JNU PhD admissions 2026-27: SFI flags SC, ST reservation gaps; NCSC seeks report by November 3

The Students’ Federation of India (SFI) has accused Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) of violating constitutionally mandated reservation norms in its PhD admissions prospectus for the 2026-27 academic session. The allegations specifically concern the number of seats advertised for Scheduled Tribe (ST), Scheduled Caste (SC), and Persons with Disabilities (PwD) candidates.

In response to a complaint filed by Gopika Babu, an SFI Delhi State Committee member and JNUSU vice-president, the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) issued a reminder to JNU on October 27, 2026, directing the university to submit a report within seven days. The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) has also registered the complaint following SFI JNU’s intervention.

Allegations of Reservation Shortfalls

SFI alleges that JNU advertised fewer seats for ST and SC candidates than required by prescribed reservation norms. For a total intake of 711 PhD seats, JNU advertised 38 seats for ST candidates, representing 5.34% of the intake, against a prescribed reservation of 7.5%. This, according to SFI, results in a shortfall of 15 seats. Similarly, for SC candidates, JNU advertised 103 seats, or 14.49% of the total intake, against a prescribed 15% reservation, leading to a claimed shortfall of four seats. Concerns were also raised regarding the allocation of only 17 seats for PwD candidates, against a 5% reservation requirement.

SFI has demanded an immediate revision of the PhD admissions prospectus, publication of a transparent reservation roster, release of category-wise admission data, and the filling of backlog vacancies. The ABVP unit of JNU has also written to Vice-Chancellor Santishree D Pandit regarding PhD seat allocation, demanding rationalisation of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) category PhD admission seats and eligibility for NET qualified candidates to appear for viva-voce through JRF. They further demanded that the prospectus be taken back, revised, and reissued, and that the weightage given to viva-voce be reduced to 10% from 30%.

JNU’s Stance and Past Admission Concerns

JNU has stated that its admission process ensures no discrimination against PhD aspirants from marginalised sections. According to the university, selection committee members are not provided with student category information to prevent bias. JNU’s admission policy calls every SC/PwD candidate who qualifies the entrance exam for PhD admission for viva voce, regardless of available seats in their category. The university also stated that observers from reserved categories are appointed to ensure no discrimination during viva voce.

However, JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh has alleged that students from marginalised sections are being marked 1 or 2 out of 30 in viva voce. The JNU Teachers’ Association (JNUTA) has also alleged that admissions to PhD programmes are being administered with “appalling shabbiness.” JNUTA further noted that despite the e-prospectus release on August 24, the National Testing Agency (NTA) is yet to generate a weblink for PhD JNUEE applications, leaving the fate of a JNU-specific JNUEE officially unknown.

Historical Context and Recent Developments

The current allegations follow a 17-day hunger strike by the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU), which ended on October 20, 2026. The strike concluded with an agreement between JNUSU and the JNU administration to address various student demands, including the revocation of rustication for five students and the withdrawal of FIRs against other protesters. The administration also agreed to form committees to examine the JNU Entrance Examination (JNUEE), review contentious clauses of the Chief Proctor’s Office (CPO) manual, provide an audit report on the Equal Opportunity Cell (EOC) within a week, and examine hostel reservations.

Previous instances of alleged reservation violations and admission issues at JNU include the 2017-18 academic year, where only 75 students were admitted to MPhil/PhD programmes out of 194 sanctioned seats, with only 53% of the specified intake being offered. In that year, only 3 SC, 2 ST, and 13 OBC candidates were admitted. The intake in the MPhil/PhD programme in JNU was reduced from 1086 to 102 seats in 2017-18. In 2021, SFI moved the Delhi High Court regarding JNU’s decision to allocate all PhD seats to JRF category candidates in seven centres for the 2021-22 academic year. The UGC gazette notification of May 5, 2016, which imposed 100% viva-based MPhil/PhD admissions and undermined JNU’s deprivation points, has also been a point of contention.

Further reading

• JNU PhD: Rectify reservation gaps now; NCSC seeks report by November 3, 2026
• ERA University PhD entrance interview 2026 result declared: 41 selected, report by 5 November

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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