Odisha student union polls: ABVP wins Utkal University; BCJD sweeps Rama Devi
File photo: Jnanaranjan sahu (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons
In Odisha's student union polls held on October 15, 2026, ABVP won seven of nine posts at Utkal University while BJD-backed BCJD swept Rama Devi Women's University.
What Happened
Students in colleges and universities across Odisha voted in students' union elections on Thursday, October 15, 2026, with results declared overnight and into Friday. At Utkal University in Bhubaneswar, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) won seven of the nine posts, with Abhiram Mishra elected president and Ayushree Pradhan general secretary. The Congress-linked National Students' Union of India (NSUI) won the other two, including vice president through Papu Rout. At Rama Devi Women's University, also in Bhubaneswar, the BJD-backed Biju Chhatra Janata Dal (BCJD) won every post after counting disputes delayed results until about 2.35 am on Friday.
Key Facts
- Students' union elections were held across about 285 Odisha institutions on October 15, 2026.
- Utkal University: ABVP won 7 of 9 posts; Abhiram Mishra (ABVP) is president, Ayushree Pradhan (ABVP) general secretary, and Papu Rout (NSUI) vice president.
- Turnout at Utkal University was 68.69%, with 2,609 votes cast; BCJD did not win any post there.
- Rama Devi Women's University: BCJD swept all posts after a long dispute over counting.
- NSUI supporters protested near Vani Vihar over delays in counting, causing traffic jams.
- Unofficial statewide tallies give ABVP about 142 president posts and BCJD about 121; both organisations claimed victory.
- It was the first students' union election at Utkal University in several years.
Why It Matters
Campus elections in Odisha are closely watched because the student wings of the main parties, the BJP-linked ABVP, the BJD-backed BCJD and the Congress-linked NSUI, use them to test their strength among young voters. The results give each side something to claim. ABVP's win at Utkal University, one of the state's most prominent campuses, is a symbolic gain, while BCJD's clean sweep at Rama Devi Women's University and its large share of president posts statewide show it remains a strong force on campuses.
For students, union elections are about more than party politics. Elected unions represent students on issues such as hostel facilities, fees, examinations, library hours and campus safety, and act as a channel to the university administration. The long gap since Utkal University's last election meant a generation of students went without an elected union there, so this vote restores that voice.
The disputes over counting, especially at Rama Devi Women's University where results came only in the early hours, show the need for clear and quick counting procedures. Delays feed suspicion and protests, as seen near Vani Vihar, and universities will face pressure to make the process smoother next time.
| | Campus | Result | |
|---|---|
| | Utkal University | ABVP 7 of 9 posts; NSUI 2; BCJD none | |
| | Rama Devi Women's University | BCJD clean sweep | |
| | Statewide (unofficial) | ABVP about 142 president posts; BCJD about 121 | |
Impact
Short-term: New union office-bearers take charge and will set out their demands on campus issues. Party leaders are likely to keep trading claims over who won.
Long-term: The results feed into the parties' efforts to recruit young members and leaders, and a working union at Utkal University gives students a regular channel to raise problems with the administration.
Who is affected: Students at Odisha's colleges and universities; university administrations; and the student wings of the BJP, BJD and Congress.
Key Takeaway
Odisha's October 15 campus polls ended in a split verdict: ABVP took Utkal University, BCJD swept Rama Devi Women's University, and both sides claimed the statewide lead.
Questions and Answers
Who won the Rama Devi Women's University student union election?
The BJD-backed Biju Chhatra Janata Dal (BCJD) swept all posts at Rama Devi Women's University, with results declared at about 2.35 am on October 16, 2026 after counting disputes.
Who won the Utkal University student union president post?
Abhiram Mishra of ABVP was elected president. ABVP won seven of the nine posts, NSUI won two, including vice president, and BCJD won none.
Which group won the most posts in Odisha's student union polls?
Unofficial tallies give ABVP about 142 president posts and BCJD about 121 across about 285 institutions. Both groups have claimed victory.
Why do student union elections matter to students?
Elected unions represent students on everyday issues such as hostels, fees, exams and campus safety, and give them a formal channel to the university administration.
Disclaimer: Prepared by the Peepals newsroom from publicly available sources with AI assistance. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and may change. Images may be representative. Not professional advice. Report an error via our contact page.
Sourced and fact-checked by the Peepals Global Editorial Team
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