Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The M.Phil. (Kannada) programme at Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU) is a one-year full-time research-oriented course offered by the Department of Kannada under the School of Indian Languages. The programme spans two semesters and covers advanced areas of Kannada language, literature, and comparative Dravidian studies, including classical Kannada texts, modern literary movements, translation studies, and Tamil-Kannada comparative linguistics. The total course fee is approximately Rs. 6,835 for the entire programme, making it one of the most affordable M.Phil. programmes in the country. Admission requires candidates to hold a valid MKU Eligibility Certificate along with UGC-NET/SLET/SET qualification in Kannada. The programme is popular among students aspiring to pursue academic careers, PhD research, and positions in Kannada language institutions, government bodies, and educational organisations across Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Admissions for the M.Phil. (Kannada) programme for the academic year 2026-27 have not yet been officially notified as of March 2026. Based on the previous admission cycle (2022-23), the notification is typically released between November and December, with applications accepted until late December. Students are advised to monitor the official MKU website (mkuniversity.ac.in) for the upcoming notification. The last known admission cycle was 2022-23, and the university is expected to release a fresh notification for the next batch.

Key Points

The Department of Kannada at MKU was established in 1972 and has earned a strong reputation for translation and comparative Dravidian literary research.
The department has produced notable translations of classical Tamil works into Kannada, including Thirukural and Kurunthogai, and has also translated Thirukural into Tulu language.
A Tamil-Kannada bilingual dictionary has been completed by the department, reflecting its strength in comparative linguistics.
The Department of Kannada and Culture, Government of Karnataka, has released a one-time grant of Rs. 1 crore for the overall development of the department, recognising its academic contributions.
Students with UGC-NET/SLET/SET qualification in Kannada and a valid MKU Eligibility Certificate are eligible to apply directly without a separate entrance examination.
The programme is conducted on the main campus at Palkalai Nagar, Madurai, with access to a modernised central library housing over 3 lakh books and 15,000 e-journals.

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

MKU M.Phil. (Kannada) Fees

The M.Phil. (Kannada) programme at MKU is extremely affordable, with a total programme fee of approximately Rs. 6,835 for the one-year course. The fee structure falls under the "All M.Phil. Programmes in Arts" category as per the university's fee schedule. A refundable caution deposit of Rs. 1,000 is collected at the time of admission and is returned upon course completion.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Amount (Rs.)
Tuition Fee (per year)	3,000
Special Fees (per year)	545
Contingency Fee (per year)	1,500
Other Fees (at admission)	90
Alumni Fees	500
CBCS Handbook and Insurance	200
Caution Deposit (Refundable)	1,000
Total Fees	6,835

Caution Deposit of Rs. 1,000 is fully refundable upon course completion.
100% of Special Fees paid will not be refunded in case of withdrawal.
SC/ST candidates are exempted from paying Tuition Fees as per Government of Tamil Nadu norms.
Differently Abled candidates are exempted from Tuition Fees and Special Fees.
Hostel accommodation is available on campus (optional) at approximately Rs. 28,500 to Rs. 35,000 per year (room rent + mess charges). Hostel is not mandatory.
Fees are to be paid through SBI I-Collect - Madurai Kamaraj University. No EMI options are available.
Refund Policy: 80% of fees (excluding Special Fees and Caution Deposit) is refunded if withdrawal is made at least 15 days before the closing date of admission. 50% refund if withdrawal is made less than 15 days prior. No refund after the closing date of admission.

MKU M.Phil. (Kannada) Admission 2026

Admissions to the M.Phil. (Kannada) programme at MKU are merit-based and require candidates to hold a valid MKU Eligibility Certificate along with UGC-NET/SLET/SET qualification. The last known admission cycle was 2022-23. As of March 2026, no fresh notification has been released for 2025-26 or 2026-27. Based on past patterns, the notification is expected to be released between November and December 2026 for the next academic year. Students are strongly advised to check the official MKU website regularly.

MKU M.Phil. Admission Dates

Event	Date (2022-23 Cycle)
Prospectus and Application Available	December 12, 2022
Last Date for Submission of Application	December 30, 2022
Admission and Commencement of Classes	January 2023 (Tentative)

UGC-NET Kannada Exam Dates

Event	Date
UGC-NET Phase 1 Registration	October 7 - November 7, 2025
UGC-NET Phase 1 Exam	December 31, 2025 - January 7, 2026
UGC-NET Phase 1 Result	February 4, 2026
UGC-NET Phase 2 Registration (Tentative)	April 1 - May 1, 2026
UGC-NET Phase 2 Exam (Tentative)	June 2026
UGC-NET Phase 2 Result (Tentative)	July 2026

Note: UGC-NET in Kannada is the primary eligibility test accepted for M.Phil. Kannada admission at MKU. SLET/SET (Tamil Nadu State Level Eligibility Test) is also accepted.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria:

Candidates must hold a pass in M.A. Kannada with a minimum of 55% of total marks (50% for SC/ST/PWD candidates).
Candidates must possess a valid MKU Eligibility Certificate issued by Madurai Kamaraj University for the relevant academic year.
Candidates who have qualified in UGC-NET/SLET/SET in Kannada are eligible to apply; NET/SET qualification is mandatory as per the 2022-23 admission notification.

Admission Process:

Obtain the MKU Eligibility Certificate from the university's Research Section (mandatory for all applicants).
Download and fill the M.Phil. application form from the official MKU website (mkuniversity.ac.in) when the notification is released.
Pay the application registration fee of Rs. 400 (SC/ST candidates are exempted for one programme).
Submit the filled application along with required documents (PG mark statements, community certificate, eligibility certificate, NET/SLET certificate) to the Registrar, MKU, by the last date.
Selection is based on PG marks and NET/SLET/SET qualification; shortlisted candidates are called for admission.
Selected candidates must report to the Department of Kannada on the stipulated date with original certificates for verification and fee payment.
Tamil Nadu Government Reservation Policy is strictly followed for all admissions.

MKU M.Phil. (Kannada) Scholarships 2026

MKU M.Phil. students are eligible for a range of government scholarships based on community, income, and merit. The fees for this programme are already very low, and scholarship support further reduces the financial burden for eligible students. SC/ST students are additionally exempted from tuition fees at the time of admission itself, making the programme virtually free for reserved category students.

Available Scholarships

Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount	Provider
Tamil Nadu Government Post-Matric Scholarship (SC/ST)	SC/ST students with minimum 50% marks	Full/partial tuition fee waiver + maintenance allowance	Government of Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu Government BC/MBC/DNC Scholarship	BC/MBC/DNC students with minimum 50% marks and family income up to Rs. 2.5 lakh per annum	Partial tuition fee support	Government of Tamil Nadu
Post-Matric National Scholarship for Minorities	Minority community students with 50%+ marks and family income up to Rs. 2 lakh per annum	Up to Rs. 10,000 per annum	Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India
Post-Matric National Scholarship for Disabilities	Differently Abled students with 50%+ marks	Up to Rs. 20,000 per annum	Ministry of Social Justice, Government of India
UGC-JRF Fellowship	Candidates who qualify UGC-NET with JRF	Rs. 37,000 per month (JRF)	University Grants Commission

SC/ST candidates must submit income certificates (obtained within 3 months of application) along with community certificates.
Scholarship applications are to be submitted to the respective government departments; MKU facilitates the process through its SC/ST Cell.
UGC-JRF fellowship is applicable only if the candidate is enrolled in a recognised research programme; M.Phil. students who subsequently pursue PhD can avail JRF benefits.
Application deadlines for government scholarships are typically aligned with the academic year commencement; students should apply immediately after admission.

MKU M.Phil. (Kannada) FAQs

Ques. Can students from Karnataka apply for M.Phil. Kannada at MKU, and is there any disadvantage for out-of-state students?

Ans. Yes, students from Karnataka and other states can apply for M.Phil. Kannada at MKU. However, students from outside Tamil Nadu are treated under the "Open Competition" category as per Tamil Nadu Government Reservation Policy. Tamil Nadu residents benefit from state reservation quotas (BC, MBC, SC/ST), while out-of-state students compete in the open merit category. There is no language or state-based restriction on eligibility. The Karnataka Government's recognition of MKU's Kannada department (Rs. 1 crore grant) reflects the programme's credibility for Karnataka students.

Ques. What makes MKU's M.Phil. Kannada programme distinctive?

Ans. MKU's Department of Kannada has a unique focus on comparative Dravidian literature and translation studies, particularly between Kannada and Tamil classical traditions. The department has produced translations of Thirukural and Kurunthogai into Kannada, completed a Tamil-Kannada bilingual dictionary, and even translated Thirukural into Tulu language. This cross-linguistic and comparative approach, combined with the Karnataka Government's financial support, makes MKU's programme distinctive for students interested in Dravidian literary and linguistic research.

Ques. What is the scope of M.Phil. Kannada in terms of career opportunities?

Ans. M.Phil. Kannada graduates from MKU are well-positioned for academic careers as lecturers or assistant professors in colleges and universities (UGC-NET/SET qualification required). Other career paths include positions at the Kannada Sahitya Parishat, Sahitya Akademi, Kannada and Culture Department (Government of Karnataka), Central Institute of Indian Languages (Mysore), translation and interpretation services, content writing in Kannada media, and government language departments. The degree also serves as a strong foundation for pursuing a Ph.D. in Kannada language and literature.

Ques. Is M.A. Kannada mandatory to apply for M.Phil. Kannada at MKU?

Ans. Yes, as per the MKU M.Phil. admission notification, the eligibility for M.Phil. Kannada requires a pass in M.A. Kannada with 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/PWD). Students with PG degrees in other subjects are generally not eligible for this programme. Candidates who have completed M.A. Kannada from any recognised university are eligible to apply.

Ques. How many M.Phil. seats are available in the Kannada department at MKU?

Ans. The exact seat intake is not publicly specified in the prospectus. The department currently has one faculty member (Dr. M.N. Mahesha, Assistant Professor and Head i/c), so the intake is typically very small, around 3 to 7 seats per batch. Selection is strictly merit-based on PG marks and NET/SLET/SET qualification, with Tamil Nadu Government Reservation Policy applied.

Ques. Does the Karnataka Government's grant to MKU's Kannada department benefit students in any way?

Ans. The Rs. 1 crore grant from the Department of Kannada and Culture, Government of Karnataka, has been used for the overall development of the department, including infrastructure, research resources, and academic activities. While the grant does not directly translate into fee waivers for students, it has strengthened the department's research capabilities, library resources, and academic programmes. Students benefit indirectly through improved facilities, research opportunities, and the department's enhanced academic standing.