New Delhi: Jawaharlal Nehru University is grappling with multiple academic challenges, according to a recent report highlighting structural and financial pressures.
The university has experienced notable reductions in its academic budget in recent years. These cuts have affected research funding, faculty recruitment, and the development of campus infrastructure. Experts say the financial constraints are directly linked to declining research output and course offerings.
PhD enrollment has also dropped, with fewer students pursuing advanced research programs. The decline is attributed to reduced fellowship availability, limited supervision capacity, and administrative delays. The report points out that women scholars are disproportionately affected, as financial and institutional support gaps deter participation in research programs.
Several departments at JNU operate below sanctioned faculty strength, impacting student mentorship and course delivery. Academic leaders warn that faculty shortages have a cascading effect on research supervision and overall university performance.
The report situates JNU’s challenges within a broader context of systemic issues in public higher education funding in India. While the university continues to maintain a reputation for academic excellence, the findings underscore the need for targeted investment in research support, faculty recruitment, and student funding. The situation at JNU is viewed as indicative of pressures confronting other central universities, highlighting the importance of policy interventions and sustainable funding strategies to strengthen India’s higher education ecosystem.
