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JNU: no expense spared greenfield, globally benchmarked liberal arts & humanities public residential university

Studies, concurs: “JNU is respected coun- seminar rooms designed for discus-
trywide for its egalitarian culture which sion-based learning, while dedicated
is larger than individuals. The recent research spaces for faculty and Ph
JNUSU election result indicates that there D scholars provided easy access to
is hope among students, that there is still audiovisual teaching aids, rare in
a hunger for ideas and a love for a demo- Indian universities of the 1960s. Its
cratic perspective, that there is still some Central Library (later named after
resistance to the current regime.” Dr. B.R. Ambedkar) sprawled over
Established in memory of India’s first nine floors, is among the most well-
prime minister 56 years ago, JNU was equipped in the country housing over
intended to represent the ideals that 2 million volumes and 1,600 journal
Jawaharlal Nehru lived by — secularism subscriptions. Moreover, apart from
and cosmopolitanism, social justice and rock-bottom tuition fees ranging
scientific temper, interest in international from Rs.420-5,850 per annum and
affairs and commitment to world peace. Aditi Mishra: turning tide residential fees of Rs.1,200 per an-
Therefore despite the Central govern- num in purpose-built hostels for
ment’s strained finances at the time, no expense was spared students, and free-of-charge housing for faculty and staff,
by the Congress government at the Centre headed by Ne- the university features spacious dining halls offering highly
hru’s daughter, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, to establish subsidised meals and integrated campus services — health
JNU as a greenfield globally benchmarked liberal arts and centre, post office, shopping complex. Doctoral scholars
humanities postgrad residential university. who constitute 40 percent of JNU’s 9,000 students are
Rather than adapt from colonial-era buildings, the new awarded stipends varying from Rs.8,000 (for non-NET)
university’s layout emphasised low-rise academic blocks, to Rs.35,000 (UGC-JRF) per month.
pedestrian pathways, and generous open spaces, creat- Yet despite the enabling environment that it provides
ing a calm learning ecosystem with large lecture halls and to students who until 2022-23 were admitted on the basis

JANUARY 2026 EDUCATIONWORLD 55