JNU to launch 2nd PhD admission cycle amid students' protest

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has announced a second cycle of PhD admissions for the academic year 2025–26, tentatively scheduled for December. The decision comes amid an ongoing hunger strike by the JNU Students’ Union (JNUSU), demanding the reinstatement of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Entrance Examination (JNUEE) for all PhD programmes.

According to a university circular, the next PhD admissions will be conducted through national-level fellowships such as UGC/CSIR-JRF-NET, DET-JRF, ICMR-JRF, and others.

In a related development, the JNU administration has agreed to extend hostel accommodation for PhD scholars nearing thesis submission. In a separate notification, the registrar stated that scholars can now apply for hostel extension by submitting “an undertaking duly signed from the concerned supervisor, chairperson and dean of respective schools.” The administration clarified that such requests would be considered “on humanitarian grounds and on a case-to-case basis.”

The move follows growing pressure from students protesting against what they allege are exclusionary policies and inadequate housing support. The JNUSU, which has been on a hunger strike, claimed that the administration’s concession on hostel extension is a direct result of their agitation.

“The administration, which was initially unwilling to listen, has now been forced to negotiate with the union and concede to release a notice for an extension during the holiday period when offices were closed,” said JNUSU president Nitish Kumar in a statement. “No one will be compelled to vacate the hostel during their study. We will fight for hostel till PhD submission.”

Kumar also criticised the university's decision to exclude candidates who appeared for the June 2025 UGC-NET, arguing that it unfairly affects recent postgraduates seeking research opportunities. “This move has directly impacted a significant portion of the MA batch, limiting their chances of pursuing research,” Kumar said, calling the policy “arbitrary and unjust.”

He added, “However, this is just the beginning. The fight must continue, and we will push the administration to fulfil all our demands.” The JNUSU continues to demand the full restoration of the JNUEE as a mandatory criterion for PhD admissions and greater transparency in the admission process.