The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) election is all set to take place on November 4, 2025, and the contest promises to be a high-energy face-off between two major student blocs — the RSS-backed Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the Left alliance consisting of the All India Students’ Association (AISA), Students’ Federation of India (SFI), and Democratic Students’ Federation (DSF).
On Wednesday, the JNUSU election committee released the final list of nominations for the four key posts — president, vice-president, general secretary, and joint secretary — marking the start of an intense campaign season at the prestigious Delhi-based university.
The ABVP has fielded Vikas Patel for the post of president. Patel is a third-year PhD scholar and is expected to lead the party’s campaign that focuses on national integration and campus development. For the vice-president’s position, the ABVP has nominated Tanya Kumari, a PhD student from the Centre for the Study of Social Systems in the School of Social Sciences. The candidates for general secretary and joint secretary are Rajeshwar Kant Dubey and Anuj, respectively — both research scholars known for their active involvement in student issues.
The Left alliance has chosen Aditi Mishra, a PhD scholar from the School of International Studies, as its presidential candidate. For the vice-president’s post, the alliance has nominated Kizhakoot Gopika Babu, while Sunil Yadav and Danish Ali will contest for the posts of general secretary and joint secretary, respectively.
With less than a week to go for the elections, campaigning is in full swing across the JNU campus. Student groups are conducting door-to-door visits in hostels, poster campaigns, corner meetings, and public debates on various issues that directly affect students. The atmosphere on campus has become highly political, with colourful posters and slogans filling walls, and students passionately discussing their preferred candidates.
Some of the key issues being discussed during this election include hostel shortages, library access, research funding, campus safety, and student representation in decision-making. The JNUSU elections have historically been known for their strong ideological battles and are often viewed as a reflection of larger national political trends among youth and student groups.
The election committee revealed that this year there are 9,043 eligible voters. Another notable highlight is the strong representation of women candidates, with 30 percent of the central panel nominations and 25 percent of the school councillor nominations coming from female students.
According to the official schedule, polling will take place in two phases — from 9 am to 1 pm and again from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm on November 4. The results will be announced on November 6.
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In last year’s JNUSU elections (2024–25), the Left alliance managed to retain its stronghold by winning three out of four top posts, while the ABVP made a comeback after ten years by winning the joint secretary’s position.
Nitish Kumar (AISA) was elected president, Manisha (DSF) became the vice-president, and Munteha Fatima (DSF) secured the post of general secretary. The ABVP’s Vaibhav Meena made headlines by winning the joint secretary position, marking a significant return for the organisation after a decade-long absence from the central panel.
Last year’s elections also witnessed an impressive 70 percent voter turnout, with about 5,500 students casting their votes. The poll was a four-cornered contest among the AISA-DSF alliance, ABVP, and an NSUI-Fraternity alliance, reflecting the diversity of political thought at JNU.
This year, both major sides are aiming to either consolidate or reclaim their positions. The Left bloc is focusing on issues like affordable hostels, academic freedom, and research support, while the ABVP is highlighting campus discipline, nationalism, and the need for better facilities.
As the campaigning reaches its peak, the university is witnessing spirited debates and discussions across hostels and departments. Students are engaging actively, attending public meetings and asking tough questions to candidates about their stand on student welfare, administrative transparency, and inclusivity on campus.
While the JNUSU elections are limited to one university, they hold national importance, as JNU is often seen as a symbol of student activism and intellectual resistance. Many of its elected representatives in the past have gone on to become influential political figures and social activists.
The 2025 JNUSU elections are thus being closely watched, not just within the university, but also by political observers and national media. The outcome will likely indicate whether the Left can maintain its dominance or the ABVP can continue its revival, making this one of the most significant student elections of the year.
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