Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

Pondicherry University (PU), a NAAC A+ accredited central university established in 1985, offers a unique 5-Year Integrated M.A. SEAL (Social and Economic Administration and Law) programme under the Department of Politics and International Studies. This is a full-time, on-campus regular dual degree programme, developed in collaboration with the University of Paris-1 Pantheon-Sorbonne, France, under an MoU signed in April 2019. The programme is an interdisciplinary blend of Social Sciences, Economics, Commerce, Management, and Law. The seat intake is 25 seats, and admission is based on CUET (UG) General Test scores. The total programme fee is approximately Rs. 97,678 over 10 semesters. The programme is popular among students aspiring to pursue careers in public administration, law, international relations, social policy, and higher studies in social sciences.

Admissions for the 2026-27 academic year are based on CUET (UG) 2026. The CUET UG 2026 application window has closed (registration was open from January 3 to February 26, 2026). The exam is scheduled from May 11 to May 31, 2026, with results expected around July 4, 2026 (tentative). Following the results, Pondicherry University will conduct its own counselling process, expected in July 2026 (based on the 2025 pattern), with classes commencing in the second week of July 2026.

Key Points

The M.A. SEAL is a unique dual degree programme: students earn a B.A. SEAL from Pondicherry University and a Licence AES (Administration Economique et Sociale) from the University of Paris-1 Pantheon-Sorbonne, France, if they exercise the exit option after Year 3.
Students from PU spend their third year at the University of Paris-1 in France, and Paris-1 students spend their third year at PU, making this a genuine international exchange programme.
The programme is interdisciplinary, covering Social Sciences, Economics, Commerce, Management, and Law.
Completing all 5 years leads to an M.A. SEAL degree from Pondicherry University.
The programme is offered at the Puducherry (main) campus.
70% attendance is mandatory to appear for semester examinations.
Hostel accommodation is available on campus (limited seats; preference given to outstation students).

130 Views Last Year

4 Studentsshown interest in the last 30 days

Official Link:

Go To Website

Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Cutoff
FAQs

Pondicherry University Latest Updates and News

18 Apr, 2026 CUET UG 2026 subject selection edit window is open till April 19, 2026, @cuet.nta.nic.in. The Exam will be held from May 11 to 31, 2026.

03 Feb, 2026 Pondicherry University BA + MA Social & Economic Administration and Law Fee Structure 2026 has been released. The total academic fee is ₹ 82,380 . Check details.

PU M.A. SEAL Fees

The 5-Year Integrated M.A. SEAL programme at Pondicherry University is highly affordable as a central government-funded institution. The fee structure follows the Humanities/Social Sciences category. The first semester has a higher fee due to one-time charges, while subsequent semesters are significantly lower. The total programme fee over 10 semesters amounts to Rs. 97,678.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Semester I (Rs.)	Semester II/IV/VI/VIII/X (Rs.)	Semester III/V/VII/IX (Rs.)
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	-	-
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
Digital Activity Fund	2,000	-	2,000
Group Medical Insurance	378	-	-
University Development Fund	2,000	-	-
Semester Total	24,878	3,000	15,200
Total Fees (10 Semesters)	Rs. 97,678

Caution Deposit of Rs. 1,000 is refundable upon leaving the university after deducting dues.
Differently-abled students are fully exempt from all fees (except caution deposit and group medical insurance).
SC/ST students eligible for Post-Matric Scholarships may defer fee payment until receipt of scholarship, subject to submission of an undertaking.
Fees must be paid within 90 days of admission.
Late payment fine: Rs. 5/day for the first 10 days; Rs. 10/day thereafter.
Note: During the third year at Paris-1 (for PU students), additional costs for travel, accommodation, and living expenses in France will apply and are not covered by PU fees.
Hostel Fees (Non-Refundable, paid annually): Room Rent - Rs. 900/year; General Amenities Fund - Rs. 700/year; Establishment Charges - Rs. 300/year.
Caution Deposit (Refundable): Rs. 3,000 (one-time).
No room rent is charged from SC/ST students.
Hostel accommodation is not mandatory; it is subject to availability and preference is given to outstation students.

PU M.A. SEAL Admission 2026

Admissions to the 5-Year Integrated M.A. SEAL programme at Pondicherry University are conducted through CUET (UG) 2026 using the General Test. The application for CUET UG 2026 has already closed (January 3 - February 26, 2026), and the exam is scheduled from May 11 to May 31, 2026. Following the declaration of CUET results (expected around July 4, 2026), Pondicherry University will release its own merit list and conduct counselling, typically in July 2026. Based on the 2025 pattern, classes are expected to commence by the second week of July 2026.

College Admission Dates

Event	Date
CUET UG 2026 Application Start	January 3, 2026
CUET UG 2026 Application End	February 26, 2026
CUET UG 2026 Admit Card Release	May 5, 2026 (Tentative)
CUET UG 2026 Exam	May 11 - May 31, 2026
CUET UG 2026 Answer Key Release	June 17, 2026 (Tentative)
CUET UG 2026 Result Declaration	July 4, 2026 (Tentative)
PU Counselling / Admission	July 2026 (Tentative, based on 2025 pattern)
Commencement of Classes	Second week of July 2026 (Tentative)

Entrance Exam Dates

Exam	Accepted For	Exam Date	Result Date
CUET (UG) 2026 - General Test	5-Year Integrated M.A. SEAL	May 11 - May 31, 2026	July 4, 2026 (Tentative)

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must have passed 10+2 (or equivalent) from a recognised board with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks.
Candidates must appear in the CUET (UG) General Test.
SC/ST candidates are eligible to apply irrespective of the percentage of marks obtained in the qualifying examination.

Admission Process

Register and appear for CUET (UG) 2026 General Test.
Apply separately on the Pondicherry University admissions portal (pondiunivadmission.samarth.edu.in) after CUET results.
Shortlisted candidates are called for in-person counselling at the university campus.
Candidates must report in person on the specified counselling date with all original documents.
Admission is granted based on CUET General Test score merit, category-wise seat availability, and document verification.
Fees must be paid online on the same day of counselling to confirm admission.
Application fee: Rs. 250 for UR/OBC/EWS; Rs. 150 for SC/ST; PWD and transgender candidates are exempt.

Pondicherry University: Students' Opinion

AI-Generated Summary based on 3 Reviews

The course offers a balanced faculty-to-student ratio of 1:25, fostering personalized interaction. Each semester includes three exams, with a grading distribution of 15:15:60, plus 10 points for assignments, and requires a 75% attendance rate. The French department stands out for its skilled faculty, unlike the sociology and history departments, which face staffing challenges and rely on less effective PhD scholars. Students generally have a positive relationship with faculty, and grades follow a letter grade and credit system, with only a few students failing due to negligence or attendance issues.

Placement eligibility starts in the 10th semester, but many students prefer to exit after the 6th semester with a BA degree to pursue further studies. The recent batch did not engage in placements, opting instead for master's programs abroad. The tuition fee for the first year is approximately 16,000, complemented by a hostel fee of 1,000 and a daily mess fee totaling around 11,000 per semester. The first semester's total fees, including a security deposit, were 18,000, with the second semester at 3,000 plus a mess fee of 10,000.

For the following four years, odd semesters cost 11,000 in tuition and 16,000 for the mess, while even semesters cost 3,000 for tuition and 10,000 for the mess. The exam fee is 400 per semester. The overall yearly fee is about 53,000 for the first year and 45,000 for the subsequent years, with girls exempt from hostel fees. Merit-based scholarships are available each semester, with the first semester relying on CUET results and the second semester on top students' marks.

Total fees for the first semester are 20,778 for humanities and 22,778 for science, including a registration fee of 300.

By Collegedunia’s Personal AI

PU M.A. SEAL Scholarships 2026

Pondicherry University and various government bodies offer a range of scholarships to M.A. SEAL students, making the programme financially accessible. Students can benefit from central and state government scholarships. Students from SC/ST/OBC/EWS categories and differently-abled students have additional financial support options.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount	Provider
Government of India SC/ST/OBC Post-Matric Scholarship	SC/ST/OBC students	As per state/central norms	State/Central Government
EWS Scholarship	EWS category students	As per government norms	Central Government
Indira Gandhi Scholarship for Single Girl Child	Single girl child pursuing UG/PG	Rs. 3,000 - 36,200 per year	UGC
PG Merit Scholarship (for PG years)	Top 3 students in PG entrance/semester	Rs. 1,000 - 2,000 per month	Pondicherry University
Merit-Cum-Means (MCM) Scholarship (for PG years)	20% of PG students; parental income below Rs. 2.5 lakh/year	Rs. 750 per month	Pondicherry University
Government of Puducherry Merit/MCM Scholarship	UT Puducherry residents enrolled at PU	As per UT norms	Govt. of Puducherry
Fully Free Education	Differently-abled students	Full fee waiver	Pondicherry University

Students are eligible for only one scholarship at a time.
PG Merit and MCM scholarships apply from the PG years (Years 4 and 5) of the integrated programme.
SC/ST students with Post-Matric Scholarship eligibility may defer fee payment until receipt of scholarship (within 90 days of admission).
Puducherry UT government scholarships are available only to residents/natives of the Union Territory of Puducherry.

PU M.A. SEAL FAQs

Ques. What is the M.A. SEAL programme at Pondicherry University?

Ans. M.A. SEAL (Social and Economic Administration and Law) is a unique 5-year integrated dual degree programme offered by Pondicherry University in collaboration with the University of Paris-1 Pantheon-Sorbonne, France. It combines Social Sciences, Economics, Commerce, Management, and Law in an interdisciplinary curriculum.

Ques. What is the dual degree benefit of the M.A. SEAL programme?

Ans. Students who exercise the exit option after completing Year 3 receive a dual degree: B.A. SEAL from Pondicherry University and Licence AES (Administration Economique et Sociale) from the University of Paris-1 Pantheon-Sorbonne, France. Students completing all 5 years receive the M.A. SEAL degree from PU.

Ques. Do all M.A. SEAL students go to Paris for their third year?

Ans. PU students enrolled in the M.A. SEAL programme are expected to spend their third year at the University of Paris-1 in France. Similarly, Paris-1 AES students spend their third year at PU. This international exchange is a core feature of the programme. Students should be prepared for the additional costs of living and studying in France during Year 3.

Ques. What CUET subject is required for admission to M.A. SEAL at PU?

Ans. Admission is based on the CUET (UG) General Test score. No specific domain subject is required; the General Test assesses general aptitude and reasoning.

Ques. What are the career prospects after completing M.A. SEAL from Pondicherry University?

Ans. Graduates can pursue careers in public administration (IAS/IPS/IFS), law, international organisations, NGOs, social policy, corporate management, and academia. The dual degree with Paris-1 also opens doors to opportunities in France and Europe. Students can also pursue Ph.D. in Social Sciences, Economics, or Law.

Ques. Is hostel accommodation available for M.A. SEAL students at Pondicherry University?

Ans. Hostel accommodation is available but not guaranteed. PU provides accommodation to approximately one-third of admitted students, with preference given to outstation students. Students must apply separately through the department head after admission. Note that during the third year in Paris, students will need to arrange their own accommodation in France.

Important Updates

Course Finder

Search from 20K+ Courses and 35+ Streams

Why To Join Pondicherry University - Reviews & Rating

2.8

(3 Verified Reviews)

Write a College Review

& Win Monthly Prizes Up to ₹1 Lakh/-*

5(34%)

4(42%)

3(15%)

2(7%)

1(2%)

Academic

3.9

Faculty

3.7

Infrastructure

3.8

Accommodation

3.3

Social Life

3.6

Placement

3.4

Reset All Filter

Adithya Ajay

2.6Helpful

BA + MA, Social & Economic Administration and Law

Reviewed on Oct 13, 2024(Enrolled 2023)

Review of campus

Fees and Financial Aid:

Total fee paying 1st semester 20778 for humanities and 22778 for science. Tuition fee 3000 per semester. Odd semter 11200 for humanities and 12200 for science . Even semester 3200 for both. Registration fee 300 .

Report

MALAPALLI DIVYA SRI

2.8Helpful

BA + MA, Social & Economic Administration and Law

Reviewed on Sep 7, 2024(Enrolled 2023)

SEAL and PU

Likes

You will be having scope of all subjects by the end and the coordinate of this course is very well managed and quiet good person and ofcourse you go to different departments so that you will be having interactions will different people
The faculty is good they reach you twice if you want and for french a tutor was alloted to us he used to teach us once in a week this course provides you a good diversity and interactions with quiet interesting people
The course structure is very good it's quiet diversified like you study different subjects like history, sociology, political science and law in first two semesters along with french and later in third and fourth semester you other subjects add on

Dislikes

Now other depts moved to NEP syllabus which is totally different from integrated syll and even the third year to go to Paris you have to be prepared for self finance cuz uni is not giving sponsorship as they mentioned so totally it's am big mess here
Literally whenever students go and ask them we have this particular paper in your dept they say we are not offering it right now and in the middle of the year the NEP was introduced the curriculum got so messed up
Even tough the course structure is good the execution is very bad literally this particular course doesn't have a dept and the whole day end up roaming dept the very worse part is the other dept are not interested to support to continuing this course

Student Snaps:

Fees and Financial Aid:

As is joined in 2023 in the 1st sem I paid 16000/- for course fee and 16681/- for mess fee in the 2nd sem the course fee I paid was 3200/- and 9990/- for mess and for girls there is no hostel fee it's free and University provide merit cum scholarship for every sem in the 1st sem the scholarship will be given based on CUET exam and in the 2nd sem it's based on 1st sem marks like top three students get merit cum scholarship

Report

Alok kumar kaushik

4.0Helpful

BA + MA, Social & Economic Administration and Law

Reviewed on Sep 6, 2024(Enrolled 2023)

Pondicherry university the place for diversity and calmness

Fees and Financial Aid:

The tuition fee for 1st year was around 16000 and the hostel fee is 1000 per year and the compulsory mess fee is around 74? per day so each semester its around 11000? and in 1st semester it was 18000 including security deposit and for 2nd semester tuition fee was 3000 and mess fee was 10000 and in next 4 years the tuition fee will be 11000 for odd semester and 3000 for even semester. The mess fee will be around 16000 for odd semester and 10000 for even semester. And exam fee will be arohnd 400 every semester So per year tuition+hostel+mess fee is For 1st year around 53k For next 4 years arond 45k

Report

Do you think the data is wrong ? Report Here