JNU PhD Admissions 2024: Eligibility, NET Score, Last Date!

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) is one of the most reputed public universities in India. The university is located in New Delhi and was established in 1969. JNU is a central university and was awarded the  ‘University of Excellence’ status by the University Grants Commission.

This university is among the top universities in India that offer a wide range of courses in multiple disciplines. One of the most recognized and regraded courses of JNU is its PhD program. JNU offers PhD programs in numerous academic disciplines and supports in producing high-quality research.

Due to the consistent ranking of the JNU among top universities in India, it has become the most favorite destination for PhD admission. Most PhD aspirants wish to pursue their PhD at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) due to its record in imparting high-quality education in academic research.

This has made the PhD admission at JNU highly competitive and it is very difficult to get admission. Most of the PhD aspirants who are willing to pursue a PhD from JNU are not aware of its admission process. In this blog, we will discuss in detail the full process for JNU PhD admission. 

Why consider JNU for PhD Admission

One of the primary reasons for pursuing PhD at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) is its prestige and reputation for supporting high-quality research with the support of advanced research facilities.

A strong research culture is provided by the JNU that constantly focuses on critical thinking and interdisciplinary studies. It is globally renowned for its excellent research output. JNU provides a rich environment to conduct independent research. 

The PhD program at JNU is provided under the supervision of highly experienced faculty members who have worked on numerous research projects in their fields. These faculty members mentor and guide PhD students in their research. The JNU adopts an interdisciplinary approach to conducting research by allowing students to integrate various fields of study. 

Here are some of the major reasons why you should consider JNU for PhD admission:

• JNU provides opportunities for conducting high-quality research. 
• PhD students at JNU get cutting-edge research facilities.
• JNU supports interdisciplinary research with the integration of various fields of study. 
• JNU ranks among the top universities in India and has global recognition. 
• JNU ranked 2nd in the university category in NIRF ranking 2024. 
• PhD scholars at JNU get a vibrant student category.
• PhD scholars at JNU get mentorship and guidance from a team of highly experienced faculty members. 

JNU PhD Admission Based on UGC NET Scores 

In March 2024, the University Grants Commission (UGC) made a historic decision to change the admission process for PhD admission at the University from the academic session 2024-25. Unlike, the traditional phd admission process where universities had the liberty to conduct their admission tests, UGC has decided to use UGC NET/ CSIR UGC NET scores for PhD admissions. 

To follow the latest amendments of UGC in PhD admission, Jawaharlal Nehru University has issued a notification in April 2024.  JNU has accepted the amendments of UGC and will allow PhD admission based on UGC NET/CSIR UGC NET scores.

Now JNU will conduct entrance exams in only those PhD programmes where NET examination is not conducted by UGC/CSIR. All other admissions in PhD programs at JNU will be made based on UGC NET/CSIR NET. 

Info-Only 0.5% of candidates for “JRF and Assistant Professor,” whereas 6% of candidates for “Only Assistant Professor” clear the UGC NET.In its notification in 2024, JNU has prescribed three categories for PhD admission eligibility.

The categories for JNU PhD admission eligibility based on UGC NET/CSIR UGC NET scores are mentioned below:

• Category 1: JNU reserved category 1 for the students who have qualified UGC NET/CSIR UGC NET with JRF (Junior Research Fellowship). As per the existing admission norms where JRF students were exempted from the entrance exam and full weightage was given on viva voice will get the same facility. Students with JRF qualifications will be considered for PhD admission with 100 percent weightage in Viva Voice. H however, these students can also seek admission based on their NET scores. 
• Category 2: Category 2 PhD admission at JNU is reserved for the candidates who have qualified for Assistant Professorship without JRF in the UGC NET/ CSIR UGC NET exam. Students falling under this category will now replace the entrance exam. These students are eligible for PhD admission based on their NET scores and viva voice. The weightage for NET score will be 70 percent and Viva voice will be 30 percent. 
• Category 3: Category 3 is reserved for the students who have neither qualified for the Junior Research fellowship nor Assistant Professorship. These students are also eligible for PhD admission at JNU based on their NET scores and viva voice. Here the weight will remain the same as category 2 which is 70:30 respectively.

Additional Information

• The NET scores for the purpose of PhD admission in JNU will be valid for one year only. 
• If the students fail to get admission within one year of the declaration of UGC NET results, they will have to reappear for the UGC NET/ CSIR UGC NET exams.
• JNU may conduct entrance exams for PhD programs where the NET exam is not conducted by UGC/CSIR. 

If you are a working professional and do have enough time to prepare and crack the UGC/CSIR NET to get admission to PhD can still pursue a globally recognized Online DBA (Doctorate of Business Administration) degree.

Online DBA is a highly flexible and accessible degree that is equivalent to on-campus PhD programs. Online DBA is designed for working professionals to equip them with advanced business knowledge and expertise without requiring them to quit their current jobs. 

Admission Process for PhD Admission in JNU

Although the Jawaharlal Nehru University(JNU) has adopted to grant PhD admission based on NET scores by eliminating the entrance exams, students are still required to register themselves to be considered for admission and follow all the procedures.

Here is a detailed explanation of the admission process for PhD admission at JNU:

• Application Submission: Irrespective of the category of qualifying UGC NET/CSIR UGC NET  admissions, all the students who are interested in PhD admission at JNU will have to fill out the application form. No student will be considered for PhD admission at JNU if he/she has not filled out the application form.

Here is the detailed guide to filling out the application form for JNU PhD admission:

• Step 1: Visit the official website of the Jawaharlal Nehru University(JNU). 
• Step 2: Navigate to the admission section of JNU. 
• Step 3: Click on the registration option if you are a first-time user. 
• Step 4: Fill in the mobile number and email ID to register yourself.
• Step 5: Enter the application number and password generated after registration to log in. 
• Step 6: Fill in all the details required by JNU and attach all the supporting documents. 
• Step 7: Review the application form. 
• Step 8: Submit the application form and proceed with the payment of application fees.
• Step 9: Select the payment method and pay the application fees. 
• Step 10: Registration for JNU PhD admissions is complete with the payment of application fees. Save the confirmation mail received on the registered mail ID for future reference. 

• Viva Voice:  Once the application forms are submitted successfully, the JNU admission committee will issue a notification regarding Viva Voice for all the eligible candidates. All the candidates who have valid UGC NET/ CSIR UGC NET scores will be called for viva voice. These candidates are required to prepare a detailed research proposal before appearing for viva voice. Viva Voice is conducted by the Departmental Research Committee (DRC) and applications have to defend their research proposal. 
• Merit List: Once the Viva voice of all applicants is completed, a merit list is prepared for all the selected students.  The merit list will also have the names of supervisors for the shortlisted students. 
• Admission offer: THE JNU admission committee will offer admission to the shortlisted students based on the merit list. Students willing to get admission must accept the admission offer. 
• Fee Payment: After accepting the admission offer, students are required to pay the admission fees to secure their seat in JNU. 

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) PhD Subjects

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) offers PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) program in a wide range of academic disciplines. 

Here is the list of all the PhD subjects offered by the JNU:

