Karnataka Cabinet decides to reintroduce students' elections in universities, colleges
The revived polls will be phased in at colleges first and universities later, with women-only reservation and no political party participation.
- On Wednesday, the Karnataka Cabinet voted to reintroduce student elections in universities and colleges, ending a 37-year ban dating to 1989. Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara said the policy aims to build leadership and uphold democratic values.
- Minister Sharan Prakash Patil led a committee that visited various colleges and universities, submitting findings that informed the decision. Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had announced the policy during the 2026 State Budget.
- Political parties are strictly prohibited from participation. Student unions will have an elected president, two vice-presidents including one woman, one general secretary, two joint secretaries including one woman, and a six-member executive committee with two women.
- Elections will roll out in two phases beginning with PU and degree colleges, then expanding to state universities from the 2026-2027 academic year. Parameshwara emphasized that participation is optional, stating "If students don't want it, they can decide not to have it."
- Separately, the state is distributing new membership forms on Tuesday through Deputy Commissioners to establish 10,000 Bharat Jodo Yuva Sanghas youth clubs by month's end. Around 7.36 lakh members have registered toward a 10 lakh target after technical issues temporarily halted enrollment.
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The Economic Times
Times of IndiaKarnataka Cabinet decides to reintroduce students' elections in universities, colleges
The Cabinet of Karnataka has initiated a decision to reinstate student elections in colleges and universities, barring political party involvement. The primary objective of this move is to cultivate leadership skills among the youth. Furthermore, in an effort to encourage democratic principles, the state intends to create ten thousand youth clubs in rural areas for engaging in diverse activities that promote secularism and civic responsibility.
Karnataka Cabinet approves reintroduction of student elections
He also added that students cannot contest elections under any student organisation but those belonging to student unions can do so as long as they did not do it under the banners of their respective organisations.
Karnataka Cabinet Approves Student Elections From 2026-27 Academic Year
The Karnataka Cabinet has approved the reintroduction of student elections in colleges and universities from the 2026–27 academic year. The government says the move is aimed at fostering leadership, responsibility and democratic values among students. However, the new framework will not allow caste-based reservations in student elections. The decision marks the return of campus politics in Karnataka after a long gap.
Student union polls to be held without caste quota, but with reserved seats for women from this academic year in Karnataka
Elections to student unions in colleges and universities in Karnataka, which had been banned over two decades ago, will be revived from this academic year to train students for leadership roles and uphold democratic values.
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