JNU Review and Verdict by CollegeDekho

Campus at Glimpse

JNU or Jawharhal Lal University is one of India’s leading public universities with an overall NIRF ranking of #2 as of the year 2023. Located in southwest Delhi, JNU has been certified with an "A" grade by the NAAC and awarded the designation of "University of Excellence" by the UGC. The university offers more than 100 courses in the fields of arts, science, computer applications, medicine, engineering, mass communication, law, and management at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. JNU courses also include various foreign languages like French, German, Persian, etc. 

JNU is a place where you study with complete freedom while participating actively or voluntarily in grand festival celebrations, exciting election campaigns, and a bunch of other co-curricular activities. The university offers quality knowledge and even has an international student exchange programme. This is a great opportunity for Indian students to study abroad as it exposes them to broader career prospects, and gain a better understanding of another culture or even learn a new language. The total fee for the entire duration (4 semesters) of the full-time MBA programme is INR 12 Lakhs (for the General category). The fee for other courses is relatively lower and affordable. The faculty at JNU is excellent with the majority of the professors being Ph.D. holders. The teacher-to-student ratio is 1:10, indicating there is one teacher for a batch of 10 students. This ensures that students are well-attended and properly guided in the classrooms by the respective faculty members. JNU placements are commendable with a 90% rate and salary packages offering up to INR 35 LPA. Being one of the most prestigious institutes, it attracts top recruiters and companies from India and abroad. Besides, internship opportunities are also available for students as per the university’s official website. However, admission to JNU is granted only through the university's entrance examination, which is highly competitive and quite hard to crack. 

Amidst all the plus points, one setback of studying at JNU is the impact of extensive political movements, protests, and debates happening across the campus. In these situations, students may face problems keeping up with their studies as classes sometimes get dispersed for a brief period. JNU is a very liberated university where students get all sorts of independence but if you are not focused on your goal of studying and securing a degree you might get lost in politics, parties, and debates.

JNU NIRF Ranking: Good to Great!

Our Take

JNU rankings speak of its excellence without any doubt. It has consistently secured the 2nd position in the Top University category in the NIRF rankings for the years 2022 and 2023. The reason why JNU has maintained this position over the last couple of years is its consistency in delivering quality-driven education. It is the first university in India to offer courses in foreign languages as part of its integrated MA programme as per the Indian Express. The QS World University Rankings have also ranked JNU as one of the top 10 Indian universities on a global scale which is not an easy spot to get. This speaks of the university's popularity and performance not just within the country but also across the globe. 71 universities all around the world have signed MoUs with JNU for academic cooperation and exchange initiatives according to the Indian Express online news.

JNU Academia & Batch Size

JNU courses are available in a plethora of specializations from which students can choose. Jawaharlal Nehru University follows a Choice-Based Credit System Academia (CBCS) and a semester-wise system. The CBCS system at JNU allows students to select courses from a list of specified courses that include core, elective/minor, and skill-based courses. Students can choose the elective of their desire. In addition, JNU is the first university to add foreign languages to its course structure. Students can study Chinese, Arabic,  French, German, Japanese, Persian,  Korean, Russian and Spanish. JNU, Delhi is at the forefront of promoting research projects. 

JNU Seat Intake

Our Take

• The overall JNU course structure is up to the mark and the university offers adequate opportunities for research work, practical work, and also motivates innovation as per students’ reactions on Quora. The top courses to apply for include MBA, BA, MA, MCA, and B. Tech. However, with more applications pouring in for Postgraduate studies, the seat intake capacity for various PG disciplines is higher than for UG courses.  

• There are adequate labs for each department, where students can avail of the best equipment for enhanced learning. 

• The university does not mandate 75% attendance to sit for the exams. This is an added advantage to students who might be interested in extra-curricular activities as they can make time to participate in cultural/annual events, sports and others. However, to keep up with the syllabus, they should avoid skipping classes every now and then. 

