Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The BA (Hons.) Philosophy program at UPES, Dehradun is a 4-year full-time undergraduate program (structured as 3+1) offered through the School of Liberal Studies and Media. The program blends classical Indian and Western philosophical traditions with contemporary areas such as AI ethics, cognitive philosophy, and technology studies, equipping students with strong analytical, ethical, and reflective capabilities. The total academic fee for the program is approximately Rs. 8.88 lakhs over 8 semesters, with no entrance exam of its own; admission is based on CUET-UG scores or a Personal Interview. The program follows a semester-based structure with a seat intake that is limited, making it a niche and focused offering. As a full-time, on-campus program at UPES Bidholi Campus in Dehradun, it is popular among students seeking a rigorous liberal arts education with interdisciplinary exposure and strong career support.

Admissions for the 2026-27 batch are currently ongoing. The last date to apply for the current round was 26th March 2026; however, applications for the May attempt are open until 17th April 2026. The batch is expected to commence in July 2026. Students who have appeared in CUET-UG 2026 (exam scheduled May 11-31, 2026) can apply using their scores once results are declared.

Key Points

The program follows the 3+1 model: 3 years of core coursework followed by an optional 4th year for research, dissertation, or advanced study, aligned with NEP 2020.
Unique blend of Indian and Western philosophy with emerging areas like AI Ethics and Digital Society, Philosophy of Mind, and Environmental Philosophy.
Experiential learning through Philosophy in Action labs, dialogue circles, thought-experiment workshops, and community-based projects.
Opportunities for global exposure through international seminars, visiting scholars, and potential study-abroad pathways.
CUET-UG accepted subjects for this program: General Aptitude Test, English, Political Science, and History.
Students from any stream (Science, Commerce, or Arts) in Class XII are eligible to apply.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

UPES Latest Updates and News

18 Feb, 2026 UPES BA {Hons.} Philosophy Fee Structure 2026 has been released. The total academic fee is ₹ 9.77 Lakhs. Read more.

UPES BA (Hons.) Philosophy Fees

The BA (Hons.) Philosophy program at UPES has a total tuition and academic service fee of Rs. 8.88 lakhs over 8 semesters (4 years). The fee is structured progressively, with a modest increase each year. In addition to the academic fee, students are required to pay a one-time Personality Development Course (PDC) fee of Rs. 23,300, a Training and Certification fee of Rs. 31,300 (payable in Semester 2), a refundable security deposit of Rs. 20,000, and other one-time charges. Hostel accommodation is optional and available at an additional cost.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount
Tuition Fee (8 Semesters)	Rs. 6,72,000
Academic Service Fee (8 Semesters)	Rs. 2,16,000
Personality Development Course (PDC) Fee (One-time)	Rs. 23,300
Training and Certification Fee (One-time, Sem 2)	Rs. 31,300
Technology Fee (Rs. 3,800/semester, Year 1)	Rs. 7,600
Alumni Fee (One-time)	Rs. 2,100
Convocation Fee (One-time, penultimate semester)	Rs. 3,300
Medical Insurance Fee (One-time, Year 1)	Rs. 500
I-Card Fee (One-time)	Rs. 500
Refundable Security Deposit	Rs. 20,000
Total Fees (Excluding Hostel)	Rs. 9,76,600
Hostel Fee (Optional, Triple Sharing, per year)	Rs. 1,83,000

The refundable security deposit of Rs. 20,000 is returned at the time of graduation, subject to university norms.
Hostel fee is optional and not included in the Total Fees row above.
For 4 years, hostel (triple sharing, common washroom) would amount to approximately Rs. 7,32,000 additionally.
Technology fee for subsequent years will be communicated along with semester fees.
PDC fee is payable half at admission and half in the penultimate semester.
Fee payment schedule: Semester 1 at the time of admission; Semester 2 by 2nd January 2027; Semester 3 by 10th July 2027; Semester 4 by 2nd January 2028, and so on.
EMI/loan options are available through various banks and NBFCs; students may contact the UPES admissions office for details.
Uttarakhand domicile students are eligible for a 25% tuition fee waiver every semester.

