Archive · 19 Sep 2026
DUSU Leaders Who Later Shaped India’s Political Landscape
The Delhi University Students' Union is a student political group.
It began in 1949 and held its first election in 1954.
Over time, more students were able to vote directly in its elections.
During the 1970s, campaigns discussed issues such as jobs, corruption and democratic rights.
The student union also became connected to opposition against the Emergency from 1975 to 1977.
Two major groups in its elections are ABVP and NSUI.
Several former DUSU leaders later entered national or Delhi politics.
They include Arun Jaitley, Ajay Maken, Rekha Gupta, Alka Lamba and Nupur Sharma.
The Delhi University Students' Union was founded in 1949, with its first elections held in 1954.
DUSU elections became more participatory after the shift to direct voting and grew more politically focused during the 1970s.
The ABVP and NSUI have traditionally dominated DUSU elections, alongside participation from Left-backed groups and independents.
Arun Jaitley, an ABVP candidate, became DUSU president in 1974 and later served as Union Finance Minister.
Former DUSU presidents including Ajay Maken, Rekha Gupta, Alka Lamba and Nupur Sharma later held prominent political roles.
- Who
- Former DUSU presidents Arun Jaitley, Ajay Maken, Rekha Gupta, Alka Lamba and Nupur Sharma, along with the ABVP and NSUI.
- What
- The history of DUSU and the later political careers of several of its former members and presidents.
- When
- DUSU was founded in 1949, held its first elections in 1954, and saw notable political developments from the 1970s onward.
- Where
- Delhi University and the wider political landscape of Delhi and India.
- Why
- DUSU elections became a platform for student participation and debates over unemployment, corruption, democratic rights and government policy.
- Founded
- 1949
- First election
- 1954
- Major electoral forces
- ABVP and NSUI
- Emergency period
- 1975–1977
- Arun Jaitley’s DUSU presidency
- 1974
- Ajay Maken’s DUSU presidency
- 1985
- Rekha Gupta’s DUSU presidency
- 1996
- Nupur Sharma’s DUSU presidency
- 2008