Here, you will get to know essential details about the DU, JNU, and BHU introduce joint degree programs for 2025 batch.
DU, JNU, and BHU Introduce Joint Degree Programs for 2025 Batch
In a groundbreaking collaboration, Delhi University (DU), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), and Banaras Hindu University (BHU) have announced the launch of joint degree programs for the academic year starting 2025–26. This initiative, approved by the Ministry of Education, marks the first time India’s top central universities have come together to offer interdisciplinary, co-certified degrees.
The objective is to offer students greater academic flexibility, access to diverse faculty expertise, and exposure to multiple campuses—all within a single degree framework.
Programs Offered Under the Joint Initiative
The new model includes a range of UG and PG interdisciplinary courses, co-developed and co-taught by the three universities. Students will have the option to study across campuses, taking courses at DU, JNU, and BHU over the duration of their program.
Some of the first announced programs include
| Joint Degree Program | Core Subjects | Lead University |
|---|---|---|
| B.A. in International Relations and Political Economy | IR, Economics, History | JNU |
| B.Sc. in Environmental Science and Data Analytics | Ecology, Data Science, GIS | BHU |
| M.A. in Public Policy and Governance | Law, Sociology, Policy Design | DU |
| M.Sc. in Climate Change Studies | Atmospheric Science, Sustainability | JNU |
Each course will follow a credit-sharing model, and students will be able to transfer between institutions for specific semesters, based on their specialization track.
How the Joint Degree Will Work
These collaborative programs will follow a blended learning and mobility structure. Key highlights include:
- Students start at one university and rotate to others during the course
- Joint academic supervision and thesis evaluation
- Unified examination system and academic calendar
- Final degree awarded jointly by all three universities
The credits earned at each institution will be recognized interchangeably, under the National Credit Framework (NCrF).
Benefits to Students and Academic Ecosystem
The new joint degrees offer multiple advantages over traditional programs:
- Access to faculty expertise from three top-ranked institutions
- Exposure to varied campus environments and research facilities
- Development of cross-disciplinary skills
- Enhanced chances of selection in global postgraduate or research programs
Additionally, joint degrees aim to foster pan-India academic integration, supporting the NEP 2020 goal of multidisciplinary learning pathways.
Admission and Eligibility Criteria
Admissions for the joint programs will be conducted via a common entrance test, tentatively called the Joint Inter-University Admission Test (JIUAT), set to be held in May 2025. Students will be required to:
- Qualify the entrance test (based on subject-specific sections)
- Submit preferences for host university and specialization
- Attend centralized counselling and document verification
A limited number of seats (approximately 200 per program) will be available in the first phase, with plans for expansion by 2027.
Future Plans and Expansion
Following the pilot phase, other leading universities like Hyderabad Central University and Aligarh Muslim University may join this collaborative model. The government is also exploring the possibility of joint research fellowships and dual PhD programs in future phases.
If successful, this model could become a template for national academic integration, driving collaboration over competition among Indian universities.
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