Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 30, 2026

Master of Science [M.Sc] (Botany) at Khallikote Unitary University (KUU), Berhampur, Odisha is a 2-year full-time postgraduate programme (4 semesters) offered by the Department of Botany and Bio-Tech. Postgraduate teaching in Botany at KUU began in 1981, and the department has since grown into one of the leading life science departments in Odisha. The department holds the distinction of being the only department in Odisha to be awarded the Star College Status in Life Science by DBT (Department of Biotechnology), New Delhi in 2009, and was adjudged the best department in the college by NAAC in 2003. The M.Sc. (Botany) programme has an intake of 16 seats per year and covers core areas including plant physiology, plant ecology, plant taxonomy, genetics, molecular biology, ethnobotany, algology, and stress biology. The total fee for the 2-year programme is approximately Rs. 7,166. Admission is through CPET (Common PG Entrance Test) conducted by the Government of Odisha. The department has produced alumni placed in government positions (OES-I/II, OAS, OFS), ILS, SSB, OAVS, and banking sector.

Admissions for the 2026 session are expected to open through CPET 2026, with the exam scheduled between April 27 and May 10, 2026. The 2026-27 admission cycle has already closed, with merit list reporting held on September 17-19, 2026 and fee payment from September 17-24, 2026.

Key Points:

The Department of Botany and Bio-Tech at KUU is the only department in Odisha with DBT Star College Status in Life Science (2009).
NAAC adjudged the department as the best department in the college in 2003 for staff, academic curriculum, and infrastructure.
The department has a Tissue Culture Room, Inoculation Room, Microbiology Lab, Central Instrumentation Facility, and Botanical Garden.
Research areas include Stress Biology, Algology, Ethnobotany, Water Analysis, Biochemistry, and Enzymology.
The programme is well-suited for students aspiring to careers in plant science research, government services, teaching, and environmental sciences.

Official Link:

Go To Website

Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Placements
FAQs

KUU M.Sc Botany Fees

The M.Sc. (Botany) programme at Khallikote Unitary University is offered at a total fee of approximately Rs. 7,166 for the entire 2-year duration. As a government university, KUU maintains a highly affordable fee structure for its regular PG programmes. Hostel accommodation is available on campus at an optional charge of Rs. 3,300 per year.

Course Fee Structure

Fee Component	Amount (INR)
Tuition Fee (Year 1)	3,583
Tuition Fee (Year 2)	3,583
Total Fees (2 years, excluding hostel)	7,166

Hostel Fee Structure

Hostel Fee (Optional)	Amount (INR)
Hostel Fee per year	3,300

Hostel fee is optional and not included in the total course fee.
Fees are refundable as per university norms.
Application fee for CPET: as per CPET 2026 notification.
Candidates are advised to confirm the latest fee structure from the official university website at kuu.ac.in before applying.

KUU M.Sc Botany Admission 2026

Admissions to M.Sc. (Botany) at KUU are conducted through CPET (Common PG Entrance Test), the primary entrance exam for PG programmes in Odisha state universities since 2021. The 2026-27 admission cycle saw merit list reporting on September 17-19, 2026 and fee payment from September 17-24, 2026. For 2026, candidates should apply for CPET 2026 and then apply to KUU through the university's admission portal.

Important Dates

Event	Date
CPET 2026 Application Start	February 27, 2026
CPET 2026 Application End	March 15, 2026
CPET 2026 Admit Card	April 23, 2026
CPET 2026 Exam Date	April 27 - May 10, 2026
CPET 2026 Result	July 1, 2026 (Tentative)
KUU Merit List / Counselling	September 2026 (Tentative)
Merit List Reporting	September 2026 (Tentative)
Fee Payment	September 2026 (Tentative)
Admission / Batch Start	September - October 2026 (Tentative)

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria:

Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree (B.Sc. with Botany as a major/honours subject) from a recognised university.
Minimum 50% marks in the qualifying undergraduate examination (45% for SC/ST/PWD candidates).
Must qualify CPET (Common PG Entrance Test) conducted by the Government of Odisha.

Admission Process:

Apply for CPET 2026 at the official CPET portal (cpet.odisha.gov.in) within the application window (February 27 - March 15, 2026).
Appear for the CPET exam (April 27 - May 10, 2026) in the Botany subject.
Check CPET results and merit list (expected July 2026).
Apply to KUU through the university's admission portal (kuu.ac.in) using CPET score.
Report for merit list counselling and document verification as scheduled.
Complete fee payment and admission formalities upon selection.

KUU M.Sc Botany Scholarships 2026

Students enrolled in M.Sc. (Botany) at Khallikote Unitary University can avail several government scholarships at the state and national level. Given the affordable fee structure of the programme, scholarships can effectively cover the entire cost of education and provide additional financial support for living expenses. The Nua-O scholarship by the Odisha government is particularly beneficial for students from the state.

