Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi has opened online applications for admission to its PhD programmes for the academic session 2026-27. A total of 711 seats are on offer across 21 schools and special centres of the university.
Admission this year is being done only through national-level qualifications. Candidates can apply through UGC-NET/CSIR-NET, JRF or GATE, depending on the programme they choose.
The application window is short. Forms opened on 6 October 2026 and the last date to apply online is 16 October 2026, up to 11:50 PM. Interested candidates should complete the process well before the deadline.
JNU PhD Admission 2026-27: Overview
| University | Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi |
| Programme | PhD (Doctor of Philosophy), Session 2026-27 |
| Total Seats | 711 |
| Admission Through | UGC-NET / CSIR-NET, JRF, GATE |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Dates | 6 to 16 October 2026 |
| Official Portal | jnuee.jnu.ac.in |
Seat Details
The 711 seats are divided across the three admission routes as follows:
- PhD through NET (UGC/CSIR): 329 seats
- PhD through NET-JRF: 369 seats
- PhD through GATE: 13 seats
GATE-based admission is available only for the School of Engineering. Seat-wise and subject-wise details for each school are given in the official e-Prospectus.
Important Dates
| Online application starts | 6 October 2026 |
| Last date to apply online | 16 October 2026 (up to 11:50 PM) |
| Correction window | 17 to 18 October 2026 |
| Invitation for viva-voce | By 22 October 2026 (tentative) |
| Viva-voce examination | 26 to 30 October 2026 (tentative) |
| First merit list | 9 November 2026 (tentative) |
| Pre-enrolment registration and fee payment (1st list) | 9 to 11 November 2026 (tentative) |
| Physical verification (1st list) | 16 to 18 November 2026 |
| Second merit list | 23 November 2026 (tentative) |
| Third/final merit list (if required) | 4 December 2026 (tentative) |
| Last date for admission/registration | 10 December 2026 |
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must hold a Master’s degree in the relevant subject with at least 55% marks. The minimum marks are 50% for SC, ST and PwBD candidates.
Along with the degree, a valid qualification is compulsory. Applicants must have qualified UGC-NET or CSIR-NET (including the JRF category), or hold a valid GATE score for engineering programmes.
JNU groups NET applicants into three categories: JRF-qualified candidates, candidates qualified for Assistant Professorship, and candidates eligible for PhD admission only. Each category is considered as per the admission policy given in the e-Prospectus.
Fee Details
The application processing fee is payable online on the admission portal itself. The exact amount for your category and number of choices is shown on the payment page before you pay, and the e-Prospectus carries the complete fee table.
After selection, the regular PhD programme fee at JNU is nominal. As per the official e-Prospectus, the annual tuition fee is Rs. 240, and the total of annual and one-time charges comes to about Rs. 444.50 for Indian nationals. The School of Engineering and the School of Management follow separate fee structures given in the prospectus.
Selection Process
There is no separate entrance test for PhD admission this year. Shortlisting is done on the basis of the NET percentile, GATE score or JRF status of the candidate.
Shortlisted candidates are then called for a viva-voce at the concerned school or centre. Simply qualifying NET or GATE does not guarantee a viva call or admission.
For NET and GATE candidates, the final merit is prepared with a composite score: 70% weightage to the NET/GATE score and 30% to the viva-voce. For JRF candidates, merit is decided on the basis of viva-voce performance.
Candidates can choose up to three fields of study in order of preference. Anyone applying under more than one category, such as NET and JRF, must submit a separate application form for each category.
How to Apply Online
- Visit the official JNU admission portal (link given below).
- Open the PhD Admission 2026-27 section and select your admission category: NET, JRF or GATE.
- Register with a valid email ID and mobile number.
- Fill in personal, academic and category details carefully.
- Choose up to three fields of study in order of preference.
- Upload the required documents, photograph and signature in the prescribed format.
- Pay the application processing fee through the online payment gateway.
- Submit the form and take a printout for future reference.
Important Links
FAQs
Q1. What is the last date for JNU PhD Admission 2026-27?
The last date to submit the online application form is 16 October 2026, up to 11:50 PM. The correction window will remain open on 17 and 18 October 2026.
Q2. How many seats are available in JNU PhD Admission 2026-27?
There are 711 seats in total: 329 through NET, 369 through NET-JRF and 13 through GATE.
Q3. Who can apply for JNU PhD Admission 2026-27?
Candidates with a Master’s degree with at least 55% marks (50% for SC, ST and PwBD) and a valid UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, JRF or GATE qualification can apply. The GATE route is only for the School of Engineering.
Q4. How is the final merit list prepared?
For NET and GATE candidates, the merit is based on a composite score with 70% weightage to the entrance score and 30% to the viva-voce. JRF candidates are assessed on viva-voce performance.
