Pondicherry University M.Sc Marine Biology: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Pondicherry, PuducherryCentral UniversityEstd 1985NAAC Grade A+
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Collegedunia Team

Content Curator | Updated 3+ months ago

Pondicherry University's M.Sc. Marine Biology is a 2-year full-time postgraduate programme offered by the Department of Ocean Studies and Marine Biology at the Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair) Campus, Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The programme spans 4 semesters and provides specialised training in marine ecosystems, ocean sciences, marine biodiversity, and coastal research, leveraging the unique geographical advantage of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The total course fee is Rs. 43,472, making it highly affordable for a specialised marine science programme. Admission is based on CUET (PG) scores, with a seat intake of 40 students per year. The programme is offered in full-time, on-campus mode at Port Blair and is popular among students aspiring for careers in marine research, oceanography, fisheries, and environmental conservation.

Admissions for 2026-27 are currently in progress. The CUET PG 2026 exam for Life Sciences (SCQP17) is scheduled for 16 March 2026. Applications for CUET PG 2026 are closed. University counselling and seat allotment are expected in June-July 2026, based on the previous year's schedule. All selected candidates are awarded a scholarship of Rs. 1,000 per month to support their studies at the Port Blair campus.

Key Points

  • The programme is exclusively offered at the Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair) Campus, situated in the ecologically rich Andaman and Nicobar Islands, providing unparalleled access to marine ecosystems for field research.
  • The campus is equipped with sophisticated laboratory facilities including Hydrolab, Ultracentrifuge, Side Scan Sonar, Remote Sensing and GIS systems, and Plankton Nets for hands-on marine research.
  • All selected candidates receive a monthly scholarship of Rs. 1,000 from Pondicherry University.
  • The Department of Ocean Studies and Marine Biology conducts active R&D activities in and around the islands and other parts of India.
  • 70% attendance is mandatory to appear for semester examinations.
  • Differently abled students are fully exempt from all fees (except caution deposit and Group Medical Insurance).
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PU M.Sc Marine Biology Fees

The M.Sc. Marine Biology programme at Pondicherry University follows the standard M.Sc./M.Tech. fee structure (Fee Table 3) applicable to all science programmes. The total course fee for the 2-year programme is Rs. 43,472, which includes tuition fees of Rs. 3,000 per semester along with various one-time and recurring charges. The first semester is the most fee-intensive, with one-time charges such as the Amenities Development Fund (Rs. 6,000) and Advanced Lab Facility Fund (Rs. 2,500).

Fee Structure

Fee ComponentSemester I (Rs.)Semester II (Rs.)Semester III (Rs.)Semester IV (Rs.)
Tuition Fee3,0003,0003,0003,000
Registration Fee300---
Matriculation Fee100---
Recognition Fee400---
Sports Fund500-500-
Medical Examination / Facilities Fund600-600-
Library Fund1,500-1,500-
Laboratory Fund2,000-2,000-
Amenities Development Fund6,000---
Students' Welfare Fund400-400-
Alumni Association Fund200---
Caution Deposit (Refundable)1,000---
Advanced Lab Facility Fund2,500-2,500-
Placement Activity Fund200200200200
Academic Activity Fund1,000-1,000-
Digital Activity Fund2,000-2,000-
Group Medical Insurance472---
University Development Fund1,200---
Semester Total23,3723,20013,7003,200
Total Fees (2 Years)Rs. 43,472
  • Caution Deposit of Rs. 1,000 is refundable upon leaving the university after deducting dues.
  • Differently abled students are exempt from all fees except caution deposit and Group Medical Insurance.
  • SC/ST students eligible for post-matric scholarships may pay fees within 90 days of admission upon submission of an undertaking.
  • Late fee fine: Rs. 10/day for the first 15 days; Rs. 25/day thereafter.
  • Hostel fees (optional, subject to availability at Port Blair campus): Room Rent Rs. 900/year + General Amenities Fund Rs. 700/year + Establishment Charges Rs. 300/year = Rs. 1,900/year (non-refundable).
  • Caution Deposit for hostel: Rs. 3,000 (refundable).
  • Mess fees are charged separately each semester as per prevailing rates.
  • No room rent is charged from SC/ST students in the hostel.

