We report on the specific heat C( T) of doped manganites Nd 0.5Sr 0.5MnO 3, Nd 0.5Ca 0.5MnO 3, Sm 0.5Ca 0.5MnO 3, Dy 0.5Ca 0.5MnO 3 and Ho 0.5Ca 0.5MnO 3 in the temperature range 2⩽ T⩽300 K using modified rigid ion model (MRIM). The present specific heat results are in general satisfactory agreement with experimental data except at very low temperatures (i.e. T⩽12 K). Also a sharp peak observed in the experimental results for these compounds around 5 K could not be revealed by our computed results as they arise due to Schottky-like anomaly. Besides, we have reported the cohesive and the thermal properties of these compounds. The results obtained by us are discussed in detail.