Panjab University Campus Students Council Explained

Panjab University Campus Students Council or PUCSC is Students' union consisting of the departmental representatives and other office bearers like President, Vice-President, Secretary and Joint-Secretary along with 123 Departmental Representatives (DRs)^{[1] [2]} directly elected by the students from the various teaching departments on the Panjab University, Chandigarh campus.^{[3] [4]} Furthermore, these elected office-bearers and department representatives elect the remaining five members of the executive of the Council.^[5] The Dean Student Welfare is ex officio Chairman of the Council. Elections are held every year in August–September months.^[6] There is ban on property defacement for clean elections.^[7]

Student representation

Panjab University has over 60% female students^[8] but only 15-20% of girl students vote or participate in election process,^[9] and until 2018, the Council president’s post was never headed by a girl in the history of the university elections.^{[10] [11]} Thus PUCSC politics are mostly dominated by male students.^[12] As of 2018, PU has about 15541 student voters with UIET having the most voters, about 2451 students followed by UILS with 1345 and Department of Laws with 1050.^[13] But sometimes UIET and Law Dept. get less representation in Election panels.^[14] Freebies are offered by Student organisations to lure students especially freshers by movie tickets, free meals, Disc Parties, free trips, etc.^{[15] [16]} Parties have to overcome regional and language barriers of students as the university has students from different parts of India.^[17] In 2015, along with student council elections, PU authorities also conducted a referendum to decide whether campus should be made a vehicle-free zone or not.^[18] In 2015, there was only a 56% turnout with 8,131 voters out of total 14,000 voted.^[19] In 2016, NOTA was introduced first time in campus elections and was used by 6 to 9 percent of students.^[20]

Budget

In the academic year 2018-19, PUCSC's budget was .

^[21]

Elections in affiliated colleges

Elections are also held in Colleges only in Chandigarh that are affiliated to Panjab University^[22] and these are:

• GGDSD College, Sector 32, Chandigarh
• MCM DAV College for Women, Sector 36-A, Chandigarh
• DAV College, Sector 10, Chandigarh
• Sri Guru Gobind Singh College for Women, Sector 26
• Sri Guru Gobind Singh College, Sector 26
• Dev Samaj College for Women, Sector 45
• Post Graduate Government College, Sector 11
• Post Graduate Government College for Girls, Sector 42
• Post Graduate Government College for Girls, Sector 11
• Post Graduate Government College, Sector 46
• Government College for Commerce and Business Administration, Sector 50

Student issues

There are many issues that is a responsibility of Council to solve.

• Connectivity in North and South campus of PU in sector 14 & 25
• Women's Safety^{[23] [24]}
• Vehicle (four-wheeler) Free Campus^[25]
• Placements^[26]
• Stray Dogs and Monkeys on campus leading to rabies bites^{[27] [28] [29]}
• University Fees hike^[30]
• New Hostels^{[31] [32]}
• 24-hour hostel timing for girls^{[33] [34]}
• Central University Status^[35]
• Regarding Foreign students, as sometimes these students face problems.^[36]
• Implementation of reservation in Panjab University Senate and Syndicate^[37]

Council Presidents

Since 1977, the Council was usually represented by students leaders of campus-based parties like SOPU (Student Organisation of Panjab University) and PUSU (Panjab University Students' Union). But in 2013, first time Congress-affiliated NSUI won the Council President's post new President of Panjab University Ayush Khatkar from (Jind, Haryana).^[38] In 2015, as another surprise, first-time PUCSC president from Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal)'s student wing SOI was elected.^[39] In 2016, Amritpal Singh, first SC^[40] presidential candidate in PU from Students For Society (SFS) gave an impressive performance with 2494 votes^{[41] [42]} the first time in campus student politics^{[43] [44]} due to its successful rallies.^[45] In 2018 Kanupriya was elected as the first female president of PUCSC, of Panjab University, from SFS.^{[46] [47]} In October 2022, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) students’ wing Chhatra Yuva Sangharsh Samiti (CYSS) candidate Aayush Khatkar became the President of PUCSC.^[48]

Presidents of PUCSC

President	Student Organization	Duration	First Runner-up	Student Organization
Jatinder Singh	NSUI	2023-2024	Divyansh Thakur	CYSS
Aayush Khatkar		2022-2023	Harish Gujjar	ABVP
NA	NA	2021-2022	-	-
NA	NA	2020-2021	-	-
Chetan^[49]		2019–2020	Paras Rattan	ABVP-INSO
Kanupriya^[50] ^[51]	SFS^[52]	2018–2019	Ashish Rana^[53]	NSUI ABVP^[54]
Jashan kamboj	NSUI-GGSU^[55]	2017–2018	Hassanpreet Kaur	SFS
Nishant Kaushal^[56]	PUSU-NSO	2016-2017	Piyush Anand	SOI-ABVP-INSO
Jasmeen Kang	SOI-NSO	2015–2016	Baljinder Singh	PUSU-ABVP
Divyanshu Budhiraja	NSUI-NSO	2014–2015	Rachit Duggal	SOPU-SOI
Chandan Rana	NSUI	2013-2014	Satwant Singh	PUSU-NSO-ABVP-INSO
Satinder Singh Satti	SOPU-HSA-NSO	2012–2013	Abhinav Puri	PUSU-NSUI
Pushpinder Sharma	SOPU	2011–2012	Sumit Goklaney	PUSU
Gurvindervir Singh Aulakh	PUSU-INSO	2010–2011	Mohit Taneja

