Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU), Madurai, offers a full-time Ph.D. in Folklore Research through its Department of Folklore and Culture Studies under the School of Performing Arts. The department is one of the few dedicated folklore research centres in India, focusing on folk religion, folk literature, folk arts, ethnomusicology, cultural studies, and the oral traditions of South India. The programme spans a minimum of 3 years and can extend up to 5 years depending on research progress. The total fee payable to the university is approximately Rs. 39,000 (registration + research + submission fees), making it highly affordable. Admission is through the MKU Common Entrance Test (CET), with UGC-NET/SET/GATE qualified candidates exempted. The programme is offered in full-time, on-campus mode and is popular among scholars of Tamil folklore, tribal traditions, cultural anthropology, and performing arts.

Admission for the 2026-27 cycle is expected to be notified by the university. The last MKU PhD CET was conducted in September 2024 for the 2024-25 batch. Based on the previous year's pattern, the 2026-27 CET notification and application process is expected to be announced on the official research portal (research.mkuniversity.ac.in). Candidates who have qualified UGC-NET/SET/GATE are exempted from the entrance test and may apply directly to the department. The application fee for the CET is Rs. 2,000 (Rs. 1,000 for SC/ST candidates).

Key Points

The Department of Folklore and Culture Studies at MKU is one of the few dedicated folklore research departments in India, offering a full-time Ph.D. in Folklore Research.
The department is part of the School of Performing Arts and focuses on folk religion, folk literature, folk arts, ethnomusicology, oral traditions, and cultural studies of South India.
Research areas include Tamil folklore, tribal and minority community traditions, folk performance, cultural anthropology, and comparative folklore studies.
The department has three faculty members including a Professor and Head, providing a focused and personalised research environment.
Approved research supervisors in the department include Dr. T. Dharmaraj (Professor) and Dr. T. Gopinath, as listed in the MKU research supervisor registry.
Candidates holding JRF/SRF fellowships from UGC/CSIR or project fellows appointed through approved selection processes are exempted from the MKU CET.
MKU is accredited with A++ grade by NAAC (4th Cycle, 2021) and ranked 9th among government multidisciplinary universities in India (Education World, 2022).

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

MKU Ph.D. (Folklore Research) Fees

The Ph.D. (Folklore Research) programme at MKU is highly affordable, with the total university fee structured across registration, research, and thesis-related components. For Arts subjects, the research fee is Rs. 10,000, and the registration fee (including application form, registration, methodology test, course work, and administrative fee) is Rs. 11,000 for PG candidates. Additional charges apply at the time of thesis submission and viva-voce. Hostel accommodation is available on campus at separate charges and is not mandatory.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (Rs.)
Ph.D. Application Form Fee	1,000
Registration Fee	3,000
Methodology Test Fee	3,000
Course Work Fee	2,000
Administrative Fee	2,000
Research Fee (Arts subjects)	10,000
Ph.D. Synopsis Submission Fee	5,000
Ph.D. Thesis Submission Fee	10,000
Ph.D. Thesis Submission Certificate	500
Ph.D. Viva-voce Completion Certificate	500
Publication of Ph.D. Thesis	2,000
Total Fees (Registration + Research + Submission)	39,000

The methodology test fee (Rs. 3,000) is exempted for M.Phil. candidates.
Extension fee is Rs. 4,000 per year if the scholar exceeds the stipulated period.
Fees for change of title, guide, or institution are Rs. 3,000 each.
CET application fee: Rs. 2,000 (Rs. 1,000 for SC/ST candidates) - paid separately at the time of applying for the entrance test.
Hostel fees (optional): Approximately Rs. 13,500 to Rs. 35,000 per year depending on room type; mess charges are additional (Rs. 5,000 for vegetarians, Rs. 8,500 for non-vegetarians per year approximately).
SC/ST candidates are eligible for fee waivers on tuition and special fees as per Tamil Nadu Government norms.

