Jawaharlal Nehru University reservation allegation

The Students’ Federation of India (SFI) has alleged that Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) violated reservation norms for marginalized groups during its PhD admissions for the 2026-27 academic session. The SFI claims the university prospectus failed to provide the required number of seats for Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and persons with benchmark disabilities (PwBD) candidates.

Following these allegations, the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) reportedly issued an ultimatum to the JNU registrar to provide details regarding the complaint. The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) has also reportedly taken cognizance of the matter. By late October, CPI(M) Lok Sabha MP K Radhakrishnan requested urgent intervention from Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi, citing a reported shortfall of 38 total seats: 15 for ST candidates, four for SC candidates, and 19 for PwBD candidates.

In response to the allegations of irregularities in seat allocation, JNU has formed a five-member committee to investigate the implementation of reservation norms in PhD programmes. Concurrently, the Birsa Ambedkar Phule Students’ Association (BAPSA) has been conducting an indefinite sit-in protest at the university since October 24.