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 Sociology: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Kerala University PhD Sociology Fees 2026

Component	Amount (INR)
Entrance Exam Application Fee (one-time)	INR 800
Annual Research Fee (social sciences, per year)	INR 600
Thesis Submission Fee (one-time, at end of programme)	INR 3,500
Total Fees (3-year minimum)	INR 6,100

SC/ST candidates pay a reduced entrance exam fee of INR 520 instead of INR 800.

Research fee of INR 200 is charged per 4-month term for social science programmes at Kerala University.

UGC-JRF, DST-INSPIRE, DBT-JRF, ICAR, or ICMR fellowship holders proceed directly to the interview stage without paying the entrance exam fee.

Kerala University PhD Sociology Admission 2026

Event	Date
PhD Entrance Exam Notification Issued	July 15, 2026
Online Application Last Date	July 31, 2026

Candidates with valid UGC-NET or CSIR-NET scores are exempt from the entrance examination and proceed directly to interview.

Part-time PhD mode allows working professionals up to 6 years for programme completion.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Master’s degree from a recognised university with minimum 55% aggregate marks in Sociology or a related social science discipline (50% for SC/ST candidates)

Candidates with a 4-year undergraduate degree plus a 1-year postgraduate qualification from a recognised university are also eligible

Valid UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, DST-INSPIRE, DBT-JRF, ICAR, ICMR, or GPAT scores exempt the candidate from the university entrance examination

Admission Process

Apply online through the Kerala University research admissions portal by the last date of July 31, 2026

Pay the entrance examination fee of INR 800 (INR 520 for SC/ST) or submit proof of fellowship exemption

Appear for the PhD General Aptitude Test conducted by Kerala University (exempted candidates proceed directly to interview)

Shortlisted candidates attend a departmental interview at the Department of Sociology, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram

Final merit list is prepared based on entrance test score and interview performance for non-NET candidates

Selected candidates complete registration formalities, pay the annual research fee, and register with an approved supervisor in the Sociology department

✓ Opt for this if

Holding UGC-NET or JRF and seeking an affordable state university PhD
Interested in social science research with focus on South Indian context
Planning an academic career and want university teaching eligibility
Comfortable with a self-directed research programme under a supervisor
Seeking low annual fees at a recognised public university in Kerala

✗ Skip if

Seeking a centrally funded university with MHRD or CSIR fellowship support
Expecting structured coursework, seminars, and campus life typical of central universities
Looking for a PhD with strong international research collaboration or exchange programmes

Kerala University PhD Sociology Scholarships 2026

Scholarship	Amount	Eligibility
UGC Junior Research Fellowship	INR 37,000 per month (first 2 years)	UGC-NET JRF qualified candidates pursuing full-time PhD
CSIR Junior Research Fellowship	INR 37,000 per month	CSIR-NET JRF qualified candidates in science or social sciences
Kerala KSCSTE Fellowship	INR 25,000 per month	Full-time PhD researchers selected through KSCSTE. Kerala residents preferred
Post-Matric Scholarship (SC/ST)	As per Government of India rates	SC/ST students enrolled in full-time research programmes

JRF fellowship holders are exempt from the Kerala University entrance examination and proceed directly to the interview stage.

KSCSTE and UGC fellowships require candidates to be enrolled in a recognised full-time PhD programme at the university.

Kerala University PhD Sociology FAQs

Ques. Is there an entrance exam for PhD Sociology at Kerala University?

Ans. Yes, Kerala University conducts a General Aptitude Test for PhD admissions. However, candidates holding valid UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, DST-INSPIRE, DBT-JRF, ICAR, ICMR, or GPAT fellowships are exempt from this test and proceed directly to the departmental interview. Non-exempt candidates must appear in the test and then qualify the interview based on their combined performance.

Ques. What is the eligibility for PhD Sociology at Kerala University?

Ans. Candidates must hold a Master’s degree in Sociology or a related social science field from a recognised university, with a minimum of 55% aggregate marks. SC/ST candidates need 50% minimum. Candidates with a 4-year undergraduate plus 1-year postgraduate degree are also eligible. Valid research fellowships such as UGC-JRF or CSIR-NET exempt candidates from the entrance examination.

Ques. Can working professionals pursue PhD Sociology at Kerala University?

Ans. Yes. Kerala University offers a part-time PhD mode for working professionals in the field of Sociology. Part-time candidates are permitted up to 6 years to complete the programme, compared to a minimum of 3 years for full-time candidates. Applicants must meet the same eligibility criteria and appear for the entrance examination unless exempted by fellowship.

Ques. What is the application fee for PhD Sociology at Kerala University?

Ans. The application fee for the Kerala University PhD Entrance Examination 2026 is INR 800 for General and OBC candidates. SC/ST candidates pay a reduced fee of INR 520. Fellowship holders who are exempt from the entrance examination may have a different fee structure. Candidates should verify the exact amount on the official Kerala University research admissions portal before applying.

Ques. What are the research areas available in PhD Sociology at Kerala University?

Ans. The Department of Sociology at Kerala University offers PhD research across diverse areas within the discipline. Common research themes include social stratification and mobility, gender studies, tribal and indigenous communities in Kerala, development and rural sociology, urban sociology, and social movements. Candidates must identify a supervisor whose research interests match their proposed topic before applying for the programme.

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