Learning Resource

MA Admission 2026: Last date, Course fee & Admission process

Written by Shubham Arya • Published: 2026-09-05 10:45:37 • Updated: 2026-09-05 12:28:31
MA Admission 2026: Last date, Course fee & Admission process

MA Admission 2026: In India, Humanities and Arts are among the largest PG enrollments. Multiple students take admission to the MA program every year. The full form of MA is Master of Arts. It is a 2-year master's degree course which opens doors to many professional and academic opportunities. The MA Admission last date to apply online is 15 September 2026.

One can pursue roles in corporate, media, development and public sector, as teaching and research are the traditional paths. MA Admission is currently open for the year 2026-27. It typically requires a bachelor's degree in a specific field or an equivalent from a recognised university. A minimum score of 50% is required, while for reserved category students, the university will offer a 5% relaxation. The total fee for MA admission is INR 2,000 to INR 2 Lakh.


Latest Update 

  • MA Admission is ongoing at MIT University for the academic cycle of 2026-27. Candidates can submit the application form till 15 September 2026. Souce
  • Admission is open for the MA program at  Sharda University for the current session. Applicants can submit the application before the last date is 12 September 2026*. Source

What is MA (Master of Arts)?

Master of Arts is a 2-year postgraduate degree course which mainly focuses on Arts, Social Science and Humanities. It provides in-depth knowledge of History, Psychology or Literature. The program prepares students for careers in Education, media, and Research. It develops skills like research methodology, critical thinking and analytical techniques. Admissions are currently open for the year 2026-27; interested candidates can apply before the deadline of 15 September 2026. To get more information regarding the MA program, must read the given blog

Highlight Table for Master of Arts Admission (MA)

Particulars

Details

Course Level

Postgraduate

Duration

2 Years (4 Semesters)

Common Eligibility

Bachelor's degree (BA or equivalent) in a relevant discipline with 50%-55% aggregate marks

MA Admission Process

Entrance Exam (Major) or Merit-Based (Some colleges)

Top Entrance Exams

CUET PG, TISSNET, IPU CET, JNUEE, BHU PET, CPGET, AP PGCET

Average Fees

INR 2,000 - INR 2 Lakh (depends on Public/Private university)

Common Specializations

Psychology, Political Science, English, Economics, Sociology, History

Top Colleges

JNU, Delhi University, TISS, BHU, Jamia Millia Islamia

Average Salary

INR 3 LPA - 9 LPA (depends on specialisation)

Why Choose a Master of Arts (MA) Program?

The Master of Arts program helps you to gain deep knowledge and specialisation in social science, arts and humanities. It will directly boost employability and will open multiple doors for career opportunities. It also improves communication skills, critical thinking and research, which will lead to excellent high salaries.  

1. Specialised Knowledge and Expertise: A Master of Arts provides a deep understanding and knowledge in Psychology, International Relations, and Literature. 

2. Enhanced Career Opportunities: An MA plays an important role in providing high job opportunities to candidates with highly competitive salaries. 

3. Development of Soft Skills: After completing graduation, students can get the opportunity to learn about analytical reasoning, critical thinking, and communication skills

4. Preparation for Higher Studies: It is a main requirement if you want to pursue research-related roles or PhD programs.

5. Networking Opportunities: Applicants build professional networks with faculty, which will enhance future job opportunities.

MA Admission Eligibility 

MA Admission generally requires a bachelor's degree program (BA/BSc/Bcom) from a recognised university with a minimum score of 50% of marks. Many universities accept admission from any background, while others may ask for a relevant specialisation. Admissions are conducted on the basis of merit score or an entrance exam like CUET PG; it depends on the college or university. There is no minimum or maximum age restriction for students. 

1. Educational Qualification: Students are required to complete their bachelor's degree program from a recognised or approved University 

2. Minimum Marks: Applicants must have gained at least 50% of marks in their UG-level courses 

3. Specific Specialisation: Candidates from any background can apply for a course (Science, Commerce, Arts).

4. Age Restriction: There is no age limit for students; anyone can apply for the MA program

Admission Process for MA Admission 2026- Step by Step 

MA Admission involves several steps, but before you apply, you must check the eligibility criteria of this course. Meet the eligibility of bachelor degree, fill out the application form, upload your important supporting documents, pay the application fee of approx INR 200 to INR 1500 (non-refundable), submit your application and wait for the confirmation. Most of the universities require a national-level entrance exam or a university-own entrance test as part of their admission procedure, so that they can confirm admission on the basis of merit score

Here are the steps you need to follow for the admission procedure of the MA program:-

  • Step 1: The first step is to research a college or university and check the eligibility of the MA program in the announcement section. Minimum passing marks generally range from 50% (with relaxation for reserved categories)
  • Step 2: Register for a national-level entrance exam if required in a targeted university (CUET PG, TISS NET)
  • Step 3: Visit the official portal website and get yourself registered for the MA program by providing your username, phone number and email ID, where you will receive your credentials
  • Step 4: After getting credentials, sign in to your admission portal with username and password and fill out the application form with basic personal and academic information
  • Step 5: Fill in all the details carefully to avoid any errors and upload your scanned necessary documents like signature, passport-size photograph, marksheet and qualification, and many more
  • Step 6: Proceed to the next step to pay an application fee of approx INR 200 to INR 1500 with given payment options like netbanking, bank transfer, etc
  • Step 7: After completing all formalities, submit your application and wait for the university to check all the documents and the admission form
  • Step 8: Also wait for the university to release a merit list of an entrance exam to get your admission confirmed
  • Step 9: Shortlisted candidates will be called for counselling, personal interview and seat allocation process 
  • Step 10: Also make sure to download and save an application form copy for a future use

Important Documents Required for MA Admission

  1. Certificate and Marksheet of Academic Qualification
  2. Identity Proof (PAN card, Aadhar card, Voter ID)
  3. Scanned Signature of Applicant
  4. Scanned Passport Size Photograph
  5. Migration Certificate
  6. Transfer Certificate
  7. Domicile Certificate
  8. Reserved Caste Certificate (candidates who belong to Sc/ST/OBC caste)
  9. Work Experience if required
  10. Scorecard of Entrance Exam 
  11. PWD Certificate if Applicable

List of Specialisations for Master of Arts Admission 

MA (Master of Arts) offers a range of specialisations which focus on humanities, creative arts and social sciences. It generally requires a UG degree, and specialisations included in the program are Sociology, Psychology, English, Economics, Political Science, History and many more. Check the table below for more details. 

Specialization

Category

MA in English Literature

Poetry, drama, linguistics, and literature studies

MA in Psychology

Covers cognitive, clinical, social, and organisational psychology

MA in Sociology

Explores social theories, human behaviour, and social systems

MA in Philosophy

Explores ethical, metaphysical, and logical studies

MA in Linguistics

Studies language structure, development, and usage

MA in Economics

Covers micro/macroeconomics, econometrics, and financial analysis

MA in International Relations

Studies global politics, foreign policy, and diplomacy

MA in History

Modern history, ancient, medieval, and research methods

MA in Political Science

Analyzes governance, international relations, and public policy

MA in Public Administration

Public policy and administrative machinery

MA in Social Work

Community development, social policy, and advocacy

Fee Structure for MA Admission

 Master of Arts program fees range from INR 2000 to INR 50,000 per year in government colleges, while in private colleges it may range from INR 2,000 to INR 2,00,000 per year. Top universities like JNU and DU offer the lowest fees. The fee structure consists of registration fees, security deposits, administrative fees, etc which are split by semester.

Top Government Universities

Top Institutions

Approx Total Fees

JNU, New Delhi

INR 577

Banaras Hindu University (BHU)

INR 6,000 - INR 6,500

Delhi University (Miranda House/Hindu)

INR 29,000 - INR 52,000

Jamia Millia Islamia

INR 10,000 - INR 30,000



Top Private Universities

Top Universities

Approx Fee range

Amity University, Noida

INR 1.26 Lakh - INR 7.75 Lakh

Christ University, Bangalore

INR 2.2 Lakh - INR 3.54 Lakh

K J Somaiya College, Mumbai

INR 94,420 - INR 2 Lakh

Loyola College, Chennai

INR 25,000 (varies)

Kristu Jayanti College

INR 1.35 Lakh - INR 1.65 Lakh

 

Career Opportunities after Completing MA Program with Salary

Completing a master of Arts program opens the door to multiple career opportunities in media, education, corporate and government sectors. Roles include content writer, HR Manager, Translator, and Journalist, with average salary which may range from INR 2.5 LPA to INR 8 LPA depending on experience.

Job Roles

Salary Range

Economist

INR 7.8 L - INR 16.2 LPA

Communication Manager

INR 13.2 LPA

Public Relations Officer (PRO)

INR 4.8 L - INR 10 LPA

Assistant Professor/Lecturer

INR 4.8 L - INR 5.6 LPA

Content Writer/Editor

INR 3.6 L - INR 5 LPA

Psychologist/Counselor

INR 3.5 L - INR 5.2 LPA

Archivist

INR 5.5 LPA

Social Worker/Community Manager

INR 3.1 LPA

Top Universities for MA Admission

Top Universities for MA Admission include Hansraj College, Loyola College, TISS, Christ University, Madras Christian College, JNU, etc. In 2025, Hindu College was ranked in 1st position. Admissions are conducted based on CUET PG (National Testing Agency). 

Top Universities for MA Admission

Miranda House, DU

New Delhi

English, Sociology

Hansraj College, DU

New Delhi

English, History

St. Xavier's College

Mumbai

Psychology, English, Arts

Loyola College

Chennai

Sociology, English

TISS

Mumbai

Social Work, Development Studies

Christ University

Bangalore

Psychology, English, Media

Madras Christian College

Chennai

Social Work, English

MA Admission Scholarship

National Scholarship for Post Graduate studies in India offers financial assistance of approx INR 15,000 per month for meritorious students. Main opportunities include the University Grants Commission (UGC) scholarship, Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship, and many more. 

1. UGC PG Merit Scholarship for University Rank Holders: They provide INR 2,000 per month for 2 years to the top candidates in their UG program

2. Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships (CSSS): It offers INR 20,000 per annum to those students who have scored well in their last academics and come from a low-income family

3. University-Specific Scholarships: Universities like Amity offer merit-based fees for MA first-year students

4. National Scholarship for Post-Graduate Studies (NSPG): It provides a scholarship amount of approx INR 15,000 per month for at least 10 months in a year to eligible candidates and also for those who come from economically weaker sections.

Top Courses

 

Quick Actions
Share or keep reading.

S
Shubham Arya