Karnataka revives student elections after 37 years, bans political parties

Karnataka is set to bring back student union elections to colleges and universities after a 37-year ban, with the state Cabinet clearing the proposal on Wednesday.Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara said the elections will be conducted without political affiliations and will give students an opportunity to elect their own representatives. The move follows recommendations submitted by a committee headed by Minister Sharan Prakash Patil after visits to colleges and universities.STUDENT POLLS RETURN THIS YEARThe elections will be implemented from this year, with degree and pre-university colleges covered in the first phase. The government will decide the detailed modalities, including the schedule and procedure, at a later stage.The student union in each college will have one president, two vice-presidents, one general secretary, two joint secretaries and a six-member executive committee. Four positions will be reserved for women. One vice-president, one joint secretary and two executive committee members will be women.However, the government has decided against caste-based reservation. Parameshwara said the aim was to prevent student elections from becoming centred on caste identities.POLITICAL BANNERS STAY OUT Political parties will not be allowed to take part in the elections. Students who are members of political student organisations can contest, but they cannot campaign under the banner of those organisations.Candidates must also be officially enrolled students of the college, Parameshwara said.The elections will not be mandatory either. If students do not want to hold polls, they can decide against them. College management cannot impose elections on students.The government has said the main objective is to develop leadership qualities among students and give them experience in choosing their representatives.WHY THE BAN WAS LIFTED NOWKarnataka had banned student body elections in 1989 following a series of violent incidents and clashes on campuses. The proposal to revive the polls was included in the state Budget earlier this year, after which a Cabinet sub-committee examined the issue.The latest decision reverses a ban that lasted more than three decades. It will allow students to have a formal electoral process on campuses while keeping political party banners and caste-based reservations outside the system.The government is expected to announce the detailed election rules and schedule separately.(With PTI inputs)- EndsPublished By: Princy ShuklaPublished On: Sep 10, 2026 16:41 IST