Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 30, 2026

The M.Phil. in Social Work at CSIBER, Kolhapur is a 1-year full-time research-oriented postgraduate programme offered on campus under the D. K. Shinde School of Social Work. Affiliated to Shivaji University, Kolhapur, and recognised as an autonomous institute with NAAC A+ accreditation, CSIBER is one of the most reputed institutions in the Kolhapur region for social science research and professional education. The programme covers Social Work Research Methodology, Quantitative Techniques, Principles and Practice of Social Work, and a specialisation paper from areas such as Human Resource Management, Family and Child Welfare, Criminology and Correctional Administration, Urban/Rural/Tribal Community Development, and Medical and Psychiatric Social Work. The total fees for the programme are Rs. 7,450 for the entire 1-year duration, making it one of the most affordable M.Phil. programmes in Maharashtra. Admission is through a CSIBER-conducted entrance test followed by a personal interview, and the programme is popular among social work professionals and academics seeking to advance into research and doctoral studies.

As of March 2026, the Shivaji University admission portal for the 2026-27 session is open. Applications can be submitted from March 1 to April 25, 2026, through the Shivaji University admissions portal (sukapps.unishivaji.ac.in). The entrance examination is scheduled for May 12-15, 2026. Admission notifications are also published on the CSIBER official website (siberindia.edu.in).

Key Points

Offered under the D. K. Shinde School of Social Work at CSIBER, an autonomous institute affiliated to Shivaji University, Kolhapur, with NAAC A+ accreditation
1-year full-time research programme with a strong emphasis on dissertation and field-based research (180 hours of field work, library visits, and guidance)
Specialisation options include Human Resource Management, Family/Child/Youth Welfare, Criminology and Correctional Administration, Urban/Rural/Tribal Community Development, and Medical and Psychiatric Social Work
Admission through CSIBER's own entrance test (70% weightage) and personal interview (30%)
Extremely affordable fees of Rs. 7,450 for the entire programme
Strong research infrastructure including a well-stocked library, research labs, and access to CSIBER Press publications
Ideal for MSW graduates seeking to pursue Ph.D. in Social Work or academic/research careers

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

CSIBER M.Phil. (Social Work) Fees

The M.Phil. (Social Work) at CSIBER, Kolhapur is exceptionally affordable, with a total programme fee of just Rs. 7,450 for the entire 1-year duration. This makes it one of the most cost-effective M.Phil. programmes in Maharashtra. The fee covers tuition and academic charges. Additionally, a nominal entrance test fee of Rs. 500 (General category) or Rs. 300 (Reserved category) is payable at the time of application.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Amount (Rs.)
Tuition Fee (Annual)	7,450
Total Fees (1 Year)	7,450
Entrance Test Fee - General Category (One Time)	500
Entrance Test Fee - Reserved Category (One Time)	300

The total fees of Rs. 7,450 covers the entire 1-year M.Phil. programme.
Entrance test fee is a one-time, non-refundable charge payable at the time of application.
University examination fees (if any, payable to Shivaji University) may be charged separately as per university norms.
Hostel facility availability for M.Phil. students should be confirmed directly with CSIBER at the time of admission.

CSIBER M.Phil. (Social Work) Admission 2026

Admissions to the M.Phil. (Social Work) programme at CSIBER are conducted through a CSIBER-conducted entrance test and personal interview. The institute publishes an annual admission notification on its website and in at least two national newspapers (including one Marathi newspaper). For the 2026-27 session, the Shivaji University admission portal is currently open, with applications accepted from March 1 to April 25, 2026, and the entrance examination scheduled for May 12-15, 2026. Candidates are shortlisted based on a merit list prepared from entrance test and interview scores.

CSIBER M.Phil. (Social Work) - Important Admission Dates 2026

Event	Date
Shivaji University Admission Portal Opens	March 1, 2026
Last Date to Submit Application	April 25, 2026
CSIBER Entrance Examination	May 12 - 15, 2026
Personal Interview (Tentative)	After Entrance Exam (May/June 2026)
Merit List Declaration (Tentative)	June 2026
Admission Confirmation (Tentative)	June - July 2026

Note: M.Phil. admission is conducted directly by CSIBER. No national-level entrance exam (such as UGC NET) is mandatory for admission, though NET-qualified candidates may be given preference. Dates are based on the 2025-26 pattern and are tentative for 2026-27.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria:

Candidates must hold a Master's degree (MSW or equivalent professional degree) in Social Work or a related subject with a minimum of 55% marks in aggregate (or equivalent grade).
A relaxation of 5% (from 55% to 50%) is available for SC/ST/VJNT/OBC and differently-abled candidates.
Candidates appearing in the final year of their Master's programme may also apply, subject to submission of results at the time of admission.
Employed candidates must submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer.
Foreign candidates with a Master's degree from a foreign university are exempt from the entrance test but must appear for the personal interview.

