  In this paper, the np - scattering phase shifts and cross section for S,P and
D partial waves have been obtained for energies below the pion threshold, by
considering Deng-Fan potential as model of interaction. The radial time
independent Schr\"odinger equation has been analytically solved using Nikiforov
- Uvarov method to obtain the energy expression for ground state of np system.
Utilising this, the scattering phase shifts for $^3S_1$ have been obtained
using phase function method. The phase equations for various scattering states
$^1S_0$, $^1P_1$, $^3P_{0,1,2}$, $^1D_2$, and $^3D_{1,2,3}$ have been
numerically solved for obtaining corresponding scattering phase shifts and
their respective partial cross section. The total scattering cross sections
computed at various energies are found to be closely matching with experimental
data. The low energy scattering parameters determined from scattering phase
shifts of $^3S_1$ and $^1S_0$ are reasonably close to experimental ones. Hence,
Deng-Fan potential is a good phenomenological potential to understand the np -
scattering system.
