Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), located in Delhi, is known as one of India's most influential grounds for political leadership. For decades, the university has been a केंद्र for student activism and debate, producing leaders who have later shaped national politics. Examining the career paths of former Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) presidents reveals two prominent destinations: academia and politics. While some have transitioned directly into electoral politics, others have pursued careers in research and teaching.
The JNUSU is the student union at JNU, with elections conducted by students through an elected Election Committee. The union has four central panel positions: President, Vice President, General Secretary, and Joint Secretary. An EPW study noted that in the JNUSU elections over four decades (1974–2008 and 2012–17), the Students' Federation of India (SFI) won the president's post 22 times, while the All India Students' Association (AISA) won it 11 times, and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) won it once.
Several JNUSU presidents have made significant strides in Indian politics. Sitaram Yechury, president in 1977-78, became the CPI(M) general secretary. Kanhaiya Kumar, JNUSU president in 2015-16, joined the CPI and unsuccessfully contested Lok Sabha elections. In 2024, Dhananjay, who served as JNUSU president, became the first Dalit to hold the post in nearly two decades and is now contesting the Bihar Assembly elections on a CPI-ML Liberation ticket. Sandeep Singh, president in 2007-2008, joined the Congress and even wrote speeches for Rahul Gandhi. Chandrashekhar Prasad, another president, was assassinated after joining politics in Bihar in 1997. These examples highlight the role of JNUSU in shaping political leaders who actively participate in the Indian political landscape.
However, not all JNUSU presidents have gravitated towards electoral politics. Many have chosen to pursue careers in academia, contributing to research and teaching. V. Lenin Kumar, JNUSU president in 2012-13, is involved in academics. Dhananjay Tripathi, president in 2006-07, is a senior assistant professor in the Department of International Relations at South Asian University. Mona Das, a two-term president (2004 and 2005), teaches at Satyawati College, Delhi University. Rohit Azad, another two-term president (2002 and 2003), teaches economics at the Centre for Economic Studies and Planning at JNU. Albeena Shakil, JNUSU president in 2001-02, is an associate professor of English Studies at Jindal Law School. N. Sai Balaji, president in 2018-19, is a research scholar at the Centre for International Politics, Organisation and Disarmament at JNU. Geeta Kumari, president in 2017-18, is pursuing a PhD in history from JNU. Akbar Choudhary, president in 2013-14, recently finished his PhD from JNU.
The recent JNUSU elections for 2025 saw Aditi Mishra of the All India Students' Association (AISA) elected as the new President. Mishra is currently pursuing her doctorate on gender violence and women's resistance in Uttar Pradesh and has a history of activism. This election further underscores JNU's continued role in fostering politically active individuals.
While JNU continues to produce politically conscious leaders, their paths have become more diverse. Some, like Dhananjay, have entered elections directly, while others, like Balaji and Lenin, have focused on research and teaching. As current JNUSU president Nitish Kumar noted, political engagement extends beyond electoral politics.
