India, Jan. 1 -- Ending over a year of governance paralysis and intense campus agitation, Panjab University's senate elections have finally been scheduled for September-October 2026. Vice-President and chancellor CP Radhakrishnan approved the schedule on November 27, 2025, following a month-long protest led by the Panjab University Bachao Morcha. The agitation was sparked by a controversial Centre-led notification to restructure the senate and syndicate, which was eventually rescinded on November 7 due to massive political and student backlash. The elections will now be held in phases, starting with college principals' category on September 7 and concluding with the graduate constituency on October 4. What it means: The announcement is seen as a major victory for student groups who saw this as an attempt at centralisation and an attack on the university's unique democratic character. However, it also means that much needed governance body reforms are off the table for now and future governments at Centre would re-initiate process hesitantly. The one-year gap until the polls means the university will continue to function without its top governing body for an extended period, placing a heavier burden on the vice-chancellor's office. What next: The administrative machinery for the polls kicks off immediately, with fresh registrations for the critical "registered graduate" constituency-the largest voting block-opening on January 23, 2026....