KSOU Fees Structure 2026: UG, PG, Diploma & Certificate Courses

Karnataka State Open University (KSOU), located in Muktagangotri, Mysuru, is one of India’s leading Open and Distance Learning (ODL) universities. Accredited with an A+ grade by NAAC and ranked among the top open universities in India, KSOU offers affordable and flexible higher education for students from different backgrounds, including working professionals, rural learners, and first-generation graduates. The university provides a wide range of Undergraduate (UG), Postgraduate (PG), Diploma, and Certificate programmes at much lower fees compared to regular universities. This article gives a complete and easy-to-understand overview of the KSOU Fee Structure 2026, including programme-wise fees, additional charges, concession details, payment methods, and refund policies for both July and January admission cycles.

KSOU Fee Structure 2026 Overview

The revised KSOU fee structure for the 2026 academic year applies to both July and January admission cycles. The updated fees include an average increase of around 10% compared to the previous academic year. Students applying for admission should check the latest programme-wise fee details before enrollment.

Key Highlights of KSOU Fees

FeatureDetails
Affordable UG FeesStarting from ₹9,240/year for B.A. (General Students)
PG ProgrammesM.A. from ₹11,660/year; M.B.A. from ₹32,890/year
10% ConcessionFor BPL women, Defence, Ex-Servicemen, KSRTC/BMTC staff
Full Fee WaiverFor Transgender students & COVID-19 orphans
Two CyclesJuly Admissions & January Admissions per year
Certificate CoursesAvailable from ₹5,390/year (Panchayat Raj)

KSOU Fee Components Explained

Fee Component Description
Admission Processing Fee (APF) One-time fee charged for new admissions. Not applicable for continuing students.
Registration Fee (RF) University registration fee, usually charged in the first year or at the time of direct admission.
Study/Development Fee (SDF) Covers study materials and academic support. Charged every year.
Library Fee (LF) Annual fee for access to library resources.
Activity Fee (AF) Fee for student activities and welfare, mainly charged in the first year or direct admission.
Tuition Fee Main course fee, which varies depending on the programme and year of study.
Total Fee Total amount payable, including all applicable fees.

Note: The APF (₹935 or ₹1,210), RF, and AF are only charged in the first year of regular admission or for direct admissions. Continuing students in the 2nd/3rd year are charged only SDF + LF + Tuition Fee.

KSOU Fees for Distance Courses

KSOU UG Courses Fees 2026

Course Name Duration Tuition Fee (₹) Total Fee for Other Students (₹) Total Fee for Eligible Concession Students (₹)
BA 3 Years 6,160 (1st Year) 9,540 8,924
BCom 3 Years 6,710 (1st Year) 10,090 9,419
BSc General / BSc Hons (IT) 3 Years 22,660 (1st Year) 26,590 24,324
Bachelor of Library & Information Science (BLIS) 1 Year 10,010 13,940 12,939
BCA 3 Years 22,660 (1st Year) 26,590 24,324
BBA 3 Years 10,010 (1st Year) 13,940 12,939
BSW 3 Years 10,560 (1st Year) 14,490 13,434
B.Ed 2 Years 34,650 (1st Year) 39,570 As per university norms

KSOU PG Courses Fees 2026

Course Name Duration Tuition Fee (₹) Total Fee for Other Students (₹) Total Fee for Eligible Concession Students (₹)
MA 2 Years 8,305 (1st Year) 11,960 11,130
MA (Journalism & Mass Communication) 2 Years 14,465 (1st Year) 18,120 16,674
MCom 2 Years 10,285 (1st Year) 13,940 12,912
Master of Library & Information Science (MLIS) 1 Year 16,335 20,265 18,632
MBA 2 Years 28,270 (1st Year) 33,190 30,363
MSc 2 Years 29,040 (1st Year) 32,970 30,066
MSW 2 Years 19,800 (1st Year) 23,730 21,750
MCA 2 Years 29,040 (1st Year) 32,970 30,066