MKU Ph.D. (Folklore Research) Admission 2026

Admissions to the Ph.D. (Folklore Research) programme at MKU are conducted through the MKU Common Entrance Test (CET), held annually. The last CET was conducted in September 2024 for the 2024-25 batch. For the 2026-27 cycle, the notification is expected to be released on the official research portal. Candidates who have qualified UGC-NET, SET, or GATE are exempted from the entrance test. The selection process involves a written test followed by an interview conducted by the department.

MKU Ph.D. Admission Dates

Event	Date / Period
CET Notification / Application Opens	July - August 2026
Last Date for Online Application	August - September 2026
CET Application Fee	Rs. 2,000 (Rs. 1,000 for SC/ST)
MKU Ph.D. CET (Entrance Test)	September 2026
Declaration of Results / Eligibility Certificate	October 2026
Interview / Viva-voce for Shortlisted Candidates	October - November 2026
Ph.D. Registration / Admission	November - December 2026

UGC-NET Exam Dates

Exam	Registration Period	Exam Date	Result Date
UGC-NET Phase 1 (2026-27)	Oct 7 - Nov 7, 2026	Dec 31, 2026 - Jan 7, 2027	Feb 4, 2027
UGC-NET Phase 2 (2027, Tentative)	Apr 1 - May 1, 2027	June 2027 (Tentative)	July 2027 (Tentative)

Note: UGC-NET qualified candidates (JRF/NET) are exempted from the MKU CET. GATE and SET qualified candidates are also exempted.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold a Master's degree (10+2+3+2 pattern) in Folklore, Tamil, Cultural Studies, or a relevant discipline from a recognised university with a minimum of 55% marks in aggregate.
A relaxation of 5% (from 55% to 50%) is applicable for SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/Differently-abled candidates and those who obtained their Master's degree prior to September 19, 1991.
Final-year PG students (awaiting results) may also apply for the CET; the pass certificate will be issued only upon submission of the final mark statement with the minimum required percentage.

Admission Process

Step 1: Check the official MKU research portal (research.mkuniversity.ac.in) for the CET notification and apply online by paying the application fee.
Step 2: Candidates with UGC-NET/SET/GATE/JRF/SRF qualifications are exempted from the entrance test and may apply directly to the Department of Folklore and Culture Studies.
Step 3: Appear for the MKU CET (objective-type, 2-hour paper) conducted at Madurai and other designated centres (Chennai, Coimbatore, Trichy, Salem, Bangalore, Thiruvananthapuram, Karaikudi).
Step 4: Shortlisted candidates (those scoring 50% or above in the CET) are called for an interview at the department.
Step 5: Final selection is based on CET performance and interview; selected candidates must submit original documents for verification.
Step 6: Pay the prescribed fees through SBI I-Collect and complete the Ph.D. registration formalities.
Step 7: Complete the mandatory coursework (including Research and Publication Ethics) as prescribed under UGC 2016 regulations.

MKU Ph.D. (Folklore Research) Scholarships 2026

Ph.D. scholars at MKU's Department of Folklore and Culture Studies can avail a range of fellowships and scholarships from central and state government agencies. The most prominent are the UGC-JRF/SRF fellowship and the Non-NET fellowship, which provide monthly stipends to eligible research scholars. Reserved category students can additionally benefit from RGNF, MANF, and other targeted fellowships. These scholarships significantly reduce the financial burden on scholars and support full-time research.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship / Fellowship	Eligibility	Amount	Duration
UGC-JRF (Junior Research Fellowship)	UGC-NET qualified with JRF	Rs. 37,000/month (JRF, first 2 years); Rs. 42,000/month (SRF, remaining period)	Up to 5 years
UGC Non-NET Fellowship	Full-time Ph.D. scholars not holding JRF	Rs. 8,000/month (Ph.D. scholars)	Up to 2 years
Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship (RGNF)	SC/ST candidates pursuing full-time Ph.D.	Rs. 25,000/month (JRF); Rs. 28,000/month (SRF) + contingency	Up to 5 years
Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF)	Minority community candidates	Rs. 37,000/month (JRF); Rs. 42,000/month (SRF)	Up to 5 years
National Fellowship for OBC	OBC candidates	As per UGC norms	Up to 5 years
University Stipendiary Research Fellowship (USRF)	MKU scholars (merit-based)	As per university norms	As per award
University Research Fellowship (URF)	MKU scholars	As per university norms	As per award
Tamil Nadu State BC/MBC/DNC Scholarship	BC/MBC/DNC candidates	As per state government norms	Annual
Post Matric Scholarship for SC/ST	SC/ST candidates	As per government norms	Annual

