About University of Mysore
About University of Mysore
University of Mysore (est. 1916, UGC recognised) is one of India's oldest and most distinguished universities — established during the reign of Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV, whose progressive educational vision made Mysore State one of colonial India's most educated princely states. The university's founding in 1916 preceded India's independence by three decades, making it a pioneer of modern higher education in South India. Consistently ranked in NIRF University top 25-50 and holding UGC recognition, University of Mysore's Manasagangothri campus in Mysore city is one of India's most beautiful planned university campuses — 700 acres of academic greenery designed by British-era city planners with walking paths, botanical gardens, sports facilities and the iconic Crawford Hall.
University of Mysore affiliates 200-plus degree and professional colleges across Mysore, Mandya, Hassan, Chamarajanagar and Kodagu districts — making it one of South Karnataka's primary academic authorities. Maharaja's College (est. 1889), Yuvaraja's College (est. 1916), Maharani's Women's College and several other historic Mysore institutions are constituent colleges directly on the Manasagangothri campus. University of Mysore degrees are recognised across India and internationally — graduates from University of Mysore postgraduate programmes are eligible for all UPSC, KPSC, central government and academic positions requiring postgraduate qualifications.
Postgraduate Programmes
University of Mysore offers MA (Kannada, English, Hindi, Sanskrit, Urdu, French, German, Telugu, Tamil, Arabic, Persian, History, Ancient History, Political Science, Economics, Sociology, Social Work, Journalism and Mass Communication, Women's Studies, Library Science, Psychology, Philosophy, Fine Arts), MCom, MSc (Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Environmental Science, Geography, Computer Science, Electronics, Applied Geology), MBA, MCA, LLM, M.Ed, M.Phil and PhD across 44 postgraduate departments. The breadth of University of Mysore's department coverage — from Arabic and Persian to Applied Geology and Biotechnology — is unmatched by any other Karnataka affiliating university. For students from Mysore, Mandya, Hassan, Chamarajanagar and Kodagu who complete undergraduate education and want postgraduate specialisation in any humanities, social science, science or management discipline, University of Mysore offers the most comprehensive single-campus option in South Karnataka.
Research and Rankings
University of Mysore consistently appears in NIRF University rankings and UGC's list of universities with potential for excellence. Research output in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Botany, Kannada linguistics, History and Social Sciences has produced nationally cited publications. The university's Chemistry department has strong pharmaceutical research connections with Mysore's CFTRI (Central Food Technological Research Institute) — one of India's premier CSIR food research laboratories located on the Mysore campus. CFTRI proximity gives University of Mysore MSc Chemistry and Food Technology students collaborative research access unusual for a general university. The university's library at Manasagangothri — with over 4 lakh books, rare manuscripts collection and e-resource access — is one of South India's most comprehensive university library facilities.
Constituent Colleges on Manasagangothri Campus
University of Mysore's Manasagangothri campus directly houses historic constituent colleges alongside its postgraduate departments. Maharaja's College (est. 1889) — one of India's oldest degree colleges, whose foundation stone was laid by Prince Albert Victor of Wales in 1889. Yuvaraja's College (est. 1916) — established the same year as the university itself. Maharani's Women's College — Mysore's principal government women's degree college. These constituent colleges share the 700-acre campus with postgraduate departments — creating a unique multi-level academic environment where undergraduate and postgraduate students from different disciplines share library, sports, cultural and dining infrastructure. The campus's Jayalakshmi Vilas mansion (now the Folk Art and Cultural Museum), botanical garden and Kerala-style Shankara building add architectural and cultural heritage to the academic campus environment.
Admission to University of Mysore PG Programmes
University of Mysore postgraduate admissions are through entrance examination and merit — competitive given the university's reputation and Mysore city location. MA, MCom and MSc admissions open annually in June-July after undergraduate results. MBA admission through Karnataka PGCET. MCA through KMAT or direct. PhD admissions through entrance test and interview — held annually. Candidates from University of Mysore affiliated colleges (Mysore, Mandya, Hassan, Chamarajanagar, Kodagu districts) may have some preference in merit calculation. SSP scholarship for SC/ST/OBC students at government university fees. UGC JRF for NET qualifiers in research programmes. Hostel facilities available at Manasagangothri campus for both men and women PG students — apply separately at time of admission.
