BHU Admission 2026: Courses, Process, Eligibility, Last Date & How To Apply

BHU admissions 2026 have started for UG, PG, and diploma programs, while Phd admission process 2026 will start between November and December 2026 for the academic session 2026–27. BHU registration last date for the CUET UG has been closed on February 26, 2026. The CUET entrance exam for UG admission will be held between May 11 and May 31, 2026.

BHU course admission to 612+ programmes at UG, PG, Diploma, Certificate, PhD and other levels is primarily entrance-based through CUET-UG, CUET-PG, NEET, CAT, and NET scores, followed by counselling, seat allocation, and personal interviews. BHU offers courses from its main Varanasi campus and through its constituent colleges, affiliated colleges, and the Rajiv Gandhi South Campus (RGSC) in Mirzapur.

BHU UG courses like BA, BSc, BCom, BTech and other require CUET UG score and PG courses like MA, MSc, MCom, MTech, MCA, and relevant PG programs require CUET PG score for admission. The BHU admission process also involves counselling through the BHU admission portal (bhuonline.in or BHU Samarth portal). Student wiling to take admission in Medical disciplines program like MBBS, BDS, MD, MS require NEET 2026 scores with counselling through Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) at mcc.nic.in.

PhD admissions are now predominantly based on UGC NET, CSIR NET (December or June cycles), JRF scores, or Direct Admission criteria, followed by a university-level interview. BHU no longer conducts a separate written Research Entrance Test (RET) for most disciplines

Students planning to take admission in BHU Varanasi have to meet the standard eligibility criteria set by the University. Banaras Hindu University courses admissions eligibility for both UG and PG are discussed below: 

BHU UG Eligibility Criteria 2026

BHU UG eligibility requires a minimum of 50% in Class 12 for General/EWS category students. OBC (NCL) candidates need 45%, and SC/ST/PwBD candidates need 40%. The required stream and subjects vary by course. The table below shows you the BHU course-wise eligibility for UG:

Note: For most undergraduate courses, candidates must not be older than 22 years as of July 1, 2026.

BHU PG Eligibility Criteria 2026

BHU PG eligibility demands that candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline from a recognised university with the minimum required marks (usually 50–55%), along with a valid CUET PG score. PG eligibility criteria may vary by course and category.

Note: Gap years will not affect eligibility for admission. Pursuing two regular degree programmes simultaneously is not permitted.

BHU follows Government of India reservation norms: 27% OBC, 15% SC, 7.5% ST, 10% EWS, and 5% horizontal reservation for PwBD. Supernumerary seats exist for BHU employee wards, sports, and foreign nationals. The table below gives Supernumerary seats for BHU and campus-wise seat distribution:

BHU Campus-Wise Seat Distribution 2026

The table shows the seat distribution for UG and PG courses across all the campuses of BHU Banaras:

Note: The seat matrix is subject to annual revision by BHU. For the exact 2026-27 seat matrix with category-wise breakdown, refer to the BHU UGIB 2026 (for UG) and the BHU PG Information Brochure 2026 at bhu.ac.in or bhucuet.samarth.edu.in.

Banaras Hindu University (BHU) uses several national-level entrance exams for its various programs. There is no longer a single university-specific test for most courses; the required exam depends on your chosen level of study. Here is the list of entrance exams accepted for BHU Admissions 2026:

Note: BHU has fully adopted CUET-UG for all undergraduate admissions. The old BHU-UET (Undergraduate Entrance Test) has been permanently replaced and PhD admissions now primarily rely on UGC-NET/CSIR-NET/JRF scores. The university’s own RET (Research Entrance Test) is generally only conducted for disciplines not covered by national exams or for specific "exempted" categories

For Banaras Hindu University UG and PG admissions through CUET, Students must choose the exact subject combinations mandated by the university when filling out their NTA CUET (UG) application. For PG courses, you must select the specific NTA Test Paper Code that corresponds to your target Master's degree. Choosing the wrong domain subjects or missing the General Test will automatically disqualify you from BHU's merit list. 

