In a significant development for Panjab University's administrative framework, Vice President C P Radhakrishnan has officially approved the schedule for the long-pending Senate elections, bringing closure to months of uncertainty and student-led demonstrations.
Election Timeline Finalized After Protests
The Vice President, serving as the university's chancellor, gave his formal approval through a communication issued by his secretariat to PU Vice Chancellor Renu Wig on Thursday. This decision effectively ends the governance deadlock that had persisted for over a year since the previous Senate's term concluded in October 2024.
The elections for the 91-member Senate, which serves as the institution's supreme decision-making body, will now be conducted between September 7 and October 4, 2026. The polling and result declarations will be organized according to specific constituencies within the university structure.
Student Movement Forces Resolution
This breakthrough follows weeks of persistent protests organized by the Panjab University Bachao Morcha, which had been demanding the administration to announce the election schedule. The student agitation gained momentum earlier this year in response to a controversial notification issued by the Centre on October 28.
The government's notification had proposed substantial changes to the composition and authority of both the Senate and Syndicate. However, following discussions with student representatives, the Ministry of Education withdrew this notification on November 7, completely restoring the original electoral system.
The Vice President's approval came based on Panjab University's formal proposal submitted on November 9, just two days after the ministry's withdrawal of the controversial changes.
Detailed Election Calendar Announced
University officials have released the comprehensive election schedule that will unfold over nearly a month in 2026:
- Principals and staff of technical and professional colleges: Polling on September 7, 2026, with results declared on September 9
- Professors in university teaching departments: Polling on September 14, results on September 16
- Associate and Assistant Professors in university teaching departments: Polling on September 14, results on September 16
- Heads and faculty of affiliated arts colleges and registered graduates: Polling on September 20, results on September 22
- Faculties at PU, Chandigarh: Both polling and results scheduled for October 4, 2026
Campus Reaction and Future Implications
University authorities have welcomed this development as a crucial step toward reinforcing institutional independence and reestablishing normal operations on campus. The approval marks a positive turn in Panjab University's governance restoration process, offering resolution to a turbulent period in the institution's history.
While student organizations have expressed satisfaction with the election announcement, they emphasize that their movement will continue until remaining demands are addressed. These include the withdrawal of police cases filed during earlier confrontations between protesters and authorities.
With the Senate election process now formally back on track, Panjab University's governance structure is poised for a much-anticipated revival, potentially closing a challenging chapter for one of India's prominent educational institutions.
