CMS College, Kottayam is a government-aided autonomous arts and science college established in 1817 by the Church Missionary Society. It is affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University (MG University), Kottayam, and recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC). The college is accredited with NAAC Grade A+.
As per NIRF Colleges Rankings 2025, CMS College holds rank 86 in the national Colleges category.
The campus is located at CMS College Road, Kottayam 686001, Kerala, covering over 30 acres. The college stands as one of the oldest institutions of higher education in India, with over 207 years of academic legacy.
- BA: Communicative English, Economics, English Language and Literature, History, Malayalam; and BA Honours in Economics, English, and History
- B.Com and B.Com Honours
- BCA and BCA Honours
- B.Sc: Botany, Chemistry, Family and Community Science, Mathematics, Physics, Zoology, and Biotechnology; and B.Sc Honours in Botany, Chemistry, Home Science, Mathematics, Physics, and Zoology
- B.Voc: Information Technology and Travel and Tourism Management
- MA: Economics, English Language and Literature, History, Malayalam, and Sociology
- M.Com: Finance
- M.Sc: Analytical Chemistry, Applied Chemistry, Applied Physics, Biotechnology, Botany, Chemistry, Food Service Management and Dietetics, Home Science, Mathematics, Physics, and Zoology
- PhD: Botany, Chemistry, Commerce, English, Malayalam, Mathematics, Physics, and Zoology
Aided UG programme fees range from INR 8,100 (BA, B.Com for 3 years) to INR 12,595 (B.Sc Hons Botany/Zoology). Self-financed UG programmes such as BCA are INR 1,26,000. Aided PG fees are INR 7,625 to INR 10,145 for 2 years.
The college offers government and institutional scholarship schemes for eligible students through the national and Kerala state scholarship portals.
CMS College Admission Dates 2026
Admissions for the 2026-27 session have concluded. UG seats were filled through the Kerala Higher Education admissions portal (Centralised Allotment Process), while PG admissions followed MG University norms. The next cycle (2027-28) is expected to follow the same calendar pattern.
| Event | 2026-27 Cycle (Concluded) |
|---|---|
| UG Application Portal (Kerala CAP) | May to June 2026 |
| Kerala CAP Allotment Rounds | July to August 2026 |
| PG Admission Applications | July to August 2026 |
| PG Allotment / Admission | August to September 2026 |
| Classes Commence (UG) | June to July 2026 |
The tentative 2027-28 admission calendar is set out below. Official dates will be notified by the Kerala Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE) and MG University.
| Event | 2027-28 Cycle (Tentative) |
|---|---|
| UG Application Portal (Kerala CAP) | May to June 2027 |
| Kerala CAP Allotment Rounds | July to August 2027 |
| PG Admissions | July to September 2027 |
The entrance exams and admission routes for different programme streams at CMS College are listed below.
| Programme | Admission Route |
|---|---|
| BA / BA Hons / B.Com / B.Com Hons | Class 12 merit via Kerala CAP portal |
| B.Sc / B.Sc Hons (Science subjects) | Class 12 merit (PCB/PCM) via Kerala CAP portal |
| BCA / BCA Hons / B.Voc | College-level merit or aptitude test |
| MA / M.Com / M.Sc | MG University PG entrance examination or merit |
| PhD | MG University PhD entrance examination and interview |
CMS College Courses and Fees
CMS College offers over 40 programmes spanning Arts, Commerce, Science, Computer Applications, and Vocational studies at the UG, PG, and PhD levels. Aided programme fees are nominal, while self-financed streams carry higher fees. The table below covers the key programme families.
