Jawaharlal Nehru University Logo Jawaharlal Nehru University

Address: Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Mehrauli Road, Delhi, India, 110067

Phone: +91 11 2655 3111

Email: info@jnu.ac.in

Website: www.jnu.ac.in


The language requirements for Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) primarily depend on the medium of instruction and the program of study. Since most programs at JNU are taught in English, proficiency in the English language is required for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Here's a detailed overview of the language requirements:

1. Undergraduate Programs:

  • Medium of Instruction: English
  • Language Proficiency: Candidates applying for undergraduate programs (like BA, B.Tech) are typically required to demonstrate proficiency in English, especially if their previous education was not conducted in English.
  • English Language Tests: While JNU does not explicitly state a requirement for standardized English proficiency tests like TOEFL or IELTS for Indian students, international students are often required to provide proof of English proficiency through scores from tests like:
    • TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
    • IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
    • Cambridge English Examinations (e.g., CAE or CPE)

2. Postgraduate Programs:

  • Medium of Instruction: English
  • Language Proficiency: Since most postgraduate programs (MA, M.Sc, M.Tech, etc.) at JNU are conducted in English, candidates should have a strong command of the English language.
  • English Language Tests: For international students, JNU requires a TOEFL or IELTS score for admission, particularly if the applicant's previous education was not in English. Indian students may not need to submit these scores unless specified by the department.

3. PhD Programs:

  • Medium of Instruction: English
  • Language Proficiency: PhD students are expected to have a high level of English proficiency, both written and spoken, due to the extensive research, publications, and academic discussions that are conducted in English.
  • English Language Tests: International students may be required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores as part of the application process.

4. For International Students:

  • English Language Requirement: International students who have not completed their previous education in English are usually required to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. This is often done through standardized tests like:
    • TOEFL (score of at least 60-80 for undergraduate and 85-100 for postgraduate)
    • IELTS (band score of 6.0 for undergraduate and 6.5-7.0 for postgraduate)
  • If an international student's education was in English, a certificate of medium of instruction from their previous school or university may be accepted as proof of proficiency.

5. Exemptions:

  • Indian students who have completed their education in English-medium schools or institutions generally do not need to submit English proficiency test scores, unless stated by specific departments.
  • Students from countries where English is the primary language may also be exempt from submitting English proficiency test scores.

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi, India, is known for its strong emphasis on research, social sciences, and interdisciplinary studies. The university offers a wide range of programs at the undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels, with particular specialization in the following areas:

1. Social Sciences and Humanities:

  • Political Science: JNU is renowned for its Political Science programs, particularly in international relations, comparative politics, and political theory.
  • Sociology: The university has a strong sociology department that focuses on social theory, sociology of development, and urban sociology.
  • Anthropology: JNU’s Anthropology program is well-known, with a focus on cultural anthropology, human evolution, and ethnographic research.
  • Economics: The School of Social Sciences offers specialized courses in development economics, international economics, and labor economics.

2. Area Studies:

  • South Asian Studies: JNU is particularly noted for its research and academic strength in South Asian history, politics, and economics. The Centre for South Asian Studies is one of the key areas of focus.
  • Southeast Asian Studies: The university also offers Southeast Asian Studies, with special emphasis on politics, economics, and culture of the region.
  • China Studies: The university has specialized programs for Chinese studies, focusing on language, culture, and political systems.
  • Latin American Studies: The Latin American Studies Program focuses on the political, cultural, and economic dynamics of Latin America.

3. Languages and Literature:

  • English Literature: JNU offers specialized courses in English literature, with a focus on postcolonial studies, literary criticism, and Indian writing in English.
  • Regional and Foreign Languages: JNU is known for its expertise in various foreign languages, including French, German, Russian, Japanese, Spanish, and Arabic. It also offers programs in Indian languages such as Hindi, Punjabi, and Bengali.

