JNU PhD Admissions 2025: The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has started the registration process for PhD admissions for the academic year 2025-2026. Students who are interested in applying can do so by visiting the official website– jnuee.jnu.ac.in. The application will remain open till July 7. By visiting the website, students will get three options for PhD registration. Following the eligibility, students can click on the box and continue to fill out the admission form. The deadline for all three eligibility criteria is the same, that is, July 7 till 11:50 PM.
—PhD registration based on JRF
–PhD admissions based on NET
–PhD registration based on GATE
Before applying, it is advised that candidates read the JNU PhD admissions e-Prospectus carefully available on the University website to satisfy themselves in terms of eligibility criteria, availability of seats and other details before submitting online applications. Candidates should apply separately for admission through NET, JRF and GATE (only for the School of Engineering).
Candidates must have qualified for NET/JRF/GATE in the relevant subjects as prescribed by the respective Schools/Centres/Special Centres of the University. Candidates with only educational qualifications but not NET/JRF/GATE in relevant subjects, or vice versa, are not eligible, as mentioned in the notification.
JNU PhD Admissions 2025: Schedule
Applicants will have the opportunity to correct particulars in their online application forms from July 8 to 9, 2025.
Invitations for viva-voce examinations are tentatively scheduled to be sent out by July 18, 2025, with the actual viva-voce examinations taking place tentatively from July 25 to 31, 2025.
First merit list
The first merit lists for admissions to PhD programmes are expected to be published on August 11, 2025. Following this, pre-enrolment registration and payment of fees for the first list will occur tentatively from August 11 to 13, 2025, with physical verification of admission/registration for these candidates slated for August 18 to 21, 2025.
Second merit list
The second merit lists are tentatively scheduled for publication on August 29, 2025, with pre-enrolment registration and fee payment for the second list from August 29 to 31, 2025.
Physical verification for the second list will tentatively be held from September 4 to 5, 2025. If considered necessary, a third/final list will be released on September 15, 2025, with pre-enrolment and fee payment from September 15 to 17, 2025.
Third merit list
Physical verification for the third/final list is tentatively scheduled for September 22 to 23, 2025. The final deadline for all admissions and registrations is September 30, 2025.
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) offers admissions to its Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programmes for the academic session 2025-26, and candidates must fulfil specific minimum eligibility criteria.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
–Master’s Degree: Candidates must possess a 1-year/2-semester Master’s degree after a 4-year/8-semester Bachelor’s degree, or a 2-year/4-semester Master’s degree after a 3-year Bachelor’s degree. In both cases, a minimum of 55 pr cent marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade is required
–M.Phil Programme: Candidates who have completed an M.Phil. programme with at least 55% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade are eligible.
–Four-year/8-semester Bachelor’s Degree: Candidates seeking admission after a 4-year/8-semester Bachelor’s degree programme must have a minimum of 75 per cent marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade.
–Foreign Educational Institutions: Equivalent qualifications from foreign educational institutions accredited by an approved agency are also accepted
Relaxation in Marks
— A 5 per cent relaxation in marks or its equivalent grade is allowed for candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/Differently-Abled (PWD), Economically Weaker Section (EWS), and other categories as per UGC decisions.
–For candidates with a 4-year/8-semester Bachelor’s degree, a 5 per cent relaxation (from 75% to 70%) is allowed for the same reserved categories.
Application Process
All applications must be submitted in online mode only; no offline applications will be considered. Candidates can opt for a maximum of three fields of study in order of preference in the online application form.
Once options are exercised, they are final, and no changes are allowed. If a candidate is selected in a higher preference, they will only be offered admission against that preference.
For PhD programmes through NET/GATE, candidates apply with their NET percentile/GATE score. JRF-qualified candidates can also apply separately under the NET category.
Please note that specific educational qualifications and relevant NET/JRF/GATE subjects vary by School/Centre/Special Centre and are detailed against each program in the e-Prospectus.
Additionally, a separate notification will be released by JNU for admission to the PhD programme in Cinema Studies (SA&A) and Korean Studies (CKS, SLL&CS).
Candidates with only educational qualifications but not NET/JRF/GATE in relevant subjects, or vice versa, are not eligible, as mentioned in the notification. (File photo) 
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