PUCSC Elected Office Bearers for last 10 years

S. No.	Duration	President	Student Organisation	Vice President	Student Organisation	General Secretary	Student Organisation	Joint-Secretary	Student Organisation	Ref
1.	2023-24	Jatinder Singh	NSUI	Ranmeekjot Kaur	SATH	Deepak Goyak	INSO	Gourav Chahal	PUHH	^[57]
2.	2022-23	Ayush Khatkar	CYSS	H.S. Baath	NSUI	Parvesh Bishnoi	INSO	Manish Boora	NSUI	^[58]
3.	2021-22	Elections Cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to non commencement of classes due to Covid-19								^[59]
4.	2020-21
5.	2019-20	Chetan Chaudhary	SOI	Rahul Kumar	NSUI	Tegbir Singh	NSUI	Manpreet Singh	NSUI	^[60]
6.	2018-19	Kanupriya	SFS	Daler Singh	SOI	Amarinder Singh	SOI	Vipul Atray	NSUI	^[61]
7.	2017-18	Jashan Kamboj	NSUI	Karanvir S Mahal	NSUI	Vani Sood	NSUI	Karanbir S Randhawa	PUSU	^[62]

Notable student organisations

In 1974, Ajaib Singh founded Progressive Students’ Union (PSU) as in 1977 first elected president was Bhupinderpal Singh Khosa. PUSU was formed in 1977 and SOPU in 1985^[63] while NSUI first contested at PU Campus in 1997 and ABVP won an office-bearer post in 2000.^[64] Different Organisations take part in Activities and compaigning.^[65]

Non political organisations

• Ambedkar Students' Association (ASA) is a non political student organization^[66] and doesn't participates in PUCSC elections but works for welfare of all poor students on campus especially from Other Backward Class (OBC), Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST) communities.^{[67] [68] [69]}

Political organisations

These student organisations participate in PUCSC elections:

• PUSU (Since 1977)^[70]
• SOPU (Since 1985)^{[71] [72]}
• Students For Society (SFS)^{[73] [74]}
• ABVP, student wing affiliated to BJP-RSS^[75]
• NSUI, student wing of Indian National Congress^[76]
• SOI, student wing of Shiromani Akali Dal^[77]
• INSO, student wing of Haryana based Jannayak Janta Party^[78]
• CYSS (Chhatra Yuva Sangharsh Samiti), student wing of Aam Aadmi Party^[79]
• All India Students Association (AISA), student wing of Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Liberation^[80]
• GGSU, student wing of Gandhi group gang of Khanna^[81]
• PFUS, Panjab Feminist Union of Students^[82]
• SAP^[83]
• KCSU^[84]