Notable Alumni
University of Mysore's alumni include some of India's most distinguished figures. Sir M Visvesvaraya (Bharat Ratna, India's greatest civil engineer) studied here. Dr S Radhakrishnan (India's second President, Bharat Ratna) taught Philosophy at Maharaja's College on the Manasagangothri campus from 1918-1921. R K Narayan (India's most celebrated English novelist, creator of Malgudi) studied at Maharaja's College. Field Marshal KM Cariappa (India's first Commander-in-Chief) is associated with Mysore's educational history. The alumni network spanning over a century of University of Mysore graduates in India's civil services, judiciary, academia, literature and public life is one of India's most distinguished for any state university.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was University of Mysore established?
University of Mysore was established in 1916 during the reign of Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV — making it one of India's oldest universities. The Manasagangothri campus was developed over subsequent decades as one of India's most planned and beautiful university campuses.
What programmes does University of Mysore offer?
MA across 20-plus subjects, MCom, MSc across 15-plus science subjects, MBA, MCA, LLM, M.Ed, MPhil and PhD across 44 departments at Manasagangothri campus. Undergraduate programmes at affiliated constituent colleges including Maharaja's College and Yuvaraja's College.
How do I apply to University of Mysore?
PG admissions through entrance examination — apply at uni-mysore.ac.in during June-July admission notification. PhD admissions through separate entrance test and interview. MBA through Karnataka PGCET at kea.kar.nic.in.
Official sources: University of Mysore | SSP Karnataka
Also see: Colleges in Mysore | Maharaja's College | Yuvaraja's College | All Karnataka Colleges
CFTRI — Mysore's Research Advantage
Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) — a CSIR premier laboratory established in 1950 — is located within the Mysore campus complex, adjacent to the University of Mysore. CFTRI's proximity creates unique collaborative research opportunities for University of Mysore MSc students in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Microbiology and Food Technology. CFTRI scientists regularly serve as adjunct faculty and PhD supervisors for University of Mysore research students. Joint CFTRI-University of Mysore research projects in food safety, nutraceuticals, traditional food science and agricultural produce processing have produced nationally cited publications and patent applications. For science students considering University of Mysore for MSc or PhD, the CFTRI-Mysore research ecosystem is a genuine differentiator over other Karnataka university campuses.
University of Mysore and Karnataka Culture
University of Mysore's founding in 1916 coincided with one of Karnataka's most culturally productive periods — the Mysore Wadiyar era that produced Kuvempu, Masti Venkatesha Iyengar, D V Gundappa (DVG) and the Mysore school of painting. The university's Kannada Studies department has been central to the development of modern Kannada literature scholarship — several Jnanpith Award winners and Karnataka Sahitya Academy presidents have been University of Mysore alumni or faculty. The Jayalakshmi Vilas mansion on the Manasagangothri campus — a heritage building that houses the Folk Art and Cultural Museum — preserves Mysore's royal artistic traditions including Mysore painting, sandalwood carving and silk weaving artefacts. For students of Kannada literature, Karnataka history, Indian philosophy and performing arts, the University of Mysore campus embeds cultural heritage into daily academic life in ways unavailable at modern university campuses built without this historical accumulation.
University of Mysore Distance Education
University of Mysore's Directorate of Distance Education (DDE) offers BA, BCom, BSc, MA, MCom, MSc, MBA and MCA through correspondence mode — serving working professionals, homemakers and second-chance learners across Karnataka and other states. Distance education fees are significantly lower than regular campus fees. UGC recognition ensures these degrees are valid for Karnataka government employment and most private sector positions. MA Kannada and MA English through University of Mysore distance education are among Karnataka's most sought-after correspondence degrees — the University of Mysore name carries recognition for private school teaching, content creation and editorial positions that smaller university distance programmes don't achieve. Apply at uni-mysore.ac.in during annual distance admission notification (typically July-September).
Scholarships at University of Mysore
UGC Junior Research Fellowship (JRF): Rs 31,000/month for NET-qualified students in PhD programmes — self-funding doctoral education for qualified researchers. SSP Post-Matric Scholarship: full fee reimbursement for SC/ST/OBC students at government university fees. UGC Post-Doctoral Fellowship for women researchers. KSCSTE project fellowships for science research students. Karnataka Minority Welfare scholarships for Muslim, Christian and minority community students. Chief Minister's Meritorious Scholarship for first-class undergraduate toppers. University of Mysore's own endowment scholarships — funded by alumni donations over a century — for merit and need-based support across several departments. SC/ST students who qualify for University of Mysore research programmes with JRF receive Rs 31,000-35,000 per month stipend plus government university fees reimbursed through SSP — effectively free PhD education with a monthly living stipend, one of Karnataka's strongest educational value propositions for qualified research aspirants from disadvantaged backgrounds.