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Delhi HC Rejects NSUI Candidate’s Plea Against DUSU Election Result

By DU Beat October 1, 2026

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday declined to entertain NSUI candidate Vijay Shankar Meena’s plea alleging irregularities in the DUSU presidential election, asking the university to decide his representation expeditiously.

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday, 30 September, rejected a petition by National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) candidate Vijay Shankar Meena challenging the result of the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) presidential election. According to ANI, Justice Saurabh Banerjee directed the concerned authorities to examine Meena’s representation and decide on it within the stipulated time.

Meena, who contested for the post of president, had sought the quashing of the result declared on 19 September, in which Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) candidate Yash Dabas was elected with 24,576 votes. Meena secured 22,523 votes, leaving a margin of 2,053. The election recorded a voter turnout of 40.46 per cent across 52 polling centres, while independent candidate Deepanshu Shokeen won the vice-president’s post.

Filed under Article 226 of the Constitution through advocates Vimal Tyagi and Balaji Pathak, the petition reportedly alleged that certain election officials and faculty members took part in campaigning, contrary to the neutrality required under the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations and the DUSU Model Code of Conduct. It also raised variations in voter turnout across colleges and sought election records, including EVM and counting documentation.

According to LiveLaw, the court observed that the photographs submitted were undated and lacked particulars, and therefore could not be examined. Counsel for the university reportedly told the court that Meena’s representation, made only four days earlier, would be decided as expeditiously as possible, after which the petition was dismissed.

In a video shared by PTI via X, Tyagi said the petition was filed on the ground that professors serving as election in-charges had allegedly campaigned for ABVP and later raised slogans in its favour after the result. He said the petition “has not been allowed” by the court, but that the university had been directed to decide the representation expeditiously, adding that the petitioner would “avail the remedy available under law.”

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DUSU Victory Processions Raise Questions Over Lyngdoh Norms; HC Scrutinises Violations

By DU Beat September 26, 2026

DUSU elections 2026 face Delhi High Court scrutiny over alleged victory procession violations, contempt concerns and the use of money and muscle power.

Earlier last week, the DUSU elections concluded, bringing with them the familiar display of money, muscle and power that have come to characterise the student politics at the University of Delhi. Despite the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations prescribing safeguards for student elections, including keeping the elections free from any sort of political influence from the parties, violations continue to surface from time to time.

On September 18, a bench comprising Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia heard a plea filed by Prashant Manchanda, alleging violations of the Delhi High Court’s rule of no victory procession. The plea alleged that such processions amounted to contempt of court and were also in violation of the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations. The court had previously made it clear that no candidate or student of the university or supporter could take out a victory procession following the declaration of results. The court had also warned that the counting of votes and declaration of results could be stayed if the concerned authorities failed to take required measures regarding the “unruly conduct” during the election process.

During the Wednesday hearing, the court noted that all the show-cause notices had already been issued to DUSU candidates, including those who had won their respective elections and subsequently participated in the victory processions. Mr. Manchanda was asked to place all the relevant material related to these alleged violations before the court.

According to a report by The Hindu, the bench remarked, “This is not done. This is not done”, indicating the court’s concern over the alleged violations of its directions. However, on the positive side, it was also observed that in contrast to previous years, there had been a significant reduction in the defacement of public property. But the bench added that “much needs to be done.”

Senior advocate Kirti Uppal, counsel appearing for one of the candidates, argued that after winning the elections, people go through certain sentiments which are difficult to ignore or contain. She noted that such celebrations had remained relatively restrained this year and even dhols had not been brought out. Responding to this, the Chief Justice clarified that the drums were not the primary concern. Rather, he said, the difficulty lay in the show of “muscle and money power” by these candidates.

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DUSU Campaigning Turns Violent Near Arts Faculty

By DU Beat September 17, 2026

DUSU campaigning turned violent near the Arts Faculty in North Campus on September 17th, with witnesses reporting significant fighting and damage to posters and vehicles.

Campaigning for the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections turned confrontational near the Faculty of Arts on September 16, the final day of campaigning, with reports of a clash involving campaigners and people travelling through the area.

At around 5 pm, ABVP supporters were seen campaigning near the Faculty of Arts, causing traffic congestion in the area. According to accounts from witnesses present, an altercation took place after a few occupants of a car approached the campaigners and asked them to clear the road or shift the campaign area.

