Archive · 10 Sep 2026
Karnataka to Resume Student Elections After 37 Years
Karnataka plans to bring back elections for student groups after 37 years.
Students last voted in these elections in 1989-90.
The elections were stopped because some campuses became violent.
Some Congress leaders also say older politicians did not want new political leaders to emerge.
The BJP says Congress stopped the elections because the ABVP was becoming successful.
Elections are expected to begin in the 2026-27 school year.
Each student body will have several elected positions.
Some positions will be reserved for women.
Colleges may still change the rules before the elections begin.
Karnataka will allow student body elections in educational institutions from the 2026-27 academic year.
Student elections were last held in the state in 1989-90 before being banned by the Veerendra Patil-led Congress government.
Congress leaders cite political gatekeeping and campus violence, while the BJP says the ban limited the ABVP's gains.
The new student bodies will include a president, vice presidents, secretaries and executive committee members.
Women will receive reserved positions, while caste- and religion-based reservations will not be used.
- Who
- The Karnataka government, led by the Congress, and students in the state's educational institutions.
- What
- The government approved restarting student body elections after a 37-year gap.
- When
- From the 2026-27 academic year; the previous elections were held in 1989-90.
- Where
- Educational institutions across Karnataka, particularly colleges and universities.
- Why
- The government says the elections can bring young people into mainstream politics, while differing accounts link the earlier ban to campus violence and political concerns.
Congress and Government View
BJP View
Why elections were banned
Congress and Government View
Some Congress leaders say senior politicians with entrenched interests wanted to prevent new political faces from emerging, while campus violence was also a major concern.
BJP View
The BJP says the Congress government banned elections because the ABVP was winning college polls and could strengthen the BJP.
Purpose of restarting elections
Congress and Government View
Congress leaders describe the elections as a way to bring young people into mainstream politics and say the contests will be independent of political parties.
BJP View
The BJP welcomed the decision, while the article notes that political observers see it as part of efforts by major parties to attract Gen Z voters and potentially revive the Congress-affiliated NSUI.
Role of campus politics
Congress and Government View
Supporters say student elections can create a path for young people to enter public life, although the government may still revise the rules.
BJP View
Critics of the earlier system point to threats, intimidation, ragging, murders and alleged involvement by underworld figures in Karnataka's college elections.
- Restart year
- 2026-27 academic year
- Previous elections
- Last held in 1989-90
- Student body structure
- One president, two vice presidents, one general secretary, two joint secretaries and six executive committee members
- Women’s reservations
- One vice president, one joint secretary and two executive committee positions will be reserved for women
- Caste and religion
- The government says the elections will not use caste- or religion-based reservations
- Political affiliation
- B.K. Hariprasad said the elections will be independent and not conducted under party banners