Is an entrance exam required for Kerala University UG (BA, B.Sc, B.Com) admission?

No. Kerala University FYUGP admission for BA, B.Sc, and B.Com programmes is entirely merit-based. Allotment is done through the CAP using Plus Two or Higher Secondary marks. No separate entrance test is required for these streams.

What is the KEAM exam and is it required for all Kerala University engineering admissions?

KEAM (Kerala Engineering Architecture Medical) is the state entrance exam conducted by CEE Kerala. It is mandatory for B.Tech admission to all government, aided, and self-financing engineering colleges affiliated to Kerala University. The exam was held April 17 to April 22, 2026. Candidates must qualify KEAM and participate in the CEE Kerala centralised allotment process.

Can non-Kerala students apply for Kerala University admissions?

Yes. For FYUGP, there is no domicile restriction. Any Indian national can apply. For KEAM (B.Tech), candidates are classified as Keralite, Non-Keralite Category I (NK-I), or Non-Keralite Category II (NK-II). NK-II candidates are eligible for all seats allotted by CEE Kerala. However, NK-II candidates are not eligible for reservation or fee concessions.

What entrance exams does Kerala University accept for MBA admission?

The Institute of Management in Kerala (IMK) accepts KMAT Kerala, CAT, and CMAT scores for MBA admission. After shortlisting based on entrance exam score, candidates must appear for a Group Discussion and Personal Interview. The University Institute of Management (UIM) follows a similar process. Apply at admissions.keralauniversity.ac.in/mba2026.

What is the Kerala University PG CSS entrance exam?

Kerala University conducts subject-wise departmental entrance examinations for PG admissions to its Teaching Departments under the CSS (Credit and Semester System). The 2026 exams were held May 18 to May 24, 2026. A candidate must register at admissions.keralauniversity.ac.in/css2026, pay the application fee, and appear for the exam in the relevant subject.

What is the minimum eligibility for Kerala University PhD admission?

Candidates must hold a Masters degree with at least 55% marks. SC/ST, PwD, EWS, and OBC (non-creamy layer) candidates require 50% marks. All candidates must qualify the General Aptitude Test (GAT) conducted by Kerala University unless they hold a valid UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, GATE, SLET, or M.Phil qualification. Registration fee is INR 800.

What is the application fee for Kerala University FYUGP admission?

The application fee for FYUGP admission is INR 1,500 for General and SEBC candidates. SC/ST candidates pay INR 750. Payment is made online through the admission portal at admissions.keralauniversity.ac.in/fyugp2026.

How does the Community Quota work at Kerala University affiliated colleges?

Community Quota seats are available only in aided arts and science colleges affiliated to Kerala University. Forward community aided colleges reserve 10% of seats under this quota. Backward community aided colleges reserve 20%. These seats are filled based on community certificates and the merit list generated through CAP.

Does Kerala University offer LLM admission and what is the process?

Yes. Kerala University offers LLM admission. The selection is based on a CEE Kerala conducted entrance examination. Candidates must hold an LLB degree (Three-Year or Five-Year) from a recognised university. The allotment is done through the CEE Kerala CAP. Visit cee.kerala.gov.in for the LLM 2026 schedule.

Are there scholarships available for Kerala University students?

Yes. Kerala University offers University Merit Scholarships for top-ranking UG and PG students. SC/ST candidates admitted to FYUGP and PG programmes are exempted from tuition fee. The Central Sector Scholarship is processed through the National Scholarship Portal. PhD scholars can access CSIR, KSCSTE, INSPIRE, and ICSSR research fellowships through the university.

Kerala University Ph.D Social Work: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Kerala University Ph.D. Social Work Fees 2026

Component	Amount (INR)
PhD Application and Registration Fee	INR 800 (one-time, non-refundable)
Annual Tuition Fee	INR 5,000 per year
Development and Departmental Fund	INR 2,500 per year
Caution Deposit	INR 1,000 (refundable, one-time)
Total Fees (3-year minimum)	INR 24,300

Application fee of INR 800 is paid online at research.keralauniversity.ac.in and is non-refundable.

Caution deposit of INR 1,000 is refunded on programme completion subject to no outstanding dues.

Course work examination fee of INR 500 per paper is payable separately during the first year.

Kerala University Ph.D. Social Work Admission 2026

Event	Date
January 2026 Session Online Application Closed	January 15, 2026

PhD registration is conducted twice yearly: January session (notification in December) and July session (notification in June).

