TNOU BA 2026: Eligibility, Fee, Duration and Syllabus
For the Academic Year 2026-27, Tamil Nadu Open University (TNOU) offers Bachelor of Arts (BA) programmes, including BA Tamil and BA Criminology and Criminal Justice Administration. The duration for these BA programmes is three years (non-semester). The fee for BA Tamil is Rs. 8,050/- for three years, plus registration and other charges. The eligibility for BA Tamil is a +2 pass or its equivalent. The last date for online admission for AY 2026-27 is 13 October 2026.
Key facts
| Admission Deadline (AY 2026-27) | 13 October 2026 |
|---|---|
| BA Tamil Programme Fee (3 years) | Rs. 8,050/- (plus Registration and other Charges) |
| BA Criminology Programme Fee | Not published as of 03 October 2026 |
| Programme Duration | 3 Years (Non-Semester) |
| Eligibility for BA Tamil | +2 pass or its equivalent |
| Medium of Instruction (BA Tamil) | Tamil |
| Medium of Instruction (BA Criminology) | English |
Available Bachelor of Arts (BA) Programmes
Tamil Nadu Open University (TNOU) offers various Bachelor of Arts (BA) programmes through distance learning. Detailed information regarding eligibility, fee, duration, and syllabus is available for BA Tamil and BA Criminology and Criminal Justice Administration. Specific details for other BA programmes are not published in the provided sources as of 03 October 2026.
The following BA programmes are offered by TNOU:
For detailed information on the curriculum and regulations for BA Criminology and Criminal Justice Administration, refer to the School of Social Sciences page. For BA Tamil, refer to the School of Tamil and Cultural Studies.
- B.A. Criminology and Criminal Justice Administration
- B.A. Tamil
- B.A. Urdu
- B.A. Functional Tamil
- B.A. English and Communication
- B.A. English
- B.A. History
- B.A. Economics
- B.A. Political Science
- B.A. Business Economics
- B.A. Public Administration
- B.A. History and Heritage Management
- B.A. Tourism and Travel Studies
- B.A. Sociology
- B.A. Human Rights
- B.A. Islamic Studies
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility for admission to the Bachelor of Arts Degree Programme in Tamil is a +2 pass or its equivalent.
For the Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice Administration, students interested in human rights and its agencies are eligible as per TNOU regulations. Specific academic qualification details beyond this are not published in the provided sources as of 03 October 2026.
Programme Fee
The programme fee for the Bachelor of Arts Degree Programme in Tamil is Rs. 8,050/- for three years, plus Registration and other Charges. This fee structure is applicable from Calendar Year 2021 onwards.
TNOU has not published the programme fee for the Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice Administration on its site as of 03 October 2026.
Programme Duration
The Bachelor of Arts programmes in Criminology and Criminal Justice Administration and Tamil are both three-year programmes. They follow a Non-Semester pattern, applicable from Calendar Year 2021 onwards.
Admission Procedure for AY 2026-27
Online admissions for the Academic Year 2026-27 are currently open. The last date for online admission has been extended up to 13 October 2026.
Admissions are carried out by Tamil Nadu Open University and through its Regional Centres located within the State of Tamil Nadu.
- Visit the Online Admission portal for AY 2026-27.
- For fresh applications, click on the ‘For fresh application registration’ link.
- For already registered students, use the ‘For already Registered students, document upload or fee payment services’ link for document submission or fee payment.
Syllabus and Medium of Instruction
The Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice Administration is offered with English as the medium of instruction. The curriculum and syllabus are designed to incorporate modern learning tools and are available in a Programme Project Report (PPR) from Calendar Year 2021 onwards.
The Bachelor of Arts Degree Programme in Tamil has Tamil as its medium of instruction. The curriculum and syllabus cover aspects of Tamil Language from its origin to ancient and modern literature. The programme is assigned a total of 100 credits as per UGC-ODL Regulations-2020. Self-Learning Materials are provided in print, e-content, and audio/video formats.
The Curriculum Development Cell (CDC) at TNOU is responsible for formulating the Programme Project Report (PPR) and syllabus for each programme of study, ensuring they are updated and aligned with UGC Regulations and TANSCHE guidelines. You can find more information on curriculum development at the Curriculum Development Cell page.
Previous year question papers for various BA programmes from June 2018 and December 2018 are available on the university website, which can provide an insight into the examination structure and topics covered.
Evaluation System
For the Bachelor of Arts Degree Programme in Tamil, evaluation consists of Continuous Internal Assessment (CIA) through Assignments and External Assessment through Term End Examinations. Assignments carry 30 marks.
Students are normally allowed to appear for the theory examination after completing their assignments. The Term-End Examination carries 70 marks and is a 3-hour duration paper with three sections: A, B, and C. Theory examinations are conducted by the University at identified Examination Centres.
Financial Assistance for BA Tamil
Scholarships for SC/ST category students are available as per the norms of the State Government of Tamil Nadu.
A complete admission fee waiver is provided for Physically Challenged/Differently abled persons.
Important TNOU links
| What you can do | Official page |
|---|---|
| Apply for TNOU BA online admission | tnouportal.in/OnlineadmissionHomeAY2026.aspx |
| Learn about TNOU curriculum development | tnou.ac.in/Cell-CDC.php |
| Explore BA Criminology details | tnou.ac.in/SchoolSocial.php |
| Explore BA Tamil details | tnou.ac.in/SchoolCultural.php |
| View previous year BA question papers | tnou.ac.in/SchoolSocial.php |
Frequently asked questions
Does TNOU offer distance learning programs in Tamil language?
Yes, TNOU offers the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Tamil programme through distance learning, with Tamil as the medium of instruction. The programme focuses on Tamil language, literature, and grammar.
What is the admission deadline for BA programmes for AY 2026-27?
The last date for online admission for all programmes, including BA, for the Academic Year 2026-27 has been extended up to 13 October 2026.
What is the fee for the BA Tamil programme?
The programme fee for the Bachelor of Arts Degree Programme in Tamil is Rs. 8,050/- for three years, in addition to Registration and other Charges.
What is the duration of TNOU BA programmes?
The Bachelor of Arts programmes at TNOU, including BA Tamil and BA Criminology, are designed for a duration of three years and follow a Non-Semester pattern.
Is there any financial assistance for BA Tamil students?
Yes, scholarships are available for SC/ST category students as per Tamil Nadu State Government norms. Additionally, physically challenged/differently abled persons receive a complete admission fee waiver.
How are BA programmes evaluated at TNOU?
Evaluation for BA programmes like BA Tamil includes Continuous Internal Assessment (CIA) through assignments (30 marks) and Term End Examinations (70 marks). Students typically appear for the Term End Examination after completing assignments.
Sources
Written from the official TNOU pages and documents below, as read on 3 October 2026.
- BA-Criminology.pdf tnou.ac.in/…/BA-Criminology.pdf
- BA-Tamil.pdf tnou.ac.in/…/BA-Tamil.pdf
- Tamil Nadu Open University tnou.ac.in/…/previousyearquestion2018.php
- Online Admission tnouportal.in/…/OnlineadmissionHomeAY2026.aspx
- Curriculum Development Cell tnou.ac.in/…/Cell-CDC.php
- School of Social Sciences tnou.ac.in/…/SchoolSocial.php
- School of Science tnou.ac.in/…/SchoolScience.php
- School of Library and Information Science tnou.ac.in/…/SchoolLibrary.php