JNU to hold JNUEE for 2 PhD courses; JNUSU hunger strike over admission policy enters day 7

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has announced that it will conduct its own entrance exam – JNU Entrance Examination (JNUEE) – for admissions to two PhD courses namely Korean Studies and Cinema Studies, which are not covered under the UGC-NET. Meanwhile, the indefinite hunger strike launched by the JNU Students' Union enters the 7th day.

Admission for all other doctoral programmes will be based on scores obtained in the University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test (UGC NET 2025) conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), the official brochure read.

According to the university sources, the decision to hold JNUEE for these two programmes was taken by the respective schools, the PTI reported. "All the deans have accepted and signed the process. This decision is their own, not of the vice chancellor or the administration," said a source, adding that the university's structure is decentralised and democratic.

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JNU PhD Admission 2025

The university has started the JNU PhD admissions for candidates in all three categories of the UGC NET or Council of Scientific and Industrial Research National Eligibility Test (CSIR NET).

The JNU PhD application form 2025 is available on the admission portal, jnuee.jnu.ac.in. The last date to apply for the admission is July 7. According to the admission policy, UGC NET scores will be given 70% weightage and the remaining 30% for viva-voce.

The university used to administer the JNUEE at around 80 centres. The JNU administration said that the exams like UGC NET held for awarding Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) are conducted at over 200 exam centres, and the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) at around 500, and highlighted that the university’s publication record is increasing by 5% annually.

JNUSU president Nitish Kumar: "This is because there are no NET subjects for these two programmes. That is why the administration has to conduct entrance exams for these two subjects."

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JNUSU hunger strike enters 7th day

Meanwhile, the JNU Students' Union continues its indefinite hunger strike for the seventh day, demanding the reinstatement of JNUEE for all PhD programmes.

All India Students’ Association (AISA) in a social media post today said that they will continue the “fight for academic justice and student rights”. Reiterating its long-standing demand to reinstate JNUEE for all PhD admissions, it requested to withdraw “arbitrary proctorial enquiries”.

Reinstate JNUEE for PhD admissions, halt evictions until thesis submission, withdraw arbitrary proctorial inquiries, reject the rationalisation of MCM scholarships, and ensure no discrimination against June 2025 NET aspirants, the students’ group demanded.

A scheduled meeting with the vice chancellor on Tuesday was postponed without further notice. The protest began last Thursday after the release of the PhD admission schedule for the academic year 2025-26.

(With inputs from PTI)