Section 1: The Language Test
This evaluates your reading comprehension, grammar, and vocabulary in languages like English or Hindi. BHU requires this for B.A. and B.Voc courses, but not for B.Sc.

Section 2: Domain-Specific Subjects
This tests core academic knowledge based strictly on your Class 12 syllabus (like Physics, Accountancy, or History). For BHU B.Sc., you must select the exact subjects you passed in 12th.

BHU requires Section 1 (usually English or Hindi) for courses like B.A., B.A. LL.B., and B.Voc. But student can safely skip Section I on their CUET application for the rest of the courses. Based on the latest BHU admission guidelines, here is the course-wise CUET subject combination mapping:

The Golden Rule for Beginners: When you fill out the NTA CUET form, your Domain Subjects (the specific subjects like History, Physics, Accountancy) must exactly match the subjects you passed in your Class 12 mark sheet. If you take a CUET exam in a subject you didn't study in school, BHU will cancel your admission during document verification.
 

BHU Varanasi counselling process 2026 actually depends entirely on the course you are applying for. For courses whose admission is based on the CUET scores are conducted via the Central Admission Portal (CAP) at bhuonline.in. Most importantly, MBBS admissions are NOT handled by the BHU portal. Here is the complete breakdown of the distinct counselling processes for all major streams at BHU, including Medical, Regular UG/PG, and Management.

Medical Counselling: MBBS & BDS (via MCC)

Admissions to BHU’s Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS-BHU) for MBBS and BDS are conducted entirely at the national level. Because BHU is a Central University, 100% of its medical seats are filled through the All India Quota (AIQ).

• Entrance Exam: NEET UG
• Counselling Body: Medical Counselling Committee (MCC)
• The Process:
  • MCC Registration: After NEET results, register on the official MCC portal (mcc.nic.in).
  • Choice Filling & Locking: During the choice filling window, you must select and rank "Institute of Medical Sciences, BHU, Varanasi" in your preference list.
  • Seat Allotment: MCC releases allotment results in multiple rounds (Round 1, Round 2, Mop-Up, Stray Vacancy).
  • Reporting: If allotted a seat at BHU, you download the allotment letter from the MCC portal and report physically to the IMS-BHU campus within the given timeframe for medical fitness checks, document verification, and fee payment.

Regular UG & PG Counselling: BA, BSc, BCom, MA, MSc (via BHU CAP)

Students register in the BHU CUET counselling process 2026 through the BHU Central Admission Portal for the majority of courses offered in the main campus and affiliated colleges.

• Entrance Exam: CUET UG / CUET PG
• Counselling Body: Banaras Hindu University
• The Process:
  • BHU Registration: Register on the BHU Central Admission Portal (bhuonline.in) using your CUET application number.
  • Preference Entry: Fill out your preference form, ranking your desired course combinations and campus locations (Main Campus, MMV, or affiliated colleges).
  • Seat Allocation: Check the portal daily during allocation rounds.
  • Fee Payment: If allotted a seat, pay the online admission fee within 24–48 hours to "Lock" the seat or choose to "Float" for an upgrade.
  • Physical Verification: Report to your allotted department with original documents before classes start.

Management Counselling: MBA & MBA-IB (via IMS-BHU)

Admissions for the Master of Business Administration programs are handled specifically by BHU's Institute of Management Studies.

• Entrance Exam: CAT (Common Admission Test)
• Counselling Body: Institute of Management Studies (IMS), BHU
• The Process:
  • Separate Application: Candidates must apply separately on the BHU portal specifically for the MBA program using their CAT registration details.
  • Shortlisting: IMS-BHU releases a cut-off list based purely on CAT percentiles.
  • GD & PI Rounds: Shortlisted candidates are called for Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds, usually held on the BHU campus.
  • Final Merit List: A combined score (usually weighing CAT score, academic record, and GD/PI performance) determines final admission offers.

