NSUI DUSU poll manifesto outlines student welfare push for 2026–27
NSUI DUSU poll manifesto outlines metro passes, menstrual leave, rent control, 24×7 libraries, NEP reforms for DU students in 2026–27 elections.
The National Students’ Union of India released its NSUI DUSU poll manifesto on Monday in New Delhi. The document covers the Delhi University Students’ Union elections for 2026–27. It was launched at the NSUI headquarters ahead of polling on 18 September. Counting is set for 19 September, as per reports. The agenda centres on affordability, safety, infrastructure and academic reforms. Student welfare sits at the core of the plan, according to the release.
Core promises in the NSUI DUSU poll manifesto
The manifesto carries the title “Accountable DU: Accountable DUSU”. It lists 19 key proposals, as per sources. The four NSUI candidates appeared alongside national president Vinod Jakhar. He said the draft reflects student concerns and campus realities. The text seeks a more transparent and inclusive university system. It aims to place student needs at the heart of union work.
Key pledges focus on living costs and daily campus life. They also address academic structure and support services. The NSUI DUSU poll manifesto calls for stronger rent-control enforcement. It proposes a verified university portal for affordable PG and rental housing. This follows intense debate on student accommodation after the Satya Niketan hostel tragedy. Housing has become a top issue in this election cycle, as per media reports.
Transport costs also feature prominently. The document seeks affordable metro concession passes for students. This would lower commuting expenses across the National Capital Region. Many students travel long distances to reach north and south campuses. Cheaper transit could ease monthly budgets for thousands, according to campus groups.
Academic and welfare measures form another major block. The plan seeks a five-day class schedule from Monday to Friday. This would free weekends for internships, projects and rest. It also proposes two days of menstrual leave per month for women students. The aim is to reduce attendance penalties and support health needs. Social media posts suggest strong student interest in this provision.
The text calls for changes to the four-year undergraduate programme under NEP. It cites the need for greater clarity and transparency in credits and exits. Students have reported confusion over multiple entry and exit points. Clearer rules could reduce anxiety during course planning, as per sources.
Infrastructure and support services round out the agenda. The manifesto seeks 24×7 reading libraries and subsidised round-the-clock canteens. It also wants improved sports facilities and better classroom conditions. Campus-wide Wi‑Fi, safe drinking water and clean toilets are included. Mental health and counselling services would be expanded across colleges. Scholarships and financial aid for SC/ST students would be strengthened. Access to internships, career guidance and job fairs would increase, according to the draft.
Examination reforms also appear in the list. The NSUI DUSU poll manifesto demands free evaluation and rechecking of answer scripts. It seeks legal awareness drives and gender sensitisation workshops. It calls for a zero-tolerance stance on sexual harassment on campus. These steps aim to build safer and more accountable learning spaces.
- Affordable student housing via rent-control enforcement and a verified DU PG portal
- Metro concession passes to cut commuting costs for students
- Five-day academic week (Monday–Friday) for classes and labs
- Two days of menstrual leave per month for women students
- Reforms to the NEP four-year undergraduate programme for clarity
- 24×7 libraries and subsidised 24×7 canteens on campuses
- Better sports, Wi‑Fi, drinking water and classroom infrastructure
- Expanded mental health, counselling and SC/ST scholarship support
- Free re-evaluation of exam papers and stronger anti-harassment measures
Context and responses around the NSUI DUSU poll manifesto
The release comes as three major panels contest the DUSU polls. ABVP filed its nominations earlier and released its own manifesto on Sunday. It emphasises hostel expansion, safety audits of PGs and exam transparency, as per reports. The AISA–SFI alliance has also made housing and safety central to its pitch. It seeks rent control within a 2‑km radius of colleges and more hostels. It also backs concessional metro passes and menstrual leave, according to statements.
Housing has gained urgency after the Satya Niketan hostel collapse. The incident exposed gaps in oversight of private student accommodation. Many colleges lack sufficient on-campus hostels for outstation students. Rent levels in north and south Delhi have risen in recent months, as per sources. This has pushed living costs higher for first-generation learners. The NSUI DUSU poll manifesto tries to address these pain points with concrete steps.
The five-day class proposal responds to long-standing student feedback. Many learners juggle part-time work, coaching and family duties. A compact weekday schedule could improve attendance and reduce burnout. It may also help students pursue internships without missing classes. This aligns with broader calls for flexible timetables in large universities.
Menstrual leave has become a recurring demand in Indian campuses. Several states and institutions have adopted similar policies in recent years. Supporters say it reduces stigma and supports health and dignity. Critics worry about attendance and academic continuity. The NSUI text ties leave to broader gender sensitisation and safety measures. This seeks to balance welfare with academic rigour, as per the document.
NEP-related confusion has been flagged by students and faculty alike. The four-year undergraduate framework allows multiple exits and entries. But credit transfer and degree nomenclature remain unclear in many cases. The manifesto seeks simpler rules and clearer communication from the university. This could help students plan degrees and careers with more confidence.
Why the NSUI DUSU poll manifesto matters for DU
The NSUI DUSU poll manifesto matters because it sets the policy tone for campus politics. It moves debate beyond slogans to specific, costed welfare measures. Housing, transit and leave policies affect daily life for lakhs of students. These issues also shape who can afford to study in Delhi. Cheaper rents and transit can widen access for poorer students, as per analysts.
The document also signals how student unions may engage the administration. Demands for 24×7 libraries and canteens require funding and staffing. Rent-control enforcement needs coordination with Delhi’s housing authorities. Metro concessions involve talks with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. Success would depend on sustained negotiation after the election, according to observers.
The focus on mental health and anti-harassment reflects wider social shifts. Campuses are under pressure to provide safe and supportive environments. Counselling cells and legal awareness can reduce distress and improve retention. Stronger internal complaints committees may encourage reporting of misconduct. This could improve trust in university systems over time.
Academic reforms in the manifesto could influence course design and exams. Free re-evaluation may reduce anxiety around grading errors. Clearer NEP rules could streamline degree pathways. Both steps may improve student satisfaction and outcomes. They also align with national debates on higher-education quality and access.
Looking ahead, the manifesto’s impact will depend on election results and follow-up. If NSUI wins key posts, it may push these items with the DU administration. Even if it does not, the text can shape the agenda for other panels. Student groups often borrow popular ideas from rival manifestos. This can accelerate adoption of welfare measures across the board, as per recent trends.
Outlook after the NSUI DUSU poll manifesto
The NSUI DUSU poll manifesto offers a detailed welfare roadmap for Delhi University. It targets high-cost areas like housing, travel and daily campus services. It also seeks academic clarity and stronger safety nets for vulnerable students. The timing is significant, given recent housing tragedies and rising living costs. The document tries to convert student grievances into actionable policy asks.
Voters will weigh these promises against other panels’ plans. ABVP stresses hostel expansion and safety audits. AISA–SFI backs rent control and metro concessions as well. The final mandate may produce a mixed agenda on housing and welfare. Implementation will hinge on cooperation between the union, university and city agencies.
In the near term, the manifesto is likely to drive campaign debates. Candidates will discuss rent caps, leave policies and library hours on the ground. After counting on 19 September, the new panel will face pressure to deliver. The NSUI DUSU poll manifesto thus sets a benchmark for accountability. It frames what “student-first” governance could mean in practical terms. NSUI DUSU poll manifesto
