Content Curator | J/hVSQ

M.Phil. (Botany) at Khallikote Unitary University, Berhampur, Odisha is a 1-year full-time research-oriented postgraduate programme offered by the Department of Botany and Bio-Tech, one of the oldest and most distinguished science departments in Odisha, established in 1944. The programme focuses on advanced botanical research across areas such as Stress Biology, Algology, Ethnobotany, Water Analysis, Biochemistry, and Enzymology, with a total fee of just Rs. 1,431 for the entire duration, making it one of the most affordable M.Phil. programmes in the country. The department holds the distinction of being the only department in Odisha to receive the Star College Status in Life Science by DBT, New Delhi (2009), and was adjudged the best department in the college by NAAC in 2003. The intake for M.Phil. (Botany) is 8 seats, and the mode of study is full-time on-campus.

Admissions for the 2026 session are expected to open in August 2026 (tentative), based on the previous year's schedule (August 19 - September 5, 2025). Candidates are selected on the basis of merit in their postgraduate examination or through a university-level entrance test. The 2025-26 admission cycle has already closed.

Key Points:

The Department of Botany at KUU is the only department in Odisha to receive the DBT Star College Status in Life Science (2009).
Research areas include Stress Biology, Algology, Ethnobotany, Water Analysis, Biochemistry, and Enzymology.
The department has a dedicated M.Phil. and Geology Lab, Tissue Culture Room, Inoculation Room, Microbiology Lab, and Central Instrumentation Facility.
Alumni of the department have gone on to work at prestigious institutions such as Stanford University (USA), NIO Goa, ICGEB, ILS, and NII New Delhi.
Only 8 seats are available for M.Phil. (Botany), making it a highly selective programme.

Official Link:

Go To Website

Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

KUU M.Phil. (Botany) Fees

The M.Phil. (Botany) programme at Khallikote Unitary University is extremely affordable, with a total tuition fee of Rs. 1,431 for the entire 1-year duration. This is one of the lowest fee structures for an M.Phil. programme in India, reflecting the university's status as a government institution. Hostel accommodation is available on campus at an additional optional charge of Rs. 3,300 per year.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (INR)
Tuition Fee	1,431
Total Fees (excluding hostel)	1,431

Hostel Fees

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.
No EMI or instalment option is specifically mentioned; fees are generally paid at the time of admission.
Application fee: Rs. 500 for General category; Rs. 250 for SC/ST candidates.

KUU M.Phil. (Botany) Admission 2026

Admissions to M.Phil. (Botany) at KUU are based on merit in the qualifying postgraduate examination or through a university-level entrance test. The 2025 admission cycle saw applications open from August 19 to September 5, 2025. For 2026, admissions are expected to follow a similar timeline (August-September 2026). Candidates must apply through the official university portal at kuu.ac.in.

KUU Admission Dates

Event	Date
Application Start Date	August 19, 2026 (Tentative)
Application Last Date	September 5, 2026 (Tentative)
Merit List / Entrance Test	September 2026 (Tentative)
Admission / Batch Start	October 2026 (Tentative)

CPET Entrance Exam 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)

Note: CPET (Common PG Entrance Test) is conducted by the Government of Odisha for admission to PG programmes in state universities. While KUU primarily uses merit/university entrance test for M.Phil. admission, CPET scores may also be considered.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria:

Candidates must hold a Master's degree (M.Sc. in Botany or a related discipline) from a recognised university.
Minimum 55% marks in the qualifying postgraduate examination (50% for SC/ST/PWD candidates).
Candidates must be Odisha domicile or have passed their qualifying examination from a university in Odisha (preference given).

Admission Process:

Visit the official university website at kuu.ac.in and check for M.Phil. admission notifications.
Fill out the online application form and pay the application fee (Rs. 500 for General; Rs. 250 for SC/ST).
Submit required documents including mark sheets, degree certificates, and domicile certificate.
Appear for the university-level entrance test or submit merit-based application as notified.
Attend counselling/interview as scheduled by the department.
Complete admission formalities and fee payment upon selection.

KUU M.Phil. (Botany) Scholarships 2026

Students enrolled in M.Phil. (Botany) at Khallikote Unitary University can avail several government scholarships, both at the state and national level. Given the extremely low 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/M.Phil. 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.Phil. (Botany) FAQs

Ques. Is M.Phil. (Botany) at Khallikote Unitary University a research-based or coursework-based programme?

Ans. The M.Phil. (Botany) at KUU is primarily a research-based programme. Students are required to carry out original research under the supervision of a faculty member and submit a dissertation. The research areas include Stress Biology, Algology, Ethnobotany, Water Analysis, Biochemistry, and Enzymology. There may be some coursework component in the first semester, but the focus is on independent research.

Ques. What is the intake for M.Phil. (Botany) at KUU, and how competitive is the admission?

Ans. The official intake for M.Phil. (Botany) at KUU is 8 seats per year. Given the limited seats and the department's strong reputation as the only DBT Star College in Life Science in Odisha, admission is competitive. Candidates with strong academic records in M.Sc. Botany and relevant research experience have a better chance of selection.

Ques. Can students from outside Odisha apply for M.Phil. (Botany) at KUU?

Ans. Yes, students from outside Odisha can apply. However, preference may be given to Odisha domicile candidates or those who have completed their qualifying examination from a university in Odisha. It is advisable to check the specific admission notification each year for domicile-related conditions.

Ques. Does the M.Phil. (Botany) programme at KUU help in getting admission to Ph.D. programmes?

Ans. Yes, completing M.Phil. with at least 55% marks (50% for SC/ST) makes a candidate eligible to apply for Ph.D. programmes at KUU and other universities. KUU itself offers Ph.D. in Botany, and M.Phil. holders are given preference. Additionally, M.Phil. holders may be exempted from the coursework component of Ph.D. programmes at many universities as per UGC guidelines.

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

Ans. Alumni of the Botany department at KUU have gone on to work as scientists at ILS, NIO Goa, ICGEB, and NII New Delhi, as well as at international institutions like Stanford University (USA) and Redbridge (USA). Career options after M.Phil. (Botany) include research scientist, lecturer/assistant professor (after qualifying NET/SET), botanist in government departments, environmental consultant, and roles in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

Ques. Is hostel accommodation available for M.Phil. students at KUU?

Ans. Yes, hostel accommodation is available at Khallikote Unitary University at an optional charge of Rs. 3,300 per year. The hostel is not mandatory for M.Phil. students. Students are advised to apply for hostel accommodation early as seats are limited. The campus is located in Berhampur, Ganjam, Odisha, and private accommodation options are also available nearby.