Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU), Madurai, offers M.Phil. (Sociology) as a full-time, on-campus research programme of one year duration under the School of Social Sciences. The Department of Sociology, established in 1976, is a UGC-recognised centre of excellence under the Special Assistance Programme (DRS-III), with thrust areas in Social Change with special reference to Marginal Communities, Community Health, Mass Communication, and Social Development. The total course fee is Rs. 6,835 for the entire programme, making it highly affordable. The programme is popular among students aspiring for academic careers, social work, civil services, and research in sociology and allied social sciences. Admissions are conducted once a year through a university-level entrance test and interview, with the academic session typically commencing in March/April.

Admissions for M.Phil. (Sociology) 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 Sociology at MKU is recognised by the UGC under its Special Assistance Programme (DRS-III), reflecting its strong research standing.
The department has awarded doctoral degrees to more than 150 scholars, with around 30 candidates currently working on their doctoral dissertations.
The department has carried out 24 research projects funded by national and international agencies including UGC and ICSSR.
Faculty expertise spans Mass Communication, Medical Sociology, Social Change, and Social Anthropology.
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, with a maximum duration of one year.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

MKU M.Phil. (Sociology) Fees

The M.Phil. (Sociology) 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.
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. (Sociology) Admission 2026

Admissions to M.Phil. (Sociology) 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 (Sociology 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. Sociology / M.A. Rural Development / M.A. Women Studies / M.A. Co-operation / M.S.W. / M.Sc. in Rural Development or other related programmes 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 Sociology 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. (Sociology) Scholarships 2026

Students enrolled in M.Phil. (Sociology) 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. The department's UGC-DRS-III status also opens up possibilities for project-based fellowships and assistantships.

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. (Sociology) FAQs

Ques. What is the scope of M.Phil. Sociology from MKU? Is it useful for civil services preparation?

Ans. M.Phil. Sociology from MKU is highly regarded in academic and research circles. The department's UGC-DRS-III recognition and strong research output make it a credible qualification for pursuing Ph.D. and academic careers. For civil services, Sociology is a popular optional subject in UPSC and TNPSC exams, and the research training at MKU provides a strong conceptual foundation for the same.

Ques. Can MSW (Master of Social Work) graduates apply for M.Phil. Sociology at MKU?

Ans. Yes. M.S.W. (Master of Social Work) graduates are explicitly listed among the eligible qualifications for M.Phil. Sociology at MKU, along with M.A. Sociology, M.A. Rural Development, M.A. Women Studies, M.A. Co-operation, and M.Sc. in Rural Development. A minimum of 55% marks in the qualifying degree is required (50% for SC/ST/PWD).

Ques. Is the M.Phil. Sociology programme at MKU available in distance or part-time mode?

Ans. No. M.Phil. at MKU is strictly a full-time (regular) on-campus programme. As per UGC regulations and MKU norms, M.Phil. candidates are admitted only in the regular (full-time) mode. Distance or part-time modes are not available for M.Phil. programmes.

Ques. What are the research specialisations available in the Department of Sociology at MKU?

Ans. The Department of Sociology at MKU has identified two major thrust areas under its UGC-DRS-III programme: (1) Social Change with special reference to Marginal Communities, and (2) Community Health, Mass Communication, and Social Development. Faculty expertise also covers Medical Sociology, Social Anthropology, and Gender Studies, giving students a wide range of research topics to choose from.

Ques. How is the M.Phil. dissertation evaluated at MKU?

Ans. The M.Phil. dissertation is evaluated by two examiners: the research guide (internal) and one external examiner appointed by the Research Advisory Committee. The Research Advisory Committee, consisting of the guide, Head of the Department, and one more faculty member, oversees the research process. The committee meets at least once before the candidate proceeds for dissertation work.

Ques. Are there any project-based fellowships or assistantships available in the Sociology department at MKU?

Ans. Yes, the Department of Sociology at MKU has carried out 24 research projects funded by national and international agencies including UGC and ICSSR. Students and research scholars may be engaged as project assistants or junior research fellows in ongoing funded projects, subject to availability and project requirements. Additionally, UGC-JRF qualified candidates receive a monthly fellowship of Rs. 37,000 (as per revised UGC rates).