Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has officially begun accepting applications for its undergraduate (UG) and Certificate of Proficiency (COP) programs for the academic year 2026-2027. Prospective students interested in enrolling in JNU's BA (Hons.), BSc, BTech, and short-term COP courses must submit their applications online by July 22 through the university's admission portal.
Admission Process and Eligibility Criteria
JNU will admit students to its undergraduate programs primarily based on scores from the Common University Entrance Test Undergraduate (CUET UG) 2026. Engineering aspirants seeking BTech seats will be considered through the Joint Entrance Examination Mains (JEE Main), with seat allocation managed via JoSAA or DASA counseling processes.
To be eligible for BA (Hons.) and BSc courses, candidates should have completed their senior school certificate (Class 12) or an equivalent examination from a recognized board or university, securing at least 45% marks. Students who have not yet appeared for their Class 12 exams can also apply, provided they meet the eligibility criteria once results are declared.
For the Certificate of Proficiency programs, applicants must have passed Class 12 or an equivalent examination with a minimum aggregate of 45%. Additionally, candidates who completed their Higher Secondary Certificate under the 10+1 education pattern may qualify if they have successfully finished the first year of a bachelor's degree under the 10+1+3 system with the required marks.
Reservation and Seat Allocation Details
- Scheduled Caste (SC) candidates: 15% of seats reserved
- Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates: 7.5% reserved
- Other Backward Classes (Non-Creamy Layer): 27% reserved
- Economically Weaker Sections (EWS): 10% reserved
- Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD): At least 5% seats reserved
JNU also offers a 10% relaxation in qualifying marks for OBC (NCL) candidates compared to the open category. The university emphasizes merit-based admission due to limited seat availability, and no viva voce examinations will be conducted for BA, BSc, or COP admissions.
How Tie-Breaking and Course Structure Work
In cases where candidates have identical scores, JNU will prioritize admission based on higher marks obtained in the Class 12 examination. If a tie persists, the university will consider the higher CUET or JEE Main scores, followed by Class 10 marks if necessary. Preference is also given to candidates whose results have been declared over those awaiting results.
The BTech program at JNU spans eight semesters and requires a minimum of 155 credits for completion. Students have the option to earn additional credits through open-choice courses, enabling them to develop interdisciplinary knowledge beyond their core engineering curriculum.
JNU's COP programs include offerings such as B.A. (Hons.) in Foreign Languages and BSc in Ayurveda Biology, conducted through the School of Language, Literature and Cultural Studies and the School of Sanskrit and Indic Studies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the last date to apply for JNU UG and COP admissions 2026?
A: The application deadline for undergraduate and Certificate of Proficiency courses at JNU is July 22, 2026.
Q: Which entrance exams are accepted for admission to JNU courses?
A: Admissions to BA (Hons.) and BSc programs are based on CUET UG 2026 scores, while BTech admissions require JEE Main scores, with seat allocation through JoSAA or DASA counseling.
Q: Are students who have not yet completed Class 12 eligible to apply?
A: Yes, students awaiting their Class 12 results can apply, but final admission will depend on meeting the minimum eligibility criteria once results are declared.
