Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) PhD Admission 2025-26 (Phase-II) – Notification Out!
Introduction to Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) PhD Admission 2025-26 (Phase-II)
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) PhD Admission 2025-26 (Phase-II) has been officially announced for the Winter Semester. This phase offers a crucial opportunity for aspiring research scholars to join one of India’s premier central universities.
The admission process for the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) PhD Admission 2025-26 (Phase-II) is multifaceted, utilizing various national level examinations to select candidates. Prospective students can seek admission through three primary routes: the National Eligibility Test (NET) conducted by UGC/CSIR, the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) schemes of UGC, CSIR, ICMR, DBT, and NBHM, and the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) specifically for the School of Engineering programs. It is absolutely essential for all applicants to meticulously review the e-Prospectus to confirm that they meet both the educational qualifications and possess the relevant NET/JRF/GATE subjects, as failure to satisfy both criteria will result in immediate ineligibility for the highly competitive Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) PhD Admission 2025-26 (Phase-II) process. The university emphasizes that all applications must be submitted exclusively via the online portal, aligning with the stipulated guidelines for this academic session.
Table of Contents
Admission Modes for Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) PhD Admission 2025-26 (Phase-II)
The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) PhD Admission 2025-26 (Phase-II) follows different selection mechanisms depending on the category of qualification:
| Admission Mode | Eligible Exams/Fellowships | Selection Weightage | Key Notes on JNU PhD Admission |
|---|---|---|---|
| NET Categories (1, 2, 3) | UGC/CSIR NET (June 2024 onwards percentile) | 70% NET Percentile + 30% Viva-voce | Candidates must apply separately with their NET percentile (December 2024 onwards). |
| JRF Category | UGC/CSIR JRF, ICMR JRF, DBT JRF, NBHM JRF | 100% Viva-voce | JRF certificate must be valid at the time of verification. DST INSPIRE Fellows are not eligible under this category. |
| GATE Score | Valid GATE Score | 70% GATE Score + 30% Viva-voce | Only applicable for Ph.D. programmes in the School of Engineering. |
Eligibility Criteria for Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) PhD Admission 2025-26 (Phase-II)
To be eligible for the JNU PhD Admission 2025-26 (Phase-II), candidates must meet the following minimum qualifications:
- Master’s Degree (55% Minimum):
- 1-year/2-semester Master’s degree after a 4-year/8-semester Bachelor’s degree, OR
- 2-year/4-semester Master’s degree after a 3-year Bachelor’s degree.
- 4-Year Bachelor’s Degree (75% Minimum): Candidates seeking direct admission after a 4-year/8-semester Bachelor’s degree programme must have a minimum of 75% marks in aggregate.
- M.Phil. Programme: Candidates who have completed the M.Phil. programme must have at least 55% marks in aggregate.
Note: A relaxation of 5% marks is allowed for candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/Differently-Abled/EWS and other categories as per UGC norms for the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) PhD Admission 2025-26 (Phase-II).
JNU PhD Application Fee Structure (Phase-II)
The application fee for the JNU PhD Admission 2025-26 (Phase-II) varies based on the admission mode and the number of choices selected:
| Admission Mode | Category | Fee Amount (Rs.) |
|---|---|---|
| Ph.D. through NET Examination | General/EWS/OBC | 300/- |
| SC/ST/PwD | 150/- | |
| Ph.D. under JRF Category (1 Choice) | General/EWS | 700/- |
| SC/ST/PwD & OBC | 500/- | |
| BPL | 200/- | |
| Ph.D. under JRF Category (3 Choices) | General/EWS | 1200/- |
| SC/ST/PwD & OBC | 700/- | |
| BPL | 400/- | |
| Ph.D. through GATE Score | General/EWS | 700/- |
| SC/ST/PwD & OBC | 500/- | |
| BPL | 200/- |
Important Dates for Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) PhD Admission 2025-26 (Phase-II)
| Event | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Online Submission of Application Form | 24 November, 2025 | 3 December, 2025 (up to 11:50 PM) |
| Correction of particulars in Online Application Form | 4 December, 2025 | 5 December, 2025 |
| Invitation for Viva Voce (Tentative) | By 13 December, 2025 | |
| Holding of Viva-Voce Examination (Tentative) | 19 December, 2025 | 23 December, 2025 |
| Publication of First Merit List (Tentative) | 2 January, 2026 | |
| Pre-enrolment registration and fee payment (First List) | 2 January, 2026 | 4 January, 2026 |
| Physical Verification/Admission Deadline | 10 February, 2026 | |
Application Process Steps for JNU PhD Admission 2025-26
Candidates must apply in online mode only for the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) PhD Admission 2025-26 (Phase-II). The application process involves these key steps:
- Fill the online application with personal details.
- Fill the online application with Qualification Details.
- Fill the online application with Professional Details.
- Upload scanned images of photograph (10 kb to 200 kb) and signature (4 kb to 30 kb) in jpg/jpeg format only.
- Pay the required application fee through online payment mode.
Important Notes Regarding Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) PhD Admission 2025-26 (Phase-II)
JRF Validity and Exclusion Criteria for JNU PhD Admission:
Candidates applying under the JRF category must ensure their JRF certificate is valid at the time of physical document verification. Candidature will be rejected outrightly if the certificate is not found valid. Please note that Lectureship/Assistant Professorship awardees (without JRF) and DST INSPIRE Fellows are not eligible under the JRF category.
Preference Selection is Final:
A candidate can opt for a maximum of three fields of study in order of preference. The preference once exercised is final, and no change will be allowed later. If a candidate is selected for a higher preference, they will only be offered admission against that specific choice.
Important Links
- Download Official Prospectus (Subject-wise Eligibility)
- Online Application Portal
- Jawaharlal Nehru University Official Website
Always refer to the official JNU website for the most accurate and updated information on the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) PhD Admission 2025-26 (Phase-II)