Updated on Aug 7, 2025 03:14 IST
Akansha Bisht

Akansha BishtSenior Executive

The MA admission is based on both the entrance and a merit. MA full form is Master of Arts. It is a popular PG degree course for Humanities students. It is offered in various specializations such as Geography, Sociology, History, English, Psychology, Philosophy, Hindi, International Relations, Economics, etc.

The eligibility for all the MA specializations are quite similar. Obtain a bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline from a recognized university. Some colleges or MA courses require candidates to appear for the entrance exams like CUET PG, CPGET, AP PGCET, URATPG, IPU CET, JMI Entrance, and others.

Some top MA colleges are Delhi University, Banaras Hindu University, St. Xavier's College, etc. The average MA course fees can range around approx. INR 1,000 to INR 14.7 Lakh in India.

Interested candidates can continue reading the article for more details on the MA Admission 2025.

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Q:   What is Master of Arts (MA) course?
A:

MA, or Master of Arts, is a postgraduate arts programme. It is a two-year programme that can be started after graduation. The degree is available in a variety of specialisations at colleges and institutions in India and overseas. Students who finish an integrated programme of study in social sciences and humanities are eligible for this degree.

The degree can be obtained in a full-time, part-time, correspondence, or distance format. Admission to MA programmes is based on either merit or entrance tests. Candidates seeking a Master of Arts degree must be dedicated and focused on their chosen field.

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Q:   What are the different types of MA Courses in which students can take admissions?
A:

The majority of MA courses are full-time or regular courses. Some MA courses are offered on a part-time basis. MA also offers Diploma and certificate programmes. MA Degree Course-MA is a broad course that includes four to eight compulsory core studies in each specialty. Along with it, candidates must select from a variety of elective courses.  

MA Distance Course- MA programmes in distant mode can be completed in two years. MA Distance Education is provided by some of India's most prestigious colleges, including IGNOU, Karnataka State Open University, and others.  MA Online Course- MA programmes are available in both full-time and correspondence formats, including online. There are numerous advantages to obtaining an MA online because candidates can get the best of both worlds. They can complete the course from anywhere in the country without physically attending college or university. 

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Table of contents
  • MA Admission 2025: Eligibility Criteria
  • MA Admission 2025: Top Entrance Exams
  • Best MA Colleges 2025: Admission Details
  • MA Admission FAQs
  • Top Ranked Colleges by Location
  • Popular M.A. (Master of Arts) Colleges in India
  • Popular Private M.A. (Master of Arts) Colleges in India
  • Popular M.A. (Master of Arts) Specializations
  • Most Popular Courses
View More

MA Admission 2025: Eligibility Criteria

Candidates can a general overview of the MA Eligibility:

Eligibility Criteria

Details

MA Academic Qualifications

The candidates should have completed a bachelor’s degree in any discipline.

MA Required Aggregate

They should have secured at least 50% aggregate marks in their graduation.

MA Passed or Appearing Criteria

Those who have completed their graduation as well as those who are in their final year of graduation are eligible.

MA Course Age Limit

There is no age limit.

Note: The information is taken from other sources and can be different.

 

MA Admission Process 2025

Candidates can check a general overview of the MA admission process below:

  • Make sure you meet the eligibility
  • Apply online by flling up the form
  • Take entrance exam
  • Wait for the merit list and result
  • If selected, attend the counselling session
  • Get the documents verified and pay the fee to secure the seat

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Q:   What is the admission process for the MA course?
A:

Individuals interested in obtaining a Master of Arts degree can apply for the programme online or in person. Applicants will be invited to take an entrance exam by college officials after submitting their application forms to the college or institution. There will then be a personal interview, a group discussion, and counselling. The normal approach for practically every college is the same, and students can acquire a general idea by reviewing the points below.

  • The first step for candidates is to determine which college or institute they want to apply to.
  • For Master of Arts admission, most universities have their entrance tests, while others accept candidates purely on merit.
  • Some renowned universities also hold a second round of admissions for MA programmes, including the Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI).
  • Candidates must pass the university/admission institute exam to advance to the next round, which is determined by their marks/ranks.
  • Students need to check the college websites to keep track of the latest information about the admission process.
Q:   Can MA be pursued online? What are the eligibility criteria for online MA?
A:

Yes, MA can be pursued in an online mode as well. Online Master of Arts (MA), is a two-year postgraduate degree that is accessible in a range of specialisations. The online MA programme prepares students for a variety of careers in both the corporate and educational sectors. It is critical to understand the general eligibility standards imposed by colleges and universities before enrolling in an MA programme.

