Content Curator | Updated on - Apr 8, 2026

The MA in Women's Studies at Pondicherry University (PU) is a 2-year full-time postgraduate programme that combines knowledge building with fieldwork, research methodology, and policy analysis. The programme takes an interdisciplinary approach to understanding women's lives, covering themes such as gender inequality, women's movements, women and development, and violence against women. With an intake of 30 seats and a total fee of Rs. 32,472 for the entire programme, it is one of the most affordable and socially relevant MA programmes offered by a Central University in India. Admission is based on CUET (PG) scores, and the programme is popular among students aspiring for careers in the NGO sector, social work, journalism, government agencies, academia, and policy research.

Admissions for the 2026-27 academic year are based on CUET (PG) 2026, which was conducted from March 6 to March 27, 2026, with results expected in May 2026. The university's PG admission process including provisional rank lists, select lists, and fee payment is expected to commence from June-July 2026 onwards, following the pattern of the 2025-26 cycle. Students are advised to monitor the official admissions portal at admissions.pondiuni.edu.in for updated schedules.

Key Points

The programme takes a strongly interdisciplinary approach, drawing from sociology, law, political science, history, and development studies to understand women's issues.
Fieldwork is a core component of the programme, significantly contributing to students' understanding of women's lives in real-world contexts.
Students are trained through research methodology courses and writing workshops, equipping them to apply appropriate tools for research and policy dissemination.
The syllabus was most recently revised in 2025, making it one of the most current MA Women's Studies curricula among Indian universities.
The CUET (PG) test paper code for this programme is COQP11, which covers general knowledge, social issues, and women's issues.
The programme is open to graduates from any discipline, making it accessible to students from diverse academic backgrounds.
70% attendance is mandatory to appear for university examinations.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Cutoff
FAQs

Pondicherry University Latest Updates and News

15 Apr, 2026 CUET PG 2026 Results are expected to be released by First week of May @exams.nta.nic.in. To know more, click here.

03 Feb, 2026 Pondicherry University Fee Structure 2026 is out for MA Women Studies programs. The total academic fee is ₹ 39,347 . Read more.

PU MA(WS) Fees

The MA Women's Studies programme at Pondicherry University is among the most affordable postgraduate programmes in the country. The total programme fee is Rs. 32,472 spread across four semesters. The first semester fee of Rs. 19,372 is the highest, including several one-time charges such as the Amenities Development Fund, University Development Fund, Alumni Association Fund, and a refundable Caution Deposit of Rs. 1,000. Semesters II and IV are Rs. 1,700 each, while Semester III is Rs. 9,700.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Semester I (Rs.)	Semester II (Rs.)	Semester III (Rs.)	Semester IV (Rs.)
Tuition Fee	1,500	1,500	1,500	1,500
Registration Fee	300	-	-	-
Matriculation Fee	100	-	-	-
Recognition Fee	400	-	-	-
Sports Fund	500	-	500	-
Medical Examination / Facilities Fund	600	-	600	-
Library Fund	1,500	-	1,500	-
Computer Lab Fund	2,000	-	2,000	-
Amenities Development Fund	6,000	-	-	-
Students' Welfare Fund	400	-	400	-
Alumni Association Fund	200	-	-	-
Caution Deposit (Refundable)	1,000	-	-	-
Placement Activity Fund	200	200	200	200
Academic Activity Fund	1,000	-	1,000	-
Digital Activity Fund	2,000	-	2,000	-
Group Medical Insurance	472	-	-	-
University Development Fund	1,200	-	-	-
Total Fees	19,372	1,700	9,700	1,700

Grand Total (All 4 Semesters): Rs. 32,472

Caution Deposit of Rs. 1,000 is refundable upon leaving the university, after deducting any dues.
Differently abled students are fully exempt from all fees except the refundable caution deposit and Group Medical Insurance premium.
SC/ST students eligible for post-matric scholarships may pay fees after receiving the scholarship amount, subject to submission of an undertaking at the time of admission.
Fees must be paid within 90 days of admission.
Late payment fine: Rs. 10 per day for the first 15 days; Rs. 25 per day thereafter.
Hostel fees are separate and will be notified by the university for 2026-27.
Hostel accommodation is not mandatory.
Fees for subsequent semesters are to be paid within 10 days from the beginning of each semester.

PU MA(WS) Admission 2026

Admission to the MA Women's Studies programme at Pondicherry University is entirely merit-based through CUET (PG) 2026 scores. With 30 seats, the programme is moderately competitive. The university releases a Provisional Rank List and Select Lists based on CUET PG scores, followed by online fee payment and physical reporting for document verification. For 2026-27, the CUET PG exam was conducted in March 2026, and the university's admission process is expected to follow from June 2026 onwards. Candidates must apply separately on the PU admissions portal after CUET PG results are declared.

