Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Odisha's Student Union Elections Return After Eight-Year Campus Hiatus
Odisha plans to bring student union elections back to its colleges and universities after eight years.
The voting is scheduled for October 15 for the 2026-27 academic session.
Colleges are expected to announce the election on October 7.
Candidates will file their names on October 9, and the final candidate list is due October 10.
On October 14, candidates will meet students and explain why they are running.
Votes will be counted and results announced on October 15.
The elected representatives are expected to take their oaths on October 16.
Candidates must follow rules, including a spending limit and restrictions on political-party money and false online content.
Student groups linked to three major parties are preparing to reach out to students.
Odisha will hold student union elections on October 15 at colleges and universities under its Higher Education Department for the 2026-27 academic session.
Colleges are scheduled to issue notices October 7, accept and scrutinise nominations October 9, and publish the final candidate list October 10.
Candidates will meet students on October 14; vote counting and results are scheduled for October 15, with oaths on October 16.
Regular elections were last held in 2017; the 2018 cycle was cancelled after campus violence and Cyclone Titli, and the suspension continued through the pandemic and a change of government.
Candidates face a Rs 5,000 spending cap, eligibility requirements, and restrictions including bans on party funding and AI-generated fake campaign content.
- Who
- The Odisha government, eligible students, and student groups including ABVP, BCJD, and NSUI.
- What
- Student union elections are scheduled, with polling, counting, and results on October 15.
- When
- The schedule lists October 7 for notices and October 15 for polling; the elections are for the 2026-27 academic session. The articles do not specify the year for the October dates.
- Where
- Colleges and universities under Odisha's Higher Education Department.
- Why
- The elections are returning after an eight-year suspension. The BJP had promised to restore campus elections; the articles cite campus issues, violence, Cyclone Titli, the COVID-19 pandemic, and a change of government in the history of the suspension.
Party separation rules
Parties' campus outreach
Political involvement in student polls
Party separation rules
The election notification requires student elections and representation to be completely disassociated from political parties and bars candidates from receiving party funds.
Parties' campus outreach
ABVP, BCJD, and NSUI have revived campus networks and outreach; the articles say major parties view the polls as a chance to connect with young voters and learn about their concerns.
- Polling date
- October 15
- Academic session
- 2026-27
- Key schedule
- Notices: October 7; nominations and scrutiny: October 9; final candidate list: October 10; candidate meeting: October 14; oath-taking: October 16
- Previous regular elections
- 2017
- Candidate spending limit
- Rs 5,000 per candidate; political-party funding is barred
- Eligibility
- Undergraduates must be 17–22 and postgraduates up to 25; candidates need at least 75% classroom attendance and no academic arrears in the year of contest.
- Campaign and conduct rules
- Rules prohibit printed posters and pamphlets, appeals to caste or communal feelings, bribery, intimidation, canvassing within 100 metres of polling stations, and false, misleading, manipulated, or AI-generated fake social media content.
- Cleanup requirement
- Candidates are jointly responsible for cleaning polling areas within 48 hours after voting; failure carries a stated penalty of Rs 1,500 per candidate.