PhD Counselling (Direct / NET-JRF based)

BHU PhD counselling is handled by the university's individual departments themselves. The complete details about it are given below:

• Entrance Exam: UGC NET / CSIR NET (JRF or Lectureship)
• Counselling Body: Individual BHU Departments
• The Process:
  • Application: Apply on the BHU research portal when the PhD notification is released.
  • Shortlisting: Departments shortlist candidates based on their NET/JRF scores and academic background.
  • Departmental Interview/Presentation: Candidates are called to present a research proposal and sit for a personal interview with the department's Research Degree Committee (RDC).
  • Final Selection: Final admission is granted based on the interview performance and the availability of guides in the chosen research area.

BHU UG admission 2026 covers all 4-year and 3-year undergraduate programmes offered at BHU's main campus and constituent colleges in Varanasi and the Rajiv Gandhi South Campus in Mirzapur.

Most undergraduate programmes — BA, BCom, BSc, BFA, BPA, BVoc, BA LLB (Hons), Diploma, Certifications — require CUET UG, conducted by NTA. After the CUET UG results, BHU conducts centralised allotment and counselling (CAP-UG) for seat allocation and admission confirmation.

BHU offers admission to around 30 undergraduate courses through CUET. CUET UG 2026 will be conducted from May 11 to May 31, 2026.

BHU UG Admission Process 2026

Candidates applying for BHU UG programmes must first qualify for the CUET UG conducted by the NTA. After clearing the CUET, the rest of the BHU UG admission process begins. In brief, the UG admission at BHU includes the following steps:

• Register for the CUET UG through the cuet.samarth.ac.in portal.
•  Students also need to apply for their specific UG courses through the official BHU website.
• Post clearing the CUET UG, students will be required to attend counseling sessions as notified by the university.
• After all the counseling sessions are over, the Banaras Hindu University UG merit list will be uploaded on the official website. 
• Selected candidates must seek admission on the scheduled date by presenting original academic certificates and fulfilling the course-wise requirements.
• The last step of the BHU UG admission is to pay the fee. 

BHU PG admission 2026 for 2-year MA in English, MFA in Textile Design, MEd, MTech in Dairy Technology, MBA in Financial Management, and MD in Anaesthesiology, and other such courses depend on the CUET PG and NEET PG. After the results, BHU runs its own CAP-PG counselling and seat allotment round. Courses like MD, MS, and MPharm are based on the MCC counselling:

The CUET PG exam 2026 was conducted from March 6 to March 27, 2026, for admission to several PG courses.

BHU PG Admission Process 2026

BHU PG admissions take place through the CUET PG. But students must check the course-wise eligibility criteria too, before applying for any programme. A minimum 50% marks in a bachelor’s degree is a must to pursue any BHU PG course. The steps involved in applying for PG admission at Banaras Hindu University is as follows:

• Register for the CUET PG and appear for it on the scheduled date. 
• Once the students make it to the merit list, the university will notify them for a counseling session.  
• After all the counseling sessions are over, the Banaras Hindu University PG merit list will be uploaded on the official website. 
• Selected candidates must seek admission on the scheduled date by presenting original academic certificates and fulfilling the course-wise requirements.
• The last step of BHU PG admission is to pay the fee. 

There are two BHU MBA programmes namely, MBA (specialisations in Marketing/ Human Resource Management / Finance/ Operations Management/ Information Technology) and MBA- International Business (MBA-IB) (specialisations in Marketing/ Human Resource Management / Finance / Operations Management/ Information Technology / Global Business Operations). 

The BHU MBA admission for both programmes is done through CAT. Other than that, it is mandatory for students to have a valid bachelor’s or master’s degree from a recognised university. The steps for MBA at Banaras Hindu University admission are:

• Register for the Common Admission Test (CAT) conducted by the Indian Institute of Management for the corresponding year. 50% weightage will be given to the CAT score while calculating the merit for MBA at BHU admission. 
• Candidates must also apply separately for admission to MBA/ MBA IB programmes at Banaras Hindu University through the University Admission Portal (www.bhuonline.in) on or before the specified last date.
• Shortlisted candidates on the basis of CAT score will be notified for group discussion and interview. Weightage for group discussion and interview score will be 30% (15% each). 
• Shortlisted candidates must carry the following documents:
  • Valid identity proof (Aadhaar card/ PAN card). Must be self-attested.
  • Self-attested copy of CAT scorecard.
  • Self-attested copies of all academic certificates/ marksheets. 
  • An appearing certificate from the head of the institution in case, the qualifying exam results are not out.
  • Self-attested copy of caste certificate (in case of SC/ ST/ OBC- NCL). EWS candidates must present their updated family income certificate.
  • Details of remittance of INR  2000 to be paid online OR demand draft in favour of the Registrar, Banaras Hindu University, payable at Varanasi as processing fee for group discussion and personal interview on the scheduled date.
• After the final selection, the BHU MBA admission process can be completed online. Candidates are required to apply online through the University Admission Portal (www.bhuonline.in) with a valid email ID and mobile number.
• The application fee must be paid online as per the guidelines provided on the BHU Admission Portal. 
• Save the confirmation page for further reference.

At BHU, diploma courses are officially categorised as "Special Courses of Study" (SCS). They usually do not require the CUET exam for admission. Below is the list of BHU diploma courses with their eligibility:

BHU Diploma Admission Process 2026

The complete BHU Diploma application process 2026 is given below:

1. Check the portal: Open the official BHU admission website (bhuonline.in) and look for the 2026 "Special Courses of Study" (SCS) notification.
2. Fill the form: Create an account using your email and phone number. Fill out the online application form for your chosen diploma or certificate course.
3. Upload documents: Upload your digital photo, signature, and past academic mark sheets.
4. Pay the fee: Pay the BHU application fee online (INR 800 for General/OBC/EWS or INR 400 for SC/ST/PwD).
5. Wait for the criteria: Read the specific rules for your diploma. BHU selects students for most diplomas directly based on the merit of their past academic marks (Class 12 or Bachelor's degree). A few specific courses may ask you to take a short departmental written or practical test.
6. Check the merit list: Watch the portal for the final selection list or electronic call letters.
7. Confirm your seat: If the university selects you, travel to the specific department on the BHU campus. Show your original documents to the faculty and pay your final admission fee to secure your spot.

For PhD admission at BHU, students must appear for the RET or Research Entrance Test followed by a personal interview or group discussion. Apart from RET, students must also meet the minimum eligibility criteria of securing 50% and above in the qualifying exam. Qualifying for UG-NET, CSIR NET (including JRF), GATE, SLET, etc. is also a mandatory requirement for PhD at Banaras Hindu University. The BHU PhD admission process includes the following steps:

1. Check Eligibility: You need a Master’s degree in a relevant subject with at least 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC/PwD).
2. Qualify National Exams: You must have a valid score from UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, ICAR-NET, or JRF.
3. Register on BHU Portal: When the PhD window opens (usually late in the year), visit bhuonline.in. Create a profile and select your admission mode (JRF, NET, or Direct).
4. Submit Research Proposal: Upload your research abstract or Statement of Purpose (SOP) as required by the specific department.
5. Attend Interview: Shortlisted candidates must appear for a personal interview/presentation before the departmental committee.
6. Check Merit List: Admission is granted based on a combined score: 70% weightage for the NET/JRF score and 30% weightage for the interview.

To get admission into the Varanasi BHU, fill out the BHU application form online from the course-specific portal. For UG courses, use the NTA CUET UG portal, for PG courses, use the NTA CUET PG portal and for medical courses like MBBS, BDS and BPharma, the application registration begins with the NTA NEET. The portal you use depends on your target course. Here is the step-by-step guide.

