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Working Women Hostel Scheme

Safe, affordable hostel accommodation for working women

Government

Central Government

Who it’s for

Working Women

Application mode

In-person at hostel/implementing agency

Processing time

Depends on vacancy at the specific hostel — can range from immediate to a waiting list of a few weeks/months in high-demand cities.

Deadline / renewal

No fixed deadline; admission subject to vacancy. Stay is generally renewable as long as the woman remains employed/in training and the hostel's maximum stay rules are met.

What it provides

Financial assistance to organisations to run hostels with day-care facility, providing safe and affordable accommodation for working women away from their home town.

Benefits breakdown

AccommodationSubsidised (rates vary by hostel/city)As per the implementing organisation's fee structure, government-subsidised
Day-careSubsidised/free where availableFor children of resident working women, up to a certain age

Who’s eligible

Single/married working women (incl. those under training for employment), priority to women from disadvantaged groups.

Documents required

  • Proof of employment or admission to a training programme
  • Identity proof (Aadhaar)
  • Address proof of native place
  • Passport-size photographs
  • Salary slip / employer certificate

How to apply

In-person / offline

  1. Identify a Working Women's Hostel in your city (search the state Women & Child Development department's list of sanctioned hostels, or the WCD ministry's list of implementing organisations)
  2. Visit the hostel office and enquire about vacancy
  3. Submit the application form along with proof of employment/training, identity and address proof
  4. Pay the applicable subsidised fee and complete admission formalities

Helpline

Contact your state WCD department for a list of sanctioned hostels in your city

FAQs

Is this available in every city?

No — hostels are sanctioned city-by-city based on demand and availability of an implementing organisation; check with your state WCD department for hostels near you.

Can I bring my child?

Many Working Women's Hostels have an attached day-care facility for children of resident women, subject to age limits and space.

Last verified 31 August 2026