The Odisha government on Monday, 5 October 2026, announced that students' union elections will be held across colleges and universities under the Higher Education (HE) department on 15 October 2026 — the first such polls in the state in eight years. The announcement, made through an official notification from the HE department, covers the 2026-27 academic session and marks the revival of campus democracy that had been suspended since 2017.

Election Schedule at a Glance

The compressed electoral calendar begins with colleges issuing election notifications on 7 October. Nominations will be filed and scrutinised on 9 October, and the final candidate list will be declared by 10 October — the last date for withdrawal of candidature.

A 'Why I Stand For' meeting — where candidates address fellow students — is scheduled for 14 October, followed by polling and vote counting on 15 October. The oath-taking ceremony for newly elected union members will be held on 16 October.

Why Elections Were Suspended for Eight Years

Regular student union elections were last held in Odisha in 2017. The 2018 cycle was scrapped following multiple incidents of campus violence and the destruction wrought by Cyclone Titli. The process then remained suspended through the COVID-19 pandemic and a subsequent change of government in the state — a prolonged democratic vacuum in campus politics spanning nearly a decade.

Key Rules and Code of Conduct

The notification lays down strict guidelines designed to keep the elections clean and apolitical. Foremost among them is a mandate for complete disassociation of student elections from political parties — candidates cannot receive funds from parties and are individually capped at a campaign expenditure of ₹5,000.

The code of conduct explicitly bars printed posters and pamphlets, caste or communal appeals, bribery, voter intimidation, and canvassing within 100 metres of polling stations. In a notable addition reflecting contemporary concerns, the guidelines also prohibit candidates from using false, misleading, manipulated, or AI-generated fake content on social media during the election process.

Eligibility Criteria for Candidates

Only regular enrolled students may contest. Undergraduate candidates must be aged between 17 and 22 years, while postgraduate candidates must be no older than 25 years. All contestants must have a minimum of 75 per cent classroom attendance and no academic arrears in the year of contest.

Students enrolled through Distance Education or PPP-mode programmes are ineligible. Candidates must also have no previous criminal record or pending disciplinary proceedings.

Post-Election Accountability

An unusual provision holds candidates jointly responsible for cleaning the polling area within 48 hours of the conclusion of voting. Failure to comply attracts a penalty of ₹1,500 per candidate. Broader violations of the election guidelines may result in cancellation of candidature or the elected post, in addition to institutional disciplinary action.

With elections now set for 15 October, Odisha's colleges are expected to see their first genuine campus electoral contest in nearly a decade — a moment that will test both student enthusiasm and the new regulatory framework's ability to keep the process free of external political influence.