Delhi University Elections 2026: Results, Winners, Candidates and Major Issues
The Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) Elections 2026 were among the most closely watched student elections in India. Students across the University of Delhi participated in the election to choose representatives who will raise student concerns and represent them before university authorities.
The 2026–27 DUSU elections were held on September 18, 2026, with voting taking place across colleges of Delhi University. Students voted for the four major central panel positions: President, Vice-President, Secretary and Joint Secretary.
The election featured candidates associated with major student organisations, including the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), the AISA-SFI alliance and independent candidates.
DUSU Election 2026 Results
The results were announced on September 19, 2026, after the completion of vote counting. ABVP won three of the four major central panel positions, while an independent candidate won the Vice-President post.
| Post | Winner | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| President | Yash Dabas | ABVP |
| Vice-President | Deepanshu Shokeen | Independent |
| Secretary | Riya Chhawdi | ABVP |
| Joint Secretary | Lakshya Raj Singh | ABVP |
Yash Dabas Wins DUSU President Post
Yash Dabas won the DUSU presidential election with 24,576 votes. He defeated NSUI candidate Vijay Shankar Meena, who received 22,523 votes.
The difference between the two candidates was 2,053 votes, making the presidential contest one of the closely watched races of the election.
Deepanshu Shokeen Wins Vice-President Post
One of the notable outcomes of the 2026 election was the victory of independent candidate Deepanshu Shokeen.
Shokeen received 30,615 votes and won the Vice-President position. ABVP candidate Ishu Maurya received 16,910 votes, while NSUI candidate Vir Chatrath received 4,313 votes.
His victory highlighted the role that independent candidates can play in university elections alongside candidates backed by established student organisations.
Riya Chhawdi Wins Secretary Post
ABVP candidate Riya Chhawdi won the Secretary position after receiving 21,650 votes.
NSUI candidate Namrata Chaudhary received 14,869 votes in the contest.
Lakshya Raj Singh Wins Joint Secretary
ABVP's Lakshya Raj Singh won the Joint Secretary position with 16,615 votes.
Voting and Voter Turnout
More than 1.51 lakh students were eligible to participate in the 2026 DUSU election. Voting took place across polling stations at Delhi University colleges.
Reported overall voter turnout was approximately 40.46% across 52 polling stations.
Voting was conducted in separate sessions for morning and evening colleges, while security arrangements were increased around the university during polling and counting.
Major Student Organisations
ABVP
The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) contested the major DUSU positions and won the President, Secretary and Joint Secretary posts in the 2026 election.
NSUI
The National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) also contested the central panel. Its presidential candidate Vijay Shankar Meena received 22,523 votes in the presidential contest.
AISA-SFI Alliance
The AISA-SFI alliance also participated in the election. Campaign issues raised by the alliance included affordable accommodation, hostel facilities, public transportation concessions, fee-related concerns and academic issues.
Independent Candidates
Independent candidates also participated in the election. The most significant independent result came from Deepanshu Shokeen, who won the Vice-President position with 30,615 votes.
Major Issues in the DUSU Election 2026
1. Accommodation and Hostel Facilities
Affordable accommodation remains an important issue for many Delhi University students, particularly students who come to Delhi from other cities and states.
Limited hostel capacity, accommodation costs and concerns surrounding private paying-guest facilities were among the issues discussed during the election campaign.
2. Public Transportation
Transportation costs are another concern for students who travel long distances between their homes and college campuses.
Student organisations raised issues related to affordable public transportation and concessions for students.
3. Campus Safety
Campus and student safety was another important issue during the election. Students and organisations have raised concerns related to safety around colleges, accommodation areas and transportation routes.
4. Academic Issues
Academic administration, examinations, fees, scholarships, admissions and student services are also important areas in which student representatives are expected to communicate with university authorities.
Why DUSU Elections Matter
The Delhi University Students’ Union has a long history in Indian student politics. The election provides students with an opportunity to select representatives who can raise concerns related to campus life and university administration.
For students, the importance of DUSU extends beyond political campaigning. Issues such as hostels, accommodation, transportation, examinations, fees, infrastructure and student services can directly affect their university experience.
The 2026 Presidential Contest
The presidential contest attracted significant attention because the race between ABVP's Yash Dabas and NSUI's Vijay Shankar Meena remained competitive during the counting process.
Dabas ultimately received 24,576 votes compared with Meena's 22,523 votes, resulting in a margin of 2,053 votes.
What Happens After the Election?
The election results mark the beginning of the elected representatives' responsibilities. The new DUSU office-bearers will have to engage with students and university authorities throughout the academic year.
Issues including accommodation, hostel availability, student safety, transportation, examination-related concerns and campus infrastructure are expected to remain relevant to students.
The performance of the newly elected representatives will depend on how they address student concerns and communicate with the university administration during their term.
Conclusion
The Delhi University Elections 2026 resulted in ABVP winning three of the four major central positions, while independent candidate Deepanshu Shokeen won the Vice-President post.
Yash Dabas became DUSU President, Deepanshu Shokeen won Vice-President, Riya Chhawdi secured the Secretary position and Lakshya Raj Singh became Joint Secretary.
Beyond the election results, the campaign highlighted several issues important to Delhi University students, including accommodation, transportation, campus safety, academic administration and student representation.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes and presents election-related information and reported results. Readers should verify official election information through Delhi University and other authoritative sources.