• At the BA/MA level, there is a lot of work pressure in the shape of homework, assignments, and presentations as per claims made by students. While this may seem like a lot of pressure at times to students, the ultimate goal is to equip them with the best hands-on learning and skills for future endeavours. 

• As per the JNU Alumni, the university has an amazing research culture at the MPhil/PhD level to encompass the values, behaviours, norms, and expectations of JNU's research communities and determine the way research is conducted and communicated.

• JNU is a very affordable university with semester fees under INR 500. The idea behind keeping the fee low at JNU was to ensure that students from all walks of the economy are able to avail the best quality education at an affordable rate. However, BTech is an exception here, as being a flagship programme the course fees for the total duration of the semester is approximately INR 5 LPA.  

JNU Infrastructure 

Jawaharlal Nehru University's location is in the northernmost Aravali Hills ranges and the South Delhi Ridge Area. The university campus is well-equipped with all sorts of modern amenities to make the students, especially those outside the state, feel at home. 

• Classroom: The JNU’s classroom's infrastructure is excellent and has a proper seating arrangement and Air Conditioning.

• Auditorium/ Seminar Halls/ Labs:The university has a computer lab, language lab, oracle lab, Linux lab, Microprocessor Lab, etc.

• Library: JNU has a 24-hour central library with reading rooms that are fully equipped with Wi-Fi. Students can access offline and online content at any time with a Wi-Fi-connected library. It makes use of Virtual Integrated Library Management Software (VTLS) and gives users access to 22 databases via UGC-Infonet consortiums. The library cluster of book collections of over 2 million, 1 lacs e-books from various worldwide publishers, newspapers, journals, and literature of all kinds.

• Internet: TheJNU campus is completely Wi-Fi equipped as per the student's review on Quora

• Hostel: JNU offers hostel facilities for both male and female students. There is one complex for married students where both husband and wife can live together. More than 5,000 students and faculty members are now housed at the institution.

• Mess: The food offered at the mess is of decent quality.  A special meal is held at the conclusion of each month.

• Clubs: JNU has various clubs for sports enthusiasts and students. There is a basketball court, cricket court, Badminton Court, Football Ground, Athletics Track, Tennis Court, Weight-Lifting Mountaineering and trekking, Taekwondo etc.

• Activities: From election campaigns, poetry reading, fashion shows, and talent shows various activities are done on the JNU campus. The Botanical Garden is a popular place for students to unwind and appreciate nature. The university’s folklore studies are a renowned destination for students interested in Indian traditional culture. It has nearly 100,000 folk songs, tales, and artefacts. 

• Cafe/ Hang-out Places:The university has a basic canteen. But, there are various eatery places you can explore if you are a foodie that serves all kinds of food, North Indian, North Eastern, South Indian, Chinese cuisine, etc.

Our take 

• Many students have complained about the lack of proper water supply in the JNU hostels. Being one of the bare necessities, the university should look into the matter and resolve the problem if they wish the students to lead a healthy, hygienic life on the campus. 

• According to the students, hygiene is not properly maintained in restrooms/toilets, particularly in male quarters. During the winter, it might be difficult to find hot water. JNU needs to act fast on these matters to continue maintaining its position and reputation globally.

• The University claims to be one of the safest places for women. It is also generally free of moral policing and harassment and the same has been highlighted by many of its female students on Quora. Therefore, those from small towns who might fear getting harassed on campus can let go of that thought. 

• There is no dress code neither for girls or boys. The university encourages students to dress as they want, which speaks of the progressive culture within the university premises. 

• The university has strict rules against ragging, but from 2010 to 2015, there have been 6 complaints of ragging made by JNU students per the JNU official website only. However, the JNU administrative doesn't hesitate to take steps against the culprits and executes strict rules and punishments if it comes to their notice. 

JNU Internships and Placements

JNU Internship

There are both in-house and out-campus JNU internship opportunities that students can avail.

