Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) is a public research university in New Delhi, set up by the JNU Act of 1966 and operating since 1969.[1][2] It is a central university in UGC’s list and is ranked 555th in the QS World University Rankings 2027.[3][4]
Foreign students pay in US dollars. For 2026–27 the admission policy lists a one-time registration fee of US$500 and tuition of US$300 to US$1,250 per semester in science and US$200 to US$1,000 per semester in the humanities and social sciences, depending on the home region.[1] The university offers up to 20% supernumerary seats per programme (except PhD) to foreign nationals; the medium of instruction is English.[1]
Key facts
| Official name | Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)[1] |
| Location | New Delhi 110 067, India; main campus in Munirka[2] |
| Type | Public research university; listed by UGC as a central university[3] |
| Founded | JNU Act 1966, in force on 22 April 1969[2] |
| Students | 8,847 (1,117 undergraduate, 3,498 postgraduate, 4,232 doctoral), 2021 data as reported by Wikipedia[2] |
| Schools and centres | 13 schools and 8 special centres in the 2026–27 admission policy[1] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 555th[4] |
| NIRF (India) | 9th overall and 2nd among universities in 2024, as reported by Wikipedia[2] |
| Medium of instruction | English for all programmes except languages[1] |
| Registration fee, foreign students (2026–27) | US$500, one time[1] |
| Tuition, foreign students (2026–27) | US$200 to US$1,250 per semester, by discipline and home region[1] |
| Seats for foreign nationals | Up to 20% supernumerary per programme except PhD (10% in absentia, 10% through the entrance exam)[1] |
| Official website | jnu.ac.in |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 6 November 2026.
About Jawaharlal Nehru University
JNU was constituted under the Jawaharlal Nehru University Act 1966 (Act 53 of 1966) and came into existence in 1969; the Act came into force on 22 April 1969.[1][2] A UGC list of central universities of 20 May 2015 includes it, so it counts as a central university, not a state or private one.[3]
The 2026–27 admission policy lists 13 schools, among them International Studies, Language, Literature and Culture Studies, Social Sciences, Life Sciences, Computer and Systems Sciences, Sanskrit and Indic Studies, Engineering and the Atal Bihari Vajpayee School of Management and Entrepreneurship, and 8 special centres.[1] Wikipedia gives a campus area of 1,019 acres.[2]
How is JNU ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, JNU is 555th in the world and 15th among Indian institutions in Careers360’s table.[4] Two other Indian news sites list the same world position.[5][6] Sources disagree on the 2026 position it moved from (558th or 561st), so we give only the current rank.
In India’s NIRF ranking, Wikipedia reports 9th overall and 2nd among universities for 2024, and second among universities after the Indian Institute of Science in 2025.[2] Publishers use different methods and years, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at JNU?
The 2026–27 admission policy lists Ph.D., M.Tech, MPH, PG diplomas, M.A., M.Sc., MCA, MBA, B.Tech, B.A. (Hons.) in foreign languages, B.Sc. and part-time courses.[1] The admissions page also names certificate and diploma programmes (COP, ADOP, DOP), and M.Sc. programmes in biotechnology and computational and integrative sciences admit through the GAT-B test.[7]
How much does JNU cost for foreign students?
Foreign students admitted in absentia, through the entrance examination or as casual students pay in US dollars, or the equivalent in rupees at the prevailing exchange rate. The 2026–27 policy lists one registration fee of US$500 and these tuition rates per semester:[1]
| Discipline | SAARC countries | Africa and Latin America | West Asia | Other countries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Science | US$300 | US$400 | US$600 | US$1,250 |
| Humanities and social sciences | US$200 | US$300 | US$500 | US$1,000 |
Tibetan students pay fees at par with Indian students. Indian nationals whose qualifying certificates come from abroad, and who cannot sit the entrance test where they live, are admitted in absentia and pay the same dollar rates.[1] Self-financing foreign applicants must show a bank certificate that their funds cover the whole programme, and medical insurance of at least ₹1 lakh is mandatory.[1] Semester fees can be paid in dollars or in equivalent rupees.[1]
The policy does not give the rupee fees for Indian students; check the e-prospectus. For rent and living costs, see our India guide.
How do you apply to JNU as a foreign student?
The policy names four routes for foreign nationals at UG and PG level:[1]
- Entrance examination: foreign nationals who are already in India must take the entrance examination, hold the right visa and meet the eligibility rules for Indian students. UG, PG and certificate admission runs on the Computer Based Test (CBT) of CUET, the national common university entrance test.[1]
- In absentia: foreign nationals applying from their home country use a separate application form, send it with copies of their certificates and a bank draft for US$50 as processing fee to the Section Officer (Admission-II), and email scans to admission_foreign@mail.jnu.ac.in.[1]
- ICCR cultural exchange fellowship: candidates approach the Indian Council for Cultural Relations in New Delhi, which informs JNU of selections.[1]
- Casual student: a semester or two to audit or earn credit, without a degree.[1]
Foreign nationals’ merit lists are separate from those of other categories.[1] Self-financing PhD applicants use a separate application form with a US$50 bank draft, and must check the seat intake in the PhD e-prospectus first.[1] The international students page lists the International Students Advisor and the admissions office contacts.[8]
We give no deadlines here because they change every year and differ by programme. After selection you need equivalence of your qualifications, a student or research visa, original academic documents, a medical-cum-fitness certificate and the insurance cover.[1]
Which English level do you need?
English is the medium of instruction for all programmes except languages, unless the question paper says otherwise.[1] For students from other teaching languages the university has remedial English courses.[1] The policy and the international students page do not list an English test or minimum score for foreign applicants, so ask the Section Officer (Admission-II) before you book a test.[1][8]
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does JNU cost for foreign students?
For 2026–27 there is a one-time registration fee of US$500 and tuition of US$200 to US$1,250 per semester, depending on the discipline and the home region.[1]
Is JNU a central university?
How is JNU ranked?
How many seats does JNU offer to foreign nationals?
Up to 20% of the seats in each programme except PhD, over and above the normal intake: 10% in absentia and 10% through the entrance examination.[1]
Can I apply to JNU from abroad?
Yes, through the “in absentia” category with a separate application form and a US$50 processing fee, unless you are already in India, in which case you take the entrance examination.[1]
More about studying in India
- India: best universities
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in India
- Amity University (Noida)
- Anna University
- Banaras Hindu University
- BITS Pilani
- Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
- Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad
- Indian Institute of Science
- Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi
- Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
- Indian Institute of Technology Delhi
- Indian Institute of Technology Indore
- Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur
- Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
- Indian Institute of Technology Madras
- Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee
- Jadavpur University
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education
- University of Delhi
- University of Hyderabad
Sources
[1] JNU: Admission Policy and Procedure 2026–2027 (document headed 2026–2027, without a printed date)
[2] Wikipedia: Jawaharlal Nehru University (campus, student numbers (2021), NIRF positions)
[3] UGC: List of Central Universities as on 20.05.2015 (list of 20 May 2015, so confirm current status)
[4] Careers360: QS World University Rankings 2027, India list (QS publishes the ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access) (article of 18 Jun 2026)
[5] Buddy4Study: QS World University Rankings 2027, India (article of 26 Jun 2026)
[6] Newswav: IIT-Delhi, DU, JNU shine in QS World University Rankings (article of 18 Jun 2026)
[7] JNU: Admissions (footer: reviewed 05-11-2026)
[8] JNU: Admission of international students (page updated 28 Sep 2026)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.