JNU’s crisis deepens: 36% academic budget cut, women and research students vanish

Once hailed as India’s most powerful public research university and a fulcrum of progressive ideas, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) is currently dealing with what academics refer to as a “severe crisis.”

Reversing decades of gains in inclusiveness and equity, a recent ‘State of the University’ report from the JNU Teachers’ Association (JNUTA) shows that academic spending has dropped by 36% and that the proportion of female students and research researchers has dropped to about 40%. Due to a series of conflicts with the central government in recent years over topics ranging from academic autonomy to campus dissent, JNU is now at risk of policy centralization, funding reductions, and a loss of self-governance.

The 80-page assessment says that these actions have caused JNU to “sapped of the vital energies that once made it a remarkable institution,” providing a clear picture of a university that is strategically being eroded, with its research culture, diversity, and reputation all at risk.

JNU’s entire academic spending decreased by 57.8% between 2015–16 and 2021–22, from Rs 30.28 crore to Rs 12.78 crore. The JNUTA also pointed out that the financial burden has increased as a result of JNU’s entrance exams being outsourced to the National Testing Agency (NTA). According to the survey, the number of female students and research scientists is steadily declining, which threatens JNU’s reputation as one of India’s most welcoming universities.

The downturn started when JNU eliminated the “deprivation points” system and its own entrance tests, which were once essential for advancing regional and gender parity. JNUTA cautions that “academic diversity is being replaced by administrative convenience” as NTA now handles CUET-based admissions.

The administration is accused by the teachers’ organization of turning statutory organizations like the Executive Council and Academic Council into rubber stamps.

“Since 2022, JNU has held only four Academic Council meetings, each lasting barely an hour,” the report notes. “Executive Council meetings are often called on short notice, without detailed agendas or discussions.”It also alleges continued discretionary appointments of deans and chairpersons, ignoring seniority norms, and warns that “online meetings have replaced meaningful deliberation.”

Only 90 cases have been processed thus far, despite the fact that over 276 academic members are eligible for promotions. The others are still awaiting reviews or mired in red tape. Even successful promotions frequently require employees to forgo years of prior service in order to advance.

Despite rules requiring daycare facilities, the JNU crche has been closed since the pandemic, labs lack funding, and dorms are awaiting repairs. In the meantime, campus infrastructure is degrading.

For decades, JNU stood as a model of public education that balanced access and excellence. But the new data shows a worrying turn. With shrinking academic budgets, a fall in women and research enrolments, and faculty frustration mounting, JNUTA warns the crisis is far from over.

“Unless funding, autonomy, and academic freedom are restored,” the report concludes, “a great national university risks slow destruction — death by a thousand cuts.”