The disagreement reportedly escalated from a verbal exchange into a physical confrontation. The occupants of the car were alleged by those present to have links with the NSUI, although their affiliation could not be independently established at the time of reporting.

The confrontation involved several individuals, with reports of physical assault and damage to vehicles. Witnesses also reported the use of objects, including wooden sticks, rods and PVC pipes, during the clash.

The situation subsequently spread beyond the initial confrontation. Campaign banners belonging to different student groups were reportedly torn down, while some vehicles and property in and around the area were damaged.

According to accounts from students present at the time, a group of campaigners also entered the Kirori Mal College girls’ hostel premises, where banners associated with other student groups were allegedly removed or damaged. Many of the groups were seen carrying sticks and pipes to clash with the other groups. A brief altercation took place between the group and a few people, where a jeep was allegedly damaged by the sticks. Students reported verbal exchanges and threats during the incident. A similar confrontation was subsequently reported in the boys’ hostel area.

The incident also raised concerns among students and members of the public who were recording the events on their phones. Some people present alleged that individuals attempting to record the clashes were confronted or prevented from doing so. Claims regarding the use of internet-jamming equipment could not be independently verified.

A journalist and cameraman from an independent media organisation were also present to cover the final day of campaigning. While recording the incident, the cameraman was reportedly confronted by individuals involved in the clash. The journalist accompanying him alleged that she was manhandled while attempting to intervene.

The sequence of events and the identities and affiliations of all those involved could not be independently established at the time of reporting. Further verification, including accounts from the student organisations, eyewitnesses, university authorities and police, would be necessary to establish responsibility for the incidents.

The incidents on the final day of campaigning have raised concerns over the conduct and safety of campaigning ahead of the DUSU elections. With multiple reports of physical confrontations, damage to property and alleged interference and harassment with those documenting the events. Questions are persistent regarding the circumstances that led to the clashes and the accountability of those involved.

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Hansraj College Offers Extra Attendance, Certificates to Boost Voter Turnout for Union Elections

By DU Beat September 17, 2026

Hansraj College has announced attendance incentives and appreciation certificates for students who vote in the 2026-27 Students’ Union elections, joining a growing list of DU colleges using such measures to boost turnout.

Hansraj College has announced a set of incentives to encourage student participation in its Students’ Union Election, scheduled for 18 September 2026 (Friday). In an official notice dated 15 September 2026, Election Officer Dr. Rachna Sharma stated that the college will award 8 bonus attendance to all students who cast their vote, along with appreciation certificates for participating voters. The college has also set up a “Selfie Point” for students to commemorate their vote after casting it.

The notice, addressed to the student body, calls on students to “exercise their right to vote and contribute to the democratic process of the college.”

Hansraj isn’t alone in using attendance and recognition-based incentives to drive election turnout. Similar measures have surfaced at other Delhi University colleges in past years, though the scale has varied, and voter turnout for college-level union elections has historically been inconsistent across campuses, often prompting administrations to experiment with such incentives.

At Shaheed Bhagat Singh College, students received 5 days of bonus attendance for voting last year, and a dedicated “Pink Booth” was set up to ensure the security and convenience of all female voters. Miranda House’s incentive was comparatively modest, with attendance benefits limited to the day of voting itself. At Motilal Nehru College, the practice was less formalised—some teachers reportedly granted attendance for three classes to students who voted, rather than it being a college-wide policy.

With Hansraj’s 8-day offer among the more generous incentives seen so far this election season, the move is likely to renew conversations around whether such measures are necessary to ensure democratic participation on campus, or whether they risk reducing voting to a transactional exercise.

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Image Caption: Students voting at DUSU Election Polling Booth at Delhi University

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Delhi University Announces Strict DUSU Election Rules Ahead of 2026 Polls

By DU Beat July 17, 2026

Delhi University has announced a stricter code of conduct for the 2026 DUSU elections. It introduced tighter regulations on campaigning, expenditure, and campus defacement.

With the announcement of the upcoming DUSU elections, the university administration has released a detailed set of guidelines that all candidates and student organisations must follow during the election period. The rules draw heavily from the recommendations of the Lyngdoh Committee, which governs student union elections across universities in India.

