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JNUSU 2025-26: Left Unity dominates the Union

By DU Beat November 7, 2025

On the night of November 6th, election results were released, cementing Left’s dominance in JNU student politics as the alliance Left Unity swept the central panel. Unlike last time, AVBP was unable to get a hold of a seat in the central panel and especially in the councillor seat of School of International Studies (SIS) or School of Social Sciences (SSS) which it has previously won.

On November 4th, elections for the new Jawaharlal Nehru University’s student union (JNUSU) was held. Many student unions formed panels to fight in the elections, namely the RSS backed Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (AVBP), Indian National Congress Student Wing National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) and an alliance of All India Students’ Association (AISA), Students Federation of India (SFI) and the Democratic Students Federation (DSF) named Left Unity. Many smaller organisations and independent candidates also stood in the elections.

The counting began on the night of the 4th November and finished on 6th November night. A total of 5,802 votes were casted of the 9,043, 64% voter turnout. The alliance Left Unity swept all the central posts. For the president position, Aditi Mishra got 1,977 votes, around 33% of the votes, beating the AVBP backed candidate, Vikas Patel by 449 votes. The vice president Kizhakoot Gopika Babu won a staggering 3,101 votes, more than half of the total votes. For the general secretary Sunil Yadav secured 2,005 votes and Danish Ali secured 2,083 votes for the joint-general secretary.

AVBP which had won seats in the last election, was unable to make a comeback in the central panel neither in many of the councillor seats especially SIS or SSS which they had previously won. Asking a JNU student as to why this was the case, they opined that it was due to an increase of violence. They recalled that the SSS general body meeting (GBM) had turned ugly when people started fighting, using abusive and casteist slurs against each other. It turned violent when elected councillor candidates and the JNUSU President were attacked. Another factor that they said was when a FIR was lodged against the students who went to report the above mentioned incident. Due to these incidents the alliance Left Unity was able to consolidate its hold.

The votes being divided in the last election due to two different left alliances was, for many, a major reason as to why ABVP was able to consolidate a seat in the central panel. This time however left organisations were able to come together and form a single alliance. Critics have, however, pointed out that the alliance has sidelined many smaller organisations and accused them for slacking on student issues.

The results have cemented the Left Unity’s dominance in the university’s student politics and has marked a change in its strategy to organise, marking a significant shift from the previous election.

Image Credits: Times of India

Reva Rawat
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News

IIT Delhi Tops Indian Universities in QS Asia Rankings, DU Slips but Stays in Top 100

By DU Beat November 5, 2025

India’s performance in QS Asia 2026 Rankings shows mixed results; while IIT Delhi leads nationally, Delhi University’s slip to 95th calls for renewed focus on research and global partnerships.

In the latest QS World University Rankings: Asia 2026, the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) has once again emerged as India’s highest-ranked institution. Ranked 59th in Asia, IIT Delhi has retained its top spot among Indian universities for the fifth consecutive year, though it fell from 44th place last year.

Across India, the rankings reveal a mixed picture. 7 Indian universities made it to Asia’s top 100, 20 in the top 200 and 66 in the top 500. However, many top institutions, including IITs and IISc Bengaluru, saw declines in their ranks. The Indian Institute of Science dropped from 62nd to 64th, reflecting the increasing competition from East and Southeast Asian universities.

The University of Delhi (DU) maintained its presence among Asia’s leading universities but slipped from 81st to 95th this year. For one of India’s most prominent public universities, this decline highlights the need for renewed focus on research impact, international collaborations, and faculty-student ratios—key metrics emphasized by the QS methodology.

Despite the dip, DU continues to hold a distinctive position in India’s academic landscape, given its diversity, rich intellectual legacy, and contribution to social sciences and humanities research. Experts believe that with strategic emphasis on research funding, interdisciplinary studies, and global partnerships, DU could strengthen its standing in future rankings.

While IIT Delhi leads the national chart, the broader story points to a crucial transition for Indian higher education—one where greater emphasis on quality research and global visibility will determine which institutions rise to meet the demands of a changing academic world.

