DUSU Elections 2026: Luxury Cars, Chai Politics and Gen Z Issues Beyond ABVP vs NSUI Battle

New Delhi: In Delhi University, September has a sound of its own. Slogans echo outside college gates, handwritten posters cover every wall, and chai stalls in Kamla Nagar and Satya Niketan turn into political addas. And amid it all, a Defender, Porsche or Bentley quietly rolls by, turning every head on campus.

As DU votes for its student union on September 18, with counting on September 19, the campus is witnessing more than just the traditional ABVP vs NSUI fight.

With over 7 lakh students across 91 colleges, 16 faculties and 86 departments, DUSU is not just a 4-post election. This year, around 2.75 lakh students are eligible to vote. In the final list, 20 candidates remain — 7 for President, 5 for Vice-President, 4 for Secretary and 4 for Joint Secretary.

Show vs Substance

While DU is known for its flamboyant campaigning with luxury cars and lavish shows, its neighbour JNU presents a sharp contrast.

“The students of DU need their basic needs fulfilled. They do not need lavish cars or big appearances. No one from ABVP or NSUI has been able to solve concerns of students. We shall oppose elitism,” said Ananya Ratauri, AISA-SFI joint alliance candidate.

For many students, the real issues are different. “DU needs many revamps, including in AI and new-age learning. BSc courses are no longer confined to labs. AI-integrated curricula are a must,” said a student on condition of anonymity.

Who Is In The Fray

The election comes just after the 36-day protest at Jantar Mantar over exam irregularities.

ABVP Panel: Yash Dabas (President), Ishu Maurya (Vice-President), Riya Chhabri (Secretary), Lakshyaraj Singh (Joint Secretary). Riya is campaigning on women’s safety and better hostels.

NSUI Panel:Vijay Shankar Meena (President), Vir Chatrath (Vice-President), Namrata Chaudhary (Secretary), Gopal Choudhary (Joint Secretary).

Independent candidate Deepanshu Shokeen (Vice-President) has also emerged as a visible face this time, as independents and Left alliance try to break the ABVP-NSUI dominance.

Campaign Goes Beyond College Gates

The battle is not limited to colleges like Hindu, Hansraj, Ramjas and KMC. It has spilled into PGs, eateries and hostels. First-year students are the biggest target.

“The target of most candidates remains to bring first-year students into their court,” said Abhinav, 18, a second-year Political Science student.

Free pizzas, burgers, chole bhature and even attendance promises are part of the campaign. “I was once promised a week’s attendance for my vote, but it was never given. This time I won’t vote where I have to wait for two hours and get nothing,” said Aastha Kalra, 19, Economics second year.

Housing and Safety Dominate Gen Z Agendat

The September 6 Satya Niketan PG collapse that killed 7 people, most of them students, has brought student housing back into focus. DU has only around 7,000 hostel beds for over 70,000 new students every year, with 57 of 77 colleges having no hostel at all.

Safety is another major issue, especially after the recent gang-rape of a teenager in a moving sleeper bus near Kashmere Gate. The bus reportedly travelled 47 km without a police check.

For DU students who depend on buses, Metro and PG lanes daily, these are not just law-and-order issues, but everyday student issues that Gen Z wants answered.