Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 30, 2026

The M.Sc Wildlife Sciences (Wildlife Biology) at Government Arts College (GAC), Ooty is a 2-year full-time postgraduate programme affiliated to Bharathiar University, Coimbatore. The course covers wildlife ecology, conservation biology, animal behaviour, forest management, and field research techniques. With a sanctioned intake of 40 seats, the programme is offered in regular on-campus mode and is one of the most sought-after PG courses in wildlife studies in Tamil Nadu, largely due to the college's unique location in the Nilgiris biosphere reserve. The total fees for the entire 2-year programme is approximately Rs. 2,890, making it one of the most affordable wildlife science programmes in the country. Admission is primarily merit-based through the TNGASAPG portal.

For the 2026-27 academic session, the TNGASAPG online application process is expected to commence tentatively in June 2026, based on the 2025 schedule (application start: 09 June 2025, last date: 20 June 2025). The 2025-26 admissions are now closed. Students are advised to monitor the official portal tngasapg.in for the 2026-27 schedule. Rank lists are published on the respective college websites after the application window closes.

Key Points

One of the very few government colleges in India offering a dedicated M.Sc Wildlife Biology / Wildlife Sciences programme at the PG level.
Located in the Nilgiris, the college provides unparalleled access to biodiversity hotspots, national parks, and wildlife sanctuaries for field research.
The department has a strong research record, including the discovery of a new wingless insect species (Bionychiurus tamilensis) in the Nilgiris.
The programme has a dedicated faculty team with specialisations in wildlife biology, zoology, and ecology.
Welfare hostel facilities (both boys and girls) are available through the Tamil Nadu government welfare hostel scheme.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

GAC M.Sc Wildlife Sciences Fees

The M.Sc Wildlife Sciences programme at GAC Ooty is a government-funded course with extremely nominal fees. The total tuition fee for the entire 2-year programme is Rs. 2,890, payable at Rs. 1,445 per year. There are no significant additional charges beyond the standard government college fees. Students from SC/ST/SCA categories are eligible for full fee reimbursement under Tamil Nadu government schemes.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Year 1 (Rs.)	Year 2 (Rs.)	Total (Rs.)
Tuition Fee	1,445	1,445	2,890
Other Charges (Exam, Library, etc.)	Nominal	Nominal	As applicable
Hostel Fee (Welfare Hostel)	As per welfare hostel norms	As per welfare hostel norms	Not mandatory
Total Fees (without hostel)	1,445	1,445	2,890

Hostel is available through the Tamil Nadu Government Welfare Hostel scheme (separate from college hostel); fees are governed by welfare department norms and are not mandatory.
SC/ST/SCA students are eligible for full fee reimbursement under the Tamil Nadu government's fee reimbursement scheme.
BC/MBC/OBC students may be eligible for partial scholarships and fee concessions.
No EMI or instalment options are typically required given the very low fee structure.
Fees are subject to revision by the Tamil Nadu government and Bharathiar University.

GAC M.Sc Wildlife Sciences Admission 2026

Admission to M.Sc Wildlife Sciences at GAC Ooty is conducted through the TNGASAPG (Tamil Nadu Government Arts and Science Colleges PG Admissions) centralised online portal. The process is merit-based, with rank lists published on the college website. For 2026-27, the application process is expected to open tentatively in June 2026, following the pattern of previous years.

College Admission Dates

Event	Tentative Date (2026-27)
TNGASAPG Online Application Start	June 2026 (Tentative)
TNGASAPG Online Application Last Date	Late June 2026 (Tentative)
Publication of Rank List	July 2026 (Tentative)
Tentative Allotment Publication	July 2026 (Tentative)
Reporting to Allotted College / Certificate Verification	July - August 2026 (Tentative)
Commencement of Classes	August 2026 (Tentative)

Entrance Exam Dates

Exam	Event	Date
TANCET 2026	Registration Start	February 24, 2026 (Tentative)
TANCET 2026	Registration End	March 10, 2026 (Tentative)
TANCET 2026	Exam Date	March 21, 2026 (Tentative)
TANCET 2026	Result	April 24, 2026 (Tentative)

Note: TANCET is primarily used for MCA/MBA/M.E./M.Tech admissions in Tamil Nadu. For M.Sc Wildlife Sciences at GAC Ooty, admission is merit-based on UG marks through TNGASAPG and TANCET scores are not required.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree (B.Sc) in Zoology, Botany, Wildlife Biology, Life Sciences, Environmental Sciences, or a related science discipline from a recognised university.
Minimum 45% aggregate marks in the qualifying UG degree (relaxation for SC/ST/SCA candidates as per Tamil Nadu government norms).
Candidates appearing in the final year of their UG degree are also eligible to apply provisionally.

