Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), one of India’s premier higher education institutions, has announced an extension in the deadline for its PhD application process for the academic session 2025-26. The extension comes as a relief to aspirants applying through competitive avenues like CSIR UGC NET, Junior Research Fellowships (JRF), and the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE). The university has now made it possible for students to submit their applications until July 28, 2025.

This extension applies solely to online applications. JNU has made it explicitly clear that offline submissions will not be entertained under any circumstance. Interested candidates must submit their application forms via the university’s official website, jnu.ac.in, before the deadline.

The PhD admissions at JNU are conducted through various national-level qualifying exams, which include UGC-CSIR NET, valid Junior Research Fellowships awarded by national bodies such as UGC, CSIR, DBT, ICMR, and NBHM, and GATE scores. However, it is important to note that GATE-based admissions are exclusively applicable to candidates seeking admission to programs offered under the School of Engineering.

Candidates must possess the required academic qualifications and must hold valid scores or fellowships in any of the aforementioned exams. Applications that fail to meet these mandatory criteria—either in terms of eligibility or completeness—will be summarily rejected. Candidates are urged to thoroughly review the eligibility details provided in the university’s e-Prospectus before applying.

As part of the application process, candidates are allowed to choose up to three areas of study in order of preference. However, this selection is final and cannot be altered after submission. This highlights the importance of careful and well-informed decision-making during the application process.

Another important note for GATE-qualified candidates is that they are permitted to apply only to specific engineering programs within the School of Engineering, such as Computer Science, Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE), and Mechanical Engineering. Their admission will be based on a combination of 70% weightage to the GATE score and 30% to the performance in the viva-voce.

For those applying under the JRF category, only candidates who hold valid fellowships at the time of document verification are eligible. It is also specified that the category is strictly for those holding full-fledged JRF awards. Individuals who are eligible solely for lectureship or assistant professorship under the NET qualifications, and not for the fellowship, will not be considered under the JRF category. Admission for JRF candidates is determined entirely through performance in the viva-voce, without taking into account any score or percentile.

The selection process for applicants through the UGC/CSIR NET route comprises two components: 70% weightage is assigned to the NET percentile score, while the remaining 30% is based on performance in the viva-voce examination. This dual assessment is designed to evaluate both academic competence and research aptitude.

JNU has emphasized the importance of keeping abreast with regular updates and instructions by visiting its official website. All updates regarding the selection process, schedules, and interview dates will be made available through the university portal. Candidates are advised to monitor the website frequently and consult the e-Prospectus for any additional clarifications.

In sum, the extension of the application deadline to July 28, 2025, gives aspiring PhD candidates more time to complete and submit their applications. This announcement underscores JNU’s commitment to ensuring fair and accessible opportunities for research aspirants across India, while also maintaining a robust and merit-based admission process.