Odisha Student Union Elections 2026: Nomination Process Begins After 8-Year Gap; Polling on October 15

Bhubaneswar: Student politics is returning to colleges and universities across Odisha after an eight-year gap. The nomination process for the 2026 student union elections began on October 9, bringing renewed excitement to campuses as aspiring student leaders prepare to contest for various union positions.

The elections are scheduled for October 15, 2026, following the Odisha government’s decision to restore student representation in higher education institutions. The last regular student union elections in the state were held in 2017.

Elections Across Colleges and Universities

According to reports, 328 colleges and 13 universities will conduct direct student union elections, while another 205 higher education institutions will select their student representatives through a selection process.

The return of campus elections has renewed discussions among students about leadership, student welfare, campus facilities and academic development. Issues such as hostel accommodation, campus safety and infrastructure improvement are expected to feature prominently in candidates’ discussions with students.

Nomination Process and Election Schedule

The Higher Education Department has announced a detailed schedule for the election process.

• October 7: Official election notifications issued.
• October 9: Nomination filing from 10 AM to 1 PM, followed by scrutiny from 2 PM to 4 PM.
• October 9, 5 PM: Publication of the list of valid nominations.
• October 10: Withdrawal of nominations from 10 AM to 1 PM; final candidate list at 3 PM.
• October 14: Candidates participate in the “Why I Stand For” meeting.
• October 15: Polling from 8 AM to 2 PM, followed by vote counting and result declarations.
• October 16: Oath-taking ceremony for newly elected representatives at 11 AM.

The schedule is designed to complete the election process within a short period to minimise disruption to academic activities.

Eligibility Rules for Candidates

The Higher Education Department has prescribed eligibility conditions for students wishing to contest the elections.

Undergraduate candidates must generally be between 17 and 22 years of age, while postgraduate candidates must be no older than 25 years on the date of the election notification. Candidates must also maintain at least 75 per cent classroom attendance and have no academic arrears in the year of the election.

Students must be regular, full-time students of their institutions and meet the prescribed disciplinary and other eligibility requirements. Students enrolled through distance education or courses operating under the public-private partnership (PPP) model are excluded under the notified rules.

Strict Guidelines for Campaigning

Authorities have introduced guidelines intended to ensure that the elections remain peaceful, fair and focused on student issues.

The election rules prohibit direct involvement by political parties in the student election process. Candidates must also follow campaign restrictions, including a maximum expenditure limit of ₹5,000 per candidate.

The guidelines restrict the use of printed campaign materials and prohibit abusive language, personal attacks and the circulation of false or manipulated content, including AI-generated fake material. Students and supporters are expected to maintain discipline throughout the process.

Eight-Year Wait Comes to an End

Student union elections were suspended after 2017 amid concerns involving campus disturbances and other challenges. The suspension continued in subsequent years, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The decision to restore elections is expected to give students an opportunity to participate directly in campus governance and develop leadership skills. Student representatives can also serve as a channel through which students raise concerns about academic facilities, accommodation, safety and other institutional matters.

With nominations underway and polling scheduled for October 15, attention is now turning to the final candidate lists, campaign activities and preparations across Odisha’s campuses.

What Happens Next?

The final list of candidates will be published on October 10 after the withdrawal period. Candidates will then have an opportunity to present their positions at the “Why I Stand For” meeting on October 14, before students cast their votes the following day.

The results are scheduled to be declared after counting on October 15, with newly elected representatives set to take their oath on October 16.

As student union elections return after eight years, the coming days will be important for student participation, campus leadership and the future of student representation in Odisha’s higher education institutions.