| Course | Duration | Eligibility | Total Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| BA (Aided) / BA Hons | 3 years | 10+2 (any stream), Kerala CAP | INR 8,100 |
| B.Com / B.Com Hons (Aided) | 3 years | 10+2 Commerce/any, Kerala CAP | INR 8,100 |
| B.Sc Hons (Botany, Zoology - Aided) | 3 years | 10+2 PCB, Kerala CAP | INR 12,595 |
| B.Sc Hons (Chemistry, Physics - Aided) | 3 years | 10+2 PCM, Kerala CAP | INR 11,955 |
| B.Sc Hons (Mathematics - Aided) | 3 years | 10+2 PCM, Kerala CAP | INR 10,915 |
| B.Sc Biotechnology (Self-financed) | 3 years | 10+2 PCB, College admission | INR 60,480 |
| BCA (Self-financed) | 3 years | 10+2 with Mathematics, College admission | INR 1,26,000 |
| BCA Hons (Self-financed) | 3 years | 10+2 with Mathematics, College admission | INR 1,68,000 |
| B.Voc IT (Self-financed) | 3 years | 10+2, College admission | INR 1,68,000 |
| MA / M.Com (Aided) | 2 years | Relevant UG, MG University PG entrance | INR 7,625 |
| M.Sc (Aided sciences) | 2 years | Relevant B.Sc, MG University PG entrance | INR 10,145 |
| M.Sc Biotechnology (Self-financed) | 2 years | B.Sc Life Sciences, MG University entrance | INR 1,88,160 |
Science-stream BA subjects include Communicative English, Economics, English Language and Literature, History, and Malayalam. The M.Sc offerings span Analytical Chemistry, Applied Chemistry, Applied Physics, Botany, Chemistry, Home Science, Mathematics, Physics, and Zoology in addition to the self-financed Biotechnology and Food Service Management programmes.
CMS College Admission Process
CMS College is an autonomous college affiliated to MG University. UG admissions follow the Kerala government’s Centralised Allotment Process, while PG and PhD admissions are governed by MG University norms and the college’s own eligibility criteria.
Undergraduate (BA, B.Com, B.Sc, BCA, B.Voc)
- Aided BA, B.Com, B.Sc streams: Admission through the Kerala CAP portal on the basis of Class 12 marks. Candidates must register on the portal, enter subject preferences, and wait for allotment rounds.
- Eligibility (BA/B.Com): 10+2 pass from a recognised board. No minimum marks requirement for most aided programmes in Kerala.
- Eligibility (B.Sc): 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB) or Mathematics (PCM) depending on the stream.
- BCA / B.Voc / B.Sc Biotechnology (Self-financed): College-level process via direct application. Candidates may be required to appear in an aptitude test or are allotted on merit.
- Reservation: Kerala government norms apply for SC/ST/OBC/EWS quotas. Christian minority institution status may carry minority quota seats.
As an autonomous college, CMS College frames its own syllabi and examination patterns for all programmes, while following MG University affiliation for degree award. Cut-offs for science-stream B.Sc Hons programmes are competitive, given the limited aided seats and high demand from Class 12 PCB/PCM candidates in Kerala.
Postgraduate and PhD
- MA / M.Com / M.Sc (Aided): Admission through MG University PG Common Entrance Test or merit in the qualifying UG degree.
- M.Sc Biotechnology / Food Service Management (Self-financed): College-level merit and interview process.
- PhD: MG University PhD entrance examination, followed by interview at the research centre. Research centres at CMS College are recognised by MG University in multiple departments including Malayalam, Botany, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, and Zoology.
CMS College Rankings
CMS College features in the NIRF Colleges category. The college ranked 86th in NIRF 2025 nationally, placing it among the top 100 colleges in India. As one of the oldest colleges in the country, CMS College also holds NAAC Grade A+ accreditation.
| Ranking Body | Category | 2025 Rank |
|---|---|---|
| NIRF | Colleges | 86 |
CMS College Scholarships
CMS College facilitates multiple central and state government scholarship schemes. Students from eligible categories apply through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) and the Kerala Scholarship portal managed by the Social Justice Department.
| Scholarship | Eligibility | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| PM-USP (NSP) | 60%+ in Class 12, family income up to INR 2.5 Lakhs per annum | INR 10,000 per annum (UG aided programmes) |
| Kerala Government Scholarship (SC/ST) | SC/ST students domiciled in Kerala | Full tuition fee waiver and maintenance allowance |
| Post-Matric Scholarship (OBC/EBC) | OBC/EBC students with family income below prescribed limit | Tuition fee and maintenance allowance |
| Kerala State Merit Scholarship | Top scorers in Plus Two state board, Kerala domicile | INR 24,000 per annum |
CMS College Campus and Infrastructure
CMS College occupies a large campus in Kottayam town with dedicated areas for science laboratories, a central library, and outdoor sports facilities. The college maintains an organic farm covering approximately 30 acres as part of its environmental and community engagement programmes.
