Youth Hostel, Mysore is a joint venture of the Central Government of India & State Government of Karnataka. It conforms to the norms followed by International Youth Hostel Federation and is a non-religious, non-political, non-commercial unit transcending barriers of race, colour, sex, caste, creed or social background.

Youth Hostel is a Home away from Home.

It provides young people on their educational excursions inexpensive hostelling facilities in the form of dormitories – separate for ladies and gents, a dining hall with self-service, a common room or lounge".

It is a place for forming friendship, recreation and informal education.

Youth Hostels are not to be mistaken for luxury homes; not are they to be mistaken for residential hostels, which provide boarding lodging for long periods.

Youth Hostels provide simple accommodation at moderate cost for short period, 3 days at a time, extendable at the discretion of the Warden in deserving cases.

Unique features of the youth hostel are that both men and women can stay and that it is looked after by two wardens - a husband wife team who are also known as hostel parents.