The following are the general criteria: To be eligible for an MA programme, candidates must have completed a Bachelor's degree in Arts or an equivalent degree from an accredited university. They must score at least 50% in the respective disciplines.

MA Admission 2025: Top Entrance Exams

Given below are some top Humanities entrance exams through which candidates can secure admission to the Master of Arts (MA) courses:

 Entrance Exams

Exam Dates

Exam Schedule

CUET PG 2026

March - April' 2026 (Tentative)

CUET PG Exam Date 2026

CPGET 2025 4 - 11 August, 2025 CPGET Exam Date 2025
URATPG 2026 June 2026 (Tentative) URATPG Exam Date 2026
MAH CET 2026 March - April' 2026 (Tentative) MAH CET Exam Date 2025

Note: The data is taken from other sources and can be different.

MA Admissions 2025: Top Entrance Exams Syllabus

Given below are the various entrance exams for the MA course along with a generic and brief exam syllabus:

MA Entrance Exam 2025

Exam Syllabus

CUET PG Syllabus

English Numerical Aptitude/Data Interpretation

Analytical Skills

Reasoning

General Aptitude & GK

and Domain Knowledge

URATPG Syllabus

General Aptitude

English

Domain Knowledge

IPU CET Syllabus

General Awareness

English Language

Logical Reasoning

Data Interpretation

Domain Knowledge

JMI Entrance Exam Syllabus

General Knowledge

Domain Knowledge

CPGET Syllabus

Mathematics

General English

General Knowledge

Current Affairs

Domain Knowledge

 

Note: The info is taken from other sources and can be different.

MA Admissions 2025: Quick Preparation Tips

Candidates can check the preparation tips for MA exams:

  • Know about the syllabus of the exam
  • Practice from sample papers and mock tests
  • Access study materials
  • Learn how to manage time

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Q:   What are the preparation tips for candidates looking for MA Admissions?
A:

Aspirants can always check the college website for more complete information about the programme. Students must prepare thoroughly for the entrance tests in order to gain admission to a reputable college. Here are a few simple preparation recommendations for candidates to assist them remember the few points in the MA admission process.

  • Identify Requirements: Candidates need to fill in the application form with their contact information, exam results, and personal information.
  • Entrance examinations: Students must check the college website for every detail regarding entrance examinations, including dates and cut-offs.
  • Choose specialisation: Students need to choose from amongst the various specialisations in MA according to their area of interest.
Q:   What is the exact syllabus for MA entrance exams?
A:

The main subjects of MA entrance exam syllabus varies as several tests are conducted at the institute or university-levels. Hence, students can refer to old sample papers and college websites to get an idea of the examination.  Given below is a brief description of a few popular MA entrance exam syllabus:

Entrance Exam

Syllabus Details

JMI Entrance Exam

 

Students can check the complete syllabus of the JMI Entrance exams by visiting the college website. The aspirants can prepare from multiple resources like books, websites, newspapers, various educational portals, and YouTube channels. 

PU CET

Candidates should work to strengthen their strong areas, while at the same time dedicate a few hours to topics that are still the pain points

PUMDET

WBJEEB has defined the PUMDET Syllabus. Applicants must prepare for the subjects/topics listed below in order to perform well in the MA programmes offered by Presidency University.

Note: The information is taken from external sources and may vary.

Best MA Colleges 2025: Admission Details

Candidates can check the list of popular government and private colleges that offer MA courses in India beloe:

Best Government MA Colleges: Admission Details

Here is a list of government colleges that offer MA Courses along with the MA course admission fees.

