Fees
Fees at Sarala Birla University for the Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in Computer Science and Engineering program are approximately Rs. 75,000 per semester, resulting in total course fees between Rs. 5,10,000 and Rs. 5,26,000. Additional fees include a one-time registration fee of Rs. 10,000 and a caution deposit of Rs.
5,000. Hostel accommodation fees are around Rs. 48,000 per semester. Scholarship opportunities exist, with merit-based discounts up to 100% available for students scoring above 90% on their 12th-grade exams, 50% scholarships for scores above 90%, and varying scholarship percentages based on performance in the JEE Mains or CBSE scores. The e-Kalyan scholarship applies to backward class students.
The university also offers internal scholarships up to 25% based on academic achievements.
About Master of Computer Applications [MCA]
Sarala Birla University (SBU), Ranchi offers a 2-year full-time Master of Computer Applications (MCA) programme under its Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science, designed to develop highly skilled professionals in software development, computer applications, and emerging technologies. The programme spans 4 semesters with a total course fee of INR 2,46,000 (as per the official SBU website), making it one of the more affordable MCA programmes in Jharkhand. The curriculum covers core computing subjects including programming, data structures, algorithms, DBMS, operating systems, computer networks, and software engineering, along with modern areas such as web development, mobile applications, cloud computing, data analytics, and artificial intelligence. The MCA at SBU is popular among BCA and B.Sc. (Computer Science) graduates seeking a postgraduate qualification to enter the IT industry.
Admissions for the 2026-27 batch are currently open. SBU typically begins its MCA admission process from April-May, with the batch commencing in July-August. Applications can be submitted online at admission.sbu.ac.in. Admission is merit-based; candidates may also appear for the SBU Entrance Test if required.
Key Points
- SBU offers MCA in three specialisations: Application Software, Software Development, and System Engineering.
- The programme is designed as per the UGC-CBCS scheme with an Outcome Based Education (OBE) approach.
- A mandatory summer internship is part of the curriculum, providing real-world industry exposure.
- The programme includes hands-on laboratory sessions, capstone projects, seminars, and guest lectures from industry experts.
- Students from B.Sc./B.Com/B.A. backgrounds with Mathematics at 10+2 or graduation level are also eligible (with bridge courses as applicable).
- Final year students awaiting results can also apply and be considered for provisional admission.
- SBU has international collaborations with universities including University of Pennsylvania, UC Berkeley, University of Minnesota, and University of Arizona, providing global academic exposure.
- The Training and Placement Cell provides dedicated support for internships, personality development, and campus placements from the third semester onwards.
SBU MCA Fees
The total course fee for the MCA at SBU is INR 2,46,000 for the full 2-year programme, as per the official SBU website. This comprises a one-time fee of INR 30,000 payable at admission and a per-semester fee of INR 54,000 across 4 semesters. Hostel facility is optional and available separately at approximately INR 70,000 per year.
Fee Components
| Fee Component | Amount (INR) |
|---|---|
| Application Fee (One-Time) | 1,000 |
| Provisional Admission Fee (One-Time) | 15,000 |
| Caution Money (One-Time, Refundable) | 5,000 |
| Degree Fee (One-Time) | 5,000 |
| Certificate Fee (One-Time) | 4,000 |
| Total One-Time Fees | 30,000 |
| Tuition Fee (Per Semester) | 46,000 |
| Development Fee (Per Semester) | 3,400 |
| Exam Fee (Per Semester) | 3,000 |
| ICT Fee (Per Semester) | 1,600 |
| Total Per Semester Fee | 54,000 |
| Total Per Semester Fee x 4 Semesters | 2,16,000 |
| Total Course Fee (One-Time + 4 Semesters) | 2,46,000 |
| Hostel Fee (Optional, Per Year) | ~70,000 |
| Total with Hostel (2 Years, Optional) | ~3,86,000 |
- Caution Money of INR 5,000 is refundable at the time of leaving the university.
- Provisional Admission Fee of INR 15,000 comprises Counselling Fee (INR 10,000) and Admission Fee (INR 5,000); the Counselling Fee component is non-refundable.
- Hostel fee is optional and not included in the Total Course Fee.
- Refund Policy: Withdrawal before class commencement - INR 10,000 processing charge deducted; withdrawal within 1-7 days of class commencement - 80% refund; within 1-14 days - 60% refund; within 1-21 days - 40% refund; after 21 days - only Caution Money refunded.
- Educational loan facility is available at discounted interest rates for eligible students.
SBU MCA Admission 2026-27
SBU MCA admissions for the 2026-27 batch are currently open. Admission is primarily merit-based, with candidates shortlisted on the basis of their qualifying examination scores. The university also accepts NIMCET scores (NIT MCA Common Entrance Test), though it is not mandatory. Candidates can apply online at admission.sbu.ac.in or visit the campus directly for counselling.
SBU MCA Admission Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Admission Open (2026-27) | Ongoing (as of March 2026) |
| Application Start Date | April 2026 (Tentative) |
| Last Date to Apply | June 2026 (Tentative) |
| SBU Entrance Test (if applicable) | May 2026 (Tentative) |
| Merit List / Offer Letter | June 2026 (Tentative) |
| Batch Commencement | July-August 2026 (Tentative) |
Entrance Exam Dates
| Exam | Key Dates | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| NIMCET 2026 | Registration: Mar 3 - May 1, 2026; Admit Card: Jun 3, 2026; Exam: Jun 6, 2026; Result: Jun 29, 2026 | NIT MCA Common Entrance Test; score accepted at SBU |
| SBU Entrance Test | May 2026 (Tentative) | For candidates without NIMCET or other scores |
The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Candidates must have passed BCA / Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science Engineering or equivalent, with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST).
