Is CUET UG mandatory for BBAU UG admission 2026?

Yes. All UG programmes at BBAU Lucknow admit students based on CUET UG 2026 scores. The only exception is B.Tech, where 50% of seats are filled through JEE Main merit and the remaining 50% through CUET UG merit. There is no other route or direct merit-based admission.

How does BBAUs 50% SC/ST reservation actually work?

BBAU reserves 50% of all seats in every programme, including PhD and research programmes, for SC and ST candidates. The split is 2:1, meaning two seats go to SC for every one seat allocated to ST. This reservation is mandated by the BBAU University Act, not just general government policy, making it unique among central universities.

Do I need to register on the BBAU portal separately after appearing in CUET?

Yes. Appearing in CUET UG or CUET PG alone does not register you for BBAU admission. After CUET results are declared, you must register separately on bbaucuet.samarth.edu.in and pay the BBAU registration fee (INR 500 for General/OBC/EWS, INR 300 for SC/ST/PwBD). Missing this step means you cannot participate in BBAUs seat allotment rounds.

What is the minimum CUET score needed for B.Com (Hons.) at BBAU?

Based on previous year trends, General category candidates typically need a CUET score of around 380 or more out of 500 for B.Com (Hons.) at BBAU. For BA (Hons.) programmes, the expected range is 700 to 715 or more out of 1000. SC/ST candidates benefit from reserved seats and lower score requirements. Official cutoff lists are published by BBAU on its Samarth portal after each round.

Which entrance exams does BBAU accept for PG admissions?

BBAU accepts CUET PG 2026 for MA, M.Sc., M.Com, MBA, and LLM programmes. MBA also accepts CAT scores. M.Tech accepts GATE scores. M.Pharm accepts either CUET PG or GPAT. No BBAU-specific PG entrance test is conducted separately.

Do SC/ST students pay fees at BBAU?

SC and ST students admitted to regular programmes at BBAU receive a full tuition fee waiver funded by the university from its own budget. This is distinct from state and central government scholarships, which are additional. Over 1,800 students benefit from this waiver annually. One-time charges like caution money and enrollment fee may still apply.

How is PhD admission done at BBAU and who is exempt from the entrance test?

PhD admission at BBAU uses a composite score of 70% entrance test and 30% personal interview. Candidates holding a JRF (Junior Research Fellowship) are exempt from the entrance test and proceed directly to the interview stage. NET-qualified candidates and M.Phil. holders also receive preferential treatment. The entrance test for others is the CUET PhD or BBAUs own test as per current UGC norms.

Does BBAU have a campus at Amethi and what courses are offered there?

Yes. BBAU operates a Satellite Centre at Amethi, Uttar Pradesh. Courses offered include B.A., B.Sc., B.Com, BCA, B.Pharm, and D.Pharm. Admission is through CUET UG 2026, and the same reservation and eligibility rules apply as at the Lucknow main campus.

Can a final-year student apply for BBAU admission?

Yes. Students appearing in the qualifying examination (Class 12 for UG, graduation for PG) in the same academic year are eligible to register for BBAU admission. Provisional admission is granted, but final confirmation requires submission of the qualifying certificate showing the required minimum marks at the time of document verification.

Is there a sports quota at BBAU?

Yes. BBAU provides 5% supernumerary seats under the sports quota across programmes. Additionally, one supernumerary seat per programme is reserved for Wards of Defence Martyrs. These are over and above the regular sanctioned seat intake and do not reduce seats available to general or reserved category candidates.

BBAU Ph.D Political Science: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

BBAU PhD Political Science Fees 2026

Component	Amount (INR)
Tuition Fee (per semester)	INR 4,000
Total Tuition (6 semesters - 3-year minimum)	INR 24,000
Caution Money (one-time)	INR 500
Other One-time Charges (registration, entrance, thesis, viva)	INR 11,500
First Year Total Payment	INR 15,700
Total Fees (3-year minimum program)	INR 41,400

Tuition fee for SC/ST/PwD full-time scholars is INR 2,000 per semester.

Caution money of INR 500 is refundable upon successful program completion.

Total fees will increase if the program extends beyond the minimum 3 years.

BBAU PhD Political Science Admission 2026

Event	Date
PhD Application Opens	July 2026
PhD Application Deadline	July 2026
BBAU Research Entrance Test (RET)	October 2026
RET Result and Shortlist	November 2026
Departmental Interview	December 2026
Final Admission and Enrolment	February to April 2027

Candidates with UGC-NET JRF in Political Science are exempt from the BBAU RET.

