After 38 years, students’ union polls to return to Telangana varsities

After a gap of 38 years, students’ union elections are likely to return to the State Universities in the next academic year.

The Telangana Education Commission, which recently conducted a comprehensive study on the current situation in the State’s universities, has decided to propose elections for students’ unions.

This proposal will be included in the draft Telangana Education Policy, which is being formulated by an expert committee

While the Central Universities such as the University of Hyderabad (UoH), English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU) and Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) hold students’ union polls every academic year, the State universities have not held polls since 1988.

In addition, the Commission is of the view that holding polls for



students’ unions will play a key role in identifying and nurturing future political leadership within universities, fostering democratic values and leadership skills among students.

To tackle violence, if any, on the campuses, the TEC is pitching for deployment of police forces. Welcoming the proposal, the All-India Students’ Federation (AISF) said the organisation has long been demanding elections for students’ unions.

“Holding elections to the students’ body will help in creating new leaders from the universities. Presently, only people from political family backgrounds are benefiting than the commoners. The elections will provide a platform for students to develop leadership, organisation and communication skills besides creating awareness on the issues,” said Satya Nelli, OU political science research scholar and secretary AISF OU.