BHUBANESWAR: The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has registered a significant breakthrough ahead of the 2026-27 students’ union elections in Odisha, with its candidates elected unopposed to 252 posts across 60 colleges in the state. The organisation has attributed the development to its sustained engagement with students and year-round activities on campuses.
According to ABVP, the unopposed victories include 12 President posts, 17 General Secretary posts, 22 Vice President posts and 23 Joint Secretary posts. The victories were confirmed after the deadline for withdrawal of nominations ended, leaving no rival candidates in the fray for these positions.
The organisation said that in several colleges, the Congress-affiliated National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) and the Biju Janata Dal-affiliated Biju Chhatra Janata Dal (BCJD) had also failed to field candidates.
ABVP records success across colleges
ABVP has reported notable electoral gains in several educational institutions across Odisha. At Berhampur University, its candidates have secured the posts of President, Dramatic Secretary and Cultural Secretary.
The organisation has also claimed victories in all major posts at Talcher Autonomous College, Dharmasala Degree College, Mahima Degree College at Joranda in Dhenkanal district, Chikiti Degree College in the Berhampur region, People’s Degree College at Buguda and Khajuricata Degree College in Hindol.
ABVP has cited these results as evidence of its growing support among students. It also referred to its electoral successes in states such as Delhi, Punjab, Kerala and Assam, asserting that its campus activities and student outreach have strengthened its presence beyond Odisha.
Consistent campus engagement, key to success: ABVP
Commenting on the results, ABVP National Secretary Shravan B. Raj said the organisation’s contest in Odisha was against what he described as the politically driven approach of the Congress and the Biju Janata Dal, which, he alleged, prioritised political calculations over students’ interests.
Raj said the inability of NSUI and BCJD to field candidates in several colleges demonstrated that political affiliations and backing alone were insufficient to ensure success in student politics.
“Consistent engagement with students and earning their trust are essential,” he said, adding that ABVP karyakartas remained active on campuses throughout the year, understood students’ concerns and worked to address their problems.
He contrasted this approach with that of organisations which, according to him, became active primarily during election periods. Raj said the election of ABVP candidates unopposed to 252 posts across 60 colleges reflected the organisation’s working style and the confidence it had built among students.
He expressed confidence that ABVP would receive widespread support in the upcoming students’ union elections and reiterated the organisation’s commitment to raising issues affecting students.
Students’ trust is our greatest strength: Deeptimayee Pratihari
ABVP Odisha East State Secretary Deeptimayee Pratihari attributed the organisation’s performance to the sustained efforts of its workers and their continuous engagement with students.
She said ABVP workers remained active on campuses throughout the year, raising student-related concerns and working to safeguard their rights. According to her, the trust of students was the organisation’s greatest strength, and the unopposed victories reflected that confidence.
Pratihari expressed optimism that ABVP candidates would perform strongly in the forthcoming elections and effectively raise issues concerning student welfare.
With unopposed victories reported across 60 colleges and the release of its student welfare manifesto, ABVP has projected the results as a reflection of its campus outreach and organisational efforts. The final electoral picture will emerge as the remaining contests are held across educational institutions in Odisha.
ABVP unveils 13-point student Sankalp Patra for Odisha Union Elections
In a separate development, the ABVP released a 13-point student Sankalp Patra on October 11th for the 2026-27 academic year, ahead of the students’ union elections in Odisha. The manifesto outlines the organization’s priorities for improving higher education, strengthening campus infrastructure, and addressing students’ academic and welfare concerns.
ଓଡ଼ିଶା ଛାତ୍ର ସଂସଦ ନିର୍ବାଚନ: ୨୦୨୬-୨୭ ପାଇଁ ଏବିଭିପି ପକ୍ଷରୁ ଛାତ୍ରହିତ ସଂକଳ୍ପ ପତ୍ର ଘୋଷଣା!
ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ଭୁବନେଶ୍ୱରଠାରେ ଆୟୋଜିତ ସାମ୍ବାଦିକ ସମ୍ମିଳନୀକୁ ସମ୍ବୋଧିତ କରି ଏବିଭିପିର ରାଷ୍ଟ୍ରୀୟ ସାଧାରଣ ସମ୍ପାଦକ @DrVirendraSS ଛାତ୍ର ସଂସଦ ନିର୍ବାଚନ: ୨୦୨୬-୨୭ ପାଇଁ ଛାତ୍ରହିତ ସଂକଳ୍ପ ପତ୍ର ଘୋଷଣା କରିଛନ୍ତି।
ଏହି ସଂକଳ୍ପ… pic.twitter.com/HQqE6ekyUG
— ABVP Odisha (@abvpodisha) October 11, 2026
ABVP National General Secretary Dr. Virendra Singh Solanki announced the manifesto at a press conference in Bhubaneswar. The organisation said its agenda focuses on quality education, employment-oriented learning, women’s safety, timely examinations, scholarships, affordable transportation, healthcare facilities and the promotion of student leadership.
The student organisation stated that it had consistently raised issues affecting students before college authorities, university vice-chancellors and the state government. Through the manifesto, it has pledged to pursue solutions to long-standing problems and work towards creating a more student-friendly academic environment across Odisha.
