Cotton University, Guwahati traces its history to Cotton College, which was founded in 1901 and is among Northeast India’s oldest educational institutions. The Assam Legislative Assembly granted it state university status under the Cotton University Act in 2017. The public university is recognised by the UGC and has NAAC Grade A accreditation with a CGPA of 3.05. It was the first public university in Assam to earn an A grade during its first NAAC assessment cycle. Cotton University has no publicly available NIRF University ranking band for 2025, while its predecessor, Cotton College, held rank 165 in NIRF 2020.

The university is known for arts, sciences, social sciences, computer applications and research. Its 39.82-acre campus in Panbazar, Guwahati, contains 33 academic departments and centres organised under five faculties.

  • Arts and Humanities: BA (Hons.) is offered in Assamese, English, Hindi, History, Political Science, Economics, Sociology, Psychology, Mass Communication and more than 15 other subjects.
  • Science: B.Sc (Hons.) choices include Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Botany, Zoology, Biotechnology, Geography, Geology, Statistics and Computer Science.
  • Computer Applications: Students can study BCA, BCA (Hons.) or MCA.
  • Postgraduate: The university provides MA courses in more than 20 subjects, M.Sc courses in over 12 disciplines, M.Com, LLM and M.Sc in Library and Information Science.
  • Research: PhD study is available in 27 disciplines covering sciences, arts and social sciences.
  • PG Diplomas: Diploma options include Bharatanatyam, Folk Dance, Gender Studies and Nepali.

For most subjects, the complete three-year BA (Hons.) fee is INR 40,500. B.Sc (Hons.) programmes cost between INR 40,500 and INR 1,79,750, depending on the discipline. The two-year MA and M.Sc fees range from INR 26,650 to INR 31,050, while hostel charges are up to INR 7,000 per year. During the 2024 placements, 208 students secured jobs. The median package was INR 4.80 LPA for UG students and INR 7.80 LPA for PG students.

Admission Update: The next UG admission cycle is for the 2027-28 batch and is linked to CUET UG 2027, which is expected in May 2027. Applicants can check the Cotton University admission portal for the official 2027 schedule.

Cotton University Admission Dates 2027

Cotton University fills 40% of its UG seats through NTA CUET UG scores. The remaining seats are allotted through Assam state merit using AHSEC and CBSE Class 12 results. The tentative 2027-28 schedule follows the usual CUET UG and Assam admission timeline.

EventDate
CUET UG 2027 registration, tentativeMarch 2027
CUET UG 2027 examination, tentativeMay 2027
Cotton University admission portal opening, tentativeJune 2027
Merit list and seat allotment, tentativeJune to July 2027
Beginning of the academic session, tentativeJuly to August 2027

Subject to revision. Kindly check with the official sources to confirm

PG and PhD applicants follow separate admission routes. The accepted examinations and university processes differ by programme group.

ProgrammeExam AcceptedAdmission Route
BA / B.Sc (Hons.) / BCACUET UG conducted by NTA or Assam State MeritCotton University admission portal
MA / M.Sc / M.Com / MCACUET PG conducted by NTA or Cotton University Entrance TestCotton University counselling
LLMCotton University Law Entrance TestDirect process conducted by Cotton University
PhDCotton University Research Entrance Test (RET)Direct process conducted by Cotton University

Cotton University Courses and Fees

Across its 33 departments, Cotton University runs 86 programmes: 26 at UG level, 30 at PG level, three PG diplomas and 27 PhD programmes. Its academic fields include arts, science, social sciences, law, library science and computer applications. The following fees apply to general-category students.

ProgrammeDurationTotal Fees (General)
BA (Hons.), most subjects3 yearsINR 40,500
BA (Hons.) in Mass Communication3 yearsINR 1,22,950
B.Sc (Hons.) in PCM / Life Sciences3 yearsINR 40,500 to INR 47,900
B.Sc (Hons.) in Biotechnology3 yearsINR 1,79,750
BCA3 yearsINR 94,750
BCA (Hons.)3 yearsINR 1,23,750
MA / M.Sc, most subjects2 yearsINR 26,650 to INR 31,050
MA in Mass Communication and Journalism2 yearsINR 71,150
M.Sc in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology2 yearsINR 59,050
LLM2 yearsINR 70,800
MCA2 yearsINR 30,050
PhDMinimum 3 yearsINR 40,900 to INR 45,900

Subject to revision. Kindly check with the official sources to confirm

Both male and female students can apply for hostel accommodation, which costs up to INR 7,000 annually. Biotechnology and other specialised science courses have higher laboratory charges, leading to differences in fees among B.Sc disciplines.