JNU Placement

Mostly, all the students of JNU get hired by the top companies. 

Our Take

The JNU placements rate is excellent at 90% to 95%  as per students' reactions and alumni reports on various online platforms. In many courses, 99% of placement rates have also been found. This explains why so many students enrol for admission to this university every year. Alternatively, the institute's reputation, academic excellence, and good relations with domestic and global companies have much to do with such high placement records. Considering the JNU placement statistics of the previous year, most students opt for higher education. The JNU salary packages are good for freshers but they don't compete with IIT Delhi salary packages which are around INR 15 LPA to INR 20 LPA on average. However, students with JNU degrees can apply for out-campus placements as various top MNC companies are located in Delhi, Gurgaon, and Noida. 

JNU Diversity & Representation

Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi welcomes students from across the states of India. There is a reservation for backward categories. JNU, Delhi's name is famous across borders and attracts international students. As per the JNU diversity report of 2019, the data states there are students from various backgrounds.

Our Take

After our thorough research, it is safe to say that, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi has a positive diverse culture. The liberal and anti-racist diverse culture of the JNU welcomes students from all ethnicities and culture and also offer a platform for expressing their views without any judgment and the same has been stated by many JNU students. The student intake has a balanced Male/Female ratio (1.09) indicating high gender equality in women's representation for higher education opportunities.

JNU Faculty/ College Administration & Management

Jawaharlal Nehru University has roughly 577 teaching and 1202 non-teaching staff faculty members who operate in over 65 departments, and centers as per the JNU official website. Faculty members come from all across India and the world and teach a diverse range of subjects. The majority of JNU faculty members have a PhD or are seeking a PhD in their respective professions which is a plus point. 

Our Take

After evaluating student comments, we discovered that a large proportion of students are pleased with the faculty and JNU administration. The university teachers are always ready for healthy debates, point sharing, and in-depth discussions. Instead of getting offended by students' opposite reactions, the JNU teachers listen to the student's points of view. Commenting on the JNU faculty, we would like to add that they are educated and experienced teachers and have a broad point of view considering students' reviews given on Quora. 

JNU Location

JNU is located at New Mehrauli Road, JNU Ring Rd, New Delhi, 110067. The JNU campus is located in the capital city of India New Delhi. The Jawaharlal Nehru University location is within the main city with all commute facilities and Banks, ATMs, department stores, grocery stores, and hospitals are within just a few distance from the college. JNU, Delhi is nearby from the three main railway stations, New Delhi & Delhi, Nizammudin, and the Delhi Interstate Bus Terminus. Delhi has metro stations located at every distance through which you can travel anywhere to Delhi at a very cheap fair. Also, the JNU Campus is not too distant from Indira Gandhi International Airport. 

Our Take

For students who love to take a break from studies during the weekend and want to hang out Delhi is the best place including all the kinds of cafes, restaurants, clubs, Dhabas, Connaught Place, etc. If you are a fan of history you will love studying and exploring Delhi city as it is home to historical monuments like the Red Fort, Humayun Tomb, India Gate, Lotus Temple, Jama Masjid, etc. You can also wander on the roads of old Dehli where you will get that traditional vibe and the best food. 

Expectation vs Reality CollegeDekho Verdict

Considering all the facts, and review, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi is a fantastic college to pursue higher education, keeping its NIRF ranking, academic prowess, and forward-thinking approach to education in consideration. It is a leading university for comprehensive learning and intellectual growth due to its excellent professors, diversified student population, and commitment to research. There is no racism or casteism in JNU. Faculty, staff, and students are friendly towards freshers. However, some of the dark clouds of JNU are its excessive political culture, especially during election times which can lead to chaos if no proper checking takes place. The JNU hostels require renovation. Securing a seat in JNU, Delhi campus requires dedication as admissions are difficult to crack. The liberal or bohemian culture of JNU can be distracting if a student doesn't maintain balance in their studies and take part in other activities.

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