Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The B.A. (Hons.) Tamil is a 4-year undergraduate honours programme offered by the Sri Subramania Bharathi School of Tamil Language and Literature at Pondicherry University, a NAAC A+ accredited Central University established in 1985. The programme is a full-time, on-campus, regular course that provides in-depth study of Tamil language, literature, grammar, classical texts, and modern Tamil writing, with an intake of 50 seats per year. The total programme fee is approximately Rs. 91,044 over 4 years (8 semesters), making it one of the most affordable honours programmes in a Central University. Admission is based on CUET (UG) scores in the Tamil domain subject, and the course is popular among students from Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and other Tamil-speaking regions who wish to pursue an academic or teaching career in Tamil studies.

Admissions for 2026-27 are currently in progress. CUET (UG) 2026 applications closed on January 31, 2026, and the exam is scheduled from May 11 to May 31, 2026. University-level counselling and seat allotment are expected to begin after CUET results are declared in July 2026. Students are advised to regularly check the official admissions portal at admissions.pondiuni.edu.in for counselling schedules and seat allotment notifications.

Key Points

The department was established in 1986 and elevated to the Sri Subramania Bharathi School of Tamil Language and Literature in 2003, reflecting its academic stature.
The programme follows the NEP 2020 framework with Choice-Based Credit System (CBCS), incorporating interdisciplinary, skill-enhancement, and value-added courses.
Students must have studied Tamil as Part-I language at the +2 level to be eligible for admission.
The programme offers multiple exit options under NEP: Certificate after 1 year, Diploma after 2 years, and B.A. (Hons.) after 4 years.
Pondicherry University's Tamil department is one of the few in a Central University with dedicated research infrastructure for classical Tamil studies.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
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FAQs

Pondicherry University Latest Updates and News

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03 Feb, 2026 Pondicherry University BA {Hons.} Tamil Fee Structure 2026 has been released. The total academic fee is ₹ 91,044 . Check details.

PU BA (Hons.) Tamil Fees

The B.A. (Hons.) Tamil programme at Pondicherry University is highly affordable, with a first-semester fee of Rs. 27,444 that includes all academic and amenity charges. Subsequent odd semesters (3rd, 5th, 7th) are charged at Rs. 17,200 each, while even semesters (2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th) are charged at Rs. 3,000 each. The total programme cost over 4 years comes to Rs. 91,044, making it one of the most cost-effective honours programmes at a Central University.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Semester 1 (Rs.)	Even Semesters 2/4/6/8 (Rs. each)	Odd Semesters 3/5/7 (Rs. each)
Tuition Fee	3,000	3,000	3,000
Registration Fee	300	-	-
Matriculation Fee	100	-	-
Recognition Fee	400	-	-
Sports Fund	500	-	500
Medical Examination / Facilities Fund	600	-	600
Library Fund	1,500	-	1,500
Laboratory Running / Maintenance Fund	2,500	-	2,500
Amenities Development Fund	6,000	-	-
Students' Welfare Fund	600	-	600
Alumni Association Fund	500	-	-
Caution Deposit (Refundable)	1,000	-	-
Advanced Lab / Language Lab Fund	2,000	-	2,000
Facilities Upgradation Fund	10,000	-	10,000
Placement Activity Fund	500	-	500
Academic Activity Fund	2,000	-	2,000
Field Visit Fund	1,000	-	1,000
Industry-Institute Interface Fund	Nil	-	Nil
Digital Activity Fund	2,000	-	2,000
Group Medical Insurance	378	-	-
University Development Fund	2,000	-	-
Semester Total	27,444	3,000	17,200
Total Programme Fees (8 Semesters)	Rs. 91,044

Caution Deposit of Rs. 1,000 is refundable upon leaving the university after deducting dues.
SC/ST students are exempted from all fees except refundable caution deposit and Group Medical Insurance premium.
Differently abled students are fully exempted from all fees including examination fees; they pay only the caution deposit and Group Medical Insurance.
SC/ST students eligible for Post-Matric Scholarships may pay fees within 90 days of admission upon submission of an undertaking.
Late payment fine: Rs. 5/day for first 10 days; Rs. 10/day thereafter.
Hostel fees are separate and optional (not mandatory).

Hostel Fees (Optional, subject to availability)

Component	Amount
Caution Deposit (Refundable)	Rs. 3,000
Room Rent (Non-Refundable, per year)	Rs. 900
General Amenities Fund (per year)	Rs. 700
Establishment Charges (per year)	Rs. 300
Application Fee (one-time, at admission)	Rs. 75
Mess Fees (per semester, approx.)	As notified by hostel office

Hostel accommodation is not mandatory and is subject to availability.
Preference is given to students from distant places.
No room rent is charged from SC/ST students.
Mess dining is compulsory for hostel residents.

PU BA (Hons.) Tamil Admission 2026

Admission to B.A. (Hons.) Tamil at Pondicherry University is entirely based on CUET (UG) scores. For 2026-27, CUET (UG) 2026 applications have closed and the exam is scheduled in May 2026. The university will conduct its own counselling and seat allotment process after CUET results are declared. Candidates must have studied Tamil as Part-I language at the +2 level to be eligible.

