JNU PhD admission 2026-27 — NET, JRF and GATE, apply by 16 October
Jawaharlal Nehru University
- Location
- New Delhi (JNU campus)
- Last date
- 16 Oct 2026
- Qualification
- Master's at 55% (or 4-year bachelor's at 75%), plus valid NET, JRF or GATE as the route
- Age limit
- Not printed in the PhD schedule or the fee section of the e-prospectus
- Vacancies
- NET route matrix total 329; JRF and GATE matrices are in the same e-prospectus
- Pay / stipend
- Not a stipend notice. JRF fellowship follows the candidate's own JRF award
- Experience
- Not required. Employed candidates need a relieving or leave order at registration
- Application fee
- Pre-enrolment when accepting the offer: Rs 325 (most PhD), Rs 20,545 (School of Engineering), Rs 40,045 (ABVSME)
- Selection
- NET: percentile 70% + viva 30%. JRF: viva 100%. GATE (School of Engineering): score 70% + viva 30%
Official Details
Add to calendar
JNU PhD admission 2026-27 is the Indian-student window for doctoral seats through UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, JRF and GATE. Online forms run 6 October 2026 to 16 October 2026, up to 11:50 pm. Apply only on jnuee.jnu.ac.in. Schedule PDF: Ph.D. Schedule 2026. Rules and seat matrix: e-Prospectus PhD 2026-27.
- What Jawaharlal Nehru University actually does
- What kind of seat this is
- Who should apply — and who should skip
- Dates and fee
- Available positions
- 1. PhD through UGC-NET / CSIR-NET 329 on the NET matrix
- 2. PhD through JRF Separate matrix
- 3. PhD through GATE — School of Engineering Separate matrix
- Educational qualifications
- Selection
- How to prepare (free, official)
- How to apply without getting played
- FAQs
What Jawaharlal Nehru University actually does
JNU is a central university in New Delhi. A PhD here is a research degree, usually three to six years, not a classroom BA or MA. You pick a school or centre, write a research proposal, and sit a viva. Teaching and hostel life are on the JNU campus. This page is only the 2026-27 PhD form. It is not CUET, not the BA admissions list, and not a job.
What kind of seat this is
Three separate forms are live on the same last date. NET and JRF cover most schools. GATE is for the School of Engineering (computer science, electronics and communication, mechanical). A foreign-national supernumerary column is printed on the NET matrix. That is not the same notice as the international in-absentia PhD form that closes on 9 October 2026. If you are an Indian student with NET, JRF or GATE, use this window.
Who should apply — and who should skip
Apply if you have a master’s at 55% (or equivalent grade), or a two-year M.Phil at 55%, or a 4-year / 8-semester bachelor’s at 75%, and a valid route score. The e-prospectus gives a 5% marks relaxation for SC, ST, OBC (non-creamy layer), PwD and EWS under UGC Regulations 2022. NET percentiles from June 2025 onwards count. JRF applicants (UGC, CSIR, ICMR, DBT, NBHM) must apply on the JRF form, not only the NET form. GATE applicants need a valid score card for the engineering school.
Skip if you have no NET, JRF or GATE and hoped the university would run its own entrance this cycle. The prospectus says a degree without the matching NET/JRF/GATE subject, or a score without the degree, is not enough. Skip if you are filling the international in-absentia form and think this Indian form is a backup. Skip WhatsApp “JNU PhD agents”. There is no Campus Reality fee.
Dates and fee
| Item | On the official schedule / prospectus |
|---|---|
| Form open | 6 October 2026 |
| Last date | 16 October 2026, up to 11:50 pm |
| Correction on the website | 17 to 18 October 2026 |
| Viva invite | By 22 October 2026 (tentative) |
| Viva-voce | 26 to 30 October 2026 (tentative) |
| First merit list | 9 November 2026 (tentative) |
| First-list fee and seat block | 9 to 11 November 2026 (tentative) |
| First-list physical verification | 16 to 18 November 2026 |
| Second list | 23 November 2026 (tentative); fee 23 to 25 November |
| Third / final list, if needed | 4 December 2026 (tentative); fee 4 to 6 December |
| Deadline for admission / registration | 10 December 2026 |
| Migration certificate | Not later than 30 October 2026, or the university can cancel |
| Pre-enrolment payment, most PhD | Rs 325 (except School of Engineering and ABVSME) |
| Pre-enrolment, School of Engineering | Rs 20,545 |
| Pre-enrolment, ABVSME | Rs 40,045 |
The Rs 325 / Rs 20,545 / Rs 40,045 lines are the online payment while filling the pre-enrolment portal to accept an offer. They are not labelled as the first application-form fee. A form-fee slab is not printed on the schedule PDF.