The campus houses separate laboratory blocks for Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Computer Science, along with a well-stocked central library with digital resources and e-journals. The college has a placement and career guidance cell, a student support centre, and cultural and sports facilities. No on-campus hostel is listed in the institution’s published records.
CMS College vs Maharajas College vs St. Thomas College Thrissur
CMS College Kottayam, Maharajas College Ernakulam, and St. Thomas College Thrissur are among the most recognised autonomous arts and science colleges in Kerala. All three are government-aided and affiliated to their respective universities, catering to the same pool of Kerala Class 12 arts, commerce, and science aspirants.
| Parameter | CMS College, Kottayam | Maharajas College, Ernakulam | St. Thomas College, Thrissur |
|---|---|---|---|
| Established | 1817 | 1875 | 1947 |
| Affiliation | MG University, Kottayam | MG University, Kottayam | Calicut University |
| NAAC Grade | A+ | A+ | A |
| Status | Autonomous, Government-aided | Autonomous, Government | Autonomous, Government-aided |
| Location | Kottayam, Central Kerala | Ernakulam, Central Kerala | Thrissur, Central Kerala |
| Key UG Streams | Arts, Science, Commerce, BCA | Arts, Science, Commerce | Arts, Science, Commerce |
| Aided UG Fee (3 years) | INR 8,100 | Comparable aided structure | Comparable aided structure |
| Admission Route | Kerala CAP portal | Kerala CAP portal | Kerala CAP portal |
CMS College is the oldest of the three with an 1817 founding. Maharajas College is a government institution, whereas CMS College and St. Thomas College are government-aided. All three carry NAAC A or A+ accreditation and serve high-demand districts in Central Kerala.
CMS College FAQs
Ques. When was CMS College Kottayam established?
Ans. CMS College Kottayam was established in 1817 by the Church Missionary Society, making it one of the oldest colleges in India with over 207 years of history. It is affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, and is accredited with NAAC Grade A+.
Ques. What is CMS College Kottayam’s NIRF rank?
Ans. CMS College holds rank 86 in the NIRF Colleges category 2025, placing it among the top 100 colleges nationally.
Ques. How is admission done at CMS College Kottayam?
Ans. UG admissions (BA, B.Com, B.Sc) are through the Kerala Higher Education Centralised Allotment Process (CAP) portal on the basis of Class 12 marks. Self-financed programmes like BCA and B.Voc are through direct college application. PG admissions follow MG University PG entrance examination or merit norms.
Ques. What are the fees at CMS College for aided programmes?
Ans. Aided UG programme fees at CMS College are among the lowest in Kerala. BA, B.Com, and most BA Hons programmes cost INR 8,100 for the full 3-year duration. B.Sc Hons (aided) range from INR 10,915 to INR 12,595. Aided PG programmes are INR 7,625 to INR 10,145 for 2 years.
Ques. Does CMS College Kottayam have a hostel?
Ans. CMS College does not list an on-campus hostel in its published institutional records. Students typically arrange private accommodation in Kottayam town, which is well connected and has several private hostels and paying guest facilities near the college.
Ques. Is CMS College Kottayam a government college?
Ans. CMS College is a government-aided autonomous college, not a government college. It was founded by the Church Missionary Society and continues to operate as a grant-in-aid institution under the Kerala government. It is affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University and has autonomous status for curriculum and examinations.
Ques. Is CMS College good for B.Sc science programmes?
Ans. CMS College offers B.Sc Hons in Botany, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, and Zoology under the aided stream at very affordable fees. The college is an MG University recognised Research Centre in multiple science departments, making it a strong choice for students who plan to pursue postgraduate or research programmes after their undergraduate degree.
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CMS College Kottayam is a private college.
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Admission to all the courses offered at CMS College are done on merit basis except for some courses for which students may required to appear for an interview. Check here for more. CMS College Admission
The course is an internationally recognized course with a duration of the course is 3-4 years. Check here for detailed information about the BCom with ACCA course admissions, colleges, scope, etc.
Candidates are required to have graduation in Mathematics/ Statistics / Computer Application with not less than CGPA of 2.00 out of 4.00 in the core group. Check here for more information. CMS M.Sc