JNU to hold separate entrance test for two PhD programmes outside UGC-NET; check details here
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has announced that it will independently conduct the Jawaharlal Nehru University Entrance Examination (JNUEE) for admissions to two specific PhD programmes — Korean Studies and Cinema Studies, for the academic year 2025–26. These two disciplines are not currently included under the University Grants Commission’s National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET), which is otherwise the standard route for doctoral admissions.The decision to hold a separate entrance test was taken by the respective schools within the university, not the central administration. For all other PhD programmes, JNU will continue to use UGC-NET scores as the basis for admission. The move to conduct JNUEE for the two courses comes in light of the fact that no specific UGC-NET subjects exist for either Korean Studies or Cinema Studies.
Protests and hunger strike continue over demand for full JNUEE restoration
Meanwhile, tensions continue to simmer on campus as JNUSU presses for a wider reinstatement of JNUEE across all PhD programmes. The students’ union has been staging an indefinite hunger strike, now entering its sixth consecutive day. Their core demand is the restoration of the traditional JNUEE format for all doctoral admissions, not just the two programmes in question.The protest began last Thursday, following the release of the official PhD admission schedule for the upcoming academic year. A scheduled meeting with the university’s vice chancellor, which was expected to address student concerns, was postponed without explanation on Tuesday, further fuelling discontent.As of now, there is no official word from the administration on whether the demand for a full reinstatement of JNUEE will be considered.