Featured image source- QS Quacquarelli Symonds

Madhav Choudhary

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Campus Central

DU Cancels a Seminar from DSE’s Longest-Running Colloquiums, Convenor Resigns

By DU Beat October 31, 2025

Delhi University abruptly cancelled a long-standing DSE Sociology colloquium on ‘Land, Property and Democratic Rights’ citing “administrative reasons.” The move prompted convenor Nandini Sundar’s resignation and sparked criticism over academic freedom, contrasting with DU’s promotion of the ‘Rashtriya Godhan Summit’ focusing on cow-based innovations.

A seminar titled ‘Land, Property and Democratic Rights’ which was scheduled to be held today, 31st October, Friday, at 3 p.m. as part of the Department of Sociology’s ‘Friday Colloquium’ series at the M N Srinivas Seminar Room in DSE—was arbitrarily cancelled by the University of Delhi’s administration without any formal reason. This academic seminar is known to be part of one of the longest-running colloquiums at the Delhi School of Economics (DSE). As reported by The Wire, the direction to cancel the event came in a WhatsApp message from the DU registrar, Vikas Gupta, to the head of the Sociology department:

“Good Morning Ma’am. Due to administrative reasons, please cancel the lecture programme scheduled for Friday the 31st October 2025. A compliance report may also be submitted immediately. Thanks.. Regards…Vikas”

Sociologist Nandini Sundar, the convenor of the colloquium, expressed her dissent on Facebook with a post that read, “ Since I can no longer guarantee the intellectual integrity of the research colloquium and that it will not be cancelled arbitrarily at the last minute, I have resigned as convenor of the colloquium.” Her post further read that,

No reasons for the cancellation were given, in writing or otherwise, so we can only speculate that the RSS-led government is scared of any discussion around land and democratic rights.

The severity of the issue and her distress over not paying heed to the sanctity of the event was seen as she further wrote,

“ The Friday Colloquium is among the oldest institutions of the Department of Sociology, at the Delhi School of Economics, and has functioned independently through the Emergency and all the other decades since the department was set up. The colloquium is not like any other seminar being cancelled – something we have sadly become inured to in the last decade. It was part of our teaching practice and graduate students are required to attend. It was a space for serious discussion where our students interacted with some very fine minds, and speakers came away impressed by the quality of our students.”

On this, Vice chancellor Yogesh Singh told the Indian Express that,

“We have cancelled the event because no prior permission was taken (by the department). The university has no problem with the tradition of the colloquium being followed… we just wanted to be informed.”

During this, DU directed college principals to share with faculty members and students the details of the ‘Rashtriya Godhan Summit’, a five-day event focused on the “welfare of cows and promotion of cow-based sustainable innovations”. The contrast between the two communications “highlights a conscious move away from scientific temper and academic integrity towards the promotion of an unscientific and regressive political agenda,” said Abha Dev Habib, professor, Miranda House, as reported by The Hindu.

Image Credits: Nikita Bhatia (2017 report), DU Beat

Shreya Bhushan

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Campus Central

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.

Featured Image Source: Instagram

Ananya Agarwal

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Campus Central

DU Staff Criticise Admin, Demand Expulsion of DUSU Activist Over Assault on Professor

By DU Beat October 30, 2025

DU staff, including elected members of the Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA), condemn the university administration for the lack of action taken against DUSU Joint Secretary Deepika Jha for the alleged attack on a professor on duty. Several teachers’ organisations demand the furnishing of the FIR and expulsion of Miss Jha.

Despite two weeks passing since Mr Sujit Kumar, a professor at Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar College, University of Delhi, was allegedly slapped and physically assaulted by Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) Joint Secretary Deepika Jha on 16th October 2025, the university has yet to take any sort of disciplinary action against Miss Jha. The most that has been done is collective condemnation against these actions by several staff associations that describe the event as a “grave breach of academic decorum and moral authority,” as quoted by the Indian Express.

The incident allegedly took place inside the Principal’s office, in the presence of multiple police personnel. Miss Jha, who is affiliated with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), stated that the action was impulsive and in retaliation for the professor’s behaviour. She alleged that the professor spoke to her demeaningly and kept staring at her, which made her uncomfortable. She accused the professor of being intoxicated and directing indecent remarks towards her. The professor, however, denied these allegations.

Several groups, including the CTF, DTF, DTI, INTEC (I), RSM, and SSM, termed the incident “an attack on the dignity of teachers and the academic environment of the university” and criticised the lack of disciplinary action taken against the student representatives. Since the incident, several teachers’ organisations of the University of Delhi have written to the Delhi University Teachers’ Association, demanding a General Body Meeting to be convened for the discussion of the issue.

