Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Master of Arts in Comparative Religion (officially titled MA in Religion) at Christ University Bangalore is a 2-year, full-time postgraduate programme offered under the Department of Philosophy and Theology within the School of Humanities and Performing Arts. The programme provides an in-depth academic exploration of world religions, religious philosophy, theology, and interfaith dialogue, drawing on both Eastern and Western religious traditions. It is designed to nurture critical scholars and researchers with a deep understanding of religious phenomena in their historical, cultural, and philosophical contexts. The total tuition fee for the programme is Rs. 1,60,000 for students from states other than Karnataka (Rs. 1,20,000 for Karnataka residents), making it one of the more affordable PG programmes at Christ University. The programme is offered exclusively at the Bangalore Central Campus in full-time mode.

Admissions for the 2026-27 academic year are currently closed. Based on the previous year's pattern, applications were open from December 2025 to March 2026. The next admission cycle is tentatively expected to open around December 2026 for the 2027-28 batch. Candidates are advised to monitor the official Christ University admissions portal for updates.

Key Points

The programme is offered under the Department of Philosophy and Theology, one of the oldest and most respected departments at Christ University.
The curriculum covers major world religions including Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, along with comparative religious philosophy and theology.
The programme encourages interfaith dialogue, critical scholarship, and research from both native and contemporary perspectives.
Faculty specialisations include Sanskrit, Theology, Indian Philosophy, and Moral Theology, ensuring a rich and diverse academic environment.
Graduates are well-positioned for careers in academia, religious organisations, NGOs, interfaith dialogue initiatives, and social work.

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Ranking
FAQs

Christ University MA Comparative Religion Fees

The MA (Comparative Religion) at Christ University is among the most affordable postgraduate programmes offered by the university. The total tuition fee for the 2-year programme is Rs. 1,60,000 for students from states other than Karnataka, and Rs. 1,20,000 for Karnataka residents. A one-time non-refundable admission registration fee of Rs. 8,000 is payable at the time of admission. Hostel accommodation is optional and available separately.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (2 Years)
Tuition Fees (Other Indian States)	Rs. 1,60,000
Tuition Fees (Karnataka Residents)	Rs. 1,20,000
Admission Registration Fee (One-time, Non-refundable)	Rs. 8,000
Total Fees (Other States, excl. Hostel)	Rs. 1,68,000
Total Fees (Karnataka Residents, excl. Hostel)	Rs. 1,28,000
Hostel Fees (Optional, approx. per year)	Rs. 95,000 (approx.)

The admission registration fee of Rs. 8,000 is non-refundable.
Hostel fees are optional and not included in the Total Fees above.
The hostel fee mentioned is for the cheapest available option; actual amounts may vary based on room type.
Meal plan is not included in the hostel fee.
Fees are subject to revision by the university each academic year.
No EMI options are officially advertised; students are advised to confirm payment schedules directly with the admissions office.

Christ University MA Comparative Religion Admission 2026

Admissions to the MA (Comparative Religion) at Christ University for 2026-27 are currently closed. Based on the previous year's admission cycle (applications open: December 2025, close: March 2026), the next cycle for the 2027-28 batch is tentatively expected to open around December 2026. The selection process for this programme involves a Skill Assessment, Micro Presentation, and Personal Interview, conducted in person at the Bangalore Central Campus. There is no written entrance test.

Admission Dates

Event	Date
Application Portal Opens (Tentative)	December 2026
Last Date to Apply (Tentative)	March 2027
Selection Process (SA, MP, PI)	As per E-Admit Card (issued 2-3 days before scheduled date)
Batch Commencement (Tentative)	July 2027

Note: The 2026-27 admissions are closed. Dates above are tentative for the next cycle based on the 2025-26 pattern. Candidates should check the official Christ University website (christuniversity.in) for confirmed dates.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must have passed a Bachelor's degree (10+2+3) in any discipline from a recognised university with a minimum aggregate of 50% marks.
Candidates with a background in humanities, philosophy, theology, or social sciences are preferred, though the programme is open to graduates from all disciplines.
Candidates must be willing to attend the full-time programme at the Bangalore Central Campus.

