Archive · 18 Sep 2026
DUSU Polls Put Hostels, Fees, Safety And Placements First
Delhi University students are voting about problems they face every day.
Many students from outside Delhi need housing that is safe and affordable.
A hostel collapse in Satya Niketan made housing safety an even bigger concern.
Students also say fees are rising without enough improvement in facilities.
They want cleaner water, better washrooms, laboratories, health services, and hygiene facilities.
Some women students want menstrual leave and better campus safety.
Students who travel far want cheaper Metro travel through a concession pass.
Newer students are also thinking about internships, placements, and college festivals.
Many voters want representatives who stay available and listen after the election.
More than 1.51 lakh students across 52 Delhi University colleges are eligible to vote, with 20 candidates contesting four central posts.
Students say affordable and safe accommodation has become more urgent after the Satya Niketan hostel collapse killed seven people, including five students.
Key campus demands include lower fees, better laboratories, water and washroom facilities, health services, hygiene facilities, and menstrual leave.
Students also want a Metro concession pass, safer open campuses, improved placements and internships, and more college festivals.
Voters are seeking representatives who remain accessible and accountable, while some students support proportionate disciplinary action and simpler administrative procedures.
- Who
- More than 1.51 lakh Delhi University students are eligible to vote, including students from North Campus colleges and the Faculty of Law.
- What
- The DUSU election is being shaped by concerns over accommodation, fees, safety, infrastructure, Metro costs, menstrual leave, placements, internships, and representative accountability.
- When
- The voting took place on Friday, September 18, during this year's Delhi University Students' Union election; the Satya Niketan collapse occurred earlier in the month.
- Where
- Polling took place across 52 Delhi University colleges, while the student concerns were reported at North Campus colleges including Ramjas College, Hindu College, Hansraj College, Kirori Mal College, and the Faculty of Law.
- Why
- Students want safer and more affordable housing and travel, better facilities and opportunities, stronger safety measures, and representatives who remain accessible after the election.
- Eligible voters
- More than 1.51 lakh students
- Colleges involved
- 52 Delhi University colleges
- Candidates
- 20 candidates for four central posts
- Central posts
- President, vice-president, secretary, and joint secretary
- Accommodation tragedy
- A five-storey private student hostel in Satya Niketan collapsed earlier in the month, killing seven people, including five Delhi University students.
- Fee concerns
- Students reported annual fee increases of about Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000; one Hansraj College student said BA Programme fees rose from about Rs 29,000 to Rs 32,000.
- Voting provision
- Students without identity cards were allowed to use fee receipts to vote.