External links

• • Dean Students Welfare Contact
• Campus Students
• PU Campus TV coverage

Notes and References

1. News: Panjab University: Around 50% cast votes in PUCSC election. 2018-09-06. The Indian Express. 2018-09-09. en-US.
2. Web site: TNN . It's your day today at PU . The Times of India . 26 August 2015 . 26 August 2015.
3. Web site: India . Parties, issues and polls at PU centre stage . The Indian Express . 3 August 2015 . 23 August 2015.
4. Web site: Punjab University to elect new team on August 26 . Punjab News Express . 23 August 2015 . 23 August 2015.
5. Web site: SOI maintains presence in executive of student council . The Times of India . 2 September 2015 . 2 September 2015.
6. Web site: PU writes to admn, seeks to prepone student elections . hindustantimes.com . 10 August 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150814202248/http://www.hindustantimes.com/chandigarh/pu-writes-to-admn-seeks-to-prepone-student-elections/article1-1378665.aspx . dead . 14 August 2015 . 23 August 2015.
7. Web site: India . Three FIRs for defacement . The Indian Express . 2015-08-22 . 2015-08-23.
8. Web site: Girl power in PU . The Tribune . 2018-09-08 . 2018-09-09.
9. Web site: India . Campus Tv . Jyoti Exclusive Report - Views - Girl students - PU - Election - Opinion - 2015 . YouTube . 20 August 2015 . 23 August 2015.
10. Web site: Girls relegated to smaller posts in students' council . hindustantimes.com . 22 August 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150822192131/http://www.hindustantimes.com/chandigarh/girls-relegated-to-smaller-posts-in-students-council/article1-1382923.aspx . dead . 22 August 2015 . 23 August 2015.
11. Web site: Priyanka KachhavaPriyanka Kachhava . TNN . Will the girls stand up, please . The Times of India . 19 August 2015 . 23 August 2015.
12. Web site: Service . Tribune News . Faces running the show from behind the scenes . tribuneindia.com . 23 August 2015 . 23 August 2015.
13. Web site: Holidays dampen canvassing at PU . The Tribune . 2018-09-02 . 2018-09-09.
14. Web site: Depts with maximum votes get little representation in election panels . hindustantimes.com . 21 August 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150822024348/http://www.hindustantimes.com/chandigarh/departments-with-maximum-votes-get-little-representation-in-election-panels/article1-1382437.aspx . dead . 22 August 2015 . 23 August 2015.
15. Web site: SOI organises parties, trips in PU in name of welcoming freshers . hindustantimes.com . 25 August 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150826220924/http://www.hindustantimes.com/chandigarh/soi-organises-parties-trips-in-pu-in-name-of-welcoming-freshers/article1-1383961.aspx . dead . 26 August 2015 . 25 August 2015.
16. Web site: Service . Tribune News . Panjab varsity student parties plan freebies to lure voters . tribuneindia.com . 23 August 2015 . 23 August 2015.
17. Web site: Service . Tribune News . At PU, familiarity breeds support . tribuneindia.com . 23 August 2015 . 23 August 2015.
18. News: IANS . Panjab University to hold referendum to tackle vehicular chaos . Business Standard India . 22 August 2015 . 26 August 2015.
19. Web site: SOI springs surprise in PU students' body elections with clean sweep . hindustantimes.com . 16 November 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150916144412/http://www.hindustantimes.com/chandigarh/panjab-university-elections-soi-sweeps-all-four-posts/article1-1384528.aspx . dead . 16 September 2015 . 26 August 2015.
20. News: NOTA, popular choice.
21. Web site: A first: PUCSC gives expenditure details . The Tribune . 2019-05-05 . 2019-08-08.
22. Web site: Service . Tribune News . City colleges make last-minute preparations . The Tribune . 26 Aug 2015 . 26 Aug 2015.
23. Web site: Kanupriya warns VC, says don't interfere . Tribuneindia News Service . 2018-09-07 . 2018-09-08.
24. Web site: TNN . No more gehris in Punjab University at night . The Times of India . 25 July 2015 . 23 August 2015.
25. Web site: Priyanka KachhavaPriyanka Kachhava . TNN . Skipping polls, this group campaigns for vehicle-free campus . The Times of India . 18 August 2015 . 23 August 2015.
26. News: Placements missing the mark in Panjab University? - Times of India. The Times of India. 2018-09-08.
27. News: Monkey menace in Panjab University campus. 2018-06-07. The Statesman. 2018-09-08. en-US.
28. Web site: Dogged, PU looks to civic body for help . The Tribune . 2018-08-30 . 2018-09-08.
29. News: Horrible hostels: Leaking roofs, dank rooms, stray monkeys at PU hostels to welcome newbies. 2017-07-13. Hindustan Times. 2018-09-08. en.
30. News: Panjab University Fee Hike: Students Protest By Polishing Shoes. NDTV.com. 2018-09-08.
31. News: PUCSC's priority: Infra boost in hostels - Times of India. The Times of India. 2018-09-08.
32. Web site: TNN . Chautala, Warring woo voters at Panjab University . The Times of India . 18 August 2015 . 23 August 2015.
33. News: Inside manifestos of student wings in Panjab University: Staff crunch, placement and hygienic food. 2018-09-03. Hindustan Times. 2018-09-08. en.
34. News: Panjab University to take feedback from parents on girls' hostel curfew hours. 2018-08-08. Hindustan Times. 2018-09-08. en.