ABVP highlights campaign for restoration of student elections
Highlighting its role in the restoration of students’ union elections, ABVP alleged that the previous Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government had kept the electoral process suspended for eight years, restricting opportunities for students to participate in democratic activities and develop leadership skills.
ଛାତ୍ରଛାତ୍ରୀଙ୍କ ଅଧିକାର, ସୁରକ୍ଷା ଓ ସର୍ବାଙ୍ଗୀନ ବିକାଶ ପାଇଁ ଏବିଭିପି ସଂକଳ୍ପବଦ୍ଧ!
ଅଖିଳ ଭାରତୀୟ ବିଦ୍ୟାର୍ଥୀ ପରିଷଦ, ଓଡ଼ିଶା ପକ୍ଷରୁ ଛାତ୍ର ସଂସଦ ନିର୍ବାଚନ ୨୦୨୬-୨୭ ପାଇଁ ଉପସ୍ଥାପିତ 'ସଂକଳ୍ପ ପତ୍ର- ୨୦୨୬' ଛାତ୍ରଛାତ୍ରୀଙ୍କ ମୌଳିକ ସମସ୍ୟାର ସମାଧାନ ଏବଂ ଶିକ୍ଷା ବ୍ୟବସ୍ଥାରେ ସକାରାତ୍ମକ ସୁଧାର ଆଣିବା ପ୍ରତି ଆମର… pic.twitter.com/R2QBqtehKS
— ABVP Odisha (@abvpodisha) October 11, 2026
The organisation said it had filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) before the High Court in 2023 and continued its campaign for the revival of elections. Describing student representation as an essential component of campus democracy, ABVP said students should have a meaningful voice in matters concerning their education and institutional development.
Quality education and employment opportunities
The manifesto calls for effective implementation of the National Education Policy, filling vacant permanent faculty positions in colleges and universities, and appointing regular principals wherever required. ABVP has also demanded transparent utilisation of funds under the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) to strengthen educational infrastructure and improve academic standards.
To make higher education more relevant to employment, the organisation has proposed industry-linked internships, expanded skill development programmes, career guidance and placement cells, and stronger campus recruitment opportunities. It has also called for entrepreneurship development cells to encourage innovation, start-ups and self-employment among students.
The manifesto further proposes expanding opportunities for participation in the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and National Service Scheme (NSS). Regular college magazines and greater participation in literature, arts, science, sports and other creative activities have also been included in the agenda.
Women’s safety and better campus infrastructure
Women’s safety has been identified as a major priority, with ABVP promising to press for adequate security arrangements in girls’ hostels and educational institutions. The organisation has also proposed round-the-clock CCTV surveillance at important and sensitive campus locations and the construction or repair of boundary walls wherever necessary.
On infrastructure, ABVP has called for registering college land in the names of the respective institutions. Other demands include additional classrooms, modern common rooms for male and female students, clean toilets and improved sanitation facilities.
The manifesto also seeks adequate beds, furniture and essential amenities in hostels, along with clean and affordable central canteens. ABVP has proposed a minimum 30-minute lunch break in class schedules and round-the-clock security guards in hostels.
Timely examinations, modern libraries and digital learning
To address delays in examinations and results, ABVP has advocated a well-defined academic calendar and the timely completion of examinations and declaration of results. It has also called for time-bound delivery of registration services, certificates and re-evaluation, alongside simpler and more transparent admission procedures and entrance examinations.
The organisation has proposed allocating six per cent of the state budget to higher education. Its agenda includes adequately stocked libraries, modern reading rooms, e-library facilities, remote access to academic resources and AI-enabled classrooms. It has also called for extending library operating hours according to students’ requirements and providing round-the-clock library access at universities.
Healthcare, scholarships and affordable transport
The manifesto seeks stronger healthcare facilities in colleges and universities, including health centres, staff nurses, first-aid services and ambulances for emergencies. ABVP has also called for declaring educational institutions drug-free zones.
To support students from economically and socially disadvantaged backgrounds, the organisation has promised to pursue timely disbursement of post-matric scholarships for Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Other Backward Class and Socially and Educationally Backward Class students. It has also demanded an increase in scholarship amounts and simpler application procedures.
On transportation, ABVP has proposed affordable student transport facilities, fare concessions on Ama Bus and LAccMI Bus services, and improved government bus connectivity to educational institutions.
Student Rights and Sports Development
The manifesto calls for dedicated student union rooms and grievance redressal centres in every college and university to facilitate the resolution of student concerns.
ABVP has also proposed improved sports infrastructure, including playgrounds, indoor facilities and adequate equipment. Students representing their institutions at university, state and national levels should receive appropriate academic support and facilities, it said. The organisation has further called for safeguards concerning attendance for athletes participating in recognised competitions, training camps and practice sessions, along with recognition for outstanding sporting achievements.
Concluding its agenda, ABVP said it would continue to work for student welfare, academic improvement and democratic participation on campuses. The organisation said its objective was to strengthen student representation and develop responsible leadership while addressing the educational needs and aspirations of young people in Odisha.
