- KSOU was established on 1 June 1996 at Muktha Gangothri, Mysuru, and is recognised by the UGC and its Distance Education Bureau, with UGC Section 12B and 2f status and NAAC A+ accreditation
- Its official revised 2025-26 fees range from about Rs 7,040 to Rs 39,270 per year depending on the programme
- The official website is ksoumysuru.ac.in.
What Is Karnataka State Open University (KSOU)?
Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) is a state open university established on 1 June 1996 at Muktha Gangothri, Mysuru, under the KSOU Act 1992. Recognised by the UGC and its Distance Education Bureau, it offers open and distance learning degrees, diplomas and certificates to learners across India.
KSOU grew out of the Institute of Correspondence Course and Continuing Education, a wing of the University of Mysore, and became a full-fledged open university in 1996. It provides undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across arts, commerce, science, IT, management, library science and education, along with a range of diploma and certificate courses.
The university's main objective is to reach learners who cannot attend regular full-time courses. Its distance and online mode lets working people and other students earn recognised degrees and diplomas flexibly, supported by self-learning material, a learning management system and a network of learner support centres.
How to Get a Scholarship to Study AbroadRead →Where Is the KSOU Campus Located?
KSOU's headquarters sits at Muktha Gangothri, Mysuru, Karnataka 570006, on the Mysuru-Mangaluru road near the University of Mysore's Manasagangothri campus. The roughly 36-acre campus houses administrative offices, the academic block, a library, lecture halls and a guest house for learners attending examinations and contact programmes.
The campus also has supporting facilities such as a post office, a bank and a canteen. Beyond Mysuru, KSOU operates through recognised learner support and study centres so that students in different districts can access counselling, contact classes and examinations closer to home.
Is KSOU Recognised by UGC and NAAC?
Yes. KSOU is recognised by the University Grants Commission and its Distance Education Bureau for open, distance and online learning, and holds UGC Section 12B and 2f status. It is accredited with the NAAC A+ grade. Learners should confirm a specific programme's recognition on the official KSOU website before enrolling.
- UGC Distance Education Bureau (DEB) recognition for open and distance learning programmes
- UGC recognition for approved online programmes
- UGC Section 12B and 2f status
- NAAC A+ accreditation
- Member of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), New Delhi since 1999
- Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), London and Commonwealth of Learning (COL), Vancouver
- Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU)
Which Courses Does KSOU Offer?
KSOU offers undergraduate degrees such as BA, BCom, BSc, BBA, BCA, BSW and BEd, and postgraduate degrees including MA, MCom, MSc, MBA and MCA. It also runs PG diplomas, diplomas and certificate programmes across arts, commerce, science, management, library science, journalism and education, delivered through distance and online modes.
- Undergraduate degrees: BA, BCom, BSc, BBA, BCA, BSW, BEd
- Postgraduate degrees: MA, MCom, MSc, MBA, MCA
- Postgraduate certificate programmes (PGC)
- PG diploma and diploma programmes
- Certificate programmes
- Research (PhD) programmes
What Are the KSOU Fees for 2025-26?
As per KSOU's official 2025-26 revised fee notification, first-year annual fees for general students are about Rs 9,240 for BA, Rs 9,790 for BCom, Rs 11,660 for MA, Rs 26,290 for BSc and Rs 32,890 for MBA. Overall programme fees range from roughly Rs 7,040 to Rs 39,270 per year.
In June 2025 KSOU approved a revised fee structure for the 2025-26 July and January cycles, reducing admission and related fees by about 10 percent. The figures below are the first-year annual totals for general (other) students; concessional rates apply for serving personnel, transport-corporation staff and drivers, and reserved categories.
| Programme | Duration | First-Year Annual Fee 2025-26/2026 (Rs, general students) |
|---|---|---|
| B.A. | 3 years | 9,240 |
| B.Com. | 3 years | 9,790 |
| B.Sc. | 3 years | 26,290 |
| B.B.A. | 3 years | 13,640 |
| B.Ed. | 2 years | 39,270 |
| M.A. | 2 years | 11,660 |
| M.B.A. | 2 years | 32,890 |
| M.Sc. | 2 years | 32,670 |
| M.C.A. | 2 years | 32,670 |
| Certificate / PGC | 1 year | 7,040 |
How Do You Apply for KSOU Admission?
Candidates apply online through the official KSOU website, ksoumysuru.ac.in, by selecting a programme, filling the application form, uploading documents and paying the fee. Admission generally requires 10+2 for undergraduate courses and a bachelor's degree for postgraduate courses. KSOU runs July and January admission cycles each academic year.
- Visit the official KSOU website and open the online admission portal
- Select the degree and stream you want to study
- Fill in the application form and upload the required documents
- Pay the applicable course fee online
- Complete any entrance test where required, such as the CET for MBA
What Is KSOU's UGC Recognition History?
The UGC de-recognised several KSOU courses from 2012-13 over territorial-jurisdiction and study-centre violations, and student protests followed. After interventions by KSOU and the Karnataka government, 17 courses regained UGC recognition from 2018 onwards. KSOU now holds current UGC, Distance Education Bureau and online-programme approvals alongside NAAC A+ accreditation.
The de-recognition affected thousands of students and led to petitions before the Karnataka High Court and the Supreme Court. Following corrective steps, KSOU regained programme recognition and has since maintained UGC and Distance Education Bureau approval. Prospective students should still verify the current recognition of their chosen programme on the official website before applying.