Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU), Madurai, offers M.Phil. (Political Science) as a full-time, on-campus research programme of one year duration under the School of Social Sciences. The Department of Political Science, established in 1976, is one of the oldest and most active research departments at MKU, specialising in Constitutional Studies, Panchayat Raj, Urban Local Governments, Police Administration, Behavioural Studies, Tribal Development Administration, Women Studies, Election Studies, and International Studies. 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. The programme admits students once a year through a university-level entrance test and interview, and is popular among students aspiring for academic careers, civil services, and research in political and social sciences.

Admissions for the M.Phil. (Political Science) programme at MKU are typically notified in December each year, with the last date for application submission usually falling in late December or early January. The entrance test is generally conducted in January-February, followed by interviews and counselling. For the 2026-27 academic session, the admission notification was released in December 2026 with the last date for application around December 30, 2026. The 2027-28 M.Phil. admission notification is expected to be released in December 2027 (tentative), based on the previous year's schedule. Candidates are advised to regularly check the official MKU website (mkuniversity.ac.in) for the latest updates.

KEY POINTS

The Department of Political Science at MKU runs a dedicated Nehru Study Centre sanctioned by the UGC, providing additional academic resources for research scholars.
The department offers M.Phil., Ph.D., and Post-Doctoral (PDF) programmes in both Political Science and Public Administration.
Special coaching is provided for UGC-NET and SLET/SET examinations, which is beneficial for students aiming for academic careers.
Candidates holding valid UGC-NET/CSIR-NET/SLET/SET scores are directly eligible to apply without appearing in the MKU entrance test.
The programme follows a semester pattern: coursework in Semester I and dissertation in Semester II.
The maximum duration for M.Phil. is one year; women candidates and persons with disability may avail additional time as per UGC norms.

Official Link:

Go To Website

Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Placements
FAQs

MKU M.Phil. (Political Science) Fees

The M.Phil. (Political Science) programme at MKU is highly affordable, with a total course fee of Rs. 6,835 for the entire one-year programme. This includes tuition fee, special fees, contingency charges, and a refundable caution deposit. SC/ST candidates are exempted from paying tuition fees as per Tamil Nadu Government norms.

Fee Breakdown

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

Caution Deposit of Rs. 1,000 is fully refundable at the time of leaving the university.
100% of Special Fees paid will not be refunded in case of withdrawal.
100% of Caution Deposit will be refunded.
For students who withdraw before attending a single class and within one month of commencement, 80% of the remaining fees (excluding Special Fees and Caution Deposit) will be refunded.
SC/ST candidates are exempted from paying tuition fees as per Tamil Nadu Government norms.
Differently Abled candidates are exempted from tuition fees and special fees.
Application/Registration Fee: Rs. 400 (Rs. 200 for SC/ST candidates).
Hostel accommodation is available on campus but is not mandatory. Hostel fees are approximately Rs. 28,500 per year (room rent + mess charges), charged separately.

MKU M.Phil. (Political Science) Admission 2026

Admissions to M.Phil. (Political Science) at MKU are conducted once a year through a university-level entrance test and interview. Candidates who hold valid UGC-NET/CSIR-NET/SLET/SET scores are eligible to apply directly without appearing in the MKU entrance test. The selection is based on the combined merit of the entrance test and interview. The 2026-27 admission cycle was notified in December 2026, and the 2027-28 cycle is expected to follow a similar schedule (tentative dates based on previous year).

M.Phil. Admission Dates

Event	Date (Tentative)
Release of M.Phil. Admission Notification	December 2026
Availability of Application Form on Website	December 2026
Last Date for Submission of Application	Late December 2026 / Early January 2027
MKU M.Phil. Entrance Test	January / February 2027
Interview / Counselling	February / March 2027
Commencement of Classes	March / April 2027

UGC-NET Exam Dates

Exam	Event	Date
UGC-NET Phase 1	Registration	October 7 - November 7, 2026
UGC-NET Phase 1	Exam Date	December 31, 2026 - January 7, 2027
UGC-NET Phase 1	Result	February 4, 2027
UGC-NET Phase 2 (Tentative)	Registration	April 1 - May 1, 2027
UGC-NET Phase 2 (Tentative)	Exam Date	June 2027
UGC-NET Phase 2 (Tentative)	Result	July 2027

Note: UGC-NET qualified candidates (Political Science subject code) are directly eligible to apply for M.Phil. at MKU without appearing in the university entrance test.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

A pass in M.A. Political Science / M.A. Public Administration / M.A. Development Administration from a recognised university with a minimum of 55% marks in aggregate.
SC/ST/PWD candidates require a minimum of 50% marks in the qualifying PG degree.
Candidates from other universities must produce an Eligibility Certificate issued by Madurai Kamaraj University at the time of admission.

Admission Process

Candidates must apply online/offline through the official MKU website when the M.Phil. admission notification is released.
Pay the application fee of Rs. 400 (Rs. 200 for SC/ST) online through SBI-I Collect.
Appear for the MKU M.Phil. Entrance Test (objective type, two parts of 50 marks each, one hour each) - OR - submit valid UGC-NET/CSIR-NET/SLET/SET score for direct eligibility.
Shortlisted candidates are called for an interview conducted by the Department Research Committee.
Final selection is based on combined merit of entrance test and interview marks.
Selected candidates must report to the Department of Political Science with original certificates for verification and pay the prescribed fees on the same day.
Tamil Nadu Government reservation policy is strictly followed.

