About Master in Social Work [MSW]
Rajagiri College of Social Sciences (Rajagiri RCSS), Kalamassery, Kochi, Kerala, offers Master of Social Work [MSW] as a 2-year full-time postgraduate programme affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University (MGU), Kottayam. Rajagiri RCSS has been a pioneer in Social Work education in Kerala since its founding in 1955 and its School of Social Work is one of the oldest and most respected in South India. The MSW is a government-aided programme; total fees for the two-year course are ₹8,261, among the lowest for a postgraduate degree in Kerala. Admission is based on a Written Admission Test and Group Discussion and Personal Interview.
Applications for the 2026-27 batch are open at Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Kochi, with MSW admissions based on a Written Admission Test and Group Discussion and Personal Interview, and classes commencing in August 2026.
Key Points
- The MSW is a government-aided programme with total fees of just ₹8,261 for two years, making it one of the most affordable PG Social Work degrees in India.
- Rajagiri RCSS’s School of Social Work has trained social work professionals for over six decades; graduates work in NGOs, government agencies, CSR departments, healthcare, and counselling sectors.
- The programme is affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, and recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC), ensuring national recognition of the degree.
- Field placements are an integral component of the MSW curriculum, giving students hands-on exposure to community development, mental health, child welfare, and disability rehabilitation settings.
Rajagiri RCSS MSW Fees
MSW Fee Structure
| Component | Amount (INR) |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (Year 1) | ₹2,190 |
| Special Fees (Year 1) | ₹2,813 |
| Tuition Fee (Year 2) | ₹2,190 |
| Special Fees (Year 2) | ₹1,068 |
| Total Fees (2 Years) | ₹8,261 |
- The MSW is a government-aided programme; tuition fee is ₹2,190 per year as fixed by the Fee Regulatory Committee.
- Special fees include affiliation, sports, welfare, union, and insurance charges; Year 1 fees are higher due to initial registration charges.
- Total fees for the two-year MSW programme amount to ₹8,261 as per the official 2024-25 fee schedule at rajagiri.edu.
Rajagiri RCSS MSW Admission 2026
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Form Release | February 2026 |
| Written Admission Test | April to May 2026 |
| Group Discussion and Interview | May to June 2026 |
| Rank List Publication | Within 20 days of interview completion |
| Classes Commence | August 2026 |
Entrance Exam Dates
| Exam | Registration End | Exam Date | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rajagiri MSW Admission Test | April 2026 | April to May 2026 | June 2026 |
- Admission to the MSW programme at Rajagiri RCSS is based on a Written Admission Test covering Social Work concepts, General Knowledge, and Communication Skills, followed by a Group Discussion and Personal Interview.
- Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree in Social Work or any discipline from a MG University-recognised institution with a minimum of 50 percent aggregate marks.
- SC/ST/OEC candidates are eligible with a pass in the qualifying degree; CGPA/CCPA scores are converted per university norms.
- Applications are submitted online at rajagiri.edu/admissions; rank lists are published within 20 days of the interview round.
The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria
- Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, or any discipline from a MG University-recognised or equivalent institution.
- A minimum aggregate of 50 percent marks in the qualifying bachelor’s degree is required; SC/ST/OEC candidates are eligible with a pass.
- Applicants from disciplines other than Social Work must demonstrate an understanding of social issues through the written test and interview.
- Applicants completing their bachelor’s degree in March-May 2026 may apply provisionally.
Admission Process
- Register on the Rajagiri admissions portal at rajagiri.edu/admissions and complete the MSW application form.
- Upload bachelor’s degree mark sheets (all semesters/years), photograph, and identity proof, and pay the application fee online.
- Download the admit card and appear for the Written Admission Test at the Rajagiri RCSS campus in Kalamassery.
- Shortlisted candidates are invited for a Group Discussion and Personal Interview conducted by the School of Social Work.
- Await the merit rank list published within 20 days of the interview round on the official website.
- Selected candidates complete document verification and pay the nominal first-year fee to confirm enrolment.
Rajagiri RCSS MSW Scholarships 2026
MSW Scholarships Available
| Scholarship | Amount | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Government Post Matric Scholarship | As per government norms | SC/ST students from Kerala; applied via National Scholarship Portal |
| SEBC/OEC Scholarship | As per government norms | Socially and Educationally Backward Classes / Other Eligible Communities in Kerala |
| Diversity Scholarship | 25 percent tuition waiver | Based on academic achievement; limited slots across PG programmes |
| Alumni Award | Merit-based financial aid | Students with outstanding academic or community service contribution |
- Government scholarships (Post Matric, SEBC, OBC) are processed through the National Scholarship Portal and Kerala Social Welfare Department; students must apply separately after admission.
- Given the aided status of the programme, total fees are among the lowest for a PG degree at a recognised institution in Kerala; government scholarship beneficiaries effectively study at near-zero cost.
Rajagiri RCSS MSW FAQs
Ques. What is the total fee for MSW at Rajagiri RCSS Kochi?
Ans. The total fees for the two-year MSW at Rajagiri RCSS are ₹8,261, comprising ₹5,003 in Year 1 and ₹3,258 in Year 2. The programme is government-aided with tuition fixed at ₹2,190 per year by the Fee Regulatory Committee.
Ques. What is the eligibility for MSW at Rajagiri RCSS?
Ans. Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a MG University-recognised or equivalent institution with a minimum of 50 percent aggregate marks. SC/ST/OEC candidates are eligible with a pass.
Ques. What is the admission process for MSW at Rajagiri RCSS Kochi?
Ans. Admission is through a Written Admission Test covering Social Work concepts, General Knowledge, and Communication Skills, followed by a Group Discussion and Personal Interview at Rajagiri RCSS.
Ques. Are government scholarships available for MSW at Rajagiri RCSS?
Ans. Yes. SC/ST students can apply for Post-Matric scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal; SEBC/OEC students can apply for Kerala state scholarships. Given the aided status, scholarship beneficiaries study at near-zero cost.
Ques. What career opportunities are available after MSW from Rajagiri RCSS?
Ans. MSW graduates work as social workers, community development officers, counsellors, welfare officers, hospital social workers, and CSR managers in NGOs, government departments, hospitals, and corporate organisations.