Dhaka University Central Students' Union

Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Bengali: ঢাকা বিশ্ববিদ্যালয় কেন্দ্রীয় ছাত্র সংসদ, romanized: ḍhaka biśśobiddalôẏ kendriẏo chatro śôṅśod), commonly known by its acronym DUCSU, is the official students' union of the University of Dhaka. Called the second parliament of Bangladesh,^[1][2][3] DUCSU represents Dhaka University students in the university's decision-making, acts as the voice for students in the national higher education policy debate, and provides direct services to the student body.^[4][5][6][7]

This students' union was established in the academic year of 1923–24 as Dhaka University Student Union (DUSU). Its first constitution was drafted in its general assembly on 30 October 1925. In 1953, its constitution was amended, and the union was renamed Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU). In the same year, the first election by student vote was held. The first elected VP and GS by student vote were S. A. Bari and Julmat Ali Khan respectively. Since its establishment, DUCSU elections have been held a total of 38 times, 29 times before 1971 and 9 times after 1971. Unfortunately, this students' union was almost closed after the year 1990–91. Due to political turmoil between student groups, fear of opposition by the government and the disinterest of university officials, students could not elect their representatives for a long time.^[8] The last election was held on 9 September 2025.^[9]

The first constitution of DUCSU was adopted in 1925. According to the last amendment in 2025, DUCSU has an elected body of 28 students (previously 25), including the Vice-President (VP), the General Secretary (GS), the Additional General Secretary (AGS) and others posts. The chancellor of the university acts as the President of the Union, while other posts are elected from the students representatives.^[10] A teacher acts as the treasurer of the union. The University Senate has 5 student representatives designated from DUCSU, who take part in the policy-making meetings of the university and raise any kind of difficulties or demands on behalf of the students.

DUCSU is called the second parliament of Bangladesh.^[1][3] Some of the most consequential events in the history of Bangladesh—such as the language movement, six-point demands, 1969's mass uprising—that led to the creation of Bangladesh were led by DUCSU.^[4] The first flag of Bangladesh was raised by the then Vice-President of DUCSU, A.S.M. Abdur Rab, on March 2, 1971.^[11] Even after Bangladesh came into being, DUCSU continued to play a vital role, and contributed to the fall of Ershad's military rule.^[4] The importance of elected bodies under DUCSU is considered both in the light of the past role that DUCSU has played in national life, as well as in the transformation of university campus from political to social and cultural spaces.^[12]

• Chittagong University Central Students' Union
• Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union
• Rajshahi University Central Students' Union
• Student politics of Bangladesh

• Media related to Dhaka University Central Students' Union at Wikimedia Commons
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