JNUSU elections 2025: Polling ends; check result date, key contestants

The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) elections 2025 have officially concluded, marking another high-energy student poll at the prestigious campus. Voting was held in two phases, and the counting of votes is set to begin at 9 pm. The results are expected to be declared on Thursday, November 6.

This year’s election has seen an intense four-way contest among major student alliances, including the Left Unity, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), and other independent groups. The excitement among students has been visible throughout the campaign period, with debates, poster drives, and street plays highlighting key issues on campus.

According to university officials, voter participation was very strong, with nearly 70 percent of registered students casting their votes. Around 5,500 students took part in the polling, showing the continued enthusiasm of JNU’s student body in shaping their campus leadership.

Candidates and alliances in the spotlight

A total of 20 candidates contested for the four key positions in the students’ union — president, vice-president, general secretary, and joint secretary. The presidential race alone featured seven candidates from different student groups, each representing their unique ideologies and visions for the university.

For the post of president, the candidates are Aditi Mishra from the Left Unity, Vikas Patel representing ABVP, Vikash Bishnoi from NSUI, Raj Ratan Rajoria of BAPSA, Shirshava Indu from DISHA, Shinde Vijayalaxmi from the Progressive Students’ Association, and independent candidate Angad Singh.

In the race for vice-president, the key contestants include Left Unity’s Kizhakoot Gopika Babu, NSUI’s Shaikh Shahnawaz Alam, and ABVP’s Tanya Kumari. Each of them ran spirited campaigns focused on student welfare, academic freedom, and inclusivity within the university.

The Left Unity, which has dominated JNU politics for several years, is an alliance of three student organisations — the All India Students’ Association (AISA), Students’ Federation of India (SFI), and Democratic Students’ Federation (DSF). This coalition has often highlighted issues such as campus democracy, affordable education, and resistance to what they describe as rising central interference in university affairs.

On the other hand, the ABVP, affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), has campaigned strongly on themes of nationalism, development, and student discipline. NSUI, the student wing of the Congress party, has tried to connect with students on issues of inclusivity, women’s safety, and infrastructure improvements. Independent and smaller student groups, like DISHA, BAPSA, and the Progressive Students’ Association, have also drawn attention by raising local campus concerns such as hostel facilities and gender sensitisation programmes.

A look back at last year’s results

In the 2024-25 JNUSU elections, the Left Unity alliance maintained a strong hold on campus by winning three of the four top positions. Nitish Kumar from AISA was elected as President, Manisha from DSF became the Vice-President, and Munteha Fatima from DSF won the General Secretary post. The ABVP made a notable comeback after a decade-long gap, securing the position of Joint Secretary with their candidate Vaibhav Meena.

That victory was seen as a major achievement for the ABVP, which had been struggling to gain a foothold in JNU’s largely Left-leaning student politics. It also signaled that student sentiments were becoming more diverse, with several groups gaining visibility beyond the traditional Left and Right divide.

Given this backdrop, the 2025 elections have drawn even more attention from students, faculty, and political observers. The campus has been buzzing with discussions on whether the Left alliance can retain its dominance or if the ABVP or NSUI can turn the tide this time.

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What lies ahead

The JNUSU election is more than just a campus event — it is often seen as a reflection of larger political trends among India’s youth. JNU has a long tradition of vibrant political activity, and its student elections are known for their democratic energy, high voter engagement, and ideological debates.

As counting begins, all eyes are now on the candidates who campaigned tirelessly over the past weeks. While the Left alliance is confident about continuing its winning streak, the ABVP, NSUI, and independent candidates are hopeful for a change in campus leadership.

Security arrangements have been tightened around the counting venue to ensure a smooth and transparent process. University officials have also advised students to maintain calm and avoid any celebrations or protests until the official results are declared.

The final results, expected on November 6, will decide who takes charge of one of India’s most politically active student unions. Regardless of the outcome, the 2025 JNUSU elections once again highlight the spirit of student democracy that continues to thrive at Jawaharlal Nehru University.