Best Government Colleges MA Course Fees
Jawaharlal Nehru University MA INR 432
Delhi University MA INR 480
Banaras Hindu University MA INR 5,160 - INR 1.26 Lakh
Lucknow University MA INR 16,480 - 96,320
S.S. Jain Subodh PG College MA INR 18,900 - 37,900
Jamia Millia Islamia MA INR 18,950 - 29,750
Guru Nanak College MA INR 19,450
PSG College of Arts and Science MA INR 24,000 - INR 2 Lakh
Lady Brabourne College MA INR 27,170
Kishinchand Chellaram College MA INR 33,500 - INR 2.2 Lakh

Note: The fees is taken from other sources and can be different.

MA Course Admission 2025: Best Private Colleges in India

Here is a list of some of the most popular private colleges that offer MA courses, along with the MA course admission fees.

Best Private Colleges MA Course Fees
Loyola College MA INR 26,520 - 60,260
K J Somaiya College of Arts and Commerce MA INR 42,420 - 94,420
St. Xavier's College, Ahmedabad MA INR 48,000 - INR 76,000
Stella Maris College MA INR 58,080 - INR 1.37 Lakh
St. Xavier's College, Mumbai MA INR 72,500 - INR 1.84 Lakh
Mithibai College MA INR 1.25 Lakh - 1.45 Lakh
Amity University Noida MA INR 1.26 Lakh - 7.75 Lakh
Kristu Jayanti College MA INR 1.35 Lakh - INR 1.65 Lakh
Mount Carmel College MA INR 1.52 Lakh - 1.57 Lakh
St Joseph's University MA INR 1.65 Lakh - 2.2 Lakh

Note: The fees is taken from other sources and can be different.

MA Courses Admission to IITs

Candidates can check the list of IITs that offer admission to MA courses below:

Top IITs Admission Details MA Fees
IIT Guwahati MA INR 20,000 - 60,000
IIT Hyderabad MA INR 24,000
IIT Delhi MA INR 30,000 - 70,000
IIT Madras MA INR 80,000
IIT Bombay MA INR 2.7 Lakh - 8.1 Lakh

Note: The fees is taken from other sources and can be different.

More on M.A Admissions:

Top Colleges of DU for MA: Admission process and Average Package

MA Courses Admission to DU Colleges

Here are some top DU colleges offering MA courses in various specializations:

Top DU Colleges Admission Details MA Fees
Hansraj College MA INR 432
Indraprastha College for Women MA INR 432
Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College MA INR 432
Sri Venkateswara College MA INR 932
Miranda House MA INR 29,060 - 38,060
Ramjas College MA INR 29,510
Gargi College MA INR 32,430
Kirori Mal College MA INR 33,810
Daulat Ram College MA INR 34,860 - 40,460
Hindu College MA INR 51,600

Note: The fees is taken from other sources and can be different.

 

MA Admission 2025: Colleges Accepting Different Exam Scores

Here are some common standardized tests and scores that are accepted for an MA degree

 

Best MA Colleges for Placements (in India)

Given below are some of the top MA colleges and the average package offered:

Top MA Colleges Average Package Offered
Senthamil College Placements INR 39.12 LPA
University of Calicut Placements INR 3 - 30 LPA
Bharathi College Placements INR 30 LPA
NMIMS, Mumbai Placements INR 21.35 LPA
Kolhan University Placements INR 19.8 LPA
University of Mumbai [MU] Placements INR 8 - 18 LPA
IIT Bombay - Indian Institute of Technology Placements INR 17.92 LPA
Shiv Nadar University (SNU) Placements INR 17.9 LPA
Xavier University Bhubaneswar Placements INR 17.1 LPA
Rajdhani College, University of Delhi Placements INR 16 LPA

Note: The info is taken from other sources and can be different.

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Q:   Can MA be pursued from Indian Institute of Technology (IITs)?
A:

Yes, IITs are also offering some attractive MA courses nowadays. IITs, which is popular for its engineering courses, has started focussing on other programmes as well. Hence, students can think of pursuing MA course from this prestigious institute. However, not all IITs are offering MA presently. Only five institutes are offering MA programme. They are:

Q:   How to choose the best colleges offering MA courses?
A:

Students interested in pursuing MA course need to shortlist colleges on various factors like entrance exams accepted, specialisation, fees, scope, placements and pay packages. Students can click on the links below to know the name of the colleges and the entrance exams they accept. It will give an idea to the aspirants and help them in making their choice.