KSOU Diploma & Certificate Course Fees 2026

KSOU Diploma Courses Fee Structure

Course NameDuration / EligibilityTuition Fee (₹)Total Fee for Other Students (₹)
Diploma in Kannada10+2 Based4,8407,340
Diploma in Journalism10+2 Based6,4908,990
Diploma in Information Technology10+2 Based6,6009,100
Diploma in Computer Application10+2 Based7,0409,540
Diploma in Early Childhood Care & Education10+2 Based17,16019,660
Diploma in Translation Studies10+2 Based5,6108,110
Diploma in Predictive Astrology10+2 Based10,00012,500
Diploma in Mundane Astrology10+2 Based10,00012,500
Diploma in Vastu Astrology10+2 Based10,00012,500

KSOU Post Graduate Certificate (PGC) Courses Fee Structure

Course NameTuition Fee (₹)Total Fee for Other Students (₹)
PGC English4,8407,340
Communicative English4,8407,340
Marketing Management5,6108,110
Human Resource Management9,79012,290
Business Administration4,8407,340
Financial Management9,79012,290
Information Technology9,79012,290
Journalism & Mass Communication9,46011,960
Kuvempu Sahitya4,8407,340
Business Law8,69011,190
Computer Application10,23012,730
Ambedkar Studies4,8407,340
Linguistics4,8407,340

KSOU Certificate Courses Fee Structure

Course NameTuition Fee (₹)Total Fee for Other Students (₹)
Panchayat Raj3,1905,690
Information Communication Technology4,2906,790
Translation Studies3,1905,690
Jyothir Vigyan8,00010,500

KSOU Distance Courses Categories

Category Courses
Undergraduate (UG) BA, BCom, BBA, BCA, BSc (Hons), BLIS, BSW
Postgraduate (PG) MBA, MCA, MA, MCom, MSc, MSW, MLIS
PG Certificate English, Management, IT, Journalism, Law, Computer Applications etc.
Diploma Kannada, Journalism, IT, Computer Application, Translation Studies, Astrology etc.
Certificate Panchayat Raj, ICT, Translation Studies, Jyothir Vigyan

Online Courses Offered at KSOU

Undergraduate Programmes

Programmes Duration Credits
Bachelor of Arts (History, Economics, Political Science) 3 Years 100
B.Com 3 Years 100

Postgraduate Programmes

Programmes Duration Credits
Master of Arts – Kannada 4 Semesters 80
Master of Arts – English 4 Semesters 80
Master of Arts – Hindi 4 Semesters 80
Master of Arts – Sanskrit 2 Years 70
Master of Arts – Economics 4 Semesters 80
Master of Commerce 4 Semesters 80
Master of Business Administration 4 Semesters 94
Master of Science – Mathematics 4 Semesters 82

KSOU Fees for Online UG & PG Courses

Sl NoProgrammeYearProcessing Fee (₹)Registration Fee (₹)Library Fee (₹)Alumni Fee (₹)Tuition Fee (₹)Total Fee (₹)Foreign Students
1B.AI10001000500500700010000Indian Fee + 250 USD
II1000500850010000
III1000500850010000
2B.COMI10001000500500900012000Indian Fee + 250 USD
II10005001050012000
III10005001050012000
3M.A (Kannada, English, Hindi, Sanskrit, Economics)I100010005005001200015000Indian Fee + 250 USD
II10005001350015000
4M.COMI100010005005001700020000Indian Fee + 300 USD
II10005001850020000
5M.B.AI200010005005003600040000Indian Fee + 300 USD
II20005003750040000
6M.Sc MathematicsI100010005005003700040000Indian Fee + 300 USD
II10005003850040000

Notes:

  1. The exchange rate considered for fee remittance (USD to INR) will be based on the rate applicable on the first working day of the month as per the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
  2. The applicable fee for Change of Name / Re-enrolment / Study Centre Change (wherever applicable) is ₹1,000.
  3. The applicable fee for the following services is ₹2,000:
    • Study Certificate for NRI students or Tibetan candidates who have studied in Karnataka for a minimum period of 5 years.
    • Eligibility fee for students residing or having studied outside Karnataka.
    • Re-enrolment fee after a break of two years.
    • Bonafide Certificate (wherever applicable).
  4. The fee for MPP (Level-I) is ₹1,000.

