Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

SASTRA University (Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology and Research Academy), a NAAC A++ accredited deemed university in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, offers the M.A. Divyaprabandham programme through its Department of Oriental Studies and Research under the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode. The course spans 2 years and is structured around the sacred Tamil devotional hymns of the Alvars, collectively known as Nalayira Divya Prabandham, which played a pivotal role in the Bhakti movement and the development of Tamil literature. The total programme fee is Rs. 19,000 for the entire course, making it one of the most affordable postgraduate programmes in classical Tamil religious literature. The course carries 64 credits spread across two years and is conducted entirely in Tamil, making it ideal for learners deeply rooted in Vaishnava tradition and Tamil classical studies.

Admissions for the 2026-27 session are expected to open in December 2026, with the last date for application tentatively around January 2027, based on the previous year's pattern (December 2025 to January 31, 2026). The current 2025-26 admission cycle has already closed. Students who missed the last cycle should watch the official SASTRA ODL portal (sastra.edu/ddesanskrit) for updates on the next session.

Distance Mode Centres: The M.A. Divyaprabandham programme is offered exclusively in ODL (Open and Distance Learning) mode. Contact classes for this programme are held at the Chennai centre only. Students from across India can enrol, but must attend periodic contact sessions in Chennai.

Key Points

One of the very few universities in India offering a postgraduate degree exclusively dedicated to Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the 4,000 verses of the Alvars.
The programme is conducted in Tamil medium, making it accessible to Tamil-speaking devotees and scholars of Vaishnavism.
Study materials (Self Instructive Materials / SIM) are provided in both printed and digital formats through the university's LMS portal.
The course is approved under UGC-DEB norms, ensuring the degree is nationally recognised.
Graduation ceremonies are held at SASTRA's main campus in Thanjavur; the 2024 graduation was held on February 8, 2024.
The programme is ideal for those pursuing careers in temple administration, religious education, Tamil classical scholarship, or academic research in Vaishnavism.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

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01 Apr, 2026 Sastra University Phase 1 Registration 2026 begins @sastra.edu. The last date to apply ranges between Apr 19 & Jun 5, 2026. Learn more.

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SASTRA MA Divyaprabandham Fees

The M.A. Divyaprabandham programme at SASTRA University is among the most affordable postgraduate offerings in the country, with a total programme fee of just Rs. 19,000 over two years. Year 1 includes a one-time registration fee of Rs. 1,000 in addition to the tuition fee. Exam fees and convocation fees are charged separately and are not included in the figures below.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Year 1 (Rs.)	Year 2 (Rs.)	Total (Rs.)
Tuition Fee	9,000	9,000	18,000
Admission / Registration Fee (One Time)	1,000	-	1,000
Total Fees	10,000	9,000	19,000

Exam fees are charged separately and are not included in the above total.
Convocation fees are also excluded from the above.
Application form fee: Rs. 600 (in-person) or Rs. 650 (downloaded form) for postgraduate programmes.
Fees are to be paid via Demand Draft drawn in favour of "The Registrar, SASTRA University", payable at Thanjavur.
No hostel facility is applicable for this ODL programme.

SASTRA MA Divyaprabandham Admission 2026-27

Admissions to M.A. Divyaprabandham at SASTRA University are merit-based and do not require any entrance examination. The process is straightforward: candidates download or collect the application form, fill in their details, attach required documents, and submit along with the programme fee via Demand Draft. Based on the 2025-26 cycle, admissions opened in December 2025 and closed on January 31, 2026. For the 2026-27 session, admissions are expected to follow a similar timeline.

Admission Dates

Event	Tentative Date
Admission Portal Opens	December 2026
Last Date for Application Submission	January 31, 2027
SIM (Study Material) Access for Year 1	Early September 2026
Programme Commencement	September 2026
Exam Fee Payment (Year 1)	January 2027

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must have passed in the 10+2+3 pattern (10th, 12th/PUC, and UG degree) in Regular Mode from a recognised board/university.
Any bachelor's degree holder is eligible; no specific subject background is required.
Proficiency in Tamil is recommended as the medium of instruction is Tamil.