Cotton University Admission Process

Admission rules at Cotton University depend on the study level and programme. UG selection uses CUET UG or Assam state merit, while PG and doctoral applicants may need to take the relevant entrance examination and attend counselling.

UG Admissions

The university assigns 40% of UG seats through CUET UG scores from NTA. It fills the balance through Assam state merit based on AHSEC or CBSE Class 12 results. Applicants who are not from Assam must use the CUET UG route.

  1. Check the subject requirements for the chosen programme. BA (Hons.) applicants need 10+2 in Arts or another accepted stream with the marks prescribed for that subject. B.Sc (Hons.) applicants must have studied Science subjects in 10+2.
  2. Take CUET UG when applying through the CUET quota. Assam candidates may also seek admission through the state-merit route using Class 12 marks.
  3. Submit the application through the Cotton University online admission portal.
  4. Meet the programme-specific cutoff based on CUET UG scores or Class 12 marks and complete the university’s allotment process.

PG Admissions

MA, M.Sc, MCA and M.Com selection is based on CUET PG or Cotton University’s entrance test, followed by counselling. A relevant bachelor’s degree is required, with a minimum aggregate of 45% to 50% depending on the course. Cotton University holds separate entrance examinations for LLM and M.Sc in Library and Information Science.

  1. Confirm that the bachelor’s degree and minimum marks meet the selected programme’s requirements.
  2. Appear for CUET PG or the applicable Cotton University entrance test.
  3. Apply through the university portal and participate in counselling after qualifying.

PhD Admissions

Cotton University normally conducts its Research Entrance Test once each year for PhD admission. Applicants with UGC-NET JRF fellowships are generally exempt from this test. A master’s degree with at least 55% aggregate is required, while the minimum is 50% for SC and ST applicants. The university’s 27 PhD departments cover research in arts, social sciences and natural sciences, with active work in the natural and social sciences.

  1. Hold a relevant master’s degree with the required aggregate.
  2. Take the Research Entrance Test unless an applicable UGC-NET JRF exemption is available.
  3. Complete the university’s direct PhD admission process for the selected research department.

Cotton University Placements and Career Outcomes

Cotton University primarily teaches liberal arts, science and social science, so its campus placement activity remains modest. NIRF 2025 placement information records 208 students placed in 2024, including 54 UG graduates and 154 PG graduates. UG students received a median package of INR 4.80 LPA, compared with INR 7.80 LPA for PG students.

Computer-focused courses such as BCA, MCA and M.Sc Computer Science see stronger placement activity, along with Mass Communication and Biotechnology. Many graduates also enter government employment through APSC, UPSC and other state examinations.

Placement Metric2024 Data (NIRF 2025)
UG students placed54
PG students placed154
Total students placed208
UG median packageINR 4.80 LPA
PG median packageINR 7.80 LPA

After completing humanities or social science programmes, a large share of students continue to higher studies through CUET PG or other competitive MA and M.Sc admissions. Other common paths include UGC-NET for lectureship eligibility, civil services preparation and school teaching through APTET or CTET. Mass Communication graduates enter print, digital and broadcast media organisations across Assam and Northeast India.

Cotton University Scholarships

Students at Cotton University can seek financial support through central and Assam government scholarship programmes. Most applications are handled through the National Scholarship Portal and Assam government scholarship portals. Eligible doctoral scholars may also receive a UGC-NET JRF fellowship.

Scholarship / FellowshipEligibilityCoverage
Central Sector Scholarship (MHRD)Students in the top 20 percentile of Class 12 whose family income is below INR 4.5 LakhsINR 10,000 per year in Years 1 to 3 and INR 20,000 in the final year
Post Matric Scholarship for SC/ST students, Central schemeSC and ST students whose income is within the prescribed limitTuition fee and maintenance allowance
Assam State Scholarship for SC/ST/OBC studentsReserved-category students with Assam domicileSupport provided under Assam state scholarship norms
Minority Scholarship, Central schemeMinority-community students with at least 50% in the previous examination and income below INR 2 LakhsTuition fee and maintenance support
UGC-NET JRF for PhD scholarsPhD scholars who qualify for UGC-NET JRFINR 37,000 per month in Years 1 and 2, followed by INR 42,000 per month from Year 3

These scholarships can lower study costs for eligible students, particularly because the total fee for some two-year MA programmes starts at INR 26,650.