- OR passed B.Sc. / B.Com / B.A. with Mathematics at 10+2 level or at Graduation level, with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST). Bridge courses may be required as per university norms.
- Final year students awaiting results are also eligible to apply provisionally.
Admission Process:
- Visit the official admission portal at admission.sbu.ac.in and register.
- Fill in the application form and select MCA as the preferred course along with the desired specialisation.
- Upload required documents: mark sheets of qualifying examination, school/college leaving certificate, conduct certificate, anti-ragging affidavit, and medical fitness certificate.
- Pay the application fee of INR 1,000 online.
- Appear for the SBU Entrance Test if required, or submit NIMCET scorecard.
- Receive Offer Letter from SBU upon shortlisting based on merit.
- Accept the offer and pay the Provisional Admission Fee within the specified deadline to confirm the seat.
- Report to campus on the designated date with original documents for verification and final enrolment.
SBU MCA Scholarships 2026-27
SBU offers merit-based and category-based scholarships applicable on tuition fees for the MCA programme. Students with strong academic records can avail up to 50% waiver on tuition fees. SC/ST students from Jharkhand can additionally benefit from the Government of Jharkhand's e-Kalyan scholarship scheme.
Merit-Based Scholarships
| Academic Score (Class 12 / Graduation) | Tuition Fee Waiver |
|---|---|
| 95% and above | 50% |
| 90% - 94.99% | 25% |
| 80% - 89.99% | 20% |
| 70% - 79.99% | 10% |
Category-Based Scholarships
| Category | Tuition Fee Waiver |
|---|---|
| Children/Grandchildren of Freedom Fighters | 10% |
| Children of Armed/Para-Military Personnel | 15% |
| Students from Sarala Birla Public School (SBPS) | 25% |
| Children/Spouse of BAGM UNIT Employees | 25% |
| Students with Disabilities | 25% |
| Kashmiri Migrant Students | 15% |
Internal Semester-Based Scholarships
| Semester Rank Bracket | Tuition Fee Waiver (Next Semester) |
|---|---|
| Top 10% of batch | 25% |
| 11th to 20th percentile of batch | 10% |
Government Scholarship
| Scholarship | Eligibility | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| e-Kalyan (Govt. of Jharkhand) | SC/ST students domiciled in Jharkhand | Full/partial tuition fee support as per government norms |
- Scholarships apply only to tuition fees; hostel, transport, and exam fees are excluded.
- Only one scholarship can be availed at a time; they cannot be combined unless specifically stated.
- Original mark sheets must be submitted at the time of admission for merit scholarship verification.
- Internal semester scholarships are valid for one semester only and are based on academic performance.
- For e-Kalyan, students must apply through the official portal: ekalyan.cgg.gov.in.
SBU MCA Placement 2026-27
Placement Details
| Recruiters | Roles | Placement Rate | Highest Package |
|---|---|---|---|
| TCS, Wipro, Infosys, Appvin, Eurusys, and various other IT firms | software developer, system analyst, web developer, and IT support engineer | approximately 60-80% | INR 9 LPA (university-wide, 2024-25) |
SBU's Training and Placement Cell facilitates placements for MCA graduates with companies in the IT and software sector.
SBU MCA FAQs
Ques. Is NIMCET mandatory for MCA admission at SBU, or can I get admission without it?
Ans. NIMCET is not mandatory for MCA admission at SBU. Admission is primarily merit-based on qualifying examination scores. Candidates who have appeared for NIMCET can submit their scorecard, but those without it can still apply and may be required to appear for the SBU Entrance Test. This makes SBU accessible to students who have not appeared for NIMCET.
Ques. What are the three MCA specialisations offered at SBU, and how do I choose one?
Ans. SBU offers MCA in three specialisations: Application Software, Software Development, and System Engineering. The specialisation is typically chosen at the time of admission or in the early semesters. Application Software focuses on building end-user applications; Software Development covers the full software development lifecycle; and System Engineering deals with system-level programming, OS, and hardware-software integration.
Ques. Can a B.Com or B.A. graduate apply for MCA at SBU?
Ans. Yes, B.Com and B.A. graduates are eligible for MCA at SBU, provided they have studied Mathematics either at the 10+2 level or at the graduation level, and have scored at least 50% in their qualifying examination (45% for SC/ST). Bridge courses may be required as per university norms to cover foundational computing concepts.
Ques. What kind of IT companies recruit MCA graduates from SBU?
Ans. SBU's Training and Placement Cell facilitates placements for MCA graduates with companies in the IT and software sector. Key recruiters include TCS, Wipro, Infosys, Appvin, Eurusys, and various other IT firms. The placement rate for the MCA programme is approximately 60-80%, with the highest package recorded at INR 9 LPA (university-wide, 2024-25). MCA graduates typically get placed in roles such as software developer, system analyst, web developer, and IT support engineer.
Ques. Is the MCA at SBU a 2-year or 3-year programme? Has the duration changed after the NEP?
Ans. The MCA at SBU is a 2-year (4-semester) full-time programme. Following the UGC's revision of MCA guidelines (which reduced the programme from 3 years to 2 years), SBU offers the updated 2-year MCA. This is the current structure as per the official SBU website.
Ques. What is the hostel fee for MCA students at SBU, and is accommodation guaranteed?
Ans. Hostel accommodation at SBU is optional and not guaranteed, but the campus has separate hostel facilities for boys and girls with a combined capacity of 700 students. The annual hostel fee is approximately INR 70,000 (room and board included). Students are advised to apply for hostel accommodation early as seats are limited. Off-campus accommodation options are also available near the Ranchi-Purulia Highway campus.