Application window for the 2026 batch is expected to open in July 2026.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Master’s degree in Political Science or a related social science discipline from a recognised university with minimum 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/PwD candidates)

Candidates with a valid UGC-NET JRF in Political Science qualify for direct admission without appearing in the BBAU RET

Other candidates must clear the BBAU Research Entrance Test (RET) and the subsequent departmental interview conducted by the PhD committee

Admission Process

Apply online on the BBAU PhD portal within the notified window, typically opening in July each year

Candidates without JRF appear for the BBAU RET, a 100-question MCQ exam covering research aptitude and Political Science subject knowledge

JRF-qualified candidates submit their scorecard and proceed directly to the departmental interview

Shortlisted candidates attend a departmental interview before the PhD committee at BBAU, Lucknow

Selected candidates complete enrolment, pay the prescribed fee, and register with a faculty supervisor to begin research work

✓ Opt for this if

Holding or planning to qualify UGC-NET JRF in Political Science
Targeting an academic career in political science at college or university level
Preparing for civil services and wanting research depth alongside UPSC preparation
Seeking a very affordable PhD program at a central university in North India

✗ Skip if

Wanting a research environment at JNU or Hyderabad University with stronger social science faculty
Seeking a program with active international research collaborations and published research output
Needing placement support leading to policy roles at national think tanks

BBAU PhD Political Science Scholarships 2026

Scholarship	Amount	Eligibility
UGC-JRF Fellowship	INR 37,000 per month (JRF) to INR 42,000 per month (SRF)	Candidates with valid UGC-NET JRF enrolled in full-time PhD
Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship	INR 37,000 per month (JRF) to INR 42,000 per month (SRF)	SC/ST students pursuing full-time PhD at recognised institutions
Maulana Azad National Fellowship	INR 37,000 per month (JRF) to INR 42,000 per month (SRF)	Minority community students pursuing full-time PhD programs
OBC Research Fellowship	Variable	OBC research scholars enrolled in PhD at recognised institutions

UGC fellowships are applied for through the NTA UGC-NET official portal each year.

RGNF and Maulana Azad fellowships are processed through the UGC portal annually.

Fellowship amounts are revised as per UGC notifications and should be verified at source.

BBAU PhD Political Science FAQs

Ques. What is the total fee for PhD Political Science at BBAU Lucknow?

Ans. The total fee for the PhD (Political Science) program at BBAU Lucknow is INR 41,400 for the minimum 3-year duration. This includes INR 24,000 in tuition (INR 4,000 per semester for six semesters), INR 500 in caution money, and INR 11,500 in other one-time charges such as registration, entrance exam fee, thesis submission, and viva examination.

Ques. Does BBAU conduct an entrance test for PhD Political Science?

Ans. Yes. Candidates without a valid JRF must appear for the BBAU Research Entrance Test (RET) in October each year. The RET is a 100-question MCQ exam covering research aptitude and Political Science subject knowledge. Candidates who clear the RET are called for a departmental interview before the PhD committee. UGC-NET JRF holders in Political Science are exempt from the RET.

Ques. What is the eligibility for PhD Political Science at BBAU?

Ans. Candidates must have completed a Master’s degree in Political Science or a related social science discipline from a recognised university with at least 55% aggregate marks. The minimum is relaxed to 50% for SC, ST, and PwD candidates. A valid UGC-NET JRF score or a cleared BBAU RET score along with a departmental interview is also required.

Ques. How many seats are available for PhD Political Science at BBAU?

Ans. BBAU offers 24 research seats in the PhD (Political Science) program. These seats are distributed across categories as per central government reservation norms, with specific seats reserved for SC, ST, OBC, and PwD candidates. JRF-qualified candidates are generally given preference in the selection process over RET-cleared candidates.

Ques. What career options are available after PhD Political Science from BBAU?

Ans. Graduates can pursue assistant professor positions at colleges and universities after qualifying UGC-NET, roles in think tanks and policy research organisations, civil services through UPSC, and positions in international organisations and embassies. A PhD from a central university like BBAU also strengthens applications for postdoctoral fellowships in India and abroad in political science and public policy.

Ques. Can PhD Political Science students at BBAU receive a monthly fellowship?

Ans. Yes. JRF-qualified students receive UGC fellowship at INR 37,000 per month as Junior Research Fellows, which upgrades to INR 42,000 per month as Senior Research Fellows after two years. SC and ST students can apply for the Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship, and minority community students for the Maulana Azad National Fellowship, both at equivalent monthly amounts.

BBAU Ph.D Political Science: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility