The Election Committee of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has officially released the final list of candidates for the highly anticipated Students’ Union elections for the 2025-26 academic year. A total of twenty students, including six women, are set to compete for the four central panel posts: president, vice-president, general secretary, and joint secretary, with polling scheduled for November 4.
The committee confirmed that seven students are contesting for the president’s role, three for vice-president, five for general secretary, and five for joint secretary. In addition, 111 valid nominations have been approved for councillor positions across JNU’s 18 centers. The final candidate list was announced Wednesday evening, following the closure of the withdrawal window and the allocation of campaign spaces on campus.
Contestants and Alliances
This year’s election promises a dynamic three-way contest. The main contenders include the Left alliance, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), and the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI). Several independent candidates and smaller student groups are also in the fray, adding to the competitive atmosphere.
The ABVP’s lineup features Vikas Patel for president, Tanya Kumari for vice-president, Rajeshwar Kant Dubey for general secretary, and Anuj Damara for joint secretary.
The Left alliance, a coalition of AISA, SFI, and DSF, has put forward Aditi Mishra for president, Gopika Babu for vice-president, Sunil Yadav for general secretary, and Danish Ali for joint secretary.
The NSUI candidates include Vikash Bishnoi for president, Shaikh Shahnavaz Alam for vice-president, Preeti for general secretary, and Kuldeep Ojha for joint secretary.
Beyond these major alliances, AISF is independently contesting with Gopikrishnan U seeking the general secretary’s post. From the Ambedkarite platform BAPSA, Raj Ratan Rajoria is running for president and Shuaib Khan for general secretary. DISHA has nominated Shirshava Indu for president, and the Progressive Students’ Association has put forward Shinde Vijayalaxmi for the same position.
Campaign Intensifies on Campus
With the candidate list now public, campaign activities have noticeably surged across the JNU campus. Posters, pamphlets, and lively open discussions are common sights as candidates and their supporters actively engage with the student body. School-level general body meetings will continue until October 31, leading up to the university-wide general body meeting on November 1. A highly anticipated presidential debate is scheduled for Sunday, November 2, with November 3 designated as a no-campaign day to allow for reflection.
Polling and Counting Schedule
Voting will take place on November 4 in two distinct phases: from 9 am to 1 pm, and then from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm. The counting of votes will commence at 9 pm on the same day, and the final results are expected to be announced by November 6.
The election process officially began on October 24 with the release of the tentative voters’ list and a window for grievance correction. The university’s grievance redressal cell remains active, overseeing the conduct of the polls and addressing any disputes that may arise.
Background and Significance
JNU Students’ Union (JNUSU) elections are often a significant indicator of broader ideological shifts within India’s student politics. In the previous year, Left-backed student groups secured three of the four central panel posts, while the ABVP made history by winning the joint secretary position, marking its first central panel victory in nearly a decade.
As November 4 draws near, the campus is gearing up for a vibrant polling day. Students will actively participate in exercising their democratic right to vote, not only choosing their next leaders but also reflecting the dynamic and politically aware pulse of the JNU community. These elections uphold JNU’s long-standing legacy as a hub for critical thinking, activism, and fostering future leadership.