35. Web site: Priyanka KachhavaPriyanka Kachhava . TNN . What happened to central varsity call? . The Times of India . 4 August 2015 . 23 August 2015.
36. Web site: Afghan students devoid of hostel rooms due to PU elections . hindustantimes.com . 22 August 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150822192216/http://www.hindustantimes.com/chandigarh/afghan-students-devoid-of-hostel-rooms-due-to-pu-elections/article1-1382941.aspx . dead . 22 August 2015 . 23 August 2015.
37. Web site: Rendezvous with presidential candidates at PU . The Tribune . 2018-09-02 . 2018-09-08.
38. Web site: In a first, NSUI wins Panjab University students' council elections . NDTV.com . 5 September 2013 . 23 August 2015.
39. Web site: Service . Tribune News . SOI alliance sweeps Panjab University polls . tribuneindia . 26 August 2015 . 26 August 2015.
40. News: Casteism a dominant factor in other student organisations, says Dalit candidate for PU council elections.
41. News: PU future back with PUSU.
42. News: PUSU alliance sweeps Panjab University elections.
43. News: When Left got it almost right.
44. News: Winds of change: Dafli finds rhythm in noise of speeches.
45. News: Rallies prove a damp squib at PU.
46. News: Panjab University Students Elect First Woman President, Left-Leaning SFS Defeats ABVP, NSUI. NDTV.com. 2018-09-06.
47. News: PU election results: Kanupriya becomes president of PU student council. 2018-09-06. Hindustan Times. 2018-09-06. en.
48. Web site: PU students' council election: AAP's student wing CYSS registers its maiden victory, Aayush Khatkar wins presidential poll by securing 2,712 votes.
49. Web site: SADs student wing SOI Plus ISA alliance bags PUCSCs prez post. Outlook India. 2019-09-07.
50. Web site: Panjab University student polls: First woman elected to president's post . The Tribune Chandigarh. 2018-09-06 . 2018-09-06.
51. News: Panjab University gets its first woman students' body president. RAMPAL. NIKHIL. ThePrint.
52. News: Left-leaning SFS wins post of president of PU student body polls. Press Trust of India. 2018-09-06. Business Standard. 2018-09-06.
53. Web site: Post-results, varsity turns red but saffron rises too . The Tribune . 7 September 2018 . 8 September 2018.
54. Web site: ABVP, SFPU come together . The Tribune . 1 September 2018 . 8 September 2018.
55. Web site: NSUI wins key posts in Panjab University students polls. Home . 2017-09-08 . 2017-09-08.
56. Web site: Panjab University Campus Students' Council.
57. Web site: PUCSC results 2023 .
58. Web site: PU Elections 2022: AAP student wing, CYSS, candidate Aayush Khatkar becomes President .
59. Web site: 2 years on, election buzz revisits Panjab University campus .
60. Web site: SOI's Chetan Chaudhary is PU student council president .
61. Web site: Panjab University students' council gets its first woman president .
62. Web site: NSUI wins President, V-P and Secy posts in Panjab University student poll .
63. News: Panjab University poll: SOPU, PUSU reign ends - Times of India. The Times of India. 2018-09-08.
64. Web site: Service . Tribune News . How parties fared over the years . The Tribune . 23 August 2015 . 23 August 2015.
65. Web site: India . 3 days to go for PU elections: Student organisations step up campaigning . The Indian Express . 23 August 2015 . 23 August 2015.
66. Web site: Help desks at university 'fail' to serve purpose . The Tribune. 2019-07-08 . 2019-08-08.
67. Web site: Ambedkar Students' Association: SC/ST students likely to get exam fee concession. Dec 9, 2018. Vishakha . Chaman. The Times of India. en. 2019-08-08.
68. News: Ambedkar Students'Association demand on-campus ambulance service. The Times of India. en. 2019-08-08. Ist.
69. Web site: Students want canteens opened . The Tribune. 2019-07-27 . 2019-08-08.
70. Web site: India . PU student elections: Panjab University political battle of wits, online and offline . The Indian Express . 11 August 2015 . 23 August 2015.
71. Web site: Campus simmers again. The Tribune. 2018-09-08.
72. News: The rise and fall of SOPU. 2015-08-22. The Indian Express. 2018-09-08. en-US.
73. Web site: SFS members protest PU fee hike. The Indian Express. 2014-02-25. 2015-10-09.
74. Web site: Students For Society SFS. www.facebook.com. 2015-10-09.
75. News: ABVP rues delay in new education policy. Pathak. Vikas. 2018-09-07. The Hindu. 2018-09-08. en-IN. 0971-751X.
76. News: Setback for NSUI, as ABVP forges ahead - Times of India. The Times of India. 2018-09-08.
77. News: Panjab University elections: Will SOI go in alliance with ABVP?. 2018-08-30. Hindustan Times. 2018-09-08. en.
78. News: Panjab University polls: Four parties find strength in alliances. 2018-08-28. Hindustan Times. 2018-09-08. en.
79. News: PU elections AAP student wing to contest polls, reaches out to freshers. 2016-07-15. The Indian Express. 2018-09-08. en-US.
80. Web site: JNU president's visit sparks another row between Panjab University and student bodies. 2018-09-28. Hindustan Times. en. 2019-09-07.
81. Web site: Campuses turning breeding grounds for gangs . The Tribune . 2017-08-28 . 2018-09-08.
82. https://www.newsclick.in/Hostels-Indian-Campuses-Still-Off-limits-Trans-Students
83. Web site: India . PU polls: HIMSU, SAP declare panels . The Indian Express . 14 August 2015 . 23 August 2015.
84. News: Poll results full of surprises - Times of India. The Times of India. 2018-09-08.