Rahul Gandhi names Vinod Jakhar as NSUI president today

Rahul Gandhi names Vinod Jakhar as NSUI president today

Last Updated Feb - 22 - 2026, 11:04 PM | Source : Fela News | Visitors : 1

Congress picks Vinod Jakhar as NSUI chief, a young Dalit student leader rising in politics.

Rahul Gandhi has appointed Vinod Jakhar as the new national president of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), the student wing of the Congress party, marking a fresh chapter in the organisation’s leadership after Varun Chaudhary’s tenure ended. This decision was announced on 20 February 2026, and it is being seen as both a strategic and symbolic move by the party to energise its student base across India. Many party workers believes this step will bring new energy among youth leaders.

Jakhar, who hails from Rajasthan, comes with a long history of student activism and organisational work. He previously served as the head of NSUI’s unit in Rajasthan and before that was president of the Rajasthan University Students’ Union. In 2018, he made history by becoming the first Dalit student leader to win that post at the university level when he contested as an independent candidate after the NSUI did not nominate him. His victory at that time had surprised many political observers and it also showed his strong support among students.

The selection process for the NSUI’s national chief was held over two days, during which fifteen student leaders from across India participated in group discussions and interviews. Rahul Gandhi personally took part in this process, meeting each candidate before making the final decision. Jakhar had also appeared in earlier selection rounds and was interviewed twice before, which shows how determined he was for this responsibility. Some leaders say the process was transparent, though few felt it was intense and competitive.

Jakhar’s leadership journey has not been easy. He came into the national spotlight after being arrested and jailed for protesting against the RSS’s Shastra Pujan event at his university. That incident had created debates on campuses, but it also made him known as someone who stand firm on his beliefs.

This appointment comes at a time when student politics is gearing up ahead of major university elections, including the Delhi University Students’ Union polls. The move is widely interpreted as a bid by the party to strengthen its connect with young voters and student leaders at the grassroots level. For many in Rajasthan and beyond, Vinod Jakhar’s elevation feels inspiring, showing how a grassroots student leader can rise step by step and reach a national role.

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