Among the most significant changes is a complete ban on defacing university property. Candidates have been prohibited from putting up posters, graffiti, or wall paintings on campus buildings and other public spaces. The administration has instead directed students to use only designated spaces approved by the university for election publicity. Digital campaigning and direct interaction with students have also been encouraged over large-scale physical campaigning.

The university has also reiterated strict expenditure limits for candidates. Contestants are required to maintain detailed records of campaign expenses and submit them to the election authorities within the prescribed timeline. Any candidate found violating the spending cap or concealing campaign expenses may face disqualification from the election process.

To strengthen enforcement, Delhi University has constituted monitoring committees to oversee campaign activities across university departments. Election officials and college administrations will monitor violations of the code of conduct and disruptions to academic activities. Candidates found violating the prescribed norms may face disciplinary action in addition to electoral penalties.

The administration stated that the revised rules are intended to create a level playing field for all candidates while reducing environmental damage and ensuring that normal academic functioning is not affected during the election period. Students have been urged to conduct campaigns responsibly and in accordance with university regulations.

The announcement comes amid renewed attention on student politics in Delhi University, where election campaigns have historically witnessed extensive poster campaigns, large rallies, and complaints regarding campus defacement. By reinforcing stricter compliance with the Lyngdoh Committee guidelines, the university aims to make the 2026 DUSU elections more transparent, orderly, and sustainable.

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DUSU Executive Committee Dates Released

By DU Beat October 30, 2025

The dates and guidelines regarding the Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) Executive Committee (EC) nominations were released recently in an official notice issued by the election officer.

DUSU Executive Committee Election dates were released by Delhi University in an announcement on 27th October, 2025. The notice, issued by the election officer, Prof. Raj Kishor Sharma, outlines the dates and the deadlines for the receipt of nomination papers, their scrutiny, and publication, as well as their withdrawal, providing a thorough understanding of the electoral timelines.

In accordance to the notice, the nomination papers will be received latest by Thursday, 6th November, 2025, till 2:00 pm, and their scrutiny will take place on the same day as well at 2:30 pm. The publication of the final list of nominated candidates is scheduled to go up at 5:00 pm on the same day. The announcement further states that the withdrawal of the nominations will be permitted till 12:00 noon of the next day, i.e., 7th November, 2025 and the publication of the final list will be released at 2:00 pm of that day.

The final election will be conducted on 14th of November, 2025 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Office of the Election Officer Conference Centre.

The notice further stated that the counting of votes will begin post polling, i.e., 2:30pm. Entry will be provided for the scrutiny of nomination papers only in the post-production of the gate pass issued by the election office and verified by the principal and the Head of the Institution concerned. Withdrawal forms will be accepted only on the account of them being submitted in person by the candidate concerned.

The notice ended with an emphasis on the importance of always carrying the identity card issued by the department/institution/college that he/she belongs to.

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NSUI Garners Sachin Pilot’s Support Ahead of DUSU Polls

By DU Beat September 17, 2025

Congress leader Sachin Pilot campaigns at Delhi University on behalf of NSUI ahead of DUSU 2025 polls, backing Joslyn Nandita Choudhary and team as students debate for change against the ABVP dominance.

Congress General Secretary Sachin Pilot on Monday visited Delhi University’s North Campus, meeting students and expressing confidence that the National Students’ Union of India, or NSUI will sweep the upcoming Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections.

During his visit, Pilot, joined by the NSUI National President Varun Choudhary, and Delhi Congress Chief Devender Yadav, interacted with students at Miranda House, Campus Law Centre, and Hindu College. Outside Hindu College, tensions briefly flared when supporters of the NSUI and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) came face-to-face, shouting slogans before security personnel intervened to restore order.

Pilot said,

Delhi University is one of the most important universities of our country. All four NSUI candidates will surely win with the support and trust of students,”

He asserted that students were eager for change, citing the growing discontent with both the Union and State Governments. “The students believe in our ideology and vision, which will be reflected in the results,” he added.

The visit was part of a larger outreach programme by NSUI to highlight student-centric issues such as campus facilities, hostels, and academic reforms. According to an official statement, the campaign is aimed at mobilising support across colleges and presenting a credible alternative to the ABVP, which has traditionally dominated student politics at DU.

