JNUSU Demands Withdrawal from CUET PG Over Fee Hike, Seeks Reinstatement of JNUEE

The CUET PG 2025 application fee has increased across all categories: General (UR) from ₹1,200 to ₹1,400, OBC from ₹1,000 to ₹1,200, SC/ST/Third Gender from ₹900 to ₹1,100, and PwD from ₹800 to ₹1,000.

The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU) has urged the university administration to withdraw from the CUET PG admission system and reinstate the Jawaharlal Nehru University Entrance Examination (JNUEE) for all programs, ranging from undergraduate to PhD. In a memorandum to the Vice Chancellor, JNUSU highlighted concerns about the fee hike in CUET PG applications, terming it a significant financial barrier for marginalized students.

According to the memorandum, CUET PG application fees have been increased across all categories:

General (UR): ₹1,200 to ₹1,400

OBC: ₹1,000 to ₹1,200

SC/ST/Third Gender: ₹900 to ₹1,100

PwD: ₹800 to ₹1,000

"This steep hike adds to the financial burden of marginalized students and contradicts the claimed purpose of CUET—to reduce costs by streamlining multiple entrance exams," JNUSU stated.

Call for Reform and Transparency

JNUSU reiterated its stance that the National Testing Agency (NTA) has failed to conduct fair and transparent exams. They referred to recent controversies, including alleged scams in the NTA-administered NET exam, and emphasized the need for JNU to distance itself from NTA-run systems.

The union cited the example of the University of Hyderabad, which conducted its own entrance exam for PhD admissions without imposing additional financial burdens on students. They called on JNU to adopt a similar model.

A Plea for Inclusivity

The students’ union emphasized that the fee hike exacerbates challenges for students from marginalized communities. “JNU administration must ensure that higher education remains accessible and affordable for all by reinstating JNUEE and conducting admissions in-house,” they urged.

What JNUSU Demands

Immediate withdrawal from the CUET PG system.

Reinstatement of JNUEE for all admissions, including UG, PG, and PhD programs.

Reduction in financial barriers for students from underprivileged backgrounds.

JNUSU has pledged to continue advocating for the rights of students and ensuring that JNU’s admission processes uphold the values of affordability and inclusivity. The administration has yet to respond to these demands.

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