Click on the links below to know the colleges on the basis of entrance exams accepted:

MA Admission FAQs

Candidates can refer to this section for MA Admission FAQs.

Q:   What is the selection process for different MA colleges in India?
A:

The selection method for the MA or Master of Arts course is based on the entrance exam score, marks obtained in 12th and 10th grade, as well as the marks or CGPA in graduation. Following a written test, personal interview, counselling and group discussion, aspirants are assigned seats based on other criteria fulfilled by them.

The table below presents the exams accepted by different colleges along with the selection process:

Name of College

Exams Accepted

Selection Process

IIT Bombay

GATE, UGC NET, CSIR NET

Online admission test + interview

IIT, Mandi

Institute-level entrance test

Entrance Test + Personal Interview

Gargi College, Delhi

CUET

Entrance Test or Merit Based

Hindu College, Delhi

CUET

Any UG/ PG degree with at least 60% aggregate/ 1st division + DUET

Mount Carmel College, Delhi

------

Candidate must have Pass in the respective qualifying UG examination with an aggregate of 50% marks in the core subject .

Jamia Millia Islamia , Delhi

JMI Entrance Test

Entrance Test

Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhi

DUET

  • Merit-based: 60% practical test + 40% merit of UG course
  • Entrance-based: DUET (60% practical test + 40% MCQ)

LPU, Jalandhar

LPU NEST

Bachelor's degree

Christ University, Bangalore

Merit Based

Skill Assessment (Written Skills, Communication Skills and Logical Reasoning)

- Personal Interview

Loyola College, Chennai

-------

Candidates must have passed BA in English from recognised institute/university. No entry test.

Note: The information is taken from external sources and may vary.

Q:   What is the average CTC of top MA Colleges?
A:

The average CTC of graduates from a few popular MA course colleges is as follows:

Name of College

Average CTC Offered

Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhi

INR 9.4 LPA

Hindu College, Delhi

INR 5.15 LPA

Hindu College, Delhi

INR 7.2 LPA

Loyola College, Delhi

INR 7.3 LPA

Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi

INR 6.3 LPA

Amity University, Noida

INR 5.1 LPA

Christ University, Bangalore

INR 6.5 LPA

LPU, Jalandhar

INR 4 LPA

Mount Carmel College, Bangalore

INR 6.2 LPA

Loyola College, Chennai

INR 5.8 LPA

Note: The information is taken from external sources and may vary.

Q:   Which are the best books to refer for CET-IPU exam preparation?
A:

The difficulty pattern of the IPU CET is comparable to that of the 10+2 board exams. It is recommended that candidates finish the +2 curriculum.
These are a few of the crucial literature you should seek out:

Chemistry-NCERT Class 11th and 12th
Physics-NCERT Class 11th and 12th and HC Verma
Mathematics-NCERT Class 11th and 12th and R.D Sharma
Apart from these, if you want to practice more go for the below ones:
- Inorganic chemistry by JD Lee
- Organic Chemistry by Robert Thorton Morrison
-Physics: Resnick Halliday
-For Maths RD should suffice.

Top Ranked Colleges by Location

Following are the top ranked colleges for M.A. (Master of Arts) based on rankings published by The Week, Business Today and National Institutional Ranking Framework (MHRD).

Popular M.A. (Master of Arts) Colleges in India

Following are the most popular M.A. (Master of Arts) Colleges in India. Learn more about these M.A. (Master of Arts) colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.
4 Courses
432
8.4 LPA

#5 The Week

6 Courses
55.95 K
9.24 LPA

#3 The Week

7 Courses
15.21 K
7 LPA

#4 The Week

5 Courses
33.81 K
5.4 LPA

#12 The Week

4.2
6.22 LPA

#9 The Week

1.4 L

Popular Private M.A. (Master of Arts) Colleges in India

60 K
1.6 L - 5.5 L
5.45 L
4.8
2 Courses
9 L
1 L - 2.4 L
3.3
1 Course
3.1 L
5.5 LPA

M.A. Applications open. Apply Now

Popular M.A. (Master of Arts) Specializations

Following are the most popular M.A. (Master of Arts) Specializations . You can explore the top Colleges offering these Specializations by clicking the links below.

Popular Specializations

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