Cotton University Campus and Infrastructure

Cotton University occupies a 39.82-acre urban campus in Panbazar, central Guwahati. Guwahati railway station and the Brahmaputra riverfront are within walking distance. In use since Cotton College opened in 1901, the site combines heritage structures with modern teaching buildings.

The campus accommodates 33 departments and centres within five faculties: Physical, Chemical and Mathematical Sciences; Life Sciences; Earth Sciences; Languages, Literature and Linguistics; and Human and Social Sciences. Its central library has developed a substantial collection over more than a century and provides national and international journals as well as digital resources.

Separate accommodation is available for boys and girls for up to INR 7,000 per year. Other facilities include a seminar hall, sports spaces, a health unit and a maintained auditorium used for academic and cultural programmes involving the Guwahati student community.

Cotton University vs Gauhati University vs Dibrugarh University

Cotton University, Gauhati University in Jalukbari and Dibrugarh University are state-funded, UGC-recognised public universities in Assam. Students from Assam and other parts of Northeast India often compare them for low-cost programmes in arts, science and social sciences.

ParameterCotton UniversityGauhati UniversityDibrugarh University
Established1901 as Cotton College; university status in 201719481965
LocationPanbazar, GuwahatiJalukbari, GuwahatiDibrugarh, Assam
NAAC GradeA, CGPA 3.05A, CGPA 3.17B++, CGPA 2.88
Campus Area39.82 acres, urban campus412 acres330 acres
MA / M.Sc FeesINR 26,650 to INR 31,050 for 2 yearsComparable state-funded feesComparable state-funded fees
Key DistinctionCentral Guwahati campus, the first public university in Assam to receive NAAC A in its first cycle, and a focus on Mass Communication and BiotechnologyLarger campus, wider selection of programmes and a place in NIRF rankingsClose to the oil industry, with strengths in Science and Petroleum Technology programmes

Subject to revision. Kindly check with the official sources to confirm

Cotton University stands out for its NAAC grade and city-centre position, which improves access to government offices, media companies and internship opportunities. Gauhati University has a much larger campus and a broader network of affiliated colleges. Dibrugarh University benefits from its location near the oil and energy industry, especially for energy-related subjects. A student’s choice among the three mainly depends on the required subject and preferred location.

Cotton University FAQs

Ques. Does the Assam government operate Cotton University?

Ans. Yes. The Government of Assam established Cotton University as a state government university through the Cotton University Act, 2017. It began as Cotton College in 1901 and received full state university status in 2017. The university is recognised by the UGC and holds NAAC Grade A accreditation with a CGPA of 3.05.

Ques. How can a student secure admission to Cotton University, Guwahati?

Ans. For UG courses, Cotton University assigns 40% of seats through NTA CUET UG scores and fills the remaining seats through Assam state merit based on Class 12 results. Applications must be submitted on the university admission portal. PG selection uses CUET PG or a Cotton University entrance examination. CUET UG 2027 is expected to take place in May 2027 for admission to the 2027-28 batch.

Ques. How much does a BA (Hons.) programme cost at Cotton University?

Ans. Most three-year BA (Hons.) courses have a total fee of INR 40,500, equal to INR 13,500 per year. BA (Hons.) in Mass Communication costs INR 1,22,950 for three years. Students seeking accommodation may pay hostel fees of up to INR 7,000 annually.

Ques. Which NAAC accreditation has Cotton University received?

Ans. Cotton University has NAAC Grade A with a CGPA of 3.05 on the seven-point scale. It became the first public university in Assam to obtain an A grade in its first NAAC assessment cycle.

Ques. Can Cotton University students stay in university hostels?

Ans. Yes. Separate hostels for male and female students are available on the 39.82-acre Panbazar campus in Guwahati. The annual hostel charge is up to INR 7,000, placing it among the lower-cost residential choices for university students in Assam.

Ques. What placement results has Cotton University reported?

Ans. NIRF 2025 information shows that 208 students were placed in 2024. This total included 54 UG graduates and 154 PG graduates. The UG median package stood at INR 4.80 LPA, while the PG median was INR 7.80 LPA. Arts and social science graduates also move into teaching, civil services, government employment and UGC-NET pathways.

Ques. How do Cotton University and Gauhati University differ?

Ans. Both are state government universities located in Guwahati. Gauhati University was founded in 1948 and offers a broader programme range from its 412-acre campus. Cotton University became a university in 2017, occupies a central urban location and was Assam’s first public university to earn NAAC A in its initial assessment cycle. Cotton University may suit students who want a city-centre campus and courses focused on arts, sciences, Mass Communication or Biotechnology.