4. Law:

  • Law and Governance: JNU’s Law Faculty offers specialized courses in constitutional law, human rights law, international law, and environmental law. It also has a strong focus on legal theory and legal research.

5. Science and Technology:

  • Life Sciences: JNU has a notable School of Life Sciences, which specializes in areas such as molecular biology, biotechnology, and environmental science.
  • Physics: The university also offers strong programs in applied physics, condensed matter physics, and theoretical physics.
  • Computational Biology: JNU is increasingly focusing on interdisciplinary fields like bioinformatics and computational biology.
  • Environmental Science: The university has a Centre for Environmental Sciences that conducts research in ecology, sustainable development, and climate change.

6. Interdisciplinary Studies:

  • Development Studies: JNU offers specialized courses in development studies, which bridge economics, sociology, and political science to study issues such as poverty, social justice, and policy reforms.
  • Gender Studies: The Centre for Women’s Studies at JNU offers research and courses in feminist theory, gender policies, and women’s rights.
  • Public Health: The university provides a strong focus on public health, particularly the intersection of health policy, development, and social inequalities.

7. International Relations and Diplomacy:

  • JNU is widely recognized for its International Relations (IR) program, which is among the best in India. The School of International Studies offers in-depth specialization in global governance, international conflict, diplomacy, and security studies.

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) is home to several distinguished and influential professors who have contributed significantly to academia and public policy. While the university may not have Nobel laureates, it boasts a cadre of top scholars known for their research, teaching, and contributions to various fields. Here are some of the notable professors associated with JNU:

1. Prof. S. S. S. Kavi

  • Field: Linguistics
  • Prof. Kavi is a distinguished professor in the School of Language, Literature, and Culture Studies at JNU, specializing in linguistics and language policy. His work has been instrumental in shaping research in linguistic theory and language education.

2. Prof. A. K. Pasha

  • Field: Development Studies
  • Prof. Pasha has contributed immensely to research in development studies with a focus on sustainable development, poverty alleviation, and global economic trends. His academic insights are widely recognized in both India and international circles.

3. Prof. Nivedita Menon

  • Field: Political Science and Gender Studies
  • Prof. Menon is a leading scholar in gender studies, political theory, and Indian politics. Her work examines issues related to gender equality, secularism, and democracy, and she is highly respected for her research on the political role of women in India.

4. Prof. Rajeev Bhargava

  • Field: Political Science
  • A prominent figure in the field of political science, Prof. Bhargava's work focuses on democracy, secularism, and pluralism. He has written extensively on Indian political thought and has shaped the discourse on religion and politics in modern India.

5. Prof. K.K Aziz

  • Field: History
  • Prof. Aziz is a respected historian known for his work on South Asian history, particularly regarding partition studies. His expertise in Indo-Pakistani relations has garnered global attention.

6. Prof. C.P. Bhambri

  • Field: Political Science
  • An authority on Indian political system and public administration, Prof. Bhambri has contributed significantly to understanding Indian politics, policy-making, and governance.

7. Prof. Sudhir Ranjan Agarwal

  • Field: Mathematics
  • A distinguished professor in the School of Physical Sciences, Prof. Agarwal is known for his research in mathematical physics and applied mathematics. His work is widely cited in the field of theoretical mathematics.

8. Prof. G. K. Chadha

  • Field: Economics
  • Prof. Chadha is a noted economist whose work focuses on Indian economic policy, poverty alleviation, and economic development. He has served in various policy-making roles and is recognized for his influence in Indian economic reform discussions.

9. Prof. D.N. Dhanagare

  • Field: Sociology
  • Prof. Dhanagare is a renowned sociologist known for his contributions to rural sociology, Indian society, and social change. His work on social stratification and development studies has been influential in both India and abroad.

10. Prof. Gita Sen

  • Field: Population Studies and Development Economics
  • A respected figure in the field of population studies, Prof. Sen has contributed significantly to health economics, gender studies, and reproductive health. Her work has been instrumental in shaping India’s policies on family planning and women's health.