The Association has raised several demands, one of them being the filing of an FIR and furnishing a copy of the same to Professor Kumar. The college’s emergent General Body Meeting, held on October 22nd, described the incident as “a direct assault on the dignity, safety, and honour of the entire teaching community.” One of the unanimously passed resolutions included a ban on DUSU activists from the college premises. According to a press release by the Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar College Staff Association (BRACSA), a dharna was held on October 27th. It was joined by DUTA members, members of the academic council, and teachers from various colleges. A statement signed by Prof. Md Riyazuddin Khan, Secretary of BRACSA, advocated for the expulsion of Miss Jha and demanded justice for the affected person.

Rudrashish Chakraborty, Associate Professor of English at Kirori Mal College and former member of the DUTA Executive and Academic Council, was quoted: “Neither the college administration has lodged an FIR, nor the university administration has taken any palpable action against the culprits till now. Instead, the perpetrators of the crime have been allowed to malign the victim on social media and other platforms to distract attention from the main issue of physically assaulting a teacher on duty.” He also stated that it is obvious that the university administration is shielding culprits, “as per instructions from above.”

He added that the silence and complicity from the administration have made the university an “unsafe space for the teaching-learning process.” Several elected members of DUTA and multiple college organisations have accused the university administration of failing to protect faculty members from intimidation. Prof.Yogesh Singh, Vice-Chancellor, University of Delhi, stated, “We have formed an inquiry committee and are working on it. A decision will be taken shortly.”

Souparnika
[email protected]

Image Source: Screengrab from CCTV Footage

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DUB News

Miranda House Students Targeted by Scam Callers

By DU Beat October 30, 2025

Students attending Miranda House are advised to stay aware of scam callers masquerading as university officials requesting WhatsApp login OTPs and demanding money from students. The college has put out an official notice informing students about the situation and instructing them on what measures to take if they receive such calls.

Students at Miranda House, University of Delhi, are reporting receiving phone calls from unknown numbers. It is reported that the caller asks for WhatsApp login OTPs, alleging an issue concerning examination forms. Upon logging into the WhatsApp accounts of students, the scam caller proceeds to demand money. A graduate from Miranda House claims that she, too, received such a call from a scammer asking for a WhatsApp login code.

She claimed that when she refused to share the code, the caller got aggressive. She stated,

I’ve literally passed out, and they were asking me to pay the fee, and then later said that there was an issue with my TC documents. Rubbish. Stay aware.”

Following these reports, Miranda House released a notice, warning students about the callers. The college advised students to “remain vigilant.” Students were instructed not to engage with such callers or share any personal information over the phone.

The college reminded students that no teaching or non-teaching staff member would ever contact them to demand or request money through phone calls, messages, or any other means. Students were also told to report the matter to either Lt. Meena Kumari, Deputy Teacher-in-Charge, Miranda House, or the College Office if they received such a call for necessary actions to be taken. Students at Janki Devi Memorial College (JDMC) also report similar scam calls requesting WhatsApp login OTPs. However, the college has not yet put out an official statement.

Image Credits: Popular Science

Souparnika.S.Rajkumar

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Campus Central

No Acid, No Attacker: Police Reveal DU Student Faked Assault on Father’s Orders

By DU Beat October 28, 2025

Delhi Police found that the alleged DU acid attack was staged by the student and her father, Aqeel Khan, to frame an acquaintance amid a personal dispute.

A 20-year-old second-year B.Com student enrolled under DU’s Non-Collegiate Women’s Education Board (NCWEB) had alleged that acid was thrown at her near her college earlier this week. However, investigations have now revealed that the incident was fabricated by the student and her father, Aqeel Khan, to frame the alleged accused, Jitendra, who is an acquaintance.

According to police, Khan has confessed to orchestrating the staged attack;

The evidence clearly proves that no acid attack took place. The father’s admission and the medical findings expose a deliberate attempt to misuse public outrage and waste police resources,” a senior Delhi Police officer said.

CCTV footage, call detail records, and eyewitness statements contradicted the student’s claims. Investigators found that Jitendra was at the time of the alleged attack in Karol Bagh. His motorcycle, initially believed to be used in the assault, was parked there, and his mobile location also matched the Karol Bagh area.