PU M.Sc Marine Biology Admission 2026-27

Admission to M.Sc. Marine Biology at Pondicherry University is based on CUET (PG) scores in the Life Sciences paper (SCQP17). The university follows a centralised counselling process after CUET PG results are declared. For 2026-27, the CUET PG Life Sciences exam is scheduled for 16 March 2026. Based on the 2025-26 admission cycle, counselling was held in early July 2025, and the tentative schedule for 2026-27 is expected to follow a similar timeline in June-July 2026.

Admission Dates

EventDate / Schedule
CUET PG 2026 RegistrationDecember 2025 - January 2026 (Closed)
CUET PG 2026 Admit CardMarch 3, 2026
CUET PG 2026 Life Sciences Exam (SCQP17)16 March 2026
CUET PG 2026 ResultMay 2026 (Tentative)
PU Rank List / Select List PublicationJune 2026 (Tentative)
University CounsellingJune - July 2026 (Tentative)
Batch CommencementJuly 2026 (Tentative)

Entrance Exam Details

ExamPaper CodeExam DateMode
CUET PG 2026 (Life Sciences)SCQP1716 March 2026Computer Based Test (CBT)

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Bachelor's degree in Botany, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Fisheries, Aquaculture, Microbiology, or Zoology with a minimum of 55% marks.
  • Minimum 55% marks in the qualifying degree (no rounding off; 54.99% is not considered as 55%).
  • SC/ST candidates are eligible to apply irrespective of percentage of marks in the qualifying examination.

Admission Process:

  • Register and appear for CUET PG 2026 (Life Sciences paper code: SCQP17).
  • Apply separately on the Pondicherry University admissions portal (pondiunicuet.samarth.edu.in) using CUET PG scores.
  • University publishes rank list / select list based on CUET PG scores.
  • Attend counselling at the university campus as per the notified schedule.
  • Submit original documents for verification at the time of counselling.
  • Pay fees and complete registration to confirm admission.
  • Students requiring hostel accommodation at Port Blair campus must report to the department before registration and counselling.

Pondicherry University: Students' Opinion

AI-Generated Summary based on 9 Reviews

The MSc Marine Biology program at Pondicherry University's Port Blair campus offers a unique learning experience with its engaging curriculum and distinctive location. Admission is based on an online entrance test, with ranks determining seat allocation. The faculty is composed of highly qualified individuals, including three professors and four assistant professors, each specializing in areas like Physical Oceanography, Marine Microbiology, and Marine Biodiversity. The two-year MSc program costs around 40,000 INR, while a PhD is approximately 60,000 INR for three years.

Semester fees are structured higher for odd semesters, reaching about 23,000 INR for the first semester. There has been a fee increase since 2018. The department does not provide internships but assists with recommendations and interview preparations for wildlife institutions and NGOs. Graduates often pursue further studies or work in marine fields, with project assistants earning between 25,000 to 40,000 INR and PhD graduates securing salaries over 5,00,000 INR annually.

Students receive various scholarships and stipends, including a monthly stipend of 1,000 INR for MSc students and 8,000 INR for PhD students. Top performers receive additional scholarships, and there are specific scholarships available for single girl children and through government programs. Overall, the program combines strong academic support with financial assistance, despite lacking formal internship placements.

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 By Collegedunia’s Personal AI

PU M.Sc Marine Biology Scholarships 2026-27

All students admitted to M.Sc. Marine Biology at Pondicherry University receive a monthly scholarship of Rs. 1,000 from the university, which is a distinctive feature of this programme. In addition, students can avail university-level Merit and Merit-cum-Means scholarships, as well as national-level government scholarships.