BHU UG Application Process 2026 (BA, BSc, BCom, BFA, BPA, BVoc, LLB, Nursing)

Students can follow the steps below for the hassle-free CUET UG registration process 2026:

• Visit the NTA CUET UG portal (cuet.nta.nic.in) and register with your email and mobile number.
• Fill in personal and academic details, select BHU as your preferred university, and choose relevant test papers based on your target course.
• Upload a photo and a signature in the specified format.
• Pay the CUET UG application fee online (Debit/Credit/Net Banking).
• Download and save the CUET UG confirmation page.
• Appear for the CUET UG exam.
• After results, visit the BHU CSAS portal (bhucuet.samarth.edu.in) and register using your CUET scorecard.
• Fill in course and college preferences during choice filling.
• Pay the one-time BHU CSAS registration fee (non-refundable) through the BHU CSAS portal payment gateway using debit card, credit card, or net banking.
• Check seat allotment on your dashboard, accept the seat, and pay the admission fee to confirm.
• Report for document verification at the allotted institution.

BHU PG Application Process 2026 (MA, MSc, MCom, MCA, LLM, MEd)

BHU PG admissions 2026 are conducted through CUET-PG. Candidates must register, appear for the exam, and then apply on the BHU CAP portal. Admission is based on CUET scores, followed by merit lists, possible GD/PI for some courses, seat allotment, fee payment, and final physical document verification at the university.

• Register on the NTA CUET PG portal (pgcuet.samarth.edu.in).
• Fill in academic and personal details, select BHU and your desired programme.
• Pay the CUET PG fee and download the confirmation.
• Appear for the CUET PG exam.
• After the results, register on the BHU CAP-PG portal at bhuonline.in.
• Fill in preferences and participate in seat allotment rounds.
• Accept allotted seat, pay fees, and attend document verification.

BHU MBA Application Process 2026

For MBA admission, apply via the BHU official portal at bhuonline.in. Submit your CAT score, and shortlisted candidates are called for Group Discussion and Personal Interview (GDPI). Follow these quick steps to apply for MBA seats at the Institute of Management Studies (IMS-BHU):

• Start your CAT registration: Go to the official CAT website (iimcat.ac.in). Create an account with your email and phone number.
• Complete the form: Enter your personal information and college marks.
• Upload files: Upload a clear digital photo and your signature.
• Pay the exam fee: Pay the CAT application fee online using a card or net banking.
• Take the exam: Download your admit card and take the CAT exam on the scheduled test day.
• Apply to BHU: After you get your CAT results, open the BHU admission portal (bhuonline.in).
• Submit your score: Fill out the specific IMS-BHU MBA application form. Enter your CAT score details and pay the separate BHU application fee.
• Check the shortlist: Wait for IMS-BHU to announce the cut-off marks. Check the portal to see if you meet the score requirements.
• Attend the interview: Travel to the BHU campus in Varanasi. Participate in a Group Discussion (GD) and a Personal Interview (PI) with the faculty.
• Claim your seat: Check the final merit list on the portal. If the university offers you a seat, pay the admission fee online and show your original documents at the campus to confirm your spot.

BHU MBBS/ BDS/ MD/ MS Application Process 2026

Follow the steps below to the BHU MBBS application for medical seats at IMS-BHU:

• Start your registration: Go to the NTA portal (exams.nta.ac.in/NEET) for MBBS/BDS or the NBEMS portal (nbe.edu.in) for MD/MS. Create an account with your email and phone number.
• Complete the form: Enter your personal details, school marks, and internship history (if you apply for PG).
• Upload files: Upload a clear photo, your signature, and your fingerprint scans.
• Pay the exam fee: Pay the NEET application fee online using a card, net banking, or UPI.
• Save and test: Download the final confirmation page. Take the NEET exam on the scheduled date.
• Register for counselling: After you get your results, open the Medical Counselling Committee website (mcc.nic.in). Register using your NEET score.
• Pick your choices: Select your preferred courses and colleges. You must choose "Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS), BHU" from the list to apply there.
• Pay counselling fees: Pay the MCC registration fee and the security deposit online.
• Check your seat: Check your MCC dashboard for seat results. Accept your seat and download the official allotment letter.
• Campus report: Visit to the IMS-BHU campus in Varanasi. Show your original documents, pass the medical fitness check, and pay your college fees to secure your spot.