Forensic teams found no acid residue at the spot, and no CCTV camera captured any such incident near the college gate. Doctors at RML Hospital confirmed that the injuries were superficial and consistent with toilet cleaner burns, not acid. Police concluded that the student had poured the liquid on her own hand to mimic an attack.

Sources said Khan’s motive was to take revenge and divert attention from another case. Days before the alleged attack, Jitendra’s wife had filed a complaint against Khan, accusing him of sexual harassment and blackmail during her employment at his garment factory between 2021 and 2024.

The police have now classified the case as false and registered an FIR under Sections 124(1) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against the student and her father for misleading authorities and misusing public resources. Khan has been arrested, and further investigation is underway.

Image Credit: Navbharat Times

Anjali Kumari Jha
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Campus Central

Stalker Attacks Lakshmibai College Student

By DU Beat October 26, 2025

A Delhi University student, reportedly enrolled in NCWEB, was injured in an acid attack near Lakshmibai College on Sunday morning, allegedly carried out by a stalker from her neighbourhood along with two accomplices.

A 20-year-old Delhi University second-year student sustained burn injuries in an acid attack near Lakshmibai College, Ashok Vihar, around 10 a.m. on Sunday. According to police, the victim, a resident of Mukundpur, was on her way to the college for an extra class when the incident occurred just a short distance away. She managed to shield her face, but the acid burnt part of her hands.

The incident came to light after the police received a call from the hospital. Delhi Police spokesperson said that based on the victim’s statement, a case has been registered and a search for the accused has been launched.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the main accused, Jitender, who was an acquaintance of the victim, arrived at the crime spot on a motorcycle with two others, Ishaan and Armaan. “Ishaan handed over a bottle to Armaan, who threw acid on her,” the police statement said. The three fled immediately after the attack.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Bhisham Singh, said, “On inquiry, the victim stated that she is a second-year student and had gone to Laxmibai College, Ashok Vihar, for an extra class. While she was walking towards the college, a man named Jitender came on a bike with his friends Ishaan and Armaan. Ishan allegedly handed over a bottle to Armaan, who threw acid on the woman. The victim tried to protect her face but sustained injuries on both hands. The accused fled the spot.”

Police said Jitender, who also lives in the Mukundpur area, had been harassing and stalking the woman for some time and had grown hostile following a quarrel a month ago. A team from the Forensic Science Laboratory inspected the scene, and CCTV footage from the surrounding area is being examined. Police teams are conducting raids to trace the accused.

The victim was first taken to Deep Chand Bandhu Hospital and later shifted to RML Hospital. Doctors confirmed that her injuries were not life-threatening.

A senior officer from Ashok Vihar police station said,

The victim has shown remarkable courage. She shielded herself and survived what could have been far worse.”

Image Credit: India Today

Image Caption: Victim sustained burns on her hand while protecting her face.

Anjali Kumari Jha

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Campus Central

Chhath Puja Excluded From Delhi University Holiday Calendar Despite Delhi Govt Declaration, Again.

By DU Beat October 26, 2025

On Friday, the Delhi Government declared Chhath Puja on 27th October to be a public holiday. However, Delhi University has not declared an official holiday, sparking student outrage. While some colleges like Sri Venkateswara have offered academic leniency, the broader university administration remains unresponsive.

Chhath Puja, a government holiday, as declared by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, has yet again, been disregarded by the Delhi University, stirring up major discontent and controversy. While the capital city will be observing a holiday on 27th October, i.e., Monday, which marks the third and most important day of the festival, the Delhi University administration has retained the occasion in its list of restricted holidays, and has despite past outrage and a government-mandated closure of holidays, not kept it a holiday for its students.

Chhath Puja is widely celebrated across Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh by worshipping the Sun God or ‘Chhathi Maiya’. The Chief Minister, in her declaration, said, “Through the worship of the Sun and Chhathi Maiya, Chhath conveys a message of purity, environmental protection and gratitude towards nature.” The erstwhile Delhi CM Atishi had declared a similar government holiday last year as well.