MKU M.Phil. (Political Science) Scholarships 2026

Students enrolled in M.Phil. (Political Science) at MKU can avail a range of scholarships from the Tamil Nadu Government and the Government of India, based on community, merit, and financial need. SC/ST students are additionally exempted from tuition fees. UGC fellowships are available for NET/JRF qualified candidates pursuing research.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount / Benefit
Tamil Nadu Government SC/ST Scholarship	SC/ST students	Tuition fee exemption + maintenance allowance (as per TN Govt norms)
Tamil Nadu Government BC/MBC Scholarship	BC/MBC students	Financial assistance (as per TN Govt norms)
UGC Non-NET Fellowship	M.Phil. students not qualifying NET	Rs. 2,000/month (as per UGC norms)
UGC-JRF Fellowship	UGC-NET JRF qualified candidates	Rs. 37,000/month (as per UGC 2023 revised rates)
Post-Matric Scholarship (Central Govt)	SC/ST students	Covers fees + maintenance (as per Central Govt norms)
Differently Abled Scholarship	PWD students	Tuition fee + special fee exemption

SC/ST and Christian AdiDravidar students are exempted from paying the application/registration fee for one programme.
Scholarship applications for TN Government schemes must be submitted through the respective government portals within the stipulated deadlines after admission.
UGC Non-NET Fellowship is subject to UGC guidelines and university approval.
JRF fellowship amounts are subject to revision by UGC from time to time.

MKU M.Phil. (Political Science) Placement 2026

Placement data exclusive to M.Phil. (Political Science) at MKU is not publicly available. However, the department has a strong track record of producing scholars who have gone on to hold positions in academic institutions as faculty members and researchers, as well as serving as bureaucrats in governmental offices. The M.Phil. degree from MKU is widely recognised and serves as a stepping stone for Ph.D. programmes, UGC-NET/SLET qualifications, and careers in teaching, research, civil services, and public administration.

Placement Outcomes

Career Path	Opportunities
Academic Institutions	Faculty members and researchers
Government Offices	Bureaucrats
Higher Studies	Ph.D. programmes
Qualifications	UGC-NET/SLET
Careers	Teaching, research, civil services, public administration

MKU M.Phil. (Political Science) FAQs

Ques. Is the M.Phil. (Political Science) at MKU a full-time programme? Can I pursue it while working?

Ans. Yes, M.Phil. at MKU is strictly a full-time (regular) programme. As per UGC regulations and MKU norms, M.Phil. candidates are admitted only in the regular (full-time) mode and not in part-time or distance learning mode. Students are required to be physically present on campus for coursework and dissertation work.

Ques. I have cleared UGC-NET in Political Science. Do I still need to appear for the MKU entrance test?

Ans. No. Candidates who have qualified UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, SLET, or SET are directly eligible to apply for M.Phil. at MKU without appearing in the university entrance test. You will, however, need to appear for the departmental interview as part of the selection process.

Ques. What is the structure of the M.Phil. programme? How is the dissertation evaluated?

Ans. The M.Phil. programme at MKU is of one year duration divided into two semesters. In Semester I, candidates undergo a minimum of three courses (4 credits each) prescribed by the Department of Political Science. In Semester II, candidates work on and submit a dissertation under an approved guide. The dissertation is evaluated by the guide (internal) and one external examiner appointed by the Research Advisory Committee.

Ques. Is hostel accommodation guaranteed for M.Phil. students at MKU?

Ans. Hostel accommodation is available on the MKU campus for both men and women M.Phil. students, but it is not guaranteed and is subject to availability. The V.O.C. Hostel (men) is specifically meant for PG, M.Phil., and Ph.D. scholars. Students need to apply to the respective hostel warden after completing admission formalities. Hostel fees are approximately Rs. 28,500 per year and are charged separately from the course fees.

Ques. What career options are available after completing M.Phil. (Political Science) from MKU?

Ans. An M.Phil. in Political Science from MKU opens up several career avenues. Many alumni have gone on to pursue Ph.D. programmes (at MKU or other universities), qualify UGC-NET/SLET for assistant professor positions, and serve in government roles through UPSC/TNPSC civil services. The department's focus on Constitutional Studies, Panchayat Raj, and Public Administration also makes graduates well-suited for roles in policy research, NGOs, and public administration.

Ques. What is the difference between M.Phil. Political Science and M.Phil. Public Administration at MKU? Can I apply for both?

Ans. MKU offers M.Phil. in both Political Science and Public Administration as separate programmes under the Department of Political Science. M.Phil. Political Science focuses on political theory, comparative politics, international relations, and governance, while M.Phil. Public Administration focuses on administrative theory, public policy, and governance mechanisms. Candidates with M.A. Political Science / Public Administration / Development Administration are eligible for both. However, as per MKU norms, no candidate can undergo more than one M.Phil. programme at a time.