Admission Process

Register and fill the online application form at espro.christuniversity.in/Application/ when applications open.
Upload all required documents including Class 10, Class 12, and UG degree mark sheets.
Pay the application fee online.
Receive the E-Admit Card for the selection process (issued 2-3 days before the scheduled date).
Appear in person at the Bangalore Central Campus for Skill Assessment (SA), Micro Presentation (MP), and Personal Interview (PI).
Results/selection intimation will be communicated through the application portal.
Complete fee payment and document verification to confirm admission.

Christ University MA Comparative Religion Scholarships 2026

Christ University offers merit-based scholarships to deserving students, including those enrolled in postgraduate programmes. The university allocates approximately Rs. 450 lakhs annually towards scholarships and fee waivers. Students with outstanding academic performance at the UG level may apply for a Merit Scholarship of up to 50% fee waiver on tuition fees. Additionally, students may explore government and external scholarship schemes applicable to postgraduate humanities programmes.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount / Benefit	Remarks
Christ University Merit Scholarship	Outstanding academic performance in UG programme	Up to 50% fee waiver on tuition fees	Applied for at the time of admission; subject to document verification and university approval
Government of Karnataka Scholarship (SC/ST/OBC)	Karnataka domicile students from reserved categories	As per government norms	Applied through the Karnataka government scholarship portal
National Scholarship Portal (NSP) Schemes	As per individual scheme eligibility	Varies by scheme	Students can apply at scholarships.gov.in
Minority Scholarships (Central/State)	Students from minority communities	As per government norms	Applied through respective government portals

Merit scholarships for consecutive years are decided based on performance in end-semester and mid-semester examinations.
Scholarship applications must be submitted before the deadlines specified by the university or the respective government body.
Students are advised to contact the Christ University Admissions Office for the latest scholarship details and application procedures.

Christ University MA Comparative Religion Ranking

Collegedunia Ranking

#103 out of 300 in India 2026

#4th in Bangalore

#5 in Karnataka

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Christ University MA Comparative Religion FAQs

Ques. What is the difference between MA Religion and MA Comparative Religion at Christ University?

Ans. Christ University officially offers the programme as "MA (Religion)." It is also referred to as MA in Comparative Religion in some listings. The programme covers a broad comparative study of world religions including Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, along with religious philosophy and theology. It is not limited to any single religion or tradition.

Ques. Is the MA Religion programme at Christ University open to students of all faiths?

Ans. Yes, the MA (Religion) programme at Christ University is open to students of all faiths and backgrounds. The programme is designed to foster interfaith dialogue, critical scholarship, and a deeper understanding of diverse religious traditions. Students from any religious background or none are welcome to apply, provided they meet the academic eligibility criteria.

Ques. What are the career options after completing MA Religion from Christ University?

Ans. Graduates can pursue careers in academia as lecturers or researchers in religious studies, philosophy, or theology. Other career paths include roles in religious organisations, NGOs focused on interfaith dialogue and social harmony, journalism covering religion and culture, counselling, and social work. The programme also prepares students for doctoral research (PhD) in religious studies or philosophy.

Ques. When do admissions open for MA Religion at Christ University?

Ans. Based on the 2025-26 admission cycle, applications opened in December 2025 and closed in March 2026. The 2026-27 admissions are currently closed. The next cycle for 2027-28 is tentatively expected to open around December 2026. Candidates should monitor the official Christ University website for confirmed dates.

Ques. Is there an entrance test for admission to MA Religion at Christ University?

Ans. No, there is no written entrance test for this programme. The selection process consists of a Skill Assessment (written exercise on a given topic), a Micro Presentation (90-second talk), and a Personal Interview (10 minutes), all conducted in person at the Bangalore Central Campus.

Ques. Can MA Religion graduates from Christ University pursue a PhD?

Ans. Yes, graduates of the MA (Religion) programme are eligible to apply for PhD programmes in Religious Studies, Philosophy, or Theology at Christ University and other universities. Christ University's Centre for Research offers PhD programmes in Philosophy and Theology, and MA Religion graduates with strong academic records are well-positioned to pursue doctoral research.