CUET UNIVERSITY GUIDE | APRIL 2026
Last Updated: April 2026
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) is one of India’s most prestigious central universities, consistently ranked among the top 5 in the National Institutional Rankings Framework (NIRF). Since 2022, JNU has adopted CUET UG scores for admission to all its undergraduate programmes — making CUET 2027 your gateway to JNU.
About JNU — Key Facts
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jawaharlal Nehru University |
| Type | Central University (established 1969) |
| Location | New Delhi (near Qutb Minar area) |
| NIRF Ranking 2024 | 2nd among Universities in India |
| Admission Mode | CUET UG scores (since 2022) |
| Official Website | jnu.ac.in |
| Notable for | Social sciences, humanities, international studies, languages |
Popular UG Courses at JNU Through CUET 2027
School of Arts and Aesthetics (SAA)
- BA (Hons) — Art History and Art Appreciation
- CUET Papers Required: Language + History/Fine Arts domain
School of International Studies (SIS)
- BA (Hons) — Foreign Languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Russian, Spanish)
- CUET Papers Required: Language Test (relevant language) + General Test
School of Language, Literature and Culture Studies (SLL&CS)
- BA (Hons) — English and Comparative Literature
- BA (Hons) — Hindi
- BA (Hons) — Urdu
- CUET Papers Required: Language paper + relevant domain subject
School of Social Sciences (SSS)
- BA (Hons) — History
- BA (Hons) — Political Science
- BA (Hons) — Economics
- BA (Hons) — Sociology
- CUET Papers Required: Language + Domain Subject (History/Political Science/Economics/Sociology) + General Test
CUET Paper Combination for JNU Admission 2027
| Programme | Required CUET Papers | Best Domain Subjects to Choose |
|---|---|---|
| BA (Hons) History | English/Hindi + History + General Test | History, Political Science |
| BA (Hons) Political Science | English/Hindi + Political Science + General Test | Political Science, History, Sociology |
| BA (Hons) Economics | English/Hindi + Economics/Maths + General Test | Economics, Mathematics |
| BA Foreign Language | Specific Language Test + General Test | French, German, Spanish etc. |
| BA Sociology | English/Hindi + Sociology + General Test | Sociology, Political Science |
Expected CUET Cutoffs for JNU 2027
JNU cutoffs vary each year based on the number of applicants and seat availability. Based on 2023 and 2024 trends:
| Programme | Expected Cutoff Range (out of 800) | Competition Level |
|---|---|---|
| BA (Hons) Political Science | 720-760 | Very High |
| BA (Hons) History | 700-740 | Very High |
| BA (Hons) Economics | 710-750 | Very High |
| BA (Hons) Sociology | 690-730 | High |
| BA Foreign Language (Chinese, Korean) | 650-700 | Moderate-High |
JNU Admission Process Through CUET 2027 — Step by Step
- Register for CUET 2027 on the NTA portal (cuet.samarth.ac.in) when registration opens
- Select JNU as a preferred university during the CUET application — you can add multiple universities
- Choose your papers — Language Test + Domain Subject(s) + General Test as required by your programme
- Appear for CUET 2027 (expected May-June 2027)
- Results declared — NTA announces CUET scores
- JNU opens its admission portal — fill separate application on jnu.ac.in with CUET score
- Merit list release — JNU publishes programme-wise merit lists
- Document verification and admission — report to campus with required documents
Why Choose JNU?
- Scholarship culture: Nearly 80% of JNU students receive some form of financial support
- Diverse campus: Students from all 28 states and 8 UTs; strong representation from rural areas
- Academic freedom: Ranked #1 in research output per faculty among Indian universities
- Hostel guarantee: JNU provides hostel accommodation to almost all students on campus
- Alumni network: Ministers, IAS officers, academics, activists, journalists — JNU alumni are everywhere
Frequently Asked Questions — JNU CUET Admission 2027
Is CUET mandatory for JNU admission 2027?
Yes. JNU has adopted CUET UG as the sole admission pathway for all undergraduate programmes since 2022. There is no separate JNU entrance exam for UG programmes. Your CUET 2027 score determines your eligibility for JNU admission.
How many CUET papers should I attempt for JNU admission?
Most JNU UG programmes require a Language Test (Section I), one or two Domain Subjects (Section II), and the General Test (Section III). The exact combination depends on your programme — check JNU’s official admission notification for the specific paper requirements for 2027.
What is the minimum CUET score required for JNU?
JNU does not announce a fixed minimum cutoff. Admission is purely merit-based, and the effective cutoff changes each year based on the applicant pool. For competitive programmes like Political Science and History, a combined CUET score above 720/800 is generally required based on recent trends.
Practice Quiz — 10 CUET-Style Questions
Click an option to reveal the answer and explanation.