Subject-wise vacancy data for each session is published at research.keralauniversity.ac.in under Other Info.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

MSW or equivalent master’s degree with minimum 55% marks in aggregate (50% for SC/ST/OBC non-creamy layer/PwD/EWS candidates)

Qualify UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, GATE, or SLET, or the Kerala University PhD entrance test conducted by the university

Regular teaching faculty with 7 or more years of teaching experience are exempted from the PhD entrance test

Admission Process

Verify PhD vacancy availability in Social Work at research.keralauniversity.ac.in under the Other Info section before applying

Register online at research.keralauniversity.ac.in during the notification window and pay INR 800 application fee through the Research Portal

Appear for the Kerala University PhD entrance test if not exempted via UGC-NET, GATE, SLET, or teaching experience

Attend the initial Doctoral Committee screening followed by the interview or viva-voce presentation

Selection is based on 70% entrance test marks and 30% interview performance for test-qualified candidates

Report to the Department of Social Work and complete course work of one semester within the first year of registration

✓ Opt for this if

Aspiring academics seeking a research career in social work or social policy
Candidates who cleared UGC-NET JRF or GATE and need research fellowship support
Those preferring a NIRF top-25 university for a doctoral degree in Social Work
Working professionals who need a flexible part-time research registration option

✗ Skip if

Without MSW or qualifying master’s degree with 55% marks or equivalent
Candidates who have not cleared NET/GATE/SLET and cannot sit for the entrance test
Those wanting a structured taught programme rather than independent dissertation research
Those expecting programme completion in fewer than 3 years

Kerala University Ph.D. Social Work Scholarships 2026

Scholarship	Amount	Eligibility
UGC Junior Research Fellowship	INR 31,000 per month (first 2 years) INR 35,000 per month (extended SRF)	PhD scholars who qualified UGC-NET with JRF category
GATE Research Scholarship	INR 12,400 per month	PhD scholars admitted via GATE qualification
Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship for SC	INR 25,000 per month (JRF) INR 28,000 per month (SRF)	SC candidates registered for full-time PhD
Maulana Azad National Fellowship for Minority	INR 25,000 per month (JRF) INR 28,000 per month (SRF)	Minority community candidates registered for PhD
Kerala Government SC/ST Research Fellowship	INR 10,000 per month	SC/ST students registered for full-time PhD at Kerala University

UGC-JRF is valid for 2 years and may be upgraded to SRF based on research progress review.

Fellowship applications for central schemes are submitted through the UGC or National Scholarship Portal.

Kerala University Ph.D. Social Work FAQs

Ques. What is the minimum and maximum duration for PhD Social Work at Kerala University?

Ans. The minimum duration for PhD Social Work at Kerala University is 3 years for full-time research scholars. The maximum permissible period is 6 years for full-time registration. Part-time scholars may be granted additional time as per university regulations. All PhD scholars must complete mandatory course work of one semester (14 credits) within the first year of registration, irrespective of mode of research.

Ques. Can working professionals pursue PhD Social Work part-time at Kerala University?

Ans. Yes, working professionals can register for PhD Social Work on a part-time basis at Kerala University. Part-time registration requires a No Objection Certificate from the employer confirming permission to pursue research and availability of sufficient time. Employed candidates cannot pursue full-time PhD unless on Leave without Pay. Part-time scholars are not eligible for UGC-JRF or any research fellowship.

Ques. What fellowship amount do UGC-JRF qualified PhD scholars receive at Kerala University?

Ans. PhD scholars at Kerala University with UGC-NET JRF status receive INR 31,000 per month for the first two years as Junior Research Fellowship. This is upgraded to INR 35,000 per month as Senior Research Fellowship on satisfactory progress assessed by the Doctoral Committee. The fellowship is administered by the UGC and credited to the scholar’s bank account.

Ques. Is an MSW degree mandatory to apply for PhD Social Work at Kerala University?

Ans. MSW or an equivalent master’s degree with minimum 55% marks in aggregate is the standard requirement for PhD Social Work at Kerala University. A relaxation of 5% marks is provided for SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/PwD and EWS candidates, making the minimum 50% for these categories. Candidates from foreign universities accredited by a recognised authority in their home country are also eligible.

Ques. How are candidates selected for PhD Social Work at Kerala University?

Ans. Candidates who qualify UGC-NET JRF, CSIR-NET, GATE, or SLET are selected solely based on a Doctoral Committee interview. Candidates who appear in the Kerala University PhD entrance test are selected on a combined merit score: 70% for entrance test performance and 30% for the Doctoral Committee interview or viva-voce. Regular teaching faculty with 7 or more years of experience are exempted from the test and selected via interview only.

Ques. How often does Kerala University conduct PhD Social Work admission?

Ans. Kerala University conducts PhD registration twice a year: a January session and a July session. All session notifications, vacancy data, and application links are available at research.keralauniversity.ac.in. A separate application must be submitted for each session a candidate wishes to be considered for.

Kerala University Ph.D Social Work: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility