Content Curator | Updated on - Apr 8, 2026

The MA in Human Rights and Inclusive Policy at Pondicherry University is a 2-year full-time postgraduate programme offered by the Centre for Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy, under the School of Social Sciences and International Studies. Established in the academic year 2019-20, the programme takes a multidisciplinary social science approach to human rights, going beyond the conventional legal-political framework to address issues of social exclusion, environmental justice, globalisation, and peace. The course spans 4 semesters, with the fourth semester dedicated to internship and project work, and admits 20 students per batch. The total course fee is approximately Rs. 32,472 for Indian students, making it one of the most affordable postgraduate programmes in the country. Admission is based on CUET-PG scores (Test Paper Code: COQP11), and the programme is popular among students interested in careers with NGOs, government bodies, international organisations, and academia.

Admissions for the 2026-27 academic year are based on CUET-PG 2026 scores. The CUET-PG 2026 examination was conducted from March 13 to April 1, 2026, and results are expected in May 2026. The university will release its own PG admission notification for online applications after the CUET-PG results are declared. Based on the 2025-26 cycle, the university's online application portal for PG programmes typically opens in June-July, with counselling and seat allotment following thereafter. Candidates are advised to regularly check the official admissions portal at admissions.pondiuni.edu.in for the latest updates.

Key Points

One of the very few full-time MA programmes in Human Rights offered by a Central University in India
Interdisciplinary curriculum covering international human rights law, social exclusion, environmental justice, globalisation, and gender studies
Fourth semester is entirely dedicated to internship and project work, providing hands-on field experience
Seat intake is limited to 20 students, ensuring a focused and interactive learning environment
Students in the top 3 of CUET-PG entrance scores are eligible for Merit Scholarships of Rs. 2,000, Rs. 1,500, and Rs. 1,000 per month respectively
The programme provides opportunities for higher education (PhD) and research, in addition to employment in national and international governmental and non-governmental organisations

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 Fee Structure 2026 is out for MA Human Rights programs. The total academic fee is ₹ 39,347 . Read more.

PU MA(Human Rights) Fees

The MA Human Rights and Inclusive Policy programme at Pondicherry University is highly affordable, as it is a Central University subsidised by the Government of India. The total tuition fee for the entire 2-year programme is Rs. 32,472, with the first year costing approximately Rs. 21,072. Other charges including registration, library, computer lab, and amenities fees are collected at the time of admission and in subsequent semesters. Hostel accommodation is available on campus at an additional charge of approximately Rs. 4,975 per semester (not mandatory).

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Semester I (Rs.)	Semester II (Rs.)	Semester III (Rs.)	Semester IV (Rs.)	Total (Rs.)
Tuition Fee	1,500	1,500	1,500	1,500	6,000
Registration Fee	300	-	-	-	300
Matriculation Fee	100	-	-	-	100
Recognition Fee	400	-	-	-	400
Sports Fund	500	-	500	-	1,000
Medical Examination / Facilities Fund	600	-	600	-	1,200
Library Fund	1,500	-	1,500	-	3,000
Computer Lab Fund	2,000	-	2,000	-	4,000
Amenities Development Fund	6,000	-	-	-	6,000
Students' Welfare Fund	400	-	400	-	800
Alumni Association Fund	200	-	-	-	200
Caution Deposit (Refundable)	1,000	-	-	-	1,000
Placement Activity Fund	200	200	200	200	800
Academic Activity Fund	1,000	-	1,000	-	2,000
Digital Activity Fund	2,000	-	2,000	-	4,000
Group Medical Insurance	142	-	-	-	142
University Development Fund	1,200	-	-	-	1,200
Total Fees	19,042	1,700	9,700	1,700	32,142

Caution Deposit of Rs. 1,000 is refundable upon leaving the University, after deducting any dues.
Differently abled students are fully exempt from all fees; they pay only the refundable caution deposit and Group Medical Insurance premium.
SC/ST students eligible for Post-Matric scholarships may pay fees after receiving the scholarship amount, within 90 days of admission.
Hostel fees are issued separately via a circular by the University Hostels.
Hostel accommodation is not mandatory; approximate hostel fee is Rs. 4,975 per semester.
Late fee fine: Rs. 5 per day for the first 10 days; Rs. 10 per day thereafter.
The above fee structure is based on the 2025-26 brochure.
A marginal increase of approximately Rs. 330 was observed for 2026 (total fees Rs. 32,472 as per latest data).

PU MA(Human Rights) Admission 2026

Admissions to the MA Human Rights and Inclusive Policy programme at Pondicherry University are conducted through CUET-PG scores. The university releases its own notification after CUET-PG results are declared, inviting candidates to apply online through the university's admission portal. Based on the 2025-26 cycle, the university's PG admission process typically runs from June to August. For 2026-27, the CUET-PG 2026 exam has been conducted and results are awaited; the university's admission notification is expected to follow.

Pondicherry University PG Admission Dates

Event	Date
CUET-PG 2026 Registration Opens	December 14, 2025
CUET-PG 2026 Registration Closes	January 23, 2026
CUET-PG 2026 Admit Card	March 9, 2026
CUET-PG 2026 Exam	March 13 - April 1, 2026
CUET-PG 2026 Result (Tentative)	May 6, 2026
PU Online Application for PG Admission (Tentative)	June 2026
Counselling / Seat Allotment (Tentative)	July 2026
Batch Commencement (Tentative)	August 2026

CUET-PG 2026 Exam Dates

Event	Date
CUET-PG 2026 Registration	December 14, 2025 - January 23, 2026
Form Correction Window	January 28 - 30, 2026
Admit Card Release	March 9, 2026
Exam Date	March 13 - April 1, 2026
Result Declaration (Tentative)	May 6, 2026

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria:

Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for SC/ST candidates)
Candidates awaiting final year results are also eligible to apply, subject to producing mark sheets before the notified date
SC/ST candidates who have passed the qualifying examination are eligible irrespective of percentage, unless otherwise specified

Admission Process:

Register and appear for CUET-PG 2026 (Test Paper Code: COQP11 - Social Sciences)
After CUET-PG results, apply online through the Pondicherry University admissions portal (admissions.pondiuni.edu.in) using CUET-PG Application Number and Roll Number
Merit list is prepared based on CUET-PG scores
Attend counselling / seat allotment round as notified by the university
Submit original documents for verification at the time of admission
Pay fees online to confirm admission

PU MA(Human Rights) Scholarships 2026

Pondicherry University offers a range of scholarships for PG students, making the already affordable MA Human Rights programme even more accessible. University-level merit and merit-cum-means scholarships are available to deserving students, while government and UGC-funded scholarships provide additional financial support for SC/ST, OBC, EWS, and single girl child students. Students are eligible for only one scholarship at a time.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount	Remarks
Merit Scholarship (University)	Top 3 students based on CUET-PG entrance score (1st semester); top 3 based on SGPA (subsequent semesters)	Rs. 2,000 / Rs. 1,500 / Rs. 1,000 per month	Renewable each semester based on SGPA performance
Merit-cum-Means (MCM) Scholarship (University)	Top 20% of students in the programme; parental annual income not exceeding Rs. 2,50,000	Rs. 750 per month	Requires minimum 70% attendance and passing all papers each semester
Indira Gandhi Scholarship for Single Girl Child (UGC)	Single girl child pursuing PG programme	As per UGC norms	Applied through UGC portal
PG Merit Scholarship for University Rank Holders (UGC)	University rank holders at UG level pursuing Master's degree	As per UGC norms	Applied through UGC portal
Government of India SC/ST/OBC Post-Matric Scholarship	SC/ST/OBC students	As per state government norms	Applied through respective state scholarship portals / National Scholarship Portal
Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship / Maulana Azad National Fellowship (UGC)	SC/ST/Minority scholars pursuing PhD (post-MA)	Fellowship as per UGC norms	Applicable after MA for PhD pursuit
Puducherry Government Merit / MCM Scholarship	Students belonging to UT of Puducherry	As per Government of Puducherry norms	For Puducherry residents enrolled in university courses

A student is eligible for only one scholarship at a time.
For MCM Scholarship: minimum 70% attendance every month and passing all registered papers each semester is mandatory.
SC/ST students may defer fee payment until receipt of scholarship, within 90 days of admission.
Differently abled students are fully exempt from all fees.
Applications for government scholarships must be submitted through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) or respective state portals within the prescribed deadlines.

PU MA(Human Rights) FAQs

Ques. Is the MA Human Rights and Inclusive Policy at Pondicherry University a good course for career prospects?

Ans. The programme is best suited for students with a genuine academic interest in human rights, social justice, and policy. Career opportunities exist in NGOs (both national and international), UN bodies, government departments dealing with social welfare and human rights, legal aid organisations, and academia/research. Students who combine this degree with internships, language skills, or law qualifications tend to have stronger career outcomes. The fourth semester internship is a key component that helps build real-world connections.

Ques. What is the CUET-PG paper code for this course, and what subjects does it cover?

Ans. The CUET-PG paper code for MA Human Rights and Inclusive Policy at Pondicherry University is COQP11 (Social Sciences). The paper covers topics from social sciences and current affairs at the undergraduate level, with 100 multiple choice questions to be answered in 2 hours.

Ques. Is the seat intake really only 20? Does that make it very competitive to get in?

Ans. Yes, the sanctioned intake is 20 seats. This makes the programme quite competitive. Based on the 2025 CUET-PG cutoff, the General category cutoff was 176 marks, OBC was 148, SC was 143, EWS was 135, ST was 103, and PwD was 79. Candidates are advised to prepare thoroughly for the CUET-PG Social Sciences paper.

Ques. Is hostel accommodation guaranteed for MA Human Rights students at Pondicherry University?

Ans. Pondicherry University has 21 hostels on campus (13 for boys, 8 for girls), but accommodation is not guaranteed and is allotted on availability. Students who need hostel accommodation must report to their departments prior to registration and counselling. Hostel fees are issued separately via a circular and are not included in the standard fee structure. Dining in the hostel mess is compulsory for hostel residents.

Ques. Can I pursue a PhD after completing MA Human Rights and Inclusive Policy from Pondicherry University?

Ans. Yes. Pondicherry University offers a PhD in Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy (PHD 170), for which the eligibility is a Master's degree in Social Sciences or any related discipline. Graduates of this MA programme are directly eligible to apply. UGC-NET/JRF qualified candidates can also avail fellowship support during their PhD.

Ques. What is the difference between MA Human Rights and Inclusive Policy and a regular MA in Political Science or Sociology at Pondicherry University?

Ans. The MA Human Rights and Inclusive Policy is a specialised interdisciplinary programme that draws from political science, sociology, law, economics, and environmental studies. Unlike a conventional MA in Political Science or Sociology, this programme specifically focuses on human rights frameworks, social exclusion, inclusive policy, and experiential learning through a mandatory internship semester. It is one of the few dedicated full-time MA programmes in Human Rights offered by a Central University in India.