JNU PhD Admission Row: SFI flags SC, ST reservation gaps; NCSC seeks report from university

The Students' Federation of India (SFI) has accused Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) of violating constitutionally mandated reservation norms in its PhD admissions prospectus for 2026-27 academic session. SFI has demanded immediate rectification. In a statement, SFI alleged that the university had advertised fewer seats for Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Scheduled Caste (SC) candidates than required under the prescribed reservation norms. The organisation also raised concerns over the number of seats allocated to Persons with Disabilities (PwD).

According to SFI, against a total intake of 711 seats, JNU advertised 38 seats for ST candidates, accounting for 5.34% of the intake, against the prescribed 7.5%. This represents a shortfall of 15 seats, the organisation claimed.

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Similarly, the university advertised 103 seats for SC candidates, accounting for 14.49% of the total intake, against the prescribed 15%, resulting in a shortfall of four seats, SFI said. It also claimed that only 17 seats had been allocated to PwD candidates, against the 5% reservation requirement.

NCSC issues reminder to JNU over complaint, says SFI

SFI said the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) had taken cognisance of a complaint filed by Gopika Babu, an SFI Delhi State Committee member and Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) vice-president. According to the organisation, the NCSC issued a reminder to JNU on October 27, 2026, noting that the university had failed to submit its report within the deadline. The commission directed the university to respond within seven days, SFI said. The organisation further stated that the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) had also registered the complaint following SFI JNU's intervention.

JNU hunger strike ended after administration agreed to demands

The latest allegations come days after JNUSU ended its 17-day hunger strike on October 20, following an agreement with the JNU administration to address several student demands. According to a report by PTI, Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit directed the administration to revoke the rustication of five students with immediate effect and withdraw FIRs against other protesters.

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The students facing rustication were Aditi Mishra, K Gopika Babu, Sunil Yadav, Danish Ali and Nitish Kumar. The first four were current JNUSU office-bearers, while Nitish Kumar was the former JNUSU president.

The administration also agreed to withdraw proctorial inquiries initiated during protests against student rustication, University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations and hostel infrastructure issues.

Other decisions included forming a committee with JNUSU representation to examine the JNU Entrance Examination (JNUEE), reviewing contentious clauses of the Chief Proctor's Office (CPO) manual and providing an audit report on the Equal Opportunity Cell (EOC) within a week. The university also agreed to form a panel to examine hostel reservations.

SFI alleged that the allocation of seats through fragmented seat distribution reflected a broader pattern of exclusion of marginalised students in central universities. The organisation has demanded immediate revision of the PhD admissions prospectus, publication of a transparent reservation roster, release of category-wise admission data and filling of backlog vacancies.