MA
Master of Arts
MA Fee Structure 2026
The fee structure for Master of Arts (MA) varies significantly based on the type of institution. Government colleges charge an average of ₹61,184 for the complete programme, while private institutions average around ₹7.37 Lakh. Overall, MA fees range from ₹677 to ₹21.48 Lakh across listed colleges. Currently, 56 colleges in India offer MA programmes.
College-wise MA Fees
| # | College | City | Type | Total Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 |
Indian Institute of Technology Mandi
IIT Mandi |
Mandi, Himachal Pradesh | Government | ₹51,000 | Details |
| 42 |
Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education
KARE |
Krishnankoil, Tamil Nadu | Deemed | ₹80,000 | Details |
| 43 |
Jamia Hamdard
Jamia Hamdard |
New Delhi, Delhi | Deemed | ₹96,500 | Details |
| 44 |
Indian Institute of Technology Delhi
IIT Delhi |
New Delhi, Delhi | Government | ₹100,000 | Details |
| 45 |
Indian Institute of Technology Madras
IIT Madras |
Chennai, Tamil Nadu | Government | ₹100,000 | Details |
| 46 |
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
IIT Guwahati |
Guwahati, Assam | Government | ₹100,000 | Details |
| 47 |
Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad
IIT Hyderabad |
Hyderabad, Telangana | Government | ₹100,000 | Details |
| 48 |
Indian Institute of Technology Indore
IIT Indore |
Indore, Madhya Pradesh | Government | ₹100,000 | Details |
| 49 |
National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli
NIT Trichy |
Trichy, Tamil Nadu | Government | ₹118,000 | Details |
| 50 |
Banasthali Vidyapith
Banasthali |
Banasthali, Rajasthan | Deemed | ₹126,000 | Details |
| 51 |
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham
Amrita |
Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu | Deemed | ₹180,000 | Details |
| 52 |
Lovely Professional University
LPU |
Jalandhar, Punjab | Private | ₹200,000 | Details |
| 53 |
National Institute of Technology Rourkela
NIT Rourkela |
Rourkela, Odisha | Government | ₹250,000 | Details |
| 54 |
Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences
Shoolini University |
Solan, Himachal Pradesh | Private | ₹280,000 | Details |
| 55 |
Shiv Nadar University
SNU |
Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh | Private | ₹320,000 | Details |
| 56 |
Ashoka University
Ashoka |
Sonipat, Haryana | Private | ₹2,148,000 | Details |
Government vs Private MA Fees
MA Fees by Institution Category
Fee comparison across different types of institutions offering MA
| Category | Colleges | Lowest Fee | Highest Fee | Average Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IIT | 6 | ₹51,000 | ₹1.00 Lakh | ₹91,833 |
| NIT | 2 | ₹1.18 Lakh | ₹2.50 Lakh | ₹1.84 Lakh |
| University | 19 | ₹677 | ₹21.48 Lakh | ₹1.93 Lakh |
State-wise MA Fees
Fee ranges across different states for MA colleges
| State | Colleges | Lowest Fee | Highest Fee | Average Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Bengal | 1 | ₹10,000 | ₹10,000 | ₹10,000 |
| Jammu & Kashmir | 1 | ₹11,268 | ₹11,268 | ₹11,268 |
| Chhattisgarh | 2 | ₹12,100 | ₹19,360 | ₹15,730 |
| Telangana | 3 | ₹24,000 | ₹1.00 Lakh | ₹50,667 |
| Delhi | 5 | ₹677 | ₹1.00 Lakh | ₹58,475 |
| Assam | 1 | ₹1.00 Lakh | ₹1.00 Lakh | ₹1.00 Lakh |
| Madhya Pradesh | 1 | ₹1.00 Lakh | ₹1.00 Lakh | ₹1.00 Lakh |
| Himachal Pradesh | 3 | ₹14,900 | ₹2.80 Lakh | ₹1.15 Lakh |
| Tamil Nadu | 4 | ₹80,000 | ₹1.80 Lakh | ₹1.20 Lakh |
| Rajasthan | 1 | ₹1.26 Lakh | ₹1.26 Lakh | ₹1.26 Lakh |
| Uttar Pradesh | 2 | ₹12,000 | ₹3.20 Lakh | ₹1.66 Lakh |
| Punjab | 1 | ₹2.00 Lakh | ₹2.00 Lakh | ₹2.00 Lakh |
| Odisha | 1 | ₹2.50 Lakh | ₹2.50 Lakh | ₹2.50 Lakh |
| Haryana | 1 | ₹21.48 Lakh | ₹21.48 Lakh | ₹21.48 Lakh |
MA Fee Comparison by Institution Type
MA Fee Structure Comparison
| Institution | Type | Total Fee (2 Years) | NIRF 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| JNU, New Delhi | Central University | ₹692 | #2 |
| BHU, Varanasi | Central University | ₹400-30,000 | #6 |
| Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi | Central University | ₹13,000-1.47 Lakhs | #4 |
| University of Delhi | Central University | ₹16,000-30,000 | #5 |
| University of Hyderabad | Central University | ₹18,640 | #18 |
| IIT Madras (HSS) | Government (IIT) | ₹0.80-1.62 Lakhs | IIT #1 |
| TISS, Mumbai | Deemed (Semi-Govt) | ₹1.64 Lakhs | - |
| Presidency University, Kolkata | State University | ₹21,000 | #15 (Colleges) |
| OP Jindal Global University | Private | ₹6.50 Lakhs | - |
| Ashoka University | Private | ₹9.30-14.74 Lakhs | - |
Key insight: Central university MA is among the most affordable postgraduate education globally. JNU's ₹692 total for a 2-year MA at India's #2 ranked university is extraordinary. Private liberal arts universities charge 100-2,000x more.
Fee & Scholarship Information
- Fees shown are total programme fees and may vary by specialisation, batch, and category. Always verify current fees on the college's official website.
- Government colleges typically offer fee waivers and tuition reductions for SC/ST/OBC/EWS and PwD category students.
- Many institutions offer merit-based scholarships, education loans, and instalment payment options. Check individual college pages for details.
Frequently Asked Questions - MA Fees
MA fees at central universities like JNU, DU, and BHU are very affordable - typically ₹5,000-₹30,000 per year. State universities charge similarly. Private universities range from ₹50,000-₹3 Lakh annually.
MA at government universities is among the most affordable PG options in India. Combined with hostel subsidies and merit scholarships, the effective cost can be minimal. This makes it accessible to students from all economic backgrounds.
UGC Non-NET fellowships and university merit scholarships support MA students at central universities. Students qualifying NET/JRF during MA receive generous fellowships. Some departments offer teaching or research assistantships.
JNU MA fees are among the lowest in the country, while private universities may charge 10-50 times more for similar programmes. However, private universities may offer different pedagogical approaches and smaller class sizes.
IGNOU and several state open universities offer MA through distance mode at very low fees. While cost-effective, regular MA programmes provide better faculty interaction, library access, and research opportunities.