JNU PhD Subjects
Ph.D. in Energy Studies	Ph.D. in European Studies	Ph.D. in International Trade & Development (ITDH)
Ph.D. in Chinese Studies	Ph.D. in Japanese Studies	Ph.D. in Korean Studies
Ph.D. in Russian & Central Asian Studies (RCAH)	Ph.D. in South Asian Studies (SASH)	Ph.D. in Inner Asian Studies (IASH)
Ph.D. in African Studies (AFSH)	Ph.D. in West Asian Studies (WASH)	Ph.D. in Comparative Politics And Political Theory (CPTH)
Ph.D. in Persian (PERH)	Ph.D. in Arabic (ARBH)	Ph.D. in Japanese (JAPH)
Ph.D. in Korean (KORH)	Ph.D. in Chinese (CHNH)	Ph.D. in French (FRNH)
Ph.D. in German (GERH)	Ph.D. in Hindi Translation (HTLH)	Ph.D. in Russian (RSNH)
Ph.D. in Spanish (SPNH)	Ph.D. in Linguistics (LINH)	Ph.D. in Life Sciences  Group -I (GONH)
Ph.D. in Life Sciences  Group -II (GTWH)	Ph.D. in Life Sciences  Group -III (GTRH)	Ph.D. in Life Sciences  Group -IV (GFOH)
Ph.D. in Life Sciences  Group -V (GFIH)	Ph.D. in Informal Sector & Labour Studies (ISLH)	Ph.D. in Economic Studies & Planning (ECOH)
Ph.D. in Modern History(MODH)	Ph.D. in Medieval History (MEDH)	Ph.D. in Ancient History (ANCH)
Ph.D. in Political Studies (POLH)	Ph.D. in Regional Development Geography (GEOH)	Ph.D. in Regional Development  Economics (ECNH)
Ph.D. in Social Sciences in Health (CSMH)	Ph.D. in Public Health (PUBH)	Ph.D. in Social Systems (SOCH)
Ph.D. in Studies in Science Policy (SSPH)	Ph.D. in Philosophy (SPHH)	Ph.D. in Women Studies (WSPH)
Ph.D. in Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy (SEIH)	Ph.D. in Media Studies (CMSH)	Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences- Research Area III (THRH)
Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences- Research Area IV (FORH)	Ph.D. in Computer Sciences (SCSH)	Ph.D. in Microsystems (MISH)
Ph.D. in Physical Science (PHYH)	Ph.D. in Chemical Science (CHEH)	Ph.D. in Computational Biology & Bioinformatics Track -1 (TROH)
Ph.D. in Computational Biology & Bioinformatics Track -2 (TRTH)	Ph.D. in Computational Biology & Bioinformatics Track -3 (TRDH)	Ph.D. in Visual Studies (VSAH)
Ph.D. in Theatre and Performance Studies (TPSH)	Ph.D. in Cinema Studies (CNSH)	Ph.D. in Sanskrit (SANH)
Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering (CSEH)	Ph.D. in Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECEH)	Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering (MEEH)
Ph.D. in Molecular Medicine (CMMH)	Ph.D. in Nanoscience (NNSH)	Ph.D. in National Security Studies (NSSH)

Eligibility Criteria for JNU PhD Admission

Candidates willing to get admission to JNU PhD programs are required to fulfill its eligibility requirements. Here is the eligibility requirement for JNU PhD admissions:

•  Master's degree in the relevant discipline from a recognized university or Institution with 55% marks in aggregate. 

OR

• 4 Year/ 8 Semester bachelor's degree from a recognized university/institution with 75% marks in aggregate. 
• Valid UGC NET/CSIR UGC NET score. 

Duration of PhD at JNU

The duration of PhD (Doctor of Psychology) program at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) is 3 years to 5 years. Generally, PhD candidates at JNU are expected to submit their thesis/dissertation within 4 years. They may get an extension of one year to submit their PhD Thesis/Dissertation. This extension is only granted after receiving approval from the Departmental Research Committee (DRC). 

However, if you are willing to get your doctorate within a short duration, you can consider for Online DBA program. The duration of an Online DBA is just 3 years and has an equal weightage to a regular PhD degree.

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Is JNU PhD Admission Process Difficult?

Yes, getting admission to a PhD program at Jawaharlal Nehru University(JNU) has always been difficult. Since its foundation, it has remained among the top universities in India. 

This made it popular among the students to pursue a doctorate, increasing the competition. The recent changes in the admission process with the adoption of UGC NET/CSIR UGC NET have made it more complicated. 

Earlier, the JNU PhD admission was conducted through an in-house entrance exam but from session 2024-25 it was changed to UGC-NET/CSIR UGC-NET scores. This has made the admission process more challenging because of a lower percentage of passing out these exams. One has to prepare for these exams with sheer dedication to pass.