This year’s NSUI panel features Joslyn Nandita Choudhary, a 23-year-old postgraduate student of Buddhist Studies, as the Presidential candidate. Choudhary is the first woman in 17 years to contest for the top post. The panel also includes Rahul Jhansla for vice president, Kabir for secretary, and Lav Kush Badhana for joint secretary. Party leaders described the line-up as a “blend of fresh faces and representative voices.”

The DUSU polls for the 2025–26 academic session are scheduled for September 18, with counting to be held the next day. The elections are seen as a key barometer of student sentiment and often carry symbolic weight in national politics.

In last year’s elections, the NSUI staged a notable comeback after a seven-year gap, winning the President and Joint Secretary posts. The ABVP, affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, managed to secure the vice president’s position and retained the secretary’s post. The contest this year is expected to be closely fought, with both outfits banking on strong mobilisation drives across the campus.

As the campaign heats up, Delhi University once again finds itself at the centre of high-energy student politics, with national parties keenly watching the outcome.

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DUSU Elections 2025: What Does The Student Body Want?

By DU Beat September 15, 2025

With DUSU election day less than a week away, tensions rise as Delhi’s largest student body puts forth its demands and expectations from the parties it votes for. Infrastructural upgrades, increased hostel seats, and campus hygiene remain the most widespread demands.

Stakes are high as tensions and excitement rise over the upcoming Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections which are to be held on September 18th, 2025. The counting of votes is scheduled for the following day, on September 19th 2025. The DUSU elections serve as a platform that acts as a stepping stone for students into politics, either as representatives or voters. With the University of Delhi having the largest student body in the capital, the parties involved in the DUSU elections certainly have a significant weight on their shoulders.

Students have put forth multiple demands with increased hostel availability and campus hygiene being top concerns. First year philosophy student, K.Sameepya from Indraprastha College for Women stated that the administration is quite detached from the students.

“If you want to connect with [the administration] there are a lot of things you kind of have to jump through. And even then it is actually quite difficult to connect with any of them.”

A first year student from SRCC remarked on the need for improved safety outside colleges, particularly women’s colleges. She also raised concerns about the lack of campus hygiene, talking about the state of the restrooms on campus saying,“with the current conditions of the washrooms, you wouldn’t even want to step in there.” Akanksha Singh, a first year student from Ramjas College talked about how the restrooms do not have proper doors – “So, even dogs sometimes come and go in the washrooms on the ground floor.” The availability of hostels, especially for first year students and students from out of state, needs to be increased according to several students.

The release of the manifesto was also a concern. Akanksha Singh, among other students, expressed their frustration over candidates simply “barging into classrooms” before introducing their names and blatantly asking for votes. Candidates generally give little information about their past work, promises and what they stand for, skipping to directly asking for votes. Students say that it is difficult to vote for people they don’t really know they can trust.

The 2025 DUSU elections are likely to be the most competitive yet with the introduction of the fourth year for undergraduate degrees by the NEP. This implies that third year students are no longer considered “final year” students and are hence eligible to compete for positions such as President and Vice-President, increasing the overall competitiveness of the entire process. Further, the 2025 elections will follow stricter guidelines with bans and limitations on loudspeakers, banners, and posters. Posters are to remain handmade and put up in only certain locations. This is expected after the vote counting for the 2024 elections was withheld upon the involvement of the High Court due to alleged defacement of public property.

The presidential candidates for this year’s elections include Aryan Maan for the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Joslyn Choudhary for the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), and Anjali for the SFI(Students’ Federation of India)-AISA(All India Students’ Association). With the highly competitive atmosphere of the DUSU elections, each candidate is likely to give the other a run for their money.

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SFI and AISA Forge Alliance for DUSU Elections, Vow to Challenge ‘Money and Muscle Power’

By DU Beat August 30, 2025

SFI and AISA announce an alliance for the upcoming DUSU elections, fighting fee hikes, privatisation, and money power in DU politics, with their campaign focusing on affordable education, student welfare, and resisting RSS-ABVP influence on campus.

In a significant development ahead of the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections, the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and the All India Students’ Association (AISA) on Wednesday announced a pre-poll alliance, declaring their intent to counter what they termed the dominance of “money and muscle power” in campus politics.

At a joint press conference held at the Press Club of India, the two Left-affiliated student outfits said they would contest the polls on a common platform, highlighting issues of affordability, quality education, and student welfare. Under the seat-sharing arrangement, AISA will field candidates for the posts of president and joint secretary, while SFI will contest the vice president and secretary positions.