UGC Non-NET fellowship is available only to full-time Ph.D. scholars enrolled in UGC-recognised universities; MKU qualifies.
Contingency grant under UGC-JRF for Humanities and Social Sciences: Rs. 10,000 per annum (JRF period); Rs. 20,500 per annum (SRF period).
RGNF and MANF applications are submitted through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in).
Scholars are advised to apply for fellowships immediately upon Ph.D. registration to avoid delays in disbursement.

MKU Ph.D. (Folklore Research) FAQs

Ques. What is the difference between Ph.D. (Folklore Research) and Ph.D. (Tamil) at MKU? Can I pursue folklore research under the Tamil department?

Ans. Ph.D. (Folklore Research) is offered specifically by the Department of Folklore and Culture Studies under the School of Performing Arts, with a dedicated focus on folk traditions, folk religion, oral literature, and cultural studies. While the Tamil department also has some overlap with folklore, the Folklore department provides a more specialised and interdisciplinary approach. Scholars specifically interested in folk arts, tribal traditions, and cultural anthropology should opt for the Folklore Research programme.

Ques. What are the main research areas available in the Department of Folklore and Culture Studies at MKU?

Ans. The department focuses on Tamil folklore, folk religion, folk literature, oral traditions, tribal and minority community traditions, folk performance arts (including folk music, dance, and drama), cultural anthropology, ethnomusicology, and comparative folklore studies. Scholars interested in fieldwork-based research on South Indian communities will find this department particularly suitable.

Ques. I have cleared UGC-NET but not JRF. Am I still exempted from the MKU CET for Ph.D. in Folklore Research?

Ans. Yes. Candidates who have cleared UGC-NET (even without JRF), SET, or GATE are exempted from appearing in the MKU CET. They must still apply to the university and appear for the departmental interview for final selection.

Ques. What is the minimum duration to complete a Ph.D. in Folklore Research at MKU?

Ans. The minimum duration for a full-time Ph.D. at MKU is 3 years from the date of registration. The maximum duration is typically 6 years, with an extension fee of Rs. 4,000 per year applicable beyond the standard period.

Ques. Who are the research supervisors in the Department of Folklore and Culture Studies at MKU?

Ans. The department has three faculty members: Dr. T. Dharmaraj (Professor and Head, currently on lien as Controller of Examinations i/c), Dr. T. Gobinath (Assistant Professor), and Dr. A. Kalaiyarasi (Assistant Professor). Dr. T. Dharmaraj and Dr. T. Gopinath are listed as approved research supervisors in the MKU research supervisor registry. Scholars should contact the department directly to confirm guide availability before applying.

Ques. What career opportunities are available after completing a Ph.D. in Folklore Research from MKU?

Ans. Ph.D. holders in Folklore Research can pursue academic careers as Assistant/Associate Professors in Folklore, Tamil, Cultural Studies, or Performing Arts departments. Other career avenues include research positions in institutions like the Central Institute of Classical Tamil (CICT), Sangeet Natak Akademi, and state cultural departments; roles in cultural documentation, heritage conservation, and museum studies; and opportunities in media, documentary filmmaking, and cultural journalism focused on folk traditions.