Odisha Students' Union Elections: Odisha Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj has announced that Students' Union Elections will be held on October 15, 2026, in all Public Colleges and Universities across the state. The announcement was made following a meeting with Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi. The Elections will be held after a gap of 8 years in accordance with the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations. As per the announcement made, the state government has also mentioned that the aim of conducting the elections is to bring back the platform for students to develop their leadership skills.
According to the schedule released, the election notification will be issued on October 7, 2026, and nominations will be accepted from October 9, 2026. Elections will be held on October 15, 2026, and elected representatives will take the oath before noon on October 16, 2026.
Students Union Election Schedule
The following is the schedule for the upcoming Students' Union elections in Odisha
|
Activity |
Date and Time |
|
Official notification regarding elections |
October 7, 2026 |
|
Filing Nominations |
October 9, 2026 (10 AM to 1 PM) |
|
Scrutiny of nominations |
October 9, 2026 (2 PM to 4 PM |
|
Publication of Valid nominations |
October 9, 2026 (5 PM) |
|
Withdrawal of nominations |
October 10, 2026 (10 AM to 1 PM) |
|
Publication of final candidate list |
October 10, 2026 (3 PM) |
|
Meeting on “Why I Stand For” |
October 14, 2026 |
|
Date of Polling |
October 15, 2026 (8 AM to 2 PM) |
|
Counting and Result Declaration |
October 15, 2026 (2 PM till completion of counting and declaration of results) |
|
Oath-Taking Ceremony |
October 16, 2026 (11 AM) |
Odisha Students Union Election: Guidelines and Rules
The ministry has issued rules and regulations to be followed by candidates participating in the students' union elections. As per the notification issued, all participating candidates have been directed to ensure that they maintain proper decorum. The election guidelines prohibit the use of abusive or objectionable language, personal attacks, baseless allegations and circulation of false or misleading information.
Authorities have also been asked to impose strict restrictions on the circulation of AI-generated fake content during the election campaign. Candidates are also not allowed to use printed posters or pamphlets for campaigning, while handmade posters will be permitted. Rallies meetings and processions outside the campus is strictly prohibited, campaign rallies, meetings, and processions outside the campus are strictly prohibited. Rallies or meetings within the college premises will require prior written permission from authorities.
Each candidate has only been allowed to spend a maximum of Rs. 5000 during the campaign. Candidates have been directed to submit their election expenditure accounts to the college or university authorities within two weeks of the declaration of the results. The institution will also publish the expenditure details on the HIMS Portal within two days. Any violation of the spending limit will lead to the cancellation of the election.
Financial support from political parties is also prohibited. Funding will only be permitted through voluntary contributions, and other sources of financial support are barred.