Aishe Ghosh, SFI’s Delhi State Secretary, underlined the alliance’s commitment to challenging the prevailing campus political culture. She further added that,

SFI and AISA have been the frontal forces against the domination of money and muscle in DU politics. Last year, too, our panel polled nearly 9,000 votes, asserting a strong third pole in DUSU. This time as well, fighting for accessible and quality education, the AISA and SFI will contest on a joint platform of student struggles.

Echoing this sentiment, AISA’s Delhi University president Saavy criticised the current education policies, alleging that universities were facing “an all-out attack” under the present dispensation.

The four-year undergraduate programme has diluted the content and quality of education. There are rabid fee hikes across courses and colleges. The recent metro fare hike will hit students the hardest. Both organisations have come together to make this election a struggle for affordability and quality in the university.

The alliance has announced a “DU Mahapanchayat” on September 2 to press for their demands. These include the rollback of fee hikes, concessional metro passes for students, adequate hostel facilities, functional internal complaints committees in every college, and an end to what they described as “bogus SEC and VAC courses” and the current internal assessment scheme.

The leaders of SFI and AISA also accused the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its student wing, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), of using Delhi University as a “laboratory” for the past decade. They pledged to challenge what they termed the “RSS-ABVP nexus of privatisation and saffronisation of education”.

With the alliance positioning itself as a “third pole” in DU politics, the upcoming elections are expected to witness a keen contest, as issues of accessibility, affordability, and academic quality take centre stage.

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AAP’s Revamped Student Wing Gears Up for DUSU Elections

By DU Beat August 9, 2025

With a rebrand, AAP’s ASAP enters the DUSU race promising a new political culture — free from education mafias and rooted in equity and reform.

The Aam Aadmi Party’s rebranded student wing, the Association of Students for Alternative Politics (ASAP), has kicked off its campaign drive a month ahead of the Delhi University Students’ Union elections. Relaunched in May with a new name and mission, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal promised to turn student activism into a force for national transformation. Previously known as the Chhatra Yuva Sangharsh Samiti (CYSS), the party was established in 2014 to bring AAP’s vision of “alternative politics” to campuses. CYSS made its debut in the 2015 Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections but failed to secure any seats. Despite winning the president’s post in the Panjab University Campus Students’ Council elections in 2022, CYSS’s presence and influence in campus politics remained largely limited. The party, thus, struggled to gain a foothold.

ASAP’s logo features a torch-shaped fountain pen nib. Kejriwal stated,

The mainstream politics of the past 75 years is the root cause of all problems in India,” describing the launch as a departure from a system where elections are won through the misuse of power. ASAP’s mission, he added, was to “win hearts”.

Although the on-campus presence of ASAP is comparatively smaller than that of its competitors — the BJP’s student wing, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), and the Congress’s student wing, National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) — there has been a subtle shift in allegiances, with several former ABVP and NSUI members now seen in ASAP. The Lyngdoh Committee recommendations stipulate that no candidate should be allowed to spend more than ₹5,000 or use printed material such as posters and flyers; however, “money and muscle power” continue to be evident through large hoardings, the distribution of printed manifestos, and the use of branded vehicles for campaigning.

As reported by The Indian Express, Deepak Bansal, a former DUSU joint secretary (2011) and ex-ABVP member who joined CYSS in 2023, stated that contesting DUSU elections has traditionally required significant financial backing, with candidates often expected to come from affluent backgrounds even to be considered. Therefore, it closes doors on students hailing from middle-class families, who have ideas and vision but no political godfather. Another issue, highlighted by The Indian Express through Ishwar Chand — who served as ABVP’s Delhi state president from 2009 to 2015 and joined AAP last year — is that tickets are almost always given to Jats and Gurjars, typically those with political clout and money, citing a “regional advantage.” He added that it was not just ABVP, and that NSUI too operated in the same manner. A massive number of DU students from UP and Bihar are left without a voice because candidates are chosen based on wealth and caste.

Moreover, another Delhi University student told The Week that the dominant national parties don’t often pick issues that resonate with students. If they do, however, pick relevant issues, many students may turn towards them. ASAP’s entry into the DUSU race thus represents an attempt to widen the space for participation in campus politics.

In the words of AAP’s Avadh Ojha,