‘Rs 85K needed at least for survival’: IIT scholar’s viral post sparks debate on how middle-class families survive in Delhi-NCR

A social media post by an IIT PhD scholar has once again brought attention to the increasing cost of living in Delhi-NCR. The post has triggered widespread discussion, with many users sharing how challenging it has become for middle-class families to manage their monthly expenses.

Scholar’s Claim on Monthly Expenses

Mishra Dev, an IIT scholar said that even a minimal lifestyle for a two-person household in NCR would require around Rs 85,000 to Rs 95,000 per month. He expressed confusion over how couples manage to survive on significantly lower incomes, particularly between Rs 50,000 and Rs 60,000 per month.




"Cost of living in NCR is insane. I am not able to crunch numbers how a couple can live within 50-60k a month. How people who are not making 1lakh/month are able to meet the expenses. I am kind of a minimalist and cost of living a bare minimum life is 85-95k each month for two," the tweet read.

Online Reactions and Experiences

Dev’s estimate quickly gained traction online, prompting users to share their own experiences of budgeting in cities like Delhi, Noida, and Gurgaon. Many echoed similar concerns about rising living costs.

One user described being surprised by the high rental rates while searching for accommodation in Noida, mentioning that two-bedroom apartments were priced between Rs 45,000 and Rs 50,000 per month, excluding maintenance charges.

Contrasting Views on Survival Budgets

While some users agreed with the high-cost estimates, others offered contrasting perspectives. A few claimed that people still manage to live in Gurgaon on budgets as low as Rs 30,000 per month. On the other hand, some argued that even an income of Rs 3 lakh per month may not feel sufficient, depending on lifestyle choices and expectations.

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