Students Without 75% Attendance Cannot Contest DUSU Elections, Says Delhi HC

The Delhi High Court has recently observed that students of Delhi University who do not meet the minimum 75% attendance criteria cannot contest the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections.

Justice Mini Pushkarna, in her order, stated, “Accordingly, it is evident that a student, who does not meet the criteria of having minimum 75% attendance, cannot be allowed to stand for elections,” while further adding that in case any person does not fulfill the minimum attendance requirement, the College would be within its authority to reject the nomination of the petitioner or any other candidate.

The observations came in a plea filed by Muskan, a student of Delhi University, seeking directions to quash the Election Notice dated 11 September 2025, whereby her nomination was excluded from the final list of candidates for the Students’ Union Elections. She also sought directions to allow her to contest the elections.

Muskan, a 3rd-year B.A. (Programme) student at Satyawati College, University of Delhi, had her nomination rejected on the ground of short attendance. Her counsel argued before the High Court that she had regularly attended college and never faced a shortage of attendance. It was submitted that due to repeated administrative lapses,specifically the allotment of multiple roll numbers, her attendance was incorrectly recorded under different names, leading to an artificially low attendance record despite her regular presence.

It was submitted that petitioner was initially allotted Roll No. 683, which already belonged to another student. Later, her attendance was marked under Roll No. 688, also assigned to another student. After multiple complaints, she was finally allotted Roll No. 689 in December 2024.

On the other hand, the respondents, Satyawati College and the Election Officer of the College Students’ Union Election, submitted that Muskan had only about 45% attendance. They contended that she failed to meet the requirements under the recommendations of the Lyngdoh Committee, which mandate a minimum of 75% attendance to stand for elections.

During the proceedings, it also emerged that the petitioner had filed nominations for two posts, President and Secretary. On instructions, her counsel withdrew the nomination for the post of Secretary, leaving only her candidature for the post of President to be considered.

Court noted that the Election Notice categorically stated that nominations were rejected on the ground of not fulfilling the minimum 75% attendance requirement.

Considering the submissions and records placed before it, the Court directed that Muskan be granted a personal hearing before the Grievance Committee the same day at 3:30 PM. She was permitted to present proof of her attendance before the Committee, which comprised five Assistant Professors of the college.It further directed that her attendance be recalculated in her presence, and she be informed of the result during the course of the hearing.

Disposing of the plea, the Court said that in case the petitioner meets the minimum requirement of 75% attendance, her nomination shall be accepted and she shall be allowed to contest the elections."In case the attendance of the petitioner is below the minimum 75% attendance criteria, the petitioner shall be communicated the said fact. In that eventuality, needless to state, the nomination of the petitioner shall stand rejected," it added.

Court added that, in case the petitioner is accepted by the college upon meeting the minimum attendance requirement, she shall be allowed to campaign, in the extraordinary circumstances, until 9:00 PM the same day.

Case Title: Muskan v. Satyawati College & Ors.

Order Date: 16 September 2025

Bench: Justice Mini Pushkarna