Karnataka revives student union polls after two decades, reserves seats for women
Karnataka lifts its two-decade ban on student union elections, introducing women's reserved seats but no caste-based quota.
Karnataka is set to revive student union elections in its colleges and universities from the current academic year, ending a prohibition that has been in place for more than twenty years. The decision marks a significant shift in the state's approach to campus governance and student participation.
The elections will be conducted without caste-based reservation, but will include reserved seats for women candidates. This structure aims to encourage broader female participation in student leadership while avoiding the complexities of caste-based quotas in campus politics.
State authorities have framed the move as an educational exercise in democracy. By allowing students to elect their representatives, the administration hopes to train young people in leadership roles and instill democratic values at an early stage of their academic lives.
The revival comes after a long gap during which student unions were banned in the state. The new framework is expected to bring back a structured platform for student voices while maintaining the safeguards introduced through the women's reservation provision.