Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has revised the schedule for PhD admissions 2025-26. The first merit list will now be released on August 29, 2025. Interviews will be held from August 13 to 20, and the document verification process will continue through September and October. A GATE score is mandatory for engineering courses. The admission process will be entirely based on national-level examinations.
New Delhi: There is important news for students preparing to take admission in PhD at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). The university has revised the PhD admission schedule for the academic session 2025-26. The first merit list, which was previously scheduled to be released on August 11, will now be published on August 29, 2025.
According to the new dates, candidates must be prepared for several important processes, from interviews to document verification. The admission process will be entirely based on performance in national-level examinations.
Admission Process Will Now Be Held on These New Dates
According to the JNU administration, candidates selected in the first merit list must complete pre-enrollment registration and pay the admission fee between August 29 and 31. After this, offline verification of documents of the selected candidates will be conducted between September 8 and 11.
When and How Will the Interview Process Take Place?
The interview process under the PhD program has also been revised. Candidates who are shortlisted for the viva (oral examination) will be notified by August 8. Oral examinations will be conducted between August 13 and August 20. The merit list will be prepared based on performance in this stage.
Revised Schedule of JNU PhD Admission 2025
| Process | Date |
|---|---|
| Invitation for Viva | By August 8, 2025 |
| Oral Examination (Interview) | August 13 to 20, 2025 |
| Release of First Merit List | August 29, 2025 |
| Pre-Enrollment & Fee Payment (1st List) | August 29 to 31, 2025 |
| Document Verification (1st List) | September 8 to 11, 2025 |
| Release of Second Merit List | September 12, 2025 |
| Pre-Enrollment & Fee Payment (2nd List) | September 12 to 14, 2025 |
| Document Verification (2nd List) | September 18, 2025 |
| Third/Final Merit List (If Required) | September 26, 2025 |
| Fee Payment (3rd List) | September 26 to 28, 2025 |
| Document Verification (3rd List) | October 3, 2025 |
| Last Date of Admission/Registration | October 10, 2025 |
Admissions Will Be Based on These Examinations
PhD admissions at JNU will be conducted entirely on the basis of national-level examinations. Candidates who have passed UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, or other recognized examinations and possess a JRF (Junior Research Fellowship) will be given preference. This will ensure that selection is solely based on merit.
GATE Required for PhD Courses in Engineering
If you wish to pursue a PhD at JNU's School of Engineering, a good GATE score is mandatory. Admission to these courses will be based solely on performance in the GATE examination.
This special condition applies only to the Engineering Department.
The JNU administration has clarified that every date in the PhD admission process is crucial. Candidates are instructed to regularly check the university's official website www.jnu.ac.in for all updates.
