Archive · 10 Sep 2026
Karnataka Cabinet revives student elections in colleges and universities
Karnataka’s government has decided to bring back student elections in colleges and universities.
Students will be able to choose representatives for different leadership positions.
Political parties and student organisations will not be allowed to take part.
Each college can have a president, vice-presidents, secretaries and an executive committee.
One vice-president and one joint secretary must be women.
The elections will not use caste-based reservations.
Colleges do not have to hold elections if students do not want them.
The government says the plan is meant to help students build leadership skills.
The Karnataka Cabinet decided to reintroduce student elections in universities and colleges from this year.
Political parties and student organisations will not be allowed to participate in the elections.
Each college may elect a president, two vice-presidents, a general secretary, two joint secretaries and a six-member executive committee.
The elections will have no caste-based reservations and will be held only if students choose to participate.
The government also plans to establish 10,000 Bharat Jodo Yuva Sanghas youth clubs at the village level.
- Who
- The Karnataka Cabinet, with details announced by Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara, decided to revive the elections.
- What
- Student elections will be reintroduced in universities and colleges, with political parties and student organisations excluded.
- When
- The decision was announced on Wednesday, and implementation is planned from this year.
- Where
- Universities and colleges in Karnataka.
- Why
- The government said the elections are intended primarily to develop leadership qualities among students.
- Decision
- The Karnataka Cabinet approved the reintroduction of student elections.
- Institutions covered
- Universities and colleges, but not schools.
- Participation
- Elections will take place only if students want them; participation is not mandatory for colleges.
- Political involvement
- Political parties and student organisations will not be allowed to participate.
- Posts
- Each college may have one president, two vice-presidents, one general secretary, two joint secretaries and a six-member executive committee.
- Women’s representation
- One vice-president, one joint secretary and two executive committee members will be women.
- Reservations
- There will be no reservation in the student elections.
- Youth clubs
- The government plans to establish 10,000 Bharat Jodo Yuva Sanghas at the village level.