage of hostels. Kuldeep Ambekar from Students Helping Hand, a student activist, said, “There is great demand for these hostels, especially in cities such as Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and Nashik where students from across Maharashtra want to go to pursue higher education and accommodation remains a constant challenge.”Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:hostelsMaharashtra