Panjab University Admission 2026 | Eligibility, Courses and Last Date

Panjab University, also known as PU, is an institution situated in Chandigarh. It is among the oldest universities in India and was initially established in 1882. The Indian Government re-established it in 1947 under a special act after India gained independence.

PU is a very reputable university. It is rated at the higher end of A and A++ by NAAC, which is the best rating a university can receive. The university also has a score of 3.68 out of 4.0, indicating its high standard of education. PU has been granted special recognition as a University with Potential for Excellence and Category-I status by the University Grants Commission (UGC).

In terms of ranking, PU is ranked 35th among Indian universities based on the NIRF 2025 Rankings. It is also ranked globally in QS and THE rankings.

The campus is very large, covering more than 550 acres. It has two major campuses: North Campus and South Campus. The university has 74 academic departments, 15 research centres, numerous affiliated colleges, and good research facilities for students.

Students have many reasons to prefer PU: strong academic prestige, a diverse curriculum, vibrant campus life, excellent research and development, and a network of successful alumni who assist current students.

What Courses Are Available?

Panjab University Undergraduate Courses (After 12th Class)

Panjab University offers a wide range of undergraduate programs such as BA, BSc, and BCom in both general and honours formats. Students can also pursue BBA, BCA, BPharma, and BSc Honours in various subjects. Law courses such as LLB and integrated law programs are also available. Students interested in hospitality can study BHMCT and related programs.

Panjab University Postgraduate Courses (After Graduation)

For postgraduate studies, PU offers MA, MSc, and MCom. It also provides professional courses such as MBA, Sectoral MBA, and MCA. Students can pursue an LLM in law and an ME or MTech in engineering. Various PG diplomas and advanced diplomas are also offered.

Panjab University Diploma and Certificate Programs

The university offers several diplomas and PG diploma programs through its various departments. These can also be pursued through the School of Open Learning and Distance Education for students who cannot attend regular classes.

Panjab University Research Programs (PhD)

PU offers PhD programs in science, engineering, humanities, management, and social sciences. PhD programs are offered based on entrance tests or national-level examinations such as NET, GATE, or ICMR.

Panjab University Admission Dates 2026

These are the predicted dates for PU Admission 2026. These are tentative, and the university will announce the official dates later.

• Admission Notification: February to March 2026
• Local Application: March to April 2026
• Application Deadline: April to May 2026
• Entrance Exams: April to June 2026
• Merit List Release: June to July 2026
• Counselling and Seat Allotment: July to August 2026
• Classes Begin: July to August 2026

The university provides detailed schedules in its official Handbook of Information and on its admissions website.

How to Apply for Panjab University Admission

• Step 1: Check whether you qualify for the course you have selected.
• Step 2: Enrol on the official PU admissions website.
• Step 3: Complete the application form with accurate details.
• Step 4: Submit the required documents and a passport-size photograph.
• Step 5: Pay the application fee online.
• Step 6: Take the entrance exam if required for your course.
• Step 7: Check the merit list or results online when announced.
• Step 8: Attend the counselling sessions.
• Step 9: Confirm your seat by paying the admission fee.

Panjab University Fee Structure 

Admission Exams You Should Know

Admission procedures vary by course. Some programs are merit-based, while others require entrance examinations.

For general and honours undergraduate courses, admission is based on merit or the PU-CET (UG) entrance test. PU-CET (UG) is also used for BSc Honours and BPharma.

For the MBA, candidates must pass PU-MET (Management Entrance Test). MCA admission uses PU-CET (PG).

Law courses such as LLB require the PU LLB Entrance Exam or AILET. For LLM, a separate PU-LLM Entrance Test is conducted.

PhD and research programs require candidates to pass the PU PhD Entrance Exam or national exams such as NET, GATE, or CSIR.

Who Can Apply?

Undergraduate Courses

You must have passed 12th grade from a recognised board. Some courses require a minimum percentage, as mentioned in official notices.

Postgraduate Courses

You must hold a bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject with the required minimum marks.

Professional and Honours Programs

Specific subject combinations are required. For example, engineering programs require Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics in 12th grade.

Application Fee

The application fee depends on the number of courses applied for and the candidate’s category.

For the general category, the fee starts at INR 300 per program and increases if additional courses are selected.

SC, ST, and PwD students receive approximately a 50% concession on the application fee.

Fees are higher if you apply for multiple courses at the same time.

Reservation Policy

Panjab University follows the Government of India and UGC reservation regulations. Reservations are available for SC, ST, OBC, and EWS categories. Persons with Disabilities (PwD), sports quota candidates, defence personnel, and children of freedom fighters also receive reservations.

These reservations apply during seat allocation and counselling. All official rules are listed in the Handbook of Information.

Merit Lists and Counselling

The university prepares merit lists based on entrance exam scores or academic performance. Seats are allotted after the merit list announcement through counselling rounds. Some courses allow seat upgrades in later counselling rounds if better options become available.

Documents Required

• Class 10th and 12th mark sheets
• Graduation mark sheets (for postgraduate courses)
• Entrance exam scorecard
• Category certificate (if applicable)
• ID proof such as Aadhaar Card or Passport
• Passport-sized photographs

Affiliated Colleges

Panjab University has many constituent and affiliated colleges in Chandigarh and Punjab. Postgraduate and professional courses are mainly offered at the main campus departments through centralised admissions.

Scholarships

The university provides various scholarships to support students financially. Merit-based scholarships are available for high-performing students. Special scholarships are offered for SC, ST, and OBC students. Government scholarships and financial assistance schemes are also available.

The university announces eligibility criteria and application procedures as per its policies.

Why Study at Panjab University?

PU is an excellent choice due to its strong national and global rankings. As an A++ accredited university, it maintains high academic standards with a focus on research. The university offers a wide variety of courses across disciplines. Campus life is vibrant, and the strong alumni network supports students in their careers.

Conclusion

Panjab University Admission 2026 opens doors to numerous undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, and research programs. The admission process includes both entrance exams and merit-based selection. Applications are submitted online through a centralised system. With its A++ NAAC grade and strong national rankings, PU provides quality education and excellent career opportunities for students across India.