Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Ph.D. Admission 2026–27

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About the Department / School

While JNU does not operate a standalone “Department of Psychology” as a single isolated faculty, psychological research, behavioral studies, and mental health perspectives are deeply integrated into multi-disciplinary schools. Candidates can pursue doctoral research overlapping with psychological branches through specialized tracks:

• Social Sciences in Health / Public Health: Interdisciplinary tracking intersecting clinical and social psychology, community mental health, epidemiology, and behavioral interventions (hosted under centres like the Zakir Husain Centre for Educational Studies or Social Medicine contexts).
• Philosophical Psychology & Mind Studies: Explored under advanced philosophical and cognitive tracks dealing with the philosophy of mind, perception, action, and human behavior.
• Social & Political Psychology: Encompassed within political science, international relations, and sociological frameworks analyzing mass behavior, political psychology, and conflict resolution.

Entrance Exam Details: Will There Be an Exam?

• No Separate University Entrance Test
• National Standardized Testing Requirement: Admissions are based on national-level eligibility scores. Candidates must qualify for the UGC-NET (all categories: Category 1 for JRF, Category 2 for Assistant Professorship, or Category 3 for Ph.D.-only admission) or hold an active national fellowship like JRF (UGC, CSIR, ICMR, etc.).

• Selection Basis & Criteria

  The selection process depends entirely on the category through which you apply:

  Admission via UGC-NET (Categories 1, 2, & 3):

  • Shortlisting for Interview: Candidates are shortlisted for a viva-voce based on their NET score percentiles. Shortlisting is restricted to a fixed multiple of available seats (e.g., up to 8 times for General category and up to 10 times for reserved categories).
  • Merit Weightage Formula: The final merit list is prepared using a weighted split: 70% weightage for the UGC-NET percentile and 30% weightage for the Viva-Voce interview.
• Admission via JRF Category:

  • Candidates who have cleared the Junior Research Fellowship (UGC/CSIR/ICMR/DBT) apply separately under the JRF pool.
  • Selection Basis: All eligible applicants under the JRF category are called directly for a viva-voce. Selection is based 100% on the viva-voce performance.
  • Note: Candidates with “Lectureship/Assistant Professorship only” (without JRF) cannot apply through the JRF category track.
• Mandatory Rule: Attending the viva-voce interview is compulsory; failure to appear results in immediate disqualification.

Minimum Eligibility Criteria

• Educational Qualifications:
  • A 2-year Master’s degree after a 3-year Bachelor’s degree, OR a 1-year Master’s degree after a 4-year Bachelor’s degree, with at least 55% marks in aggregate (or equivalent grade) in psychology, social sciences, or allied fields.
  • Candidates applying directly after a 4-year Bachelor’s degree must possess a minimum of 75% marks in aggregate.

Application Process & Important Dates

• Mode of Application: Strictly online through the official JNU Admissions Portal. Offline applications are rejected.
• Application Steps:
  1. Register on the portal using your active UGC-NET score card details.
  2. Select your preferred fields of study and research specializations (up to 3 preferences in order).
  3. Upload required academic mark sheets, NET/JRF scorecards, and category certificates.
  4. Pay the required application fees online and submit the final form before the deadline.

Immportant Dates

S. No.	Admission Activity	Date / Schedule
1	Online Submission of Application Form for Admission	6th to 16th October 2026 (up to 11:50 PM on 16th October)
2	Correction of Particulars in the Online Application Form (website only)	17th to 18th October 2026
3	Invitation for Viva Voce to Candidates	By 22nd October 2026 (Tentative)
4	Conduct of Viva Voce Examination	26th to 30th October 2026 (Tentative)
5	Publication of First Merit List for Ph.D. Admissions	9th November 2026 (Tentative)
6	Pre-enrolment Registration, Fee Payment and Seat Blocking – First List	9th to 11th November 2026 (Tentative)
7	Physical Verification of Admission/Registration – First List	16th to 18th November 2026
8	Publication of Second Merit List for Ph.D. Admissions	23rd November 2026 (Tentative)
9	Pre-enrolment Registration, Fee Payment and Seat Blocking – Second List	23rd to 25th November 2026 (Tentative)
10	Physical Verification of Admission/Registration – Second List	30th November 2026
11	Release of Third/Final Merit List, if required	4th December 2026 (Tentative)
12	Pre-enrolment Registration, Fee Payment and Seat Blocking – Third/Final List	4th to 6th December 2026 (Tentative)
13	Physical Verification of Admission/Registration – Third/Final List	8th December 2026
14	Deadline for Admission/Registration	10th December 2026

Note: Dates marked as tentative are subject to change as per the university’s official notification.

Key Guidelines

Choosing Fields of Study

• Maximum of 3 Choices: You can select up to three fields of study in your online application, listed in order of your preference.
• Choices are Final: Once submitted, your preferences cannot be changed.
• Single Offer Policy: If you are selected for a discipline higher up in your preference list, you will be offered admission only for that choice. You will forfeit any claim to your lower-ranked preferences.

Application Modes & Requirements

• Online Only: All applications must be submitted strictly online through the official portal. Offline applications are not accepted.
• Score Requirements: You must apply using your valid UGC/CSIR NET percentile or GATE score.
• Separate JRF Applications: If you are applying through the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) category, you must submit a separate application. However, JRF-qualified candidates are also permitted to apply separately under the regular NET category if they wish.
• GATE Restrictions: Candidates applying with a GATE score are eligible exclusively for Ph.D. programs within the School of Engineering.

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