KSOU Examination Fee for Online Courses

Programmes One Paper (₹) Two Paper (₹) Three Paper (₹) Four & Above (₹) Full Fee (₹)
B.A 1500 2000 2500 3000 3000
B.COM 1500 2000 2500 3000 3000
M.A 1500 2000 2500 3000 3000
M.COM 1500 2000 2500 3000 3000
MBA 1500 2000 2500 3000 3000
M.Sc. 1500 2000 2500 3000 3000

KSOU Scholarships, Concessions & Fee Exemptions

KSOU provides a structured set of fee concessions to support underprivileged and special category students.

10% Tuition Fee Concession (UG & PG Degree Programmes Only)

The following categories receive a 10% reduction on Tuition Fee for UG and PG degree programmes:

  • BPL (Below Poverty Line) card-holding women students
  • Defence personnel and Ex-Servicemen
  • Auto and Cab Drivers, and their spouses/children (up to two children)
  • KSRTC, BMTC, NWKRTC, and KKRTC staff
Note: This 10% concession applies to tuition fee only, not to APF, RF, SDF, LF, or AF components. The concession total fee is the sum of all fees with the discounted tuition amount.

 

KSOU Employee Concession

Employees of Karnataka State Open University, along with their spouse and up to two children, are eligible for a 10% concession on the Total Fee for any eligible programme at any KSOU centre.

Full Fee Waiver (100% Tuition Fee Exemption)

  • Transgender Students: Full fee waiver on total fees for all eligible programmes.
  • COVID-19 Orphans: Children who lost their parent(s) to COVID-19 during the 2019 pandemic are eligible for a full fee exemption for the programme they qualify for.
  • Visually Impaired Students: Government-certified students with 50%+ visual impairment are eligible for a full fee waiver, except for B.Ed. and M.B.A. programmes.

Government Scholarships

Students eligible for government scholarships under SC/ST/OBC/EWS categories may apply through state or national scholarship portals. KSOU study centres and the university’s student welfare cell assist in processing scholarship applications.

Students are required to first pay the fee and subsequently receive reimbursement through their scholarship accounts.

Important: Students must first pay the fees and then receive any government scholarship reimbursement. KSOU does not hold admissions pending scholarship sanctions. No study centre may collect fees from students beyond the amounts specified in this notification.

KSOU Fee Payment Process 2026

KSOU accepts both online and offline payment modes. The university publishes fee details on its official website and the KSOU Digital Academic Platform App.

Online Fee Payment Steps

  1. Visit the official KSOU website at ksoumysuru.ac.in or open the KSOU Digital Academic Platform App.
  2. Click on Admissions / Student Login and log in with your application number or enrolled student credentials.
  3. Select the programme and year for which you are paying fees. Verify the fee breakup displayed on screen.
  4. Choose your preferred payment method: UPI / Debit Card / Credit Card / Net Banking.
  5. Complete the transaction and download the payment receipt. Keep it safely — it is required for examination form submission.
  6. For direct admissions, pay the additional Direct Admission Fee (₹3,300) + Processing Fee (₹550) separately if prompted.

Offline Payment Option

Students may also pay fees in person at any authorised KSOU Study Centre or Regional Centre. Upon payment, insist on an official receipt bearing the Study Centre seal and authorised signature. Do not pay any amount over the prescribed fee schedule; study centres are strictly prohibited from charging additional amounts.

