September 13th 2025.
The year is 2025, and the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) elections are just around the corner. With the voting day set for September 18 and counting to take place the next day, the largest campus in the capital is abuzz with excitement. As the preparations for the polls are underway, major student organizations have already put forth their candidates for the 2025-26 academic session.
While the DUSU elections may seem like a mere campus-level affair, they hold great significance as they often reflect the national trends and the sentiments of the younger generation. This year, the focus is expected to be on crucial issues such as hostel shortages, infrastructural development of libraries and classrooms, campus safety, and the rising fees.
As the voice of the students, it is essential to hear their opinions and priorities. Riddhi Verma, an English Honours student from Maitreyi College, believes that affordability and safety should be the topmost concerns for DUSU. She expresses the need for improving student well-being, maintaining campus hygiene, and providing internship opportunities. Riddhi also stresses the importance of updating the syllabus, introducing skill-development programs, and offering career counseling.
Niharika, a B.Com student from Gargi College, calls for a wider representation in the DUSU elections. She believes that all colleges, including Gargi, LSR, and KNC, should be included in the electoral process. Niharika also expresses her concern over the long gaps between classes, which she believes is a waste of time and needs to be reduced.
On the other hand, Sachin Kumar, an LLB student from the Faculty of Law, criticizes DUSU for becoming a mere stepping stone for political ambitions. He points out that the elections are dominated by money and muscle, while crucial issues like fees and hostels are often overlooked. Sachin advocates for hostels for all students and a strong fight for the rights of the students. He also believes that there should be spaces for dialogue and discussion, similar to JNU, Hyderabad University, and EFLU, which can bring about radical change.
Moving on to the key dates, process, and voting guidelines of the DUSU Election 2025, it is essential to note that the elections will follow a structured schedule with strict rules in place. The nominations closed on September 10, with scrutiny and withdrawal taking place on September 11. The campaigning will be in accordance with the Lyngdoh Committee guidelines, which prohibit the use of banners or posters. The voting will take place on September 18, using EVMs for central posts and ballots for college-level posts, with the counting and results being announced on September 19.
The notification also highlights that only students who meet the attendance criteria can contest in the elections, and only enrolled students can cast their votes. For the first-year students without a college ID, they can vote with a verified fee receipt and any government ID. On the other hand, second and third-year students must carry a valid college ID to be eligible to vote.
The issue of democratising the DUSU elections has been raised by Nikhil Singh, a master's student at the Delhi School of Journalism. He voices his concerns over the exclusion of a large section of the student body from the electoral process. According to Nikhil, out of over 90 DU colleges, only 70 have voting rights, and among the 22 women's colleges, 16 are excluded. He also highlights how masters and PhD students are also denied voting rights, leaving out a significant number of students. Nikhil argues that limiting the voting rights to fresh undergraduates makes them vulnerable to emotional manipulation and freebies, which has turned DUSU into a training ground for mainstream politics. He stresses the need for better hostel facilities and measures to reduce the cost of living, citing the examples of JNU and Hyderabad Central University.
Speaking of expenses, the Lyngdoh Committee guidelines state that the budget for student elections should not exceed ₹5,000. However, as per media reports, last year's DUSU elections saw the cost of hoardings alone exceeding ₹10,000 for some parties.
This year's polls are being held under strict measures against defacement of public property, in accordance with the Lyngdoh Committee guidelines. The Delhi High Court had withheld counting in the last election until posters and graffiti across the city were removed. The university has now tightened its checks to ensure a cleaner and more regulated election campaign.
Finally, let's take a look at the key candidates for the DUSU 2025 elections. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad is backing Aryan Maan for the post of president, with Govind Tanvar as the vice president, Kunal Choudhary as the secretary, and Deepika Jha as the joint secretary. The National Students' Union of India has chosen Joslyn Nandita Choudhary as their presidential candidate, accompanied by Rahul Jhansla for the vice president, Kabir for the secretary, and Lavkush Bhadana for the joint secretary. The SFI-AISA alliance has named Anjali from Indraprastha College for Women as their candidate for president, with Sohan Kumar contesting for vice president, Abhinandana Pratyashi for secretary, and Abhishek Kumar for joint secretary.
The DUSU elections of 2025 are expected to be a hotly contested affair, with student voices demanding change and betterment for the university. As we wait for the results to be announced on September 19, all we can do is hope for a fair and democratic election that will pave the way for a brighter future for the students of Delhi University.
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