Available Scholarships

Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount
Nua-O Scholarship (Odisha Government)	Odisha domicile UG/PG students in government colleges; minimum 50% marks	Rs. 9,000/year (Boys); Rs. 10,000/year (Girls)
National Scholarship for Postgraduate Studies (UGC)	First-time PG students under 30 years in UGC-recognised full-time programmes	Rs. 10,000/year or Rs. 15,000/month (for selected candidates)
NSP (PM-USP) Yojana	80% in Class 12, AICTE/UGC-recognised UG/PG courses, parental income up to Rs. 4.5 Lakhs	Up to Rs. 82,000 per annum
Post Matric Scholarship (SC/ST/OBC - Odisha)	SC/ST/OBC students pursuing post-matric education; income criteria apply	Varies (maintenance allowance + tuition fee reimbursement)
Phakir Mohan Medha Bruti (State Scholarship)	Merit-based; Odisha domicile students	Varies by category

Nua-O scholarship is available to students enrolled in government colleges/universities in Odisha.
Post Matric Scholarship covers tuition fee reimbursement and maintenance allowance for SC/ST/OBC students.
NSP (PM-USP) requires 75% attendance and maintenance of 50% marks throughout the course.
Applications for most scholarships are made through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) or the Odisha State Scholarship Portal (scholarship.odisha.gov.in).
Deadlines for scholarship applications are typically announced in October-November each year.

KUU M.Sc Botany Placement 2026

The department has produced alumni placed in government positions (OES-I/II, OAS, OFS), ILS, SSB, OAVS, and banking sector.

Placement Sectors

Sector
government positions (OES-I/II, OAS, OFS)
ILS
SSB
OAVS
banking sector

KUU M.Sc Botany FAQs

Ques. What is the research focus of the Botany department at KUU?

Ans. The Botany department at KUU conducts research in Stress Biology, Algology, Ethnobotany, Water Analysis, Biochemistry, and Enzymology. The department has submitted major research projects to DBT, Government of Odisha, and has operated three major projects and several minor projects. The department's location in Berhampur, Ganjam, Odisha, provides access to diverse flora of the Eastern Ghats, coastal areas, and tribal regions, making it ideal for ethnobotany and ecological research.

Ques. What makes the Botany department at KUU unique?

Ans. The Department of Botany and Bio-Tech at KUU is the only department in Odisha to be awarded the Star College Status in Life Science by DBT, New Delhi in 2009. NAAC adjudged it as the best department in the college in 2003. The department has state-of-the-art facilities including a Tissue Culture Room, Inoculation Room, Microbiology Lab, Central Instrumentation Facility, and Botanical Garden (2 units). The department also offers M.Sc. Biotechnology (24 seats) alongside M.Sc. Botany (16 seats), providing a comprehensive life science ecosystem.

Ques. What are the career prospects after M.Sc. (Botany) from KUU?

Ans. M.Sc. (Botany) graduates from KUU can pursue careers as assistant professors/lecturers (after qualifying UGC-NET/SET), research scientists at CSIR, ICAR, DBT, and state government research organisations, botanists at botanical gardens and forest departments, environmental consultants, and quality control officers in the pharmaceutical and food industries. Alumni of the department have been placed in government positions (OES-I/II, OAS, OFS), ILS (Institute of Life Sciences), SSB, OAVS (Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya Sangathan), and banking sector.

Ques. Is CPET mandatory for M.Sc. (Botany) admission at KUU?

Ans. Yes, CPET (Common PG Entrance Test) is the primary entrance exam for M.Sc. (Botany) admissions at KUU since 2021. Candidates must apply for CPET in the Botany subject and qualify to be eligible for admission. The CPET 2026 exam is scheduled between April 27 and May 10, 2026. After CPET results, KUU conducts its own merit list and counselling process, with merit list reporting typically in September.

Ques. Can M.Sc. (Botany) graduates from KUU qualify for UGC-NET/JRF?

Ans. Yes, M.Sc. (Botany) graduates from KUU are eligible to appear for UGC-NET/JRF in Botany or Life Sciences. The programme's strong emphasis on both theoretical and practical aspects of plant science, combined with the department's research tradition, provides excellent preparation for UGC-NET. Qualifying UGC-NET/JRF opens doors to Ph.D. fellowships and assistant professor positions at colleges and universities across India.

Ques. What is the difference between M.Sc. (Botany) and M.Sc. (Biotechnology) at KUU?

Ans. Both programmes are offered by the same Department of Botany and Bio-Tech at KUU. M.Sc. (Botany) is a regular government-funded programme with 16 seats and a fee of Rs. 7,166 for 2 years, focusing on plant science, ecology, taxonomy, physiology, and molecular biology. M.Sc. (Biotechnology) is a self-financing programme with 24 seats and a fee of Rs. 45,844 for 2 years, focusing on molecular biology, genetic engineering, tissue culture, bioinformatics, and industrial biotechnology. Students interested in plant-based research may choose Botany, while those interested in applied biotechnology and industry may prefer Biotechnology.

Course Finder

Search from 20K+ Courses and 35+ Streams

Khallikote Unitary University M.Sc Botany: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Table of Contents