Last Updated: May 2026
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), ranked among India’s top three universities by NIRF, accepts CUET UG and CUET PG scores for almost all undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. JNU is famous for its language and area-studies schools, postgraduate research and the most rigorous social-sciences ecosystem in the country. This guide is the complete JNU CUET 2027 admission roadmap — courses, cutoffs, selection workflow, fee structure, hostel realities and counselling timelines.
JNU at a Glance
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Established | 1969 (Act of Parliament) |
| Campus | 1019 acres, New Delhi |
| NIRF Ranking 2025 | #2 University Category |
| Schools / Centres | 13 schools, 5 special centres |
| UG Programmes via CUET | BA Hons in 9 foreign languages |
| PG Programmes via CUET | ~70 (MA, MSc, MPhil, MTech, PG Diploma) |
| Application Mode | NTA CUET portal + JNU portal verification |
1. UG Admissions — BA (Hons) Foreign Languages
JNU’s School of Language, Literature and Culture Studies (SLLCS) admits UG students for BA (Hons) in foreign languages through CUET UG. Languages on offer: French, German, Spanish, Russian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Persian, Arabic.
Eligibility: Class 12 with 45 percent (general), 40 percent (reserved). CUET subjects required: any one Language paper (Hindi or English) plus General Test plus one domain subject. The language at Class 12 is not required — JNU admits beginners.
2. PG Admissions — Major Programmes via CUET PG
| School | Sample Programmes |
|---|---|
| School of International Studies (SIS) | MA International Studies, MA Politics with International Relations |
| School of Social Sciences (SSS) | MA Economics, MA History, MA Sociology, MA Political Science, MA Geography |
| School of Languages | MA Linguistics, MA Hindi, MA English, MA Urdu |
| School of Computational Sciences | MSc Bioinformatics, MTech Computational Biology |
| School of Computer Sciences | MTech Computer Science |
| School of Physical Sciences | MSc Physics, MSc Mathematics |
| School of Life Sciences | MSc Life Sciences |
| School of Environmental Sciences | MSc Environmental Sciences |
3. School-wise Indicative CUET Cutoffs (2025 admissions)
| Programme | General | OBC | SC/ST |
|---|---|---|---|
| BA Hons French | ~165 / 250 | 150 | 135 |
| BA Hons Japanese | ~175 / 250 | 160 | 145 |
| BA Hons Russian | ~155 / 250 | 140 | 125 |
| MA International Studies | ~190 / 300 | 175 | 160 |
| MA Economics | ~210 / 300 | 195 | 180 |
| MA History | ~180 / 300 | 165 | 150 |
| MSc Life Sciences | ~200 / 300 | 185 | 170 |
4. Reservation Policy
- SC: 15 percent, ST: 7.5 percent, OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 27 percent
- EWS: 10 percent
- PwD (across all categories): 5 percent horizontal
- Foreign Nationals: 25 supernumerary seats
5. Selection Process
- Register at cuet.nta.nic.in for CUET UG or CUET PG (October-December 2026 window).
- Choose JNU as a preferred university and select programme codes.
- Appear for CUET in May-June 2027.
- JNU releases its e-Prospectus and merit list within 30 days of CUET results.
- Apply for JNU counselling on jnuee.jnu.ac.in.
- Programmes such as MPhil and PhD have a viva-voce stage after CUET.
- Allotment is made over 3-4 rounds; pay fees and report to the school for verification.
6. Fee Structure (Indicative, 2025-26)
| Component | Amount in Rupees |
|---|---|
| UG Tuition (annual) | 180-260 |
| UG Hostel + Mess (annual) | 30,000-40,000 |
| PG Tuition (annual) | 240-300 |
| PG Hostel + Mess | 35,000-45,000 |
JNU is among India’s most affordable top-tier public universities by tuition. Living expenses are the dominant cost.
7. Hostel and Campus Life
JNU has 18 hostels on campus. Allocation prioritises domicile distance. Facilities include the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Central Library, the Convention Centre, gymnasium, swimming pool and 24-hour public transport. JNUSU elections are a national event.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does JNU offer BA in regular subjects through CUET?
No. At the UG level, JNU offers only BA (Hons) in foreign languages. For BA in subjects like English, History or Political Science, apply to other CUET universities such as Delhi University, BHU, AMU or Jamia Millia Islamia.
Is CUET PG mandatory for JNU PG programmes?
Yes for almost all programmes since 2022. MPhil and PhD admissions also use CUET PG plus a viva-voce stage.
Is JNU residential?
JNU is fully residential and most students get hostel accommodation. Hostel allocation is need-based; non-Delhi residents are typically prioritised.
What CUET subjects should I choose for JNU UG?
Pick one Language (English or Hindi from Section IA), General Test, and one domain subject (the domain score is used for tie-breaking).
Does JNU have an entrance interview?
For UG and most MA or MSc programmes, no — only CUET score and merit list. For MPhil and PhD, a 30-mark viva-voce is added.
