Jawaharlal Nehru University:Rethinking Education

the recent controversies have put JNU in a dark space, the intellectually awakened environment is on a downfall with objectivity taking the place of critical thinking. the administration is regarded to be suppressive of the voices.

When it comes to education JNU is considered a dream, a project, a fantastic experiment-a public university reconciling excellence and equality in a sociopolitical aware environment. the course structure for the various programs in UG, PG, MPhil, Ph.D. demands extensive reading, analysis, and writing work. the general course work across all programs includes mid-semester exams, weekly paper writing, paper presentations, tutorials( Group discussions-based on oxford university study pattern), participation in weekly seminars and conferences. the course work in MPhil-PhD is of one year followed by individual research work. a distinct feature of JNU is interdisciplinary studies.at masters level, students are given an open chance to choose one course outside their departments every semester for a holistic approach. academic evaluation is done by mid-semester exam(25%), term paper submissions(25%) and end semester exam(50%). this is the general pattern which may defer according to departments. the course work is structured in a way that it provides creative space conducive for critical thinking, emancipatory ideas, and alternative learning.

as JNU is primarily a research university the placement cell in terms of social sciences and humanities if not that fulfilling. though in recent times corporate giants like Amazon, Deloitte have conducted recruitment drives. research institutes and societies are an attraction to the students. internships in the form of research associates and project fellow are available in the university. research scholars with net-jrf qualified tend to work as ad hoc/assistant professor in colleges. since BTech and MBA courses are introduced in the university, the placement cell has expanded its area of recruitment.

life in JNU is a life of freedom, debate and diversified experience. the various events celebrated on campus are a representation of the social ethos the university stands for. since students of JNU belong to various regions across the country, regional associations and events are a common thing. north-east fest, Assam fest, Nagaland fest, Bengali new year celebration, Lakshmi puja, international food festival, Onam are celebrated ecstatically. Holi celebration is a major event in JNU-the chaat sammelan(poetry night), bhaang, music is a major attraction. the JNUSU elections too are no less than celebrated event-presidential debates, rigorous campaigning, hostel wise debates mark the eventful union elections.

jnu is home to students from varied social and economic background hence the fees structure is very affordable. average semester fees for an undergraduate and masters course is 110/- while that of Mphil-PhD is around 180/-. my first-year fees for masters in political studies was 108/-, no other fees are demanded from students, rather students from a humble background with an annual family income of less than 1.5lakh avail merit cum means scholarship. various other scholarships are given by departments on the basis of merit. the university itself pays for research and field trips of students at all levels.

I was granted merit cum means scholarship (MCM) of 2000 rs per month during my masters from the university administration based on my undergraduate percentage and annual family income. though a minimum GPA of 5.5 has to be maintained in all semesters to renew the scholarship. forms for MCM are available at individual departments at the beginning of each semester. along with MCM, I was granted national minority scholarship of 300 rs per month by the ministry of minority affairs. application for which is to be made at national scholarship portal.

with around 20 hostels in its vicinity, JNU has a minimal hostel fees structure. there are three categories of the hostel- co-ed hostels, girls hostel, and boys hostel. average hostel room charge per semester is 500/-. the mess charges are to be paid monthly with bill ranging between 1800 to 2500. guest charges are 10/- for a day. hostels in JNU are provided on the basis of rank secured in the entrance exam. apart from hostels, dormitory facilities are also provided to students. senior Ph.D. scholars are allotted single seater hostel rooms upon applying. JNU is an open campus with no timing restrictions on students, a very unique feature of hostels is to provide space for students unable to get hostel rooms under third room-mate category, the charges for which are nominal. the mess facilities are good with open buffet type dining for all the three meals. special arrangements are done for students who experience fast. every hostel has a functioning office, caretaker and guards. The wardens of the hostel are the professors of the university. the hostel life in JNU is one of the kind-vibrant spaces for debate and discussion with no hierarchy between seniors and juniors. the annual hostel night, freshers, farewell and monthly dinners are occasions where hostel mates mingle.

JNU has an alumina association with its office located in the campus only. the alumina is a collective of more than 80,000 social scientists, critics, political leaders, civil servants, diplomats and people in every field. JNU has a standing committee for alumina relations and international linkages to foster alumni relations and others connected with the university.

Jawaharlal Nehru University, a premier public university located in New Delhi conducts annual entrance exam (JNUEE) in the month of May for admission to its various UG, PG, Mphil and Ph.D. courses. the university offers UG courses in foreign languages primarily, admission to which is granted on the basis of a written test and viva-vice. for PG admission the general eligibility criteria is graduation degree from a recognized college/university with minimum 50% marks. since the focus of JNU is on research studies the admission process for MPhil/Ph.D. is rigorous. the minimum eligibility criteria are masters form a recognized college/ university with minimum 50% marks. the entrance exam is followed by an interview and research proposal presentation. the eligibility criteria are subject to relaxation for reserved categories. since 2019 the JNUEE Is conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA). the pattern for entrance exam has shifted from subjective to objective questions for all courses. The JNUEE applications are made available in the month of march on the NTA website and exams are conducted in the month of May. when I appeared for the entrance exam the pattern was subjective, requiring essay type answer writing. The university has also introduced B.Tech and MBA courses from 2019 sessions to which are conducted by NTA common entrance test.

JNU is one of the only central universities in India that is research-oriented. not surprisingly it has an illustrious faculty. it harbors the best of intellectual mind mentored by highly experienced and internationally acclaimed faculty. the faculty selection process is extensively regulated by UGC-MHRD norms and Academic Council rules.