Admission Process

Visit the official SASTRA ODL portal: sastra.edu/ddesanskrit
Download the application form for M.A. Divyaprabandham.
Fill in personal and academic details and attach attested copies of mark sheets (10th, 12th, UG), passport-sized photograph, proof of date of birth, valid photo ID, and character certificate.
Prepare a Demand Draft for the programme fee (Year 1: Rs. 10,000) in favour of "The Registrar, SASTRA University", payable at Thanjavur.
Submit the completed application form along with the DD and documents to: The Head, Department of Oriental Studies and Research, SASTRA University, Tirumalaisamudram, Thanjavur - 613401.
Alternatively, contact the course coordinator Dr. M.A. Venkata Krishnan for guidance.

SASTRA MA Divyaprabandham Scholarships 2026-27

SASTRA University offers limited scholarship avenues for ODL students. Since this is a distance learning programme with a very low fee structure (total Rs. 19,000), institutional scholarships specific to this course are not widely publicised. However, students may explore government scholarship schemes applicable to postgraduate distance learners.

Scholarship Schemes

Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount	Details
National Scholarship Portal (NSP) Schemes	SC/ST/OBC/Minority students with qualifying degree	Varies by scheme	Apply at scholarships.gov.in; SASTRA is a registered institution
Tamil Nadu Government Scholarships	Tamil Nadu domicile students	Varies	Available for PG students in recognised institutions
Education Fee Reimbursement Scheme (Tamil Nadu)	Open category students from Tamil Nadu	Course fee reimbursement	Deadline typically March 31 each year

Students are advised to check the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) for applicable central government schemes.
SASTRA's institutional scholarships are primarily designed for regular on-campus students and may not extend to ODL programmes.
Given the very affordable fee structure of this programme, the financial burden is already minimal.

SASTRA MA Divyaprabandham FAQs

Ques. Is the M.A. Divyaprabandham degree from SASTRA University valid and recognised?

Ans. Yes, the M.A. Divyaprabandham programme is offered under SASTRA's Directorate of Distance Education, which is approved by UGC-DEB (Distance Education Bureau). The degree is nationally recognised and equivalent to any regular postgraduate degree for academic and employment purposes.

Ques. Do I need to know Tamil to pursue this course?

Ans. Yes, the medium of instruction for M.A. Divyaprabandham is Tamil. The course content, study materials, and examinations are conducted in Tamil. A strong foundation in Tamil reading and comprehension is essential to benefit from this programme.

Ques. I live outside Tamil Nadu. Can I still apply for this course?

Ans. Yes, students from across India can apply. However, the contact classes are held at the Chennai centre only. Students must be able to travel to Chennai for the periodic contact sessions, which are typically held on weekends over the course of the academic year.

Ques. What career options are available after completing M.A. Divyaprabandham?

Ans. Graduates can pursue careers in Tamil classical scholarship, Vaishnava religious education, temple administration, research in Bhakti literature, and academic positions in universities offering Tamil or religious studies. The degree also qualifies holders to appear for UGC-NET in relevant subjects, opening doors to college-level teaching.

Ques. Is there any entrance exam for admission to this programme?

Ans. No entrance exam is required. Admission is purely merit-based on the qualifying UG degree marks. Any graduate who has completed their degree in the 10+2+3 pattern from a recognised university in regular mode is eligible to apply.

Ques. What is the difference between the ODL and Online versions of this course at SASTRA?

Ans. SASTRA offers M.A. Divyaprabandham in both ODL (Open and Distance Learning) and Online modes. The ODL version involves physical contact classes at the Chennai centre and submission of physical application forms. The Online version is fully digital with no mandatory physical attendance. Both are UGC-DEB approved, but the fee structures and delivery mechanisms differ slightly.