The Research Dialogue

Author :Ananya Mishra

DOI: https://doi.org/10.64880/theresearchdialogue.v5i1.13

Abstract:

                     The study aims to identify how student politics function within the realm of a public university along with the set of challenges it poses to the idea of free and fair democratic elections. It observes that student elections are guided by ideology, normative values, institutional capacity, and party dynamics. Taking Delhi University Students’ Elections as a case study, the paper argues that it acts as a microcosm of Indian politics and its electioneering processes. Despite regulatory frameworks such as the Lyngdoh Committee and National Green Tribunal guidelines, these are frequently violated in practice.The study further examines changes in student politics in the post-Mandal and post-liberalisation era, highlighting how caste, class, gender, and ethnicity influence electoral dynamics from ticket distribution to voting patterns thus challenging the ideal of a level playing field. With the rise of digital technology, campaigning and political awareness have transformed significantly, increasing participation and information dissemination. Overall, the paper evaluates the effectiveness of student elections and argues for urgent reforms to ensure greater democratic participation and egalitarianism.

Keywords: University Elections, Student Politics, Indian politics.

Cite this Article: 

Mishra Ananya,“ The Role of Student Politics in Public Universities: A Study of Delhi University Elections” The Research Dialogue, Open Access Peer-reviewed & Refereed Journal, Pp-113–119,Volume-05, Issue-01, April-2026, https://theresearchdialogue.com/