This year, the official University mid-semester Diwali break was scheduled from 19th October till the 26th of October—incorporating Chhath Puja within this break would simply mean extending the holiday just by one day. This remains one of the major points of contention amongst University students celebrating the festivity as a 3rd year points out,

I’m really disappointed that DU didn’t consider extending the holidays for Chhath Puja. It’s such an important festival for so many of us from Bihar and Eastern UP, and most of us travel back home just for these few days. One extra day would’ve made a huge difference because the travel itself takes so long. It feels like the university doesn’t really understand how significant this festival is for us emotionally and culturally.”

Such outrage has previously been noted amongst the students on multiple other occasions, such as on Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti earlier in the month, which was an officially declared public holiday by the Delhi Government.

However, classes for most Delhi University colleges were not officially cancelled. Students have argued that since DU is a Central University, and thus comes under the jurisdiction of the Central Government, it is unfair to assume that classes would be cancelled for the University. Despite this, students who have celebrated the Chhath Festival throughout their lives are disappointed towards the lack of sensitivity of the University administration and their inactivity in recognising and encouraging inclusivity for students of all backgrounds.

“A one-day extension would have shown some inclusivity towards students who celebrate Chhath. It’s a big deal back home for us,” a second-year Delhi University student said,

It’s unfair that so many of us have to miss the celebration this year because classes resume immediately. Even a single-day extension would’ve allowed us to be with our families without worrying about the travel or attendance, especially when fulfilling the attendance criteria is imperative.”

This is not to say that all colleges within DU are completely indifferent to this public holiday declaration. The administration of Sri Venkateswara College has informed its faculty that no class tests, assignment submissions or practical tests are to be scheduled between the 27th and 31st of October, “to ensure that students are able to participate in the festive celebrations without academic inconvenience”, as intimated through an email that was sent to the teachers. A post by DUTODAY mentioned that many colleges across Delhi University are expected to adopt similar measures, subject to the respective departments and colleges.

Image source: The Indian Express

Manya Marwah

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Arts & Culture

Spirit: The Annual Sports Fest of IIT Guwahati

By DU Beat October 26, 2025

Spirit, the annual sports festival of the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG), is a celebration of athleticism, passion, and unity — a spectacle that has grown to become one of the largest and most prestigious inter-collegiate sports festivals in Northeast India.

Held over four exhilarating days, the fest transforms the IIT Guwahati campus into a vibrant arena of competition, teamwork, and camaraderie. The upcoming 12th edition of Spirit will take place from 30th October to 2nd November, 2025, continuing its rich legacy of fostering a dynamic sporting culture.

A Celebration of Talent and Sportsmanship

Every year, Spirit attracts over 2,000 athletes from 40+ colleges across India — and even neighboring nations like Bhutan — who come together to compete, connect, and celebrate the power of sports. The event witnesses an incredible footfall exceeding 40,000, creating an atmosphere charged with energy, enthusiasm, and unity.

A Platform for Diverse Sporting Talent

Spirit offers an extensive range of sporting events designed to highlight both individual excellence and team spirit. With substantial prize pools and electrifying competition, every event is a showcase of determination and skill.

Racquet Sports:
Badminton (Men & Women) | Lawn Tennis (Men & Women) | Table Tennis (Men & Women) | Squash (Men & Women)

Individual Sports:
Athletics (Men & Women) | Swimming (Men & Women) | Yoga (Men & Women)

Other Competitions:
Water Polo (Men) | Carrom (Mixed Teams) | Chess (Mixed)

More Than Just a Sports Festival

While competitive sports form the heart of Spirit, the fest’s soul lies in its celebration of culture, entertainment, and inspiration.

Pronites – Whizbang:
As the sun sets on days filled with fierce competition, the fest lights up with Whizbang, a dazzling series of musical nights and performances by renowned artists. These evenings bring together rhythm, light, and joy — creating memories that last long after the games end.

Notable Personalities:
Over the years, Spirit has been graced by the presence of distinguished guests from the world of sports and entertainment. The 2024 edition saw appearances by cricketer Jasprit Singh and singer Laqshay Kapoor, adding star power to the celebration.

Spirit 2025: Bigger, Bolder, and Beyond

As Spirit enters its 12th edition, it stands as a testament to IIT Guwahati’s commitment to sports, inclusivity, and excellence. With new ambitions, heightened competition, and a growing legacy, Spirit 2025 promises to be an unforgettable chapter in the journey of collegiate sports.

DU Beat

Image Credits: IIT Guwahati

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