Scholarship Details

ScholarshipEligibilityAmountOffered By
Scholarship for M.Sc. Marine BiologyAll selected/admitted candidatesRs. 1,000/monthPondicherry University
Merit Scholarship (Rank 1)Highest marks in entrance exam / previous semester SGPARs. 2,000/monthPondicherry University
Merit Scholarship (Rank 2)2nd highest marks in entrance exam / previous semester SGPARs. 1,500/monthPondicherry University
Merit Scholarship (Rank 3)3rd highest marks in entrance exam / previous semester SGPARs. 1,000/monthPondicherry University
Merit-cum-Means (MCM) ScholarshipTop 20% students per programme; parental income below Rs. 2,50,000/yearRs. 750/monthPondicherry University
Central Sector Scheme of ScholarshipsTop 20th percentile in Class XII board exams; family income below Rs. 8 lakh/yearRs. 20,000/year (PG level)Ministry of Education
Indira Gandhi Scholarship for Single Girl ChildSingle girl child pursuing PG programmeAs per UGC normsUGC
PG Merit Scholarship for University Rank HoldersUniversity rank holders at UG level pursuing Master's degreeAs per UGC normsUGC
Govt. of India SC/ST/OBC ScholarshipSC/ST/OBC candidatesAs per state/central normsState/Central Govt.
  • A student is eligible for only one scholarship at a time (the Rs. 1,000/month Marine Biology scholarship is a programme-specific benefit).
  • For Merit and MCM scholarships, students must maintain at least 70% attendance every month and pass all papers in each semester.
  • MCM scholarship is based on both SGPA and parental income (annual income not exceeding Rs. 2,50,000).
  • Central Sector Scholarship applications are made through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in).

PU M.Sc Marine Biology FAQs

Ques. Is M.Sc. Marine Biology at Pondicherry University offered at the main Puducherry campus or at Port Blair?

Ans. The M.Sc. Marine Biology programme is exclusively offered at the Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair) Campus in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is not available at the main Puducherry campus. Students must be prepared to relocate to Port Blair for the duration of the 2-year programme.

Ques. Do all M.Sc. Marine Biology students get a scholarship at Pondicherry University?

Ans. Yes, all selected candidates admitted to M.Sc. Marine Biology at Pondicherry University receive a scholarship of Rs. 1,000 per month from the university. This is a programme-specific benefit to support students studying at the Port Blair campus.

Ques. What is the CUET PG paper code for M.Sc. Marine Biology admission at Pondicherry University?

Ans. The required CUET PG paper code is SCQP17 (Life Sciences). The exam for this paper is scheduled for 16 March 2026. You must apply separately on the Pondicherry University admissions portal after appearing for CUET PG.

Ques. What are the career opportunities after M.Sc. Marine Biology from Pondicherry University?

Ans. Graduates can pursue careers in marine research at institutions like CMFRI, NCAOR, NIOT, ZSI, and CSIR labs. They can also work with fisheries departments, environmental consulting firms, NGOs focused on marine conservation, and coastal management agencies. Ph.D. opportunities are available at Pondicherry University itself and at premier research institutions. Qualifying CSIR-UGC NET/JRF opens doors to research fellowships and academic positions.

Ques. Is hostel accommodation available at the Port Blair campus for M.Sc. Marine Biology students?

Ans. Yes, the Port Blair campus has one boys' hostel and one girls' hostel. However, accommodation is subject to availability and is not guaranteed. Preference is given to students coming from distant places. Hostel fees are separate from course fees, and students must apply for hostel accommodation at the time of admission.

Ques. What is the total fee for M.Sc. Marine Biology at Pondicherry University, and how is it paid?

Ans. The total course fee is Rs. 43,472 for the 2-year programme. In the first year, you pay Rs. 23,372 (Semester I) + Rs. 3,200 (Semester II) = Rs. 26,572. In the second year, you pay Rs. 13,700 (Semester III) + Rs. 3,200 (Semester IV) = Rs. 16,900. Fees for subsequent semesters must be paid within 10 days from the beginning of each semester.

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