Historic DUSU Election: DU Set for First Woman President in 17 Years

Historic Moment: Delhi University Set to Make Herstory with Female DUSU President After 17 Years

Two women candidates are battling for the DUSU Presidency as Congress leader Sachin Pilot rallies student support, guaranteeing a female leader after a 17-year gap.

NEW DELHI, India – September 15, 2025 –

In a groundbreaking development that is reshaping Delhi University's political landscape, two women candidates are competing for the prestigious DUSU President position, virtually guaranteeing the university its first female student union president in 17 years. The historic face-off has ignited the campus just days before the September 18 polls, drawing in national political figures and creating dramatic scenes of high-stakes campaigning.

The last woman to hold the top post was Nupur Sharma of the ABVP in 2008, making this election a landmark moment for gender representation in one of India's most influential student bodies. The two candidates vying for the position are Joslyn Nandita Choudhary of the NSUI and Anjali from the SFI-AISA Left Alliance.

High-Voltage Campaigning Hits Campus

The election fervor reached a fever pitch on Monday with the arrival of Congress General Secretary Sachin Pilot, who led a high-profile rally in support of the NSUI panel. His visit to North Campus sparked a tense face-off between NSUI and ABVP supporters outside Hindu College, requiring security intervention to prevent escalation.

"Delhi University is one of the most important universities of our country. All four NSUI candidates will surely win with the support and trust of students."

Accompanied by NSUI and Delhi Congress leadership, Pilot expressed supreme confidence in a victory, predicting a complete 4-0 sweep for his party's student wing and stating that students "want change as they are aware of the failures of Union and state governments."

A Tale of Two Trailblazers

The presidential race features two candidates from diverse backgrounds, each with a strong history of activism. NSUI's Joslyn Nandita Choudhary, the daughter of a farmer from Rajasthan, is the first woman nominated by the organization for president in 17 years and has centered her campaign on menstrual leave and women's safety. Her opponent, Anjali, representing the Left Alliance and the daughter of a tour guide from Bihar, is a veteran campus activist known for leading student protests on issues of housing and curriculum.

Election Integrity Under Scrutiny

As the campaign trail heats up, the university administration is taking extensive measures to ensure a peaceful election. DU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Yogesh Singh chaired a high-level review meeting with Delhi Police to finalize security arrangements. The election will see paper ballots for college-level polls and EVMs for the central panel, with a zero-tolerance policy for campaign violations.

With polls just days away, this DUSU election has transcended a typical student contest. It has become a watershed moment for women in leadership, a battleground for national political parties, and a test of the university's ability to conduct a fair and peaceful democratic process.