JNU, TISS Mumbai, BHU: Student unions vanish from universities with elections scrapped, councils taking over

Azib Ahmed & Sheena Sachdeva

Across universities in India, student union elections, a space for political participation, leadership-building and collective-bargaining, are increasingly being delayed, discontinued, or restructured into administrative formats. From central universities to deemed and state universities, students and former representatives point to a wider trend. Elected unions are being suspended or replaced with councils that function under university administration.

While universities often cite reasons such as preventing campus violence, ensuring academic focus, students and former representatives argue that these changes are fundamentally altering the nature of campus democracy.

The implications go beyond elections. They point to reduced political participation, limited space for debate and weaker systems to address grievances. In several cases, they also allege increased surveillance, disciplinary action against student leaders and shrinking tolerance for dissent.

This trend is visible across institutions. At Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) , disciplinary action against elected representatives has raised concerns about autonomy. At Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), elections are stalled. At Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwa Vidyalaya (MGAHV) , students allege that representation has been reduced to nomination-based systems. At Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) , the elected student union has been replaced with a council model under administrative oversight.

In the states, University of Calcutta, Patna University, University of Rajasthan and University of Mumbai, show widely-varying patterns, from long gaps in polling to elections held under pressure, with each institution facing unique challenges. Here’s a quick rundown.

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Jawaharlal Nehru University: JNUSU

At Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), students union elections continue to be held but elected student representatives are constantly under attack from the administration.

The JNU Students’ Union (JNUSU) elections were held in November 2025, with Aditi Mishra elected president. However, in early February, the JNU administration rusticated four elected office bearers , along with a former JNUSU president, over alleged vandalism of Facial Recognition Technology (FRT) at the central library in late November.

Utsa Kar, president of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) at JNU said that students had attempted dialogue with the administration for over two months, demanding a committee with student representation to examine concerns around biometric data and consent. She alleged that while the administration initially indicated willingness to form such a committee, but later backtracked.

Student leaders have questioned the timing of the disciplinary action, claiming that the inquiry had concluded earlier and that the action came just as students were mobilising to protest in support of the UGC Equity Regulations 2026 .

Following the suspensions, the union began an encampment protest on February 16. Utsa described the campus atmosphere as “intimidating”, citing increased security measures and administrative action. Posters displaying the photographs of the suspended representatives and declaring them “out of bounds” were put up at the university gates on February 20. “The Vice Chancellor is confirming exactly how much she fears our union,” Kar added.

Students have also raised concerns over provisions in the Chief Proctor’s Office Manual of 2023, which include fines of up to Rs 20,000 for protests within 100 metres of administrative buildings. They argue that such measures restrict political activity on campus.

Speaking on the broader implications, Aditi Mishra said the issue extends beyond student unions to collective organisations in general. She argued that such bodies are often viewed as obstacles because they question policies and mobilise resistance.

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Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya

At the Wardha-based Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya , students allege that elected representation has been replaced by a nomination-based system.

Niranjan Oberoy, a PhD scholar associated with the Samyak Vidyarthi Andolan, alleged that the institution does not conduct student union elections and instead appoints student representatives through a “merit and rotation” system that is frequently violated. “However, those affiliated with ABVP and are close to administration are often appointed," he said.

The MGAHV rules state, “Two student representatives, to be nominated by the VC on merit basis, one from among the research scholars and the other from the post graduate students from the various schools/ departments of the university, on rotational basis”.

Oberoy alleged that in the latest round, the students appointed were not top-ranked academically and were linked to ABVP.

Students have repeatedly demanded either transparent implementation of existing rules or the restoration of elections, but there’s been no formal response.

He further alleged that current student representatives do “selective work… represent only a few students”.

He alleged that students who speak out against the administration face disciplinary action, including suspension or notices. He claimed that even social media posts critical of university decisions have been questioned.

Banaras Hindu University

At BHU, student union elections have not been held for decades, with the last full-fledged polls taking place in the 1990s. Students say repeated demands have failed to revive the union. “There appears to be little administrative will to revive the union. He noted that students have submitted memoranda multiple times, but no concrete action followed,” said Mukul, a member of the Disha Student Organization.

He said that the absence of elections affects the political awareness among students. “Universities are where young people understand society, and politics,” he said, adding that spaces for participation are “shrinking across campuses”.

Mukul said student concerns are often raised with the Dean of Students’ Welfare (DSW). While some infrastructure issues, such as classroom facilities and lighting, have been resolved after submitting memoranda, bigger concerns, especially hostel food quality, remain unresolved.

Akanksha Azad, associated with the Bhagat Singh Students Morcha and a former BHU student, said the administration has often cited campus violence and criminal activity as reasons for not restoring student elections. “They say elections lead to violence, wrong influence on students, and crime,” she said.

She acknowledged that there have been incidents of violence on campus in the past, including serious cases years ago. However, she argued that this cannot justify suspending elections indefinitely. “Violence happens in elections everywhere, from panchayat to parliament. The answer is to control it, not to stop elections altogether,” she said.