Pondicherry University Admission Dates

Event	Date / Status
CUET (UG) 2026 Application Start	January 3, 2026
CUET (UG) 2026 Application End	January 31, 2026 (Closed)
CUET (UG) 2026 Admit Card	May 5, 2026 (Tentative)
CUET (UG) 2026 Exam	May 11 - May 31, 2026
CUET (UG) 2026 Answer Key	June 17, 2026 (Tentative)
CUET (UG) 2026 Result	July 4, 2026 (Tentative)
PU Counselling / Seat Allotment	July - August 2026 (Tentative, post-result)
Admission / Fee Payment	August 2026 (Tentative)
Batch Commencement	August / September 2026 (Tentative)

CUET (UG) Exam Dates

Event	Date
Registration Start	January 3, 2026
Registration End	January 31, 2026
Admit Card Release	May 5, 2026 (Tentative)
Exam Dates	May 11 - May 31, 2026
Answer Key Release	June 17, 2026 (Tentative)
Result Declaration	July 4, 2026 (Tentative)

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Must have passed Class 12 (10+2) or equivalent from a recognised board.
Must have studied Tamil as Part-I language at the Higher Secondary (+2) level.
SC/ST candidates are eligible irrespective of percentage; all others must have passed the qualifying examination.

Admission Process

Register and appear for CUET (UG) 2026 with Tamil as the domain subject.
Apply to Pondicherry University through the official admissions portal (admissions.pondiuni.edu.in) after CUET results.
Participate in the university's online counselling and seat allotment process.
Submit required documents (mark sheets, community certificate, Tamil medium certificate, etc.) at the time of admission.
Pay the prescribed fees to confirm admission.

PU BA (Hons.) Tamil Scholarships 2026

Pondicherry University offers a range of scholarships and fee concessions for students of the B.A. (Hons.) Tamil programme. SC/ST students enjoy full fee exemption, while differently abled students receive completely free education. Government of India and state-level scholarships are also available for eligible students, making this programme highly accessible for students from all economic backgrounds.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount / Benefit
SC/ST Fee Exemption	SC/ST students	Full exemption from all fees (except caution deposit and medical insurance)
Differently Abled Student Exemption	Differently abled students	Full exemption from all fees including examination fees
Post-Matric Scholarship (Govt. of India)	SC/ST students	Covers tuition and other fees; paid by state government
Merit-Cum-Means (MCM) Scholarship	PG students (20% of batch); parental income below Rs. 2.5 lakh p.a.	Rs. 750 per month
Indira Gandhi Scholarship for Single Girl Child	Single girl child pursuing PG	As per UGC norms
PG Merit Scholarship for University Rank Holders	University rank holders at UG level pursuing PG	As per UGC norms
Government of Puducherry Merit / MCM Scholarship	Students from UT of Puducherry	As notified by Govt. of Puducherry
OBC / EWS Scholarship (Govt. of India)	OBC / EWS students	As per state/central government norms

A student is eligible for only one scholarship at a time.
MCM and Merit Scholarships listed above are primarily for PG programmes; UG students should check with the university for applicable schemes.
SC/ST students must submit a community certificate from a Revenue Officer (not below Tahsildar rank) at the time of admission.
Differently abled students must submit a disability certificate from a government hospital.
Students availing government scholarships are not entitled to the university's fee exemption simultaneously.

PU BA (Hons.) Tamil FAQs

Ques. Is Tamil medium of instruction mandatory for the B.A. (Hons.) Tamil programme at Pondicherry University?

Ans. The medium of instruction is Tamil for most core papers, though some interdisciplinary and skill-enhancement courses may be taught in English. Students who have studied Tamil as Part-I at the +2 level are eligible, but the programme is designed for those with a strong foundation in Tamil language and literature.

Ques. What is the CUET cut-off for B.A. (Hons.) Tamil at Pondicherry University?

Ans. Based on 2025-26 data, the CUET (UG) cut-off for B.A. (Hons.) Tamil at Pondicherry University was approximately 223 (General) and 190 (reserved categories). Cut-offs vary each year based on the number of applicants and exam difficulty.

Ques. Can students from states other than Tamil Nadu or Puducherry apply for this programme?

Ans. Yes, the programme is open to all Indian nationals who have studied Tamil as Part-I language at the +2 level, regardless of their home state. Students from Tamil-speaking communities across India, including those from Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and other states, regularly apply.

Ques. What are the career options after completing B.A. (Hons.) Tamil from Pondicherry University?

Ans. Graduates can pursue careers as Tamil teachers (school and college level), translators, journalists, content writers, civil servants (UPSC/TNPSC with Tamil optional), researchers, and authors. Many graduates proceed to M.A. Tamil and then Ph.D. for academic careers. Government jobs in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry that require Tamil language proficiency are also popular options.

Ques. Is hostel accommodation guaranteed for B.A. (Hons.) Tamil students?

Ans. Hostel accommodation is not guaranteed and is subject to availability. The university allocates hostel rooms to approximately one-third of admitted students, with preference given to those coming from distant places. Students are advised to apply for hostel accommodation immediately after admission confirmation.

Ques. Does Pondicherry University offer any exit options under NEP for the B.A. (Hons.) Tamil programme?

Ans. Yes, under the NEP 2020 framework, students have multiple exit options: a Certificate after completing 1 year, a Diploma after 2 years, and the full B.A. (Hons.) degree after 4 years. Students who exit early and wish to re-enter can do so within a specified period as per university regulations.