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) is known for its high academic standards, but it has not yet produced any Nobel Prize winners. However, JNU has been influential in the development of Indian scholarship, and its faculty and students have made significant contributions to a variety of fields such as political science, international relations, economics, and sociology.

While JNU may not have Nobel laureates among its alumni or faculty, its academic contributions, particularly in the areas of social sciences, humanities, and international diplomacy, have shaped public discourse and policy in India and beyond. Many prominent scholars and politicians who have passed through JNU have had a lasting impact on Indian society.

For example, Shashi Tharoor, a well-known Indian politician and writer, studied at JNU. Nirmala Sitharaman, India's Finance Minister, also studied at the university. These individuals, though not Nobel laureates, have made substantial contributions to global politics, economics, and diplomacy.

Thus, while JNU does not have Nobel Prize winners at this time, its academic environment has produced many influential figures who contribute to important global discussions and policies.

Still a young university,established by an act of Parliament in 1966, the strength, energy, and reputation of Jawaharlal Nehru University result from the vision that ideas are a field for adventure, experimentation and unceasing quest, and that diversity of opinions are the basis for intellectual exploration.JNU is the place for the intellectually restless, the insatiably curious, and the mentally rigorous, giving them the space to grow amidst the calmness of an oasis, a green lung within the hustle and bustle and the crowds of the capital city of India.Coming into being in 1969, three years after its establishment by Parliament, JNU brought frontier disciplines and newer perspectives for old disciplines to the Indian university system. The excellent teacher-student ratio at 1:10, the mode of instruction which encourages students to explore their own creativity instead of reproducing received knowledge, and of exclusively internal evaluation, were also new to the Indian academic landscape and have stood the test of time. The very Nehruvian objectives embedded in the founding of the University–‘national integration,social justice,secularism, the democratic way of life, international understanding and a scientific approach to the problems of society’,had built into them constant and energetic endeavour to renew knowledge through self- questioning. The once rugged terrain of the Aravali hill range, where 1000 -acre campus is housed is now lush green. Parts of it host dense forests, sustaining a birdwatcher's paradise and some forms of wild life. The JNU campus is a microcosm of the Indian nation, drawing students from every nook and corner of the country and from every group and stratum of society.To make sure this, annual admission tests are simultaneously held at various centres spread across the length and breadth of the country, and special care is taken to draw students from the underprivileged castes and ethic groups by reserving 22.5 per cent of seats for them.Overseas students from some 10 percent of the annual intake. Students' hostels and blocks of faculty residences are interspersed with one another, underlining the vision of a large Indian family. Grounded in a faith in the unity of knowledge,JNU has sought to avoid the narrowly conceived Department structure of conventional universities, preferring instead to bring allied disciplines within a few broad and inclusive entities called Schools, under whose interactive ambit are placed the more specialized units, called Centres.There are also Special Centres that are outside even the broad structures of School but may grow further. Then there are Research Clusters that cut across Schools and Centres as well as some programmes, which are placed within specific schools but are built on the interests of faculty across the university.JNU was the first to offer courses in foreign languages in an integrated five year MA programme,where their academic programme,training is largely oriented towards single disciplines(although all M.A. students are encouraged to do few courses outside their subject)but at the research level the disciplinary boundaries become more permeable. Work in overlapping or borderline areas e.g., between environment and literary studies, economics and science, sociology and aesthetics,or linguistics and biology–is not uncommon among the Ph.D. students of JNU. Not only are the research scholars encouraged to cross the invisible walls around disciplines, the relationship between the academia and the world outside also remains negotiable, often resulting in mutually beneficial collaboration in areas that form crossroads for developing an understanding of society, culture and science. JNU has collaborated with universities across the world in research projects,conferences, and publications.It has many active MoUs with international and national universities and exchanges faculty and students with them regularly. We also host the Indian segment of some international degree programmes.Many facultyand research scholars have won prestigious national and international awards for their academic work.Our expertise is highly sought after by the Government and many members of our faculty have served the Government of India in various capacities including as Ambassadors/ High Commissioners, and members of the important bodies like the Planning Commission. Many of our faculty have also served and serve as Vice Chancellors of other universities. The University brings out four research journals which have high academic visibility in India and abroad. These are Studies in History, International Studies, JSL and Hispanic Horizons. Several JNU faculty also edit national and international journals.