Available positions
1. PhD through UGC-NET / CSIR-NET 329 on the NET matrix
Eligibility criteria
Master’s or equivalent at 55%, or M.Phil at 55%, or 4-year bachelor’s at 75%, plus UGC/CSIR NET percentile from June 2025 onwards in the relevant or allied subject. 5% marks relaxation for SC, ST, OBC (NCL), PwD and EWS as per UGC Regulations 2022. Merit: NET percentile converted to 70 marks, viva-voce 30. Shortlist: 8 times intake for general seats, 10 times for SC, ST, OBC (NCL) and EWS. PwD is a 5% horizontal reservation, grouped centre-wise, then school-wise, then university-wise if seats remain.
NET seat matrix total printed in the e-prospectus: UR 138, SC 46, ST 19, OBC (NCL) 92, EWS 34, total 329. PwD column 8. Foreign national supernumerary column 371. Programme-wise rows are in the same PDF. Do not add the foreign column into the 329.
2. PhD through JRF Separate matrix
Eligibility criteria
Same degree rule, plus a self-attested JRF certificate (UGC, CSIR, ICMR, DBT or NBHM) that is still inside the validity dates printed on that certificate. Every eligible JRF applicant is called for viva. Weightage is viva-voce only, out of 100. Apply on the JRF form, not only the NET form. The JRF seat matrix is a separate table in the e-prospectus. This page does not add a second total on top of the NET 329.
3. PhD through GATE — School of Engineering Separate matrix
Eligibility criteria
School of Engineering programmes in computer science and engineering, electronics and communication engineering, and mechanical engineering. Valid GATE score card. Weightage: GATE score 70%, viva-voce 30%. The GATE seat matrix is printed separately in the e-prospectus. A GATE score does not open the language, social science or science centres.
No single category table covers all three routes. Use the route table that matches the form you paid.
Educational qualifications
| Route | Degree / marks | Score / extras |
|---|---|---|
| NET | Master’s 55%, or M.Phil 55%, or 4-year bachelor’s 75%; 5% relaxation for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD/EWS | UGC/CSIR NET percentile, June 2025 onwards, relevant or allied subject |
| JRF | Same degree line | Valid JRF certificate; separate form; viva only |
| GATE | School of Engineering degree line in the prospectus | Valid GATE score; CSE, ECE, mechanical only |
Selection
- Submit the matching form by 16 October 2026, 11:50 pm.
- Correct particulars, if needed, on 17 and 18 October. This is not a second chance to start a form.
- Viva invite by 22 October (tentative). Viva 26 to 30 October (tentative). Carry the research proposal the centre asks for.
- Tie-break on the prospectus: higher NET or GATE percentile, then higher postgraduate marks, then graduate marks, then Class 12 marks. JRF ties start from postgraduate marks.
- First list 9 November (tentative). Pay the pre-enrolment slab and block the seat. Physical verification 16 to 18 November.
- Employed candidates must bring a leave sanction or relieving order. A foreign degree is checked for equivalence.
How to prepare (free, official)
- PhD e-prospectus 2026-27 — eligibility and seat matrix
- PhD schedule 2026
- JNU admissions portal — three live forms: NET, JRF, GATE
How to apply without getting played
- Open jnuee.jnu.ac.in. Pick NET, JRF or GATE. One route, one form.
- Read the centre row in the prospectus before you pay. A NET subject that the centre does not list will not move.
- Submit before 11:50 pm on 16 October 2026. Save the acknowledgement.
- Use 17–18 October only to correct a submitted form.
- Ignore any link that is not jnuee.jnu.ac.in or jnu.ac.in.
FAQs
What is the last date for JNU PhD admission 2026-27?
16 October 2026, up to 11:50 pm. Correction is 17 to 18 October 2026.
Who can apply?
Master’s at 55%, or the M.Phil / 4-year bachelor’s line in the prospectus, plus NET, JRF or GATE for the route you open.
How many seats?
NET matrix total is 329 (UR 138, SC 46, ST 19, OBC-NCL 92, EWS 34), with PwD 8 horizontal and a foreign supernumerary column of 371. JRF and GATE have their own matrices in the same PDF.
Where do I apply?
jnuee.jnu.ac.in.
What is the fee?
Pre-enrolment payment printed for accepting an offer: Rs 325 for most PhD programmes, Rs 20,545 for the School of Engineering, Rs 40,045 for ABVSME. A separate form-fee slab is not printed on the schedule.
Can final-year students apply?
The prospectus says candidates due to appear in the qualifying exam may apply, and must submit the final mark-sheet before the registration deadline. The admission/registration deadline on the schedule is 10 December 2026.
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