Important Payment Guidelines

  • Always verify the total fee before payment using the programme fee tables in this notification.
  • Keep the fee payment receipt safely until the end of your programme.
  • UG 2nd and final year / PG final year students in direct admission must pay ₹3,300 direct admission fee + ₹550 processing fee along with the regular programme fee.
  • The fee notification is published on the official KSOU website, the Academic Platform App, and notice boards at all study centres.
  • For Jyothisha Shastra, PGC, Diploma, and Certificate programmes commencing from the 2026 July cycle, fees are fixed.

KSOU Refund Policy & Cancellation

KSOU Refund Policy

KSOU’s refund policy follows UGC guidelines. The applicable refund schedule for the 2026 academic year is as follows:

Withdrawal TimingRefund Percentage
Before the formal commencement of the programme100% (full refund, minus processing charges)
Up to 15 days after commencement80%
16 to 30 days after commencement50%
31 to 90 days after commencement25%
After 90 days from commencementNo refund
Note: Refund timelines and exact percentages are subject to the UGC regulations in force at the time of cancellation. Students should check the latest refund policy on the official KSOU website or contact the Admissions Department at the time of withdrawal.

Conclusion

KSOU’s fee structure for 2026 is designed to make higher education affordable for everyone, including working professionals, rural students, and students from low-income families. Undergraduate courses start from ₹9,240 per year, while postgraduate courses start from ₹11,660 per year, making KSOU a budget-friendly option for higher studies. The university also offers fee concessions for BPL women, defence personnel, and transport staff, along with full fee waivers for transgender students, COVID-19 orphans, and visually impaired students. Since fees may change every year, it is important to check the latest fee details before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

UG course fees vary by programme. B.A. starts at ₹9,240/year (1st year, general students), B.Com. at ₹9,790/year, B.Sc. Gen/Hons at ₹26,290/year, B.C.A. at ₹26,290/year, and B.B.A. at ₹13,640/year. From the 2nd year onwards, fees are lower as APF, RF, and AF are not charged.

PG fees range from ₹11,660/year (1st Year M.A.) to ₹32,890/year (1st Year M.B.A.) for general students. M.Com. starts at ₹13,640, M.Sc. at ₹32,670, M.S.W. at ₹23,430, and M.C.A. at ₹32,670 for the first year.

The fee structure published here covers admission/programme fees. Examination fees, if applicable, may be charged separately at the time of examination form submission. Students should check the examination notification issued by the examination wing of KSOU.

Yes. KSOU provides an online payment facility through its official website and the KSOU Digital Academic Platform App. Payments can be made via UPI, debit/credit card, or net banking.

Yes. The Registration Fee (RF) is charged in the 1st year and for direct admissions. It is ₹605 for most UG programmes (B.A., B.Com.) and ₹880 for B.Sc., B.C.A., B.B.A., and all PG programmes. It is not charged for continuing 2nd/3rd year students.

Fees may be partially refundable based on UGC refund policy guidelines. The refund percentage depends on when withdrawal is initiated — from 100% before commencement to 0% after 90 days. Check the official KSOU website for the current applicable refund schedule.

Yes. KSOU provides a 10% concession on tuition fee for BPL women, Defence/Ex-Servicemen, Auto/Cab drivers and their families, and KSRTC/BMTC/NWKRTC/KKRTC staff. Full fee waivers are available for Transgender students, COVID-19 orphans, and the visually impaired (govt-certified, 50%+). Government SC/ST/OBC scholarships are also applicable.

Diploma (10+2 based) fees range from ₹7,040/year (Diploma in Kannada) to ₹19,360/year (Early Childhood Care & Education). Certificate courses start as low as ₹5,390 (Panchayat Raj, Translation Studies) and go up to ₹10,200 (Jyothir Vigyan).

Yes, significantly. KSOU’s ODL model means no campus infrastructure costs, hostels, or labs for most courses, allowing it to charge a fraction of what residential universities or private institutions charge. A B.A. at KSOU costs as little as ₹9,240/year versus ₹15,000–₹35,000 at many affiliated colleges.

You can check the latest KSOU fee details on the university’s official website, the KSOU Digital Academic Platform App, or at any authorised KSOU Study Centre or Regional Centre.

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