BHU MA Geography: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Varanasi, Uttar PradeshCentral UniversityEstd 1916NAAC Grade A
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Master of Arts [MA] in Geography at Banaras Hindu University is a 2-year full-time postgraduate programme offered by the Department of Geography under the Faculty of Arts. The Department of Geography at BHU was established in 1944 and is one of the oldest and most reputed geography departments in India. The curriculum covers physical geography, human geography, geomorphology, hydrology, climatology, spatial analysis, remote sensing, GIS (Geographic Information Systems), research methodology, and natural resource management. With a seat intake of approximately 81, the programme is one of the larger geography PG programmes at a central university. Admission is based on CUET PG scores, and the annual tuition fee is approximately Rs. 3,000, making it highly affordable. The programme is popular among students interested in urban planning, environmental management, GIS, civil services, and academic research.

Admissions for the 2026-27 academic session are upcoming. The CUET PG 2026 exam was conducted from March 13 to April 1, 2026, and results are expected tentatively in May 2026. BHU's PG counselling registration is expected to open in May-June 2026, based on the previous year's schedule (registration opened May 22, 2025 for the 2025-26 session). The CUET PG 2025 cutoff for MA Geography at BHU was 165 marks for General category (Round 1), dropping to 142 marks in Round 5, reflecting healthy competition for this programme.

Key Points

  • The Department of Geography at BHU was established in 1944 and is one of the oldest geography departments in India, with a strong tradition of research and fieldwork.
  • The programme includes modern topics such as Remote Sensing and GIS, making graduates relevant for contemporary careers in geospatial technology, urban planning, and environmental management.
  • BHU also offers M.Sc. Geography under the Faculty of Science; students should check both options and their specific syllabi before applying.
  • The department has a favourable teacher-student ratio of approximately 1:10, allowing for personalised learning and mentorship.
  • Placement opportunities have been noted with organisations such as the Azim Premji Foundation, Gandhian Fellowship, and Sharda University, among others.
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BHU Latest Updates and News

Key Updates2
Other Updates1

02 Sep, 2026 BHU Spot Round 2 CUET PG Cutoff 2026 for MA is 17-257 for the General Category. For the category-wise cutoff, check here.

06 May, 2026 BHU Fee Structure 2026-27 is out for MA Geography programs. The total academic fee is ₹ 8,300 . Learn more.

BHU MA Geography Fees

BHU MA Geography is one of the most affordable postgraduate programmes in India. The total tuition fee for the entire 2-year course is Rs. 6,000 (Rs. 1,500 per semester). In addition to tuition, students pay a regular fee covering registration, examination, and development charges, bringing the total academic fee to approximately Rs. 10,328 for 2 years. Hostel accommodation is available on campus at approximately Rs. 4,875 per year (non-AC room), which is optional and subject to availability.

Fee Structure

Fee ComponentPer Semester (Rs.)Total for 2 Years (Rs.)
Tuition Fee1,5006,000
Regular Fee (Registration + Exam + Development)1,0824,328
Total Academic Fee2,58210,328
Hostel Fee (Optional, Non-AC)-9,750 (approx., 2 years)
Mess Charges (Optional, approx.)-48,000 (approx., 2 years)
Total Fees (Without Hostel)-10,328
Total Fees (With Hostel + Mess)-68,078 (approx.)
  • Hostel accommodation is not mandatory and is subject to availability.
  • Approximately 50% of students are accommodated in university hostels.
  • Mess charges are approximately Rs. 40-50 per meal; the figure above is an estimate based on 3 meals/day for 10 months per year.
  • A refundable caution/security deposit may be collected at the time of admission.
  • No EMI facility is available; fees are paid semester-wise at the time of admission/re-registration.
  • Paid seat fee of Rs. 30,000 per semester (for 1st and 3rd semesters) is applicable for students admitted under the paid seat category (10% supernumerary seats).

BHU MA Geography Admission 2026

Admission to MA Geography at BHU is based on CUET PG scores. BHU follows a Combined Allotment Program (CAP PG) for all postgraduate admissions. For the 2026-27 session, CUET PG 2026 was conducted from March 13 to April 1, 2026, and BHU counselling is expected to follow after results are declared in May 2026. The 2025-26 admission cycle saw registration open on May 22, 2025, with multiple allotment rounds through July-August 2025. The CