You're Coming to Delhi. Don't Wing It.

The first week in a new city is disorienting enough without the constant feeling that you've forgotten something essential. I remember my own first week in Kamla Nagar — I had to buy a bucket because nobody had mentioned that PGs don't always provide one. Then I needed to find a local stationery shop. Then a decent cycle repair person. None of this was hard, but all of it was time-consuming and draining during what was already an overwhelming period.

This checklist is what I wish someone had handed me before I left home.

Documents (Pack Before You Leave Home)

Keep these in a folder, physically and digitally. You'll need them repeatedly.

  • Aadhaar card — absolutely essential for everything, including getting a SIM card
  • College admission letter — for local registration if required
  • Passport-size photos — at least 20. You need them for library cards, metro cards, college ID, PG registration, and various local forms
  • Previous education certificates — 10th and 12th marksheets at minimum
  • Medical prescription/records — if you're on any medication, get a prescription from your doctor that mentions the generic name, not just the brand name
  • COVID vaccination certificate — not always required but occasionally asked
  • Bank account details — ensure your parent-linked account has UPI set up so they can transfer money instantly
  • Emergency contact written down — not just in your phone. Include your parent's phone number and an in-Delhi contact if you have one

Room Essentials (Buy in Your Hometown or Delhi)

Check with your PG first — many provide beds, mattresses, wardrobes, and sometimes even fans or ACs. Don't buy things your PG already provides.

  • Mattress and bed sheets — bring at least two sets. Delhi gets cold in winter so consider a lighter one for summer and a warmer one for October-February
  • Pillow — your neck will thank you for bringing a decent one rather than buying a cheap local one
  • Bucket and mug — not always provided. Buy a medium-sized collapsible bucket — it saves space when you're packing home for breaks
  • Bathroom slippers and bedroom slippers — this separation matters more than you think in shared living spaces
  • Study lamp — PGs often have overhead lighting that's adequate for general use but harsh for studying. A small LED desk lamp with adjustable brightness is worth the space in your bag
  • Extension board — absolutely essential. Indian PGs often have inconvenient plug socket placement. Bring a 4-plug extension with at least 2 metres of cable
  • Padlock — at least two. One for your room door, one for your wardrobe or cupboard
  • Clothesline and pegs — most PGs have a shared drying area but individual pegs go missing regularly
  • Under-bed storage boxes — if your room has limited storage, collapsible plastic storage boxes are genuinely useful

Kitchen and Food Items

  • Large water bottle — Delhi tap water is not potable. A 20-litre water can is usually delivered daily in most PGs, but having a personal 1-litre bottle for carrying water to college is essential
  • Insulated lunch box — if your PG provides tiffin service or you plan to get tiffin delivered
  • Small knife and chopping board — optional, but useful if you want to occasionally prep small snacks
  • Tea/coffee supplies — small electric kettle, instant coffee or tea bags, a couple of mugs. Many students skip this and regret it when they want a late-night chai at 11pm
  • Instant oats, muesli, or khakra — morning hunger doesn't wait for mess breakfast timing

Electronics

  • Phone and charger
  • Power bank — 10,000mAh minimum. Delhi metro commutes and college days drain batteries, and you may not always have access to a plug
  • Laptop and charger — if your course requires one
  • Small portable fan — not always needed but genuinely useful during the May-June Delhi heat when AC isn't running or during power cuts
  • Earphones — get a decent pair. The PG environment can be noisy and you'll need them for library study sessions

Health and Hygiene

  • Basic first-aid kit — band-aids, antiseptic liquid, paracetamol,ORS packets, antacids, your specific medications
  • Insect repellent — especially relevant during monsoon (July-September) when Delhi gets very muggy and mosquito-prone
  • Personal hygiene products — stock up for at least a month, especially if you have specific brand preferences that might not be available in local Delhi shops
  • Thermometer — small and cheap, but useful when you're not sure if you have a fever
  • UMC (Under Mattress Comforter) or light blanket — most PGs provide one but it's usually thin. During December-January, Delhi nights drop to 3-4°C and the heating in PGs is inconsistent

The One Thing Most Freshers Forget

A local SIM card from a Delhi-based friend or a local contact who can help you get one on arrival. Getting a new SIM in Delhi as an outsider requires address verification which can take 24-48 hours. Having a local number sorted before you arrive makes everything else — contacting PG owners, joining college WhatsApp groups, getting auto-rickshaw drivers to pick up — significantly easier.

Arrival Week: The Tasks Nobody Warns You About

In your first week, also make time to: locate the nearest medical store (not just one, mark two), find the nearest bank ATM that consistently works (some in student areas run out of cash regularly), get a metro card if you don't have one, and find the PG owner's direct phone number — not just the caretaker's.

Welcome to Delhi. It gets easier.