These are the admission rules at JNU: Who gets a reservation, and how to avail of it?

Jawaharlal Nehru University is one of the top institutions in the country. But are you aware of the reservations students receive upon admission?

Whenever the country's educational institutions are mentioned, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) is invariably mentioned. Thousands of students apply every year, but many find it difficult to understand how the reservation system actually works. Separate provisions have been made for SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, and PWD students in course admissions, which are in accordance with central government regulations.

SC category students receive 15% reservation and ST students receive 7.5% reservation at JNU. A caste certificate issued by a recognized authority must include the student's name, caste, state, and a confirmation that the caste is listed in the central government's list. If a student does not have the certificate at the time of application, they can submit the application receipt. However, the original certificate must be submitted before final admission. If an SC/ST student is selected through general merit, they are not included in the reserved seats.

Reservation for OBCs

OBC students receive 27% reservation. The OBC-NCL certificate must be in accordance with the Central Government list and must clearly state that the student falls in the non-creamy layer. A valid certificate for the financial year 2025–26 is required. If the new certificate is not available, the old one or the application receipt can be submitted, but a valid certificate must be presented at the time of admission.

Reservation for the PWD Category

JNU has a 5% reservation for Persons with Disabilities (PWD) students. This reservation is given to those with a minimum of 40% disability. This includes conditions such as locomotor disability, cerebral palsy, mental illness, dwarfism, muscular dystrophy, blindness, deafness, autism, blood disorders, and multiple disabilities. A medical certificate in the prescribed format is required for this.

EWS Benefits

JNU also provides 10% reservation for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS). This is available to students whose annual family income is less than ₹8 lakh and who do not own property such as large agricultural land, a large residential plot, or a large flat. EWS certificates are also issued by authorized officials.