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) is famous for several reasons, mainly due to its academic excellence, interdisciplinary research, and strong emphasis on social sciences and humanities. Here are the key factors that contribute to its fame:

1. Academic Excellence and Rigorous Research:

  • JNU is one of India's top universities, particularly renowned for its academic standards, research output, and high-quality faculty. It has maintained a reputation for rigorous academic programs and innovative research across multiple disciplines, including political science, international relations, sociology, economics, and environmental science.

2. Reputation in Social Sciences and Humanities:

  • The university is especially famous for its social sciences and humanities programs, including political science, sociology, anthropology, and international relations. It has consistently ranked among the best in these fields in India and internationally.
  • JNU is also recognized for its interdisciplinary approach to learning, encouraging collaboration across various fields like development studies, gender studies, public health, and area studies (South Asia, Southeast Asia, Latin America, etc.).

3. Prestigious Faculty:

  • JNU is home to some of the most respected scholars and professors in India and globally. Its faculty members are known for their expertise in various fields, contributing significantly to research, publications, and policy-making.
  • Many faculty members have contributed to transformational research in areas like development economics, environmental science, international diplomacy, and sociological theory.

4. Strong Global Recognition in International Relations:

  • JNU has built an excellent reputation for its International Relations (IR) and political science programs, particularly through the School of International Studies (SIS). Its work in global diplomacy, security studies, conflict resolution, and foreign policy has earned it significant recognition both in India and internationally.
  • Many prominent diplomats, political analysts, and policymakers have been educated at JNU, making it a critical institution in India’s intellectual and diplomatic circles.

5. Diverse and Inclusive Campus:

  • The university is known for its diverse student body that includes individuals from all over India and abroad, fostering a rich environment for cultural exchange and discussion.
  • JNU's campus culture has long been associated with activism, social movements, and political engagement, often serving as a platform for the expression of a range of political ideologies and views.

6. Focus on Social Justice and Development:

  • JNU has historically been associated with social justice movements and has a strong tradition of promoting social equity, human rights, and socioeconomic development through its academic programs and activism.
  • It has produced numerous scholars who have contributed to policy reforms in areas such as poverty alleviation, education, and healthcare, particularly in marginalized communities.

7. Outstanding Research Contributions:

  • The university’s research output, especially in the areas of development studies, public health, gender studies, environmental science, and human rights, has been highly influential.
  • JNU is known for encouraging innovative research that addresses real-world issues, and many of its faculty members and researchers have received prestigious fellowships, grants, and awards.

8. Political and Cultural Impact:

  • JNU has been a hub for political thought and cultural debate, hosting prominent public figures, intellectuals, and activists who shape India’s national discourse.
  • Its students and faculty have often been at the forefront of national debates on critical issues, such as education policy, social justice, environmental sustainability, and civil rights.

9. Alumni Influence:

  • JNU’s alumni include influential individuals in politics, academia, media, civil services, and international organizations. Many of its graduates have made significant contributions to Indian and global society.
  • Notable alumni include Nirmala Sitharaman (India's Finance Minister), Shashi Tharoor (Indian politician and writer), and Amitabh Mattoo (professor and diplomat).

10. Autonomy and Tradition of Free Speech:

  • The university has maintained a strong tradition of academic freedom and free speech, which is reflected in its open political discourse and its role as a center for debate and discussion on national and international issues.
  • It is known for being a place where students and faculty engage in critical thinking and constructive dissent, encouraging open-mindedness and intellectual curiosity.