Bhubaneswar, Oct 5: Student union elections will be held across colleges and universities in Odisha on October 15, 2026, marking the return of the electoral process after a gap of eight years. Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj announced the decision on Monday following a meeting with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
The Higher Education Department subsequently issued an official notification directing all State Public Universities and Government, Autonomous and Aided Degree Colleges to conduct student union elections for the 2026-27 academic session.
According to the schedule, the official notification containing the detailed election dateline will be issued on October 7. Candidates will be allowed to file nominations on October 9 between 10 am and 1 pm. Scrutiny will be conducted from 2 pm to 4 pm, while the list of valid nominations will be published at 5 pm the same day.
Candidates can withdraw their nominations on October 10 between 10 am and 1 pm. The final list of candidates will be published at 3 pm. A special “Why I Stand For” meeting will be held on October 14, providing candidates an opportunity to present their views.
Polling is scheduled for October 15 from 8 am to 2 pm. Counting of votes and declaration of results will begin immediately after polling, from 2 pm. The oath-taking ceremony for elected representatives will be held on October 16 at 11 am.
The notification has mandated complete disassociation of student elections from political parties. Only regular full-time students admitted through the Student Academic Management System (SAMS) will be eligible to vote or contest. Students enrolled through Distance Education or Self-Financing courses under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode will not be eligible to participate.
Candidates will also have to fulfil prescribed eligibility conditions. Undergraduate candidates must be between 17 and 22 years of age, while postgraduate candidates must not be above 25 years as on the date of notification. Candidates must have no academic arrears during the year of contest, at least 75 per cent classroom attendance, and no previous criminal record or pending disciplinary proceedings.
The maximum expenditure limit has been fixed at ₹5,000 per candidate. The department has directed institutions to strictly follow guidelines issued in pursuance of Supreme Court directions and ensure that the elections are conducted in an orderly manner without causing significant disruption to teaching and learning activities.
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