She also noted that a student council existed briefly between 2010 and 2012, but it had limited powers and was eventually scrapped after a boycott.

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Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI)

Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) last saw student union elections in 2006.

Sanam Husain, Students’ Federation of India (SFI) vice-president at JMI, said that the administration has not held any proper discussions about conducting student union elections. “There is almost no conversation from the administration on this,” she said. She added that students depend on old records, court updates, and senior students to understand the issue of student union elections.

In the absence of a union, she said, student groups rely on memorandums, signature campaigns and occasional protests to raise issues, but these efforts have had limited impact. While some departments hold internal elections for class representatives, she said these do not amount to a university-wide body capable of addressing major concerns.

As a result, she added, students have little bargaining power on larger issues such as fee hikes, hostel infrastructure and policy decisions.

Sanam alleged that decision making has become “dictatorial and anti student”, particularly after 2019-2020, when the campus saw intense anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protests and police crackdown. She pointed out that even in bodies like the Internal Complaints Committee, student members are nominated rather than elected. “Students have no real negotiation power with the administration,” she said.

Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS)

Early this year, TISS Mumbai’s elected student union was replaced by a student council which, students and former representatives say, operates under administrative control.

Till 2024, TISS had a functioning student union with elected representatives, including a president and general secretary. The last elections were held in July 2023 with Atul Patil elected president. In May 2024, the union was suspended, and no elections have been held since.

“Earlier, the student union was a democratically elected body that took decisions based on students’ needs,” said Patil. “Now, that structure has been dismantled.”

Under the new system, classroom representatives (CRs) and other student volunteers continue to be elected, but their role has been formalised into committees operating under administrative oversight, according to students.

“The biggest change is that leadership is no longer decided by students. The administration now has the authority to nominate and decide who leads,” Patil said. “In the name of democracy, what exists now is more like a controlled system.”

He explained that earlier, classroom representatives functioned as a support base for elected leaders, but with the removal of the executive body, they now form the council without independent decision-making authority. “Earlier, elected representatives would engage with the administration on behalf of students. That channel is now gone,” Patil said.

Last year saw the police case against TISS Mumbai students for organising an event to commemorate the first death anniversary of former Delhi University Professor G N Saibaba. “Incidents like these led to a tense political environment on campus,” said Patil.

The institute, long known for its politically-active campus and vibrant debate culture, has seen that space shrink. “Political engagement and debate were central to campus life. That culture has been dismantled,” Patil added. “There is a growing atmosphere of surveillance where students gathering in small groups are monitored, and protests can lead to police complaints.”

“Students are hesitant to speak up now because they fear consequences… most choose to stay silent,” another student said.

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Calcutta University

At University of Calcutta, student union elections have not been held for several years, with the last poll reportedly taking place around 2016-17. Debjyoti Das, former Kolkata district president of National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), said the ruling party, Trinamool Congress (TMC), often cites “hooliganism” during elections as a reason for the delay.

Das said, “TMC’s student representatives, with support from the ruling government, have formed an informal syndicate and have been exercising leadership and influence on campus affairs in the absence of formal student union elections”.

The Calcutta High Court has repeatedly intervened, noting the long delay in elections. In August 2025, the West Bengal government informed the court that it was willing to conduct student union elections, but the university and its affiliated colleges have not taken any initiative to organise them.

Patna University: PUSU

Patna University Students’ Union (PUSU) election was held on February 28, 2026, after repeated uncertainty and protests over a brief postponement by the administration.

Shashwat, an NSUI leader at the university, said, “For nearly two years, we had to push the administration through protests and even a hunger strike to ensure that elections were held. It was only after persistent efforts that a new student union was elected in March.”

The NSUI secured key leadership positions, winning both the president and general secretary posts. However, Shashwat added that even after being elected, student representatives continue to face challenges in functioning effectively due to limited administrative support.

University of Rajasthan

At the University of Rajasthan (RU) , student union elections have not been held since 2022, with the previous polls conducted in 2021.

A student leader from RU, associated with SFI, said that the university rules require elections to be held within six-eight weeks of new admissions. However, the student claimed that the delay in the admission process – often extending to September or October, has contributed to the postponement. “Since 2022, no elections have been held. The previous election was during Ashok Gehlot’s government, and after the BJP came to power [in the state], the polls have not been conducted,” the leader said.

Last year, a group of students filed a petition in the Rajasthan High Court seeking clarity on the delay. However, when the court asked the administration on why student union elections were not held, the university administration cited the implementation of New Education Policy (NEP) as a reason.

Mumbai University

At the University of Mumbai, student union elections remain on hold despite the Maharashtra government’s 2019 decision to revive campus polls after a gap of over two decades. While the policy had raised expectations, the promise didn’t translate into practice.

Students union elections were last held in 1993. Since then, the university has adopted a nomination-based student council system.

Pradyum Yadav, NSUI president of the Mumbai district, said, “We have consistently demanded the restoration of student union elections…We are now planning large-scale protests across the state to demand their reinstatement.”