Why the JNU student union model remains a unique political powerhouse

Cultures · Published 12 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: At Jawaharlal Nehru University, student elections are more than campus politics; they are a training ground for national leaders. With a constitution drafted by students and a debate culture that rivals professional arenas, the JNUSU maintains a distinct model that experts say is difficult to replicate elsewhere.

The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) operates under a unique framework, governed by a constitution drafted by the students themselves. This autonomy has created a political ecosystem where student leaders often transition into significant national roles. Notable alumni include CPI(M) politician Sitaram Yechury, who served as president in 1977–78, and Congress National Secretary Shakeel Ahmed Khan, who held the post in 1992–93. Other notable former leaders include D. P. Tripathi and Nalini Ranjan Mohanty. Additionally, Chandrashekhar Prasad, a former president, was assassinated after entering politics in Bihar.

The election results over the last four decades reveal a strong left-wing presence. Between 1974 and 2017, the Students' Federation of India (SFI) has won the presidency 22 times, while the All India Students’ Association (AISA) has secured it 11 times. In contrast, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has won the presidency only once, through Sandeep Mahapatra. Since 2015, various left parties have increasingly contested elections as a single unit under the 'United Left' umbrella. The student body also includes several organisations such as the Birsa Ambedkar Phule Students' Association and the Mithila Student Union. Various groups like the All India Democratic Students Organisation also participate in these contests.

The JNUSU model is so distinct that the 2006 Lyngdoh Committee, tasked with framing guidelines for student union elections across India, noted it would be difficult to replicate elsewhere. Despite these external recommendations, the JNUSU passed a resolution in 2016 to continue holding elections according to the JNUS constitution rather than the Lyngdoh model. This commitment to student-led governance is matched by the intensity of the campus, which is renowned for its high-level presidential debates held by all candidates before elections. The union's central panel consists of four key positions: President, Vice President, General Secretary, and Joint Secretary. Furthermore, the assembly includes various councillors representing different schools.

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