Pondicherry University PG Admission Schedule

Event	Tentative Date (2026-27)
CUET (PG) 2026 Application Start	December 14, 2025
CUET (PG) 2026 Application End	January 25, 2026 (extended)
CUET (PG) 2026 Admit Card	March 3, 2026 onwards
CUET (PG) 2026 Exam	March 6 - March 27, 2026
CUET (PG) 2026 Result	May 2026 (tentative)
PU PG Application Portal Opens	May 2026 (tentative)
Provisional Rank List / Select List I	June 2026 (tentative)
Online Fee Payment (Select List I)	June-July 2026 (tentative)
Counselling / Admission	July 2026 (tentative)
Commencement of Classes	August 2026 (tentative)

CUET (PG) 2026 Exam Dates

Event	Date
Registration Start	December 14, 2025
Registration End	January 25, 2026
Admit Card Release	March 3, 2026
Exam Dates	March 6 - March 27, 2026
Result Declaration	May 6, 2026 (tentative)

CUET (PG) Test Paper Code for this programme: COQP11

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree in any discipline with a minimum of 50% marks from a recognised university.
SC/ST candidates who have passed the qualifying examination are eligible to apply irrespective of the percentage of marks obtained.
Candidates awaiting their final year results are also eligible to apply, subject to producing mark sheets/degree certificates before the date notified by the university.

Admission Process

Register and appear for CUET (PG) 2026 with test paper code COQP11.
Apply separately on the Pondicherry University admissions portal (admissions.pondiuni.edu.in) after CUET PG results are declared.
The university releases a Provisional Rank List and Provisional Select List based on CUET PG scores.
Shortlisted candidates must complete online fee payment within the stipulated deadline to confirm admission.
Physical reporting for document verification and registration at the university campus is required.
Reservation norms: SC - 15%, ST - 7.5%, OBC (NCL) - 27%, EWS - 10%, Differently Abled - 5%.

PU MA(WS) Scholarships 2026

Pondicherry University offers a range of scholarships for PG students, applicable to MA Women's Studies students as well. The university's Merit Scholarship and Merit-cum-Means Scholarship are available to all PG degree programme students. National-level scholarships from UGC and the Government of India are also applicable. Students can avail only one scholarship at a time.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount	Offered By
Merit Scholarship (Rank 1)	Highest marks in PG entrance / previous semester (SGPA)	Rs. 2,000 per month	Pondicherry University
Merit Scholarship (Rank 2)	Second highest marks in PG entrance / previous semester (SGPA)	Rs. 1,500 per month	Pondicherry University
Merit Scholarship (Rank 3)	Third highest marks in PG entrance / previous semester (SGPA)	Rs. 1,000 per month	Pondicherry University
Merit-cum-Means (MCM) Scholarship	Top 20% students per programme; parental income below Rs. 2,50,000 p.a.; min. 70% attendance; pass in all papers	Rs. 750 per month	Pondicherry University
Indira Gandhi Scholarship for Single Girl Child	Single girl child pursuing PG programme	As per UGC norms	UGC
PG Merit Scholarship for University Rank Holders	University rank holders at UG level pursuing Master's degree	As per UGC norms	UGC
Government of India SC/ST/OBC Scholarship	SC/ST/OBC candidates	As per state/central government norms	State/Central Government
Free Education for Differently Abled Students	All differently abled students	Full fee waiver (except caution deposit and insurance)	Pondicherry University

For the Merit Scholarship, the first semester award is based on CUET PG entrance exam marks; subsequent semesters are based on SGPA.
For MCM Scholarship, students must secure at least 70% attendance every month and pass all papers registered for each semester.
Students are eligible for only one scholarship at a time.
Application for university scholarships is processed internally; external scholarships (UGC, Government) require separate applications through the respective portals.

PU MA(WS) FAQs

Q1. Is MA Women's Studies only for women candidates?

Ans. No, MA Women's Studies at Pondicherry University is open to candidates of all genders. The eligibility criterion is simply a Bachelor's degree in any discipline with a minimum of 50% marks. The programme welcomes students from diverse backgrounds who are interested in gender studies, social justice, and women's rights.

Q2. What does the CUET PG test paper COQP11 for MA Women's Studies cover?

Ans. The CUET PG test paper code COQP11 covers general knowledge, social issues, and women's issues. The entrance examination consists of 100 multiple choice questions. Candidates are advised to be well-versed in current affairs related to women's rights, gender equality, social welfare schemes, landmark legal cases, and key women's movements in India and globally.

Q3. What is the fieldwork component in MA Women's Studies at Pondicherry University?

Ans. Fieldwork is a core and distinctive component of the programme. Students are trained to conduct field-based research on women's issues, applying research methodology tools learned in the classroom. This hands-on exposure significantly contributes to understanding women's lives in real-world contexts and prepares students for careers in NGOs, government agencies, and policy research organisations.

Q4. What are the career options after completing MA Women's Studies from Pondicherry University?

Ans. Graduates can pursue careers in the NGO sector (working on gender, health, education, and rights), journalism and media (covering gender and social issues), socio-legal sector (legal aid, women's rights advocacy), government agencies (National Commission for Women, State Women's Commissions, DWCD), CSR initiatives, and academia (after UGC-NET/JRF and PhD). The programme's interdisciplinary nature also opens doors in social work, policy research, and international development organisations.

Q5. How is the 2025 syllabus revision significant for MA Women's Studies at PU?

Ans. The 2025 syllabus revision is the most recent update to the programme, making it one of the most current MA Women's Studies curricula among Indian universities. The revised syllabus incorporates contemporary debates on gender, emerging issues such as digital violence, intersectionality, and new feminist frameworks, ensuring students are equipped with up-to-date knowledge relevant to current policy and advocacy contexts.

Q6. Can students from science or engineering backgrounds apply for MA Women's Studies?

Ans. Yes, the programme is open to graduates from any discipline with a minimum of 50% marks. Students from science, engineering, commerce, or any other stream are eligible to apply. The interdisciplinary nature of Women's Studies means that diverse academic backgrounds can enrich classroom discussions and research perspectives.