Bharanikulangara completed his primary and high school studies at the Government Lower Primary School, Vattaparambu, Kerala, St. Mary’s Upper Primary School, Moozhikkulam, Kerala and at the Government High School, Puliyanam, Kerala. He joined Minor Seminary in 1973 and completed his studies at the Sacred Heart Minor Seminary, Trikkakara, in 1976. He completed philosophy at the St. Joseph’s, Carmelgiri from 1976 to 1979 and theology at the St. Joseph’s Seminary, Mangalapuzha, Aluva from 1979 to 1983. He did his university studies in Malayalam language and literature from Kerala University from 1984 to 1988 and P. G. Diploma in journalism and communication from Bharathiya Vidhya Bhavan. He holds Licentiate in Latin Catholic canon law from Pontifical Lateran University, Rome from 1989 to 1990; Licentiate in Eastern Catholic canon law from Pontifical Oriental Institute, Rome from 1990 to 1991 and a Doctorate in Eastern Catholic canon law from the Pontifical Oriental Institute, Rome, with research work on "Particular Law of a sui iuris Church: a Blueprint for the Syro-Malabar Church" from 1992 to 1994. He had his post-doctoral Studies in jurisprudence from the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome in 1994. He also has specialization and diplomas in religious studies from the Congregation for Religious Life which he obtained in 1990; in Sacraments – Ratum et non consummatum, from the Congregation for Divine Worship and Sacraments, obtained in 1992 and in canonization: from the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints obtained in 1993. He had his diplomatic training from the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy.
