Students complain of running out on groceries and essentials.
With last 20 rupees in her pocket, Ayanti, a sociology major student stood outside an ATM in Delhi University's North Campus, scribbling notes as she moves up the queue.
"This is my third visit to the ATM in a week. I stood for 3 hours on both days and by the time I got to the machine, the cash had run out," said the student from Kolkata. "It's exam time and I really do not have so many hours to spare."
Exams at Delhi University, which enrolls thousands each year from all over the country, are scheduled to begin this week.
Students, especially from other states, complain of running out on groceries and essentials and not having cash for even an auto ride to the nearby library.
"The rickshaws and autos need change. The first few days they didn't charge us money but after that even they need cash," said Ayanti, adding, "The food joints, canteens etc. are all asking for change. We need photocopies during exams and even that we're not able to get," adds Puja, a B.Sc student from Daulat Ram College.
Tiny photocopy shops on campus that stock reading material are the lifeline of students during exams. Since the demonetisation announced on November 8, these shops have started incurring massive losses.
"If we had business of say a 1,000 rupees a day, now it's come down to 200-300 rupees. Students ask us if they can pay us later and we agree because exams are coming up and they are helpless too," said Sai Ram, who owns a photocopy shop in the campus.
Some photocopy shops also said that they have loans running over Rs 8,000.
However he still backed the scrapping Rs 500 and 1,000 rupee notes. "I think it's a good move to get rid of black money", he added.
A shopkeeper opposite Ayanti's paying guest or PG accommodation has lent her 400 in cash without asking her when she can give it back.
"All these kids come from outside. How will they manage without money? I said I won't accept old notes but they can borrow money from me and even take whatever they need from the shop," said Sharma who runs a grocery store.
Students, while applauding the intent behind the move, say they now have to add hours of standing in bank lines to their already packed study time tables.