University of Kerala's draft students' code of conduct would bar political activity on campus

4 October 2026

The syndicate of the University of Kerala has prepared the draft Kerala University (Students' Code of Conduct) Regulations, 2026, which would restrict political activity on its campuses.
The draft would prohibit students from engaging in political activity, from organising gatherings for political purposes, and from taking part in strikes based on political ideology.
It would also bar the use of digital platforms to incite, organise or propagate political activities.
Penalties in the draft run to fines, suspension of up to 30 days and dismissal, with fines of up to one lakh rupees on political organisations for repeat offences.
The university says the draft aims at discipline and that it remains open to discussion. The Kerala University Employees' Union has opposed the regulations.
The draft comes in a year in which the Students' Federation of India won 62 of the 71 unions where elections were held in colleges affiliated to the Kerala and Kannur universities.