Admission Process:

Visit the CSIBER official website (siberindia.edu.in) or the Shivaji University admissions portal (sukapps.unishivaji.ac.in) to obtain the application form.
Fill in the prescribed application form and submit it along with required documents before the notified deadline.
Pay the entrance test fee: Rs. 500 (General) or Rs. 300 (Reserved category).
Appear for the CSIBER-conducted written entrance test (70% weightage).
Shortlisted candidates appear for a personal interview (30% weightage).
A merit list is prepared based on combined entrance test and interview scores.
Selected candidates complete document verification and pay the programme fees to confirm admission.
If two candidates score equal marks in the entrance test, the marks scored at the postgraduate level are used to determine the order of merit.

CSIBER M.Phil. (Social Work) Scholarships 2026

CSIBER does not publish specific institutional scholarships for the M.Phil. programme. However, students enrolled in the M.Phil. (Social Work) programme may be eligible for government scholarships and fellowships. The most relevant options include the UGC Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) for NET-qualified candidates, the Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship for SC/ST students, the Maulana Azad National Fellowship for minority students, and Maharashtra state government post-matric scholarships for reserved category students.

Available Scholarships

Scholarship / Fellowship	Eligibility	Amount
UGC Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)	NET-qualified candidates (JRF category) enrolled in M.Phil./Ph.D.	Rs. 37,000/month (1st 2 years); Rs. 42,000/month (subsequent years)
Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship (RGNF)	SC/ST students pursuing M.Phil./Ph.D.	Rs. 37,000/month (JRF); Rs. 42,000/month (SRF)
Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF)	Minority community students pursuing M.Phil./Ph.D.	Rs. 37,000/month (JRF); Rs. 42,000/month (SRF)
Maharashtra Post-Matric Scholarship (OBC/SC/ST)	Maharashtra domicile students from reserved categories	Variable, as per state government norms

UGC JRF and RGNF are administered by UGC and require separate applications through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in).
CSIBER does not have a dedicated institutional scholarship for M.Phil. students; students should apply for government fellowships independently.
Maharashtra state post-matric scholarships are applied through the MahaDBT portal (mahadbt.maharashtra.gov.in).

CSIBER M.Phil. (Social Work) FAQs

Ques. What is the difference between MSW and M.Phil. (Social Work) at CSIBER?

Ans. The MSW (Master of Social Work) at CSIBER is a 2-year professional degree programme focused on social work practice, fieldwork, and specialisations. The M.Phil. (Social Work) is a 1-year research programme designed for MSW graduates who wish to pursue advanced research, academic careers, or doctoral studies. The M.Phil. involves coursework, a seminar, and a dissertation based on original field research, whereas the MSW is more practice-oriented.

Ques. Can I apply for M.Phil. (Social Work) at CSIBER with a Master's degree in a subject other than Social Work?

Ans. Admission to M.Phil. (Social Work) at CSIBER requires a Master's degree in Social Work or a related subject of the concerned faculty. Candidates with an MSW or equivalent degree are the primary applicants. Candidates with degrees in Sociology, Psychology, or related social sciences may be considered subject to the institute's discretion and availability of a suitable research supervisor. It is advisable to contact CSIBER directly (director@siberindia.edu.in) to confirm eligibility.

Ques. Is the M.Phil. (Social Work) at CSIBER recognised by UGC?

Ans. Yes, CSIBER is a UGC-recognised autonomous institute affiliated to Shivaji University, Kolhapur, and holds NAAC A+ accreditation. The M.Phil. programme is conducted as per UGC norms regarding scholar-supervisor ratio, coursework, and dissertation requirements. The degree is valid for academic and research purposes including Ph.D. admission and college teaching positions.

Ques. What are the career prospects after completing M.Phil. (Social Work) from CSIBER?

Ans. Graduates of M.Phil. (Social Work) from CSIBER can pursue Ph.D. in Social Work, apply for Assistant Professor positions in colleges offering Social Work programmes (subject to UGC norms), work as senior researchers or programme managers in NGOs, government welfare departments, international development organisations, or appear for competitive examinations. The specialisation in areas like Medical Social Work, Community Development, or Criminology opens specific career pathways in hospitals, correctional facilities, and community organisations.

Ques. How many seats are available for M.Phil. (Social Work) at CSIBER?

Ans. The number of seats for M.Phil. at CSIBER is determined annually based on the availability of research supervisors (as per UGC norms on scholar-supervisor ratio) and physical facilities. The exact seat count is notified each year in the admission notification published on the CSIBER website and in newspapers. A waiting list is maintained for vacant seats.

Ques. Is the M.Phil. (Social Work) programme at CSIBER available for working professionals?

Ans. The M.Phil. (Social Work) is a full-time programme, and working professionals who wish to apply must submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer. Given the full-time nature of the programme including regular coursework, seminars, and field-based dissertation work (180 hours), candidates should ensure they can commit to the programme requirements before applying.