Admission Process

Register on the TNGASAPG portal at tngasapg.in during the application window.
Fill in personal details, UG degree information, and marks.
Select preferred courses and colleges in order of preference (choice filling).
Pay the application fee (Rs. 58 for general; Rs. 2 for SC/SCA/ST categories).
Rank list is published based on UG aggregate marks.
Allotment is made based on rank, category, and choice preferences.
Report to the allotted college with original certificates for verification and admission.

GAC M.Sc Wildlife Sciences Scholarships 2026

Students admitted to M.Sc Wildlife Sciences at GAC Ooty are eligible for a range of Tamil Nadu government and central government scholarships. Given the very low fee structure, the primary benefit for eligible students is full fee reimbursement and stipend support. These scholarships significantly reduce the financial burden and make the programme highly accessible.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount / Benefit
Tamil Nadu Government Fee Reimbursement Scheme	SC/ST/SCA students	Full tuition fee reimbursement
Tamil Nadu BC/MBC/DNC Scholarship	BC/MBC/DNC students	Partial fee reimbursement + maintenance allowance
Post-Matric Scholarship (Central Government)	SC/ST students with family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh	Tuition fee + maintenance allowance
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's Scholarship	Meritorious students	Cash award (varies)
Education Fee Reimbursement Scheme for Open Category	Open category students with income criteria	Course fee reimbursement (deadline: 31 March 2026)
National Scholarship Portal (NSP) Scholarships	Various categories	As per scheme norms

Students must apply for scholarships through the Tamil Nadu e-Scholarship portal or the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) within the stipulated deadlines.
The deadline for the Education Fee Reimbursement Scheme for Open Category Students 2026 is 31 March 2026.
Scholarship amounts and eligibility criteria are subject to revision by the respective government departments.
Students are advised to apply for scholarships immediately after admission to avoid missing deadlines.

GAC M.Sc Wildlife Sciences FAQs

Ques. Is M.Sc Wildlife Sciences at GAC Ooty the same as M.Sc Wildlife Biology?

Ans. Yes, the programme is referred to as both M.Sc Wildlife Sciences and M.Sc Wildlife Biology. The course code on the TNGASAPG portal is PSWL1 (M.Sc Wild Life Biology). The curriculum covers wildlife ecology, conservation, animal behaviour, and field research.

Ques. What is the total fee for M.Sc Wildlife Sciences at GAC Ooty and are there any hidden charges?

Ans. The total fee for the entire 2-year programme is approximately Rs. 2,890 (Rs. 1,445 per year). This is a government college and fees are extremely nominal. There may be minor charges for exams, library, and other facilities, but there are no significant hidden charges. SC/ST/SCA students can get full fee reimbursement.

Ques. How is admission done for M.Sc Wildlife Sciences at GAC Ooty? Is there an entrance exam?

Ans. Admission is through the TNGASAPG centralised portal (tngasapg.in). There is no separate entrance exam for this course. Admission is purely merit-based on UG aggregate marks. Candidates need to register on the portal, fill in their details, and submit choice preferences. A rank list is published and allotment is made accordingly.

Ques. What is the intake for M.Sc Wildlife Sciences at GAC Ooty and how competitive is it?

Ans. The sanctioned intake is 40 seats. Given the unique location of the college in the Nilgiris and the specialised nature of the programme, competition can be moderate to high, especially for general category students. Candidates with a strong academic record in Zoology or related sciences have a better chance.

Ques. Is hostel facility available for M.Sc Wildlife Sciences students at GAC Ooty?

Ans. The college itself does not have a dedicated PG hostel. However, Tamil Nadu Government Welfare Hostels (both boys and girls) are available in the Nilgiris district. Students can apply for accommodation through the welfare hostel scheme. The hostel is not mandatory and fees are governed by the welfare department.

Ques. What career options are available after M.Sc Wildlife Sciences from GAC Ooty?

Ans. Graduates can pursue careers as wildlife biologists, forest officers (through UPSC/TNPSC exams), conservation researchers, environmental consultants, wildlife photographers, and educators. Many alumni go on to pursue Ph.D. programmes in wildlife biology, ecology, or environmental sciences. The Nilgiris location also provides networking opportunities with wildlife NGOs, forest departments, and research institutions active in the region.