Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) is a State Government University in South Kalamassery, Kochi, Kerala, established in 1971. It is one of the largest and most reputed science and technology universities in South India, spread across a 180-acre main campus (Thrikkakara) and additional campuses at Fort Kochi and Pulinkunnu. CUSAT holds NAAC A+ accreditation with a CGPA of 3.39 (3rd cycle, October 2022) and all B.Tech programmes are NBA Tier I re-accredited until December 2028.
CUSAT ranked #32 in the NIRF 2025 University category (score 57.55), #6 among Indian State Public Universities (score 66.24), #13 in NIRF 2025 Law (School of Legal Studies), #82 in Management, and #50 Overall. These multi-category NIRF rankings reflect CUSAT's strength across engineering, law, marine sciences, and management.
CUSAT is notable for being one of only four institutions in India offering B.Tech in Naval Architecture and Ship Building (alongside IIT Kharagpur, IIT Madras, and Andhra University), and among the first in India to offer B.Tech in Information Technology and Safety and Fire Engineering. The Kunjali Marakkar School of Marine Engineering handles marine specialisation at the undergraduate level. CUSAT's Advanced Centre for Atmospheric Radar Research (ACARR) operates India's first indigenously designed 205 MHz VHF Stratosphere-Troposphere radar. The university hosts a UGC Centre of Excellence in Laser Science and a joint polar science centre with NCPOR (Goa) for marine biology, oceanography, and atmospheric research.
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Established | 1971 (reconstituted as CUSAT, 1986) |
| Type | State Government University |
| NIRF 2025 University | #32 (Score: 57.55) |
| NIRF 2025 State University | #6 (Score: 66.24) |
| NIRF 2025 Law | #13 (Score: 65.19) |
| NAAC | A+ (CGPA 3.39, 3rd cycle, Oct 2022) |
| NBA | Tier I Re-accreditation, all B.Tech programmes, till Dec 2028 |
| Campus | 180 acres, South Kalamassery, Kochi, Kerala 682022 |
| Total Students | ~8,000 |
| Hostel | Yes (8 boys hostels + 6 girls hostels) |
| Admission | B.Tech via CUSAT CAT (university's own exam, not KEAM) |
| Website | cusat.ac.in |
| Specialization | Seats | Annual Fee (State Merit) | Annual Fee (All India Merit) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineering | 90 | ~Rs 50,000 | ~Rs 1,00,000 |
| Computer Science and Engineering | 90 | ~Rs 50,000 | ~Rs 1,00,000 |
| Computer Science and Engineering (Cyber Security) | 18 | ~Rs 50,000 | ~Rs 1,00,000 |
| Electronics and Communication Engineering | 90 | ~Rs 50,000 | ~Rs 1,00,000 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering | 60 | ~Rs 50,000 | ~Rs 1,00,000 |
| Information Technology | 108 | ~Rs 50,000 | ~Rs 1,00,000 |
| Safety and Fire Engineering | 60 | ~Rs 50,000 | ~Rs 1,00,000 |
| Marine Engineering (Kunjali Marakkar School) | 80 | ~Rs 50,000 | ~Rs 1,00,000 |
Note: State Merit (SM) seats are for Kerala domicile candidates; All India Merit (AIM) seats are open nationally. SC/ST students from Kerala pay nominal fees (~Rs 500/semester) with reimbursement via the Kerala E-Grantz scheme. NRI quota seats are supernumerary. Exact fee per branch per academic year: verify at cusat.ac.in/admissions.
| Specialization | Seats |
|---|---|
| Marine Engineering | 120 |
| Instrumentation and Control Engineering | 40 |
| Atmospheric Science | 18 |
| Geotechnical Engineering | 18 |
| Industrial Safety | 18 |
| Power Electronics | 15 |
| Production Engineering | 18 |
| Structural Engineering | 18 |
| Mechanical Engineering (Thermal Engineering) | 18 |
| Process Control | 13 |
| Wireless Technology | 18 |
Seats subject to GATE admissions cycle; full programme list at admissions.cusat.ac.in. Fee approximately Rs 30,000-45,000/semester for AIM category.
| Programme | School/Department | Duration | Seats | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MBA (Full-time) | School of Management Studies | 2 yr | 60 | ~Rs 85,640 total (2yr) |
| LLB (5-year Integrated) | School of Legal Studies | 5 yr | -- | ~Rs 22,000/semester |
| LLM | School of Legal Studies | 1 yr | -- | -- |
| MCA | Department of Computer Applications | 2 yr | -- | ~Rs 28,000/yr |
| M.Sc | Multiple departments (Physics, Chemistry, Atmospheric Sciences, Marine Biology) | 2 yr | Varies | ~Rs 40,000-50,000 total |
| B.Sc | Multiple departments | 3 yr | Varies | ~Rs 10,000/yr |
| M.Com | Department of Commerce | 2 yr | -- | ~Rs 10,000/yr |
| B.Com | Department of Commerce | 3 yr | -- | ~Rs 10,000/yr |
| Ph.D | All major departments | 3+ yr | -- | Fellowship-based (JRF/SRF) |
Seat matrix per programme changes each academic year; refer to official CUSAT CAT prospectus at admissions.cusat.ac.in for the current cycle.
CUSAT B.Tech admissions are entirely through the CUSAT Common Admission Test (CUSAT CAT), a university-level written entrance test conducted annually. CUSAT does not use Kerala's KEAM for B.Tech admissions. The CUSAT CAT covers Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics at 10+2 level. Eligibility: pass in 10+2 with PCM; minimum 50% marks in Mathematics and 50% in PCM combined.
Quota Distribution:
Within SM seats, Kerala Government reservation norms apply: SC (10%), ST (2%), OBC/SEBC (40%), EWS (supernumerary). SM and AIM seats are filled separately from a single CUSAT CAT rank list. Kerala domicile candidates are eligible for both SM and AIM; others are eligible for AIM only.
M.Tech admissions are primarily through valid GATE scores. Seats left vacant after GATE rounds are filled through a Departmental Admission Test (DAT) held by each department at CUSAT. Preference goes to GATE-qualified candidates; candidates without GATE may apply for DAT.
MBA admissions at SMS CUSAT require a valid score in CAT (IIM), CMAT (AICTE), or KMAT (Kerala), followed by Group Discussion and Personal Interview on campus. Eligibility: any bachelor's degree with minimum 50% aggregate. Five NRI seats are supernumerary; 10 additional industry-sponsored seats are available.
MCA, M.Sc, LLB, and B.Sc programmes admit students through CUSAT CAT with programme-specific papers. LLB additionally requires a GD+PI round. Candidates for all CUSAT programmes register at admissions.cusat.ac.in.
B.Tech fee varies by quota. State Merit (SM) candidates pay approximately Rs 50,000 per year in tuition and institutional charges. All India Merit (AIM) candidates pay approximately Rs 1,00,000 per year. SC/ST students from Kerala registered on the E-Grantz portal pay only a nominal fee (~Rs 200-500 per semester) with remaining tuition reimbursed by the Kerala Social Welfare Department.
Hostel room rent is nominal by national standards: approximately Rs 200-400 per month (subject to revision), with electricity and maintenance charges billed additionally. Mess charges of approximately Rs 1,500-3,000 per month apply separately at each hostel mess. The low fee structure reflects CUSAT's status as a State Government University with subsidised tuition.
MBA (School of Management Studies) total programme fee is approximately Rs 85,640 for the two-year course. LLB (5-year integrated) fee is approximately Rs 22,000 per semester. MCA fee is approximately Rs 28,000 per year.
CUSAT's 180-acre main campus in South Kalamassery, Kochi (Kerala 682022) integrates the School of Engineering, School of Management Studies, School of Legal Studies, and multiple science and research departments within a contiguous campus. The campus is located approximately 15 km northeast of Ernakulam city centre, with KSRTC bus connectivity and university buses serving the student population.
Hostels: 14 to 15 hostels on campus, including 8 boys hostels and 6 girls hostels, provide accommodation for approximately 2,000-plus students. Hostel facilities include twin and triple sharing rooms, high-speed Wi-Fi, TV, mess hall, activity rooms, prayer rooms, sick rooms, and CCTV security. International student hostels are available separately. Hostel room rent is nominal (~Rs 200-400 per month) by national standards; mess charges are billed separately at each hostel.
Research Infrastructure:
Academic Facilities:
CUSAT's Thrikkakara campus is well connected via NH-544 bypass. Kochi Metro's Kalamassery station is approximately 2 km from the campus. Cochin International Airport is approximately 25 km away.
NIRF State Public University #6 in 2025
NIRF Law #13 in 2025
Engineering, management, sciences, commerce, law, computing
CUSAT CAT for most programmes; CMAT / KMAT / CAT also for MBA
| Framework | Category | Year | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIRF | State Public University | 2025 | #6 |
| NIRF | Law | 2025 | #13 |
| NIRF | University | 2025 | #32 |
| NIRF | Overall | 2025 | #50 |
| NIRF | Management | 2025 | #82 |
35 courses offered. Fees in INR lakhs.
1-year placement history, latest data from 2025.
Campus size, faculty strength, hostel facilities, and academic infrastructure.
