Delhi High Court Bars DU Students with Less than 75% Attendance from Contesting Elections

The Delhi High Court has made it clear that students with attendance below 75% will not be allowed to contest the Delhi University (DU) Students' Union elections or college-level polls. The ruling came after a petition filed by a DU student whose nomination was rejected due to shortage of attendance.

Justice Mini Pushkarna observed that the minimum attendance requirement is a binding eligibility condition under the Lyngdoh Committee guidelines, and institutions have the right to reject candidates falling short of this norm. The order underscores the importance of academic regularity for students aspiring to enter DU politics.

Case Background

The case involved Muskan vs. Satyawati College & Others, where the petitioner, a BA student, claimed that her attendance was wrongly calculated due to clerical mistakes like duplicate roll numbers. As a result, her nomination for the students' union elections was rejected. She argued that after proper calculation, she would meet the minimum requirement.

High Court's Observations

Justice Mini Pushkarna upheld that 75% attendance is mandatory for all candidates contesting DU elections.

The Court reaffirmed that colleges can lawfully reject nominations of students who do not meet this requirement.

Attendance criteria are derived from the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations, which govern student body elections across universities.

Relief for the Petitioner

The High Court directed the formation of a grievance committee at Satyawati College to recalculate Muskan's attendance in her presence. If she satisfies the 75% requirement after verification, her nomination would stand accepted; otherwise, rejection would remain valid.

Impact of the Ruling

Candidates with poor attendance records can no longer rely on administrative loopholes to contest elections.

Colleges are expected to maintain accurate attendance records and ensure transparency.

Students must balance academics with political ambitions, as academic performance will now directly influence eligibility.

Broader Implications

The ruling highlights a shift towards linking student leadership with academic accountability. For DU aspirants, securing at least 75% attendance has become not only an academic requirement but also a political necessity. The verdict also sets a precedent for other universities following Lyngdoh Committee norms, strengthening the discipline in student politics.