Odisha Student Union Elections on October 15 After 8-Year Gap

Bhubaneswar: Student union elections will be held across colleges and universities in Odisha on October 15, Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj announced on Monday following a meeting with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.

The elections will be held after an eight-year gap for the 2026-27 academic session. The Higher Education Department has directed all State Public Universities and Government, Autonomous and Aided Degree Colleges to conduct the polls.

As per the schedule, the election notification will be issued on October 7. Nominations will be filed on October 9, with scrutiny and publication of the valid list the same day. Candidates can withdraw on October 10, while the final list will be published at 3 pm.

The “Why I Stand For” meeting will be held on October 14, followed by polling from 8 am to 2 pm on October 15. Counting and result declaration will begin immediately after polling. The oath-taking ceremony will be held on October 16.

The notification mandates that student elections remain completely disassociated from political parties. Only regular full-time students admitted through SAMS will be eligible to vote or contest. Distance Education and PPP-mode self-financing students will be excluded.

Candidates must meet prescribed age, attendance and academic criteria, have no criminal record or pending disciplinary proceedings, and maintain at least 75% classroom attendance. The maximum election expenditure has been capped at ₹5,000 per candidate.

Authorities said Supreme Court-mandated guidelines will be strictly followed to ensure peaceful elections with minimal disruption to academic activities.