UPES BA (Hons.) Philosophy Admission 2026

Admissions to the BA (Hons.) Philosophy program at UPES for the 2026-27 batch are currently ongoing. Students can apply online at admission.upes.ac.in by paying an application fee of Rs. 1,750. Shortlisted candidates are called for a Personal Interview (online or offline), and final selection is based on CUET-UG scores or PI performance. The batch is expected to begin in July 2026.

UPES Admission Dates

Event	Date
Application Open (Current Round)	January 2026
Last Date to Apply (March Round)	26th March 2026
Last Date to Apply (May Attempt Round)	17th April 2026
Online Personal Interview (PI) Slot Booking	Ongoing (TBA)
Liberal Studies Offline PI Events	TBA
CUET-UG 2026 Exam	11th - 31st May 2026
CUET-UG 2026 Result	4th July 2026 (tentative)
Batch Commencement	July 2026 (tentative)
Fee Payment - Semester 1	At the time of admission
Fee Payment - Semester 2	2nd January 2027

CUET-UG Exam Dates

Event	Date
CUET-UG 2026 Registration Start	3rd January 2026
CUET-UG 2026 Registration End	26th February 2026
CUET-UG 2026 Exam	11th - 31st May 2026
CUET-UG 2026 Result	4th July 2026 (tentative)

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Minimum 50% marks in Class X and Class XII from any recognized board.
Any stream (Science, Commerce, or Arts) in Class XII is acceptable.
Students appearing in Class XII board exams in 2026 are also eligible to apply provisionally.

Admission Process

Step 1: Apply online at admission.upes.ac.in by paying the application fee of Rs. 1,750.
Step 2: Submit CUET-UG 2026 score (once available) or appear for a Personal Interview (online/offline).
Step 3: Receive admission offer letter based on merit (CUET score or PI performance).
Step 4: Pay the offer acceptance fee within the stipulated timeline to confirm admission and avail applicable scholarships.
Step 5: Complete registration formalities and pay Semester 1 fees at the time of joining.
CUET-UG accepted subjects for this program: General Aptitude Test, English, Political Science, History.

UPES BA (Hons.) Philosophy Scholarships 2026

UPES offers a wide range of scholarships for students enrolling in the BA (Hons.) Philosophy program, covering merit-based, need-based, domicile, and sports categories. In 2023-24, UPES awarded Rs. 46 crore in scholarships benefiting over 6,844 students, with more than 55% of students receiving some form of financial aid. The entry-level scholarships are particularly relevant for BA (Hons.) students and are applicable on the first-year tuition fee.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship Name	Eligibility	Benefit
Entry Level - Board Merit (Girls and Others)	12th marks 95.01% and above	30% on 1st year tuition fee
Entry Level - Board Merit (Girls and Others)	12th marks 90.01% - 95%	25% on 1st year tuition fee
Entry Level - Board Merit (Girls and Others)	12th marks 85.01% - 90%	20% on 1st year tuition fee
Entry Level - Board Merit (Girls and Others)	12th marks 75% - 85%	15% on 1st year tuition fee
Entry Level - Board Merit (Girls and Others)	12th marks 60% - 74.99%	10% on 1st year tuition fee
Entry Level - Board Merit (Boys)	12th marks 95.01% and above	30% on 1st year tuition fee
Entry Level - Board Merit (Boys)	12th marks 90.01% - 95%	25% on 1st year tuition fee
Entry Level - Board Merit (Boys)	12th marks 85.01% - 90%	20% on 1st year tuition fee
Entry Level - Board Merit (Boys)	12th marks 75% - 85%	15% on 1st year tuition fee
CUET-UG Score Based	CUET percentile 95.01 and above	100% on 1st year tuition fee
CUET-UG Score Based	CUET percentile 90.01 - 95%	40% on 1st year tuition fee
CUET-UG Score Based	CUET percentile 85.01 - 90%	25% on 1st year tuition fee
Domicile Scholarship (Uttarakhand)	Uttarakhand domicile certificate	25% on tuition fee per semester (entire duration)
Jyoti Scholarship (Freeship)	80% in 10th and 12th; family income below Rs. 8 lakh/year	100% academic fee waiver (renewable annually)
Vijay Scholarship (Sports)	National/International level sports achievement	35% to 100% on tuition fee
Academic Performance Scholarship	CGPA 8.5 and above; top 10% of program (from 2nd year)	10% to 20% on tuition fee per year
Student Financial Support	Loss of earning parent after joining UPES	Rs. 50,000 relaxation per semester
Scholarship for Wards of Defence Personnel	Parent serving/retired/martyred in Indian Armed Forces	35% on 1st year tuition fee
Scholarship for Wards of Teachers	Parent is a full-time teacher in a recognized school	35% on 1st year tuition fee

Entry-level scholarships (Board Merit and CUET-based) are applicable for the 1st year tuition fee only and must be claimed before registration.
A student is eligible for only one type of scholarship at a time; the highest applicable scholarship is awarded.
Domicile scholarship can be clubbed with Academic Performance Scholarship from the 2nd year onwards.
Jyoti Scholarship has only 51 seats and is awarded on merit-cum-need basis.
All scholarship applications must be submitted with required documents before completion of registration.

UPES BA (Hons.) Philosophy FAQs

Ques. Is Philosophy a good career choice after BA (Hons.) from UPES?

Ans. Yes, a Philosophy degree from UPES opens diverse career paths. Many students go on to crack UPSC and state civil services, where Philosophy is a popular optional subject. Others pursue careers in content writing, policy research, NGOs, HR, corporate ethics, and academia. The program's emphasis on critical thinking and communication makes graduates highly adaptable across sectors. Several alumni have also pursued MA or PhD programs in India and abroad after completing this degree.

Ques. Is CUET-UG mandatory for admission to BA (Hons.) Philosophy at UPES, or can I get in through a Personal Interview alone?

Ans. CUET-UG is not mandatory. UPES accepts both CUET-UG scores and Personal Interview (PI) performance for admission. Students who have not appeared in CUET-UG can still apply and go through the PI route. However, having a good CUET-UG score can make you eligible for merit-based scholarships of up to 100% on the first-year tuition fee.

Ques. What is the 3+1 model in BA (Hons.) Philosophy at UPES?

Ans. The 3+1 model means the first 3 years (6 semesters) cover core coursework, electives, and internships. In the 4th year (Semesters 7 and 8), students undertake a research proposal and dissertation. This structure is aligned with NEP 2020 and allows students to exit with a 3-year degree or continue for the full 4-year Honours degree with a research component.

Ques. Does UPES provide placement support for BA Philosophy students?

Ans. UPES has a dedicated Career Services department that provides placement assistance to all enrolled students. While Philosophy is a humanities program and placements are not as structured as engineering or MBA programs, students receive support for internships, career counselling, and campus drives. Recruiters like Amazon, HSBC, Accenture, and others visit the campus. Students are encouraged to develop skills in writing, research, and communication to maximize placement opportunities.

Ques. What subjects should I choose in CUET-UG to apply for BA (Hons.) Philosophy at UPES?

Ans. For BA (Hons.) Philosophy at UPES, the accepted CUET-UG subjects are General Aptitude Test, English, Political Science, and History. You should ideally appear in the General Aptitude Test and English as mandatory components, along with Political Science or History as domain subjects.

Ques. Is hostel accommodation guaranteed at UPES for BA Philosophy students?

Ans. Hostel accommodation at UPES is available on a first-come, first-served basis and is not guaranteed. Both Bidholi and Kandoli campuses have residential blocks for boys and girls. Triple-sharing rooms with a common washroom are available at Rs. 1,83,000 per year. Students are advised to apply for hostel accommodation early after receiving their admission offer letter to secure a room.