The high-stakes Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) Election 2025 is heading into its decisive phase, with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) holding commanding leads in three of the four top posts, while the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) continues to dominate the race for Vice President.
According to the 16th round of counting, ABVP’s Aryan Maan has pulled ahead in the presidential contest with 21,854 votes, leaving NSUI’s Joshlin Nandita Chaudhary trailing at 9,973 votes and AISA-SFI’s Anjali at 4,414 votes. Maan’s lead of more than 10,000 votes signals strong momentum for the ABVP in the presidential race.
For the Vice President’s post, however, NSUI has established a solid advantage. Rahul Jhansla continues to lead with 22,770 votes, ahead of ABVP’s Govind Tanwar at 16,013 votes, while AISA-SFI’s Sohan remains far behind at 3,185 votes.
The fight for Secretary also tilts towards ABVP, with Kunal Chaudhary securing 18,506 votes, comfortably ahead of NSUI’s Kabir (12,419 votes) and AISA-SFI’s Abhinandana (7,672 votes).
In the Joint Secretary contest, ABVP’s Deepika Jha leads with 16,501 votes, followed closely by NSUI’s Lavkush Bhadana (13,996 votes). The margin of around 2,500 votes makes this one of the tighter battles in the election.
A Contest Beyond Campus Politics
This year’s election saw over 2.75 lakh students eligible to vote across 52 centres and 195 booths, with 711 Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) deployed. The final voter turnout stood at 39.45%, marking a slight improvement over 2024.
A total of 21 candidates are contesting the four posts—nine for President and twelve for the remaining three positions. The election is widely regarded as more than a campus poll. Over the decades, DUSU has served as a launchpad for several national political leaders, making its outcome closely watched by mainstream political parties.
Delhi High Court’s Strict Directives
Amid the charged atmosphere, the Delhi High Court has imposed strict restrictions on victory processions. It has directed Delhi Police, university authorities, and local administration to ensure law and order is maintained during and after the results. The counting is expected to go up to 18–20 rounds, with final results likely to be declared later in the evening.
Spotlight on Key Faces
- Aryan Maan (ABVP, Presidential candidate): Hailing from Bahadurgarh, Haryana, Maan is a Hansraj College graduate and currently pursuing a master’s in Library Science. Known for his active role in student movements against fee hikes, he has campaigned on promises such as subsidised metro passes, campus Wi-Fi, and financial aid for research scholars.
- Anjali (AISA-SFI, Presidential candidate): A student of Indraprastha College for Women from Gaya, Bihar, she rose through grassroots activism—protests against campus land commercialization, women’s hostel campaigns, and flood relief efforts.
- Rahul Jhansla (NSUI, Vice Presidential candidate): The frontrunner in his category, Jhansla has attracted strong support among students seeking alternatives to ABVP dominance in recent years.
With ABVP leading in President, Secretary, and Joint Secretary and NSUI holding firm in Vice President, the 2025 DUSU elections are poised to deliver a mixed mandate. As the final rounds of counting progress, both camps are anxiously awaiting confirmation of whether ABVP can consolidate its advantage or NSUI can spring a late surprise.
The final verdict is expected soon, but one thing is clear—the results will shape not just student leadership at Delhi University but also signal the emerging trends in India’s wider political landscape.