Keep the following documents ready at the time of application and document verification:

• Class 10 Board Certificate (for date of birth proof)
• Class 10 Mark Sheet
• Class 12 Mark Sheet and Passing Certificate
• Bachelor's Degree Provisional / Final Mark Sheet (for PG applicants)
• CUET UG / CUET PG / NEET / JEE / GATE / GPAT Scorecard
• Category Certificate — SC/ST/OBC/EWS (issued by competent authority)
• Income Certificate — SC/ST (for fee concession)
• PwD Certificate (if applicable)
• BHU Employee Certificate (if applicable)
• Recent Passport-size Photographs (4 copies)
• Valid Government ID Proof (Aadhaar / Voter ID / Passport)
• Migration Certificate (from previous university, for PG)
• Character Certificate (from last attended institution)

Documents uploaded to the BHU portal must meet the specifications laid down by the university. Not following the proper format and size might result in rejection of the application form.

Here is the official 2026 Banaras Hindu University application and counselling fee structure for all BHU entrance pathways.

For any queries related to BHU admission 2026, contact the university through the following:

For CUET-related queries, contact NTA at cuet.samarth.edu.in or the NTA helpline. For NEET-related queries, contact NTA's NEET division. For IIT BHU PG admissions, applicants may contact help.admission@iitbhu.ac.in for any queries related to the online submission of the application.

BHU offers a range of scholarships based on merit, financial need, and category. You do not need to chase external scholarships alone — BHU itself has several programmes for its students.

Merit scholarships at BHU range from INR 5,000 to INR 31,000 annually, based on academic rank and need. Pratidana awards INR 25,000 to 300 underprivileged students with top 10% CUET ranks. Annie Besant Fellowships offer INR 31,000 monthly for PG/PhD students in the top 5 percentile, renewable with a 7.0 CGPA for 2026 admissions.

To qualify for BHU scholarships, students must score at least 60% in qualifying exams. The deadline for scholarship applications is typically November 30 each year on the National Scholarship Portal. Pratidana applications must be submitted at bhuonline.in post-CUET allotment in September.

Government scholarships (Post-Matric SC/ST, OBC, Central Sector Scheme) are applied through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in). BHU-specific scholarships like Pratidana are applied via bhuonline.in.

As per the hundreds of BHU students and alumni reviews over the years, the same reasons come up every time.

Ranked among India's best: BHU is ranked no. 5 under the University category by NIRF 2024 Rankings. That is not just a number — it tells you about research output, faculty quality, and academic environment.

Affordability that is hard to beat: BHU offers affordable education with UG course fees ranging between INR 9,200 and INR 3,61,500, and PG courses costing between INR 6,000 to INR 2,68,000 for the total program. Compare that to any private university, and the value is immediately clear.

A campus like no other: BHU has more than 72 hostels equipped with all modern amenities, which house nearly 11,000 students. The library has more than 15 lakh volumes. Additionally, there are subscriptions to over 15,000 online journals and 50,000 e-books. The campus Wi-Fi, fibre optic backbone, and computing facilities are genuinely world-class for a government university.

Placements and career access: Campus selection at BHU is conducted through its Central Placement Cell, which connects students with leading companies. The process begins with pre-placement talks, followed by written tests, group discussions, and personal interviews. Top recruiters include Infosys, Genpact, ICICI Bank, DHL, Wipro, and Deloitte.

Medical excellence at IMS-BHU: BHU's Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS) is ranked among the top 10 government medical colleges in India by NIRF.

Student life and culture: BHU is not just an academic institution. With societies, fests, research clubs, and the energy of Varanasi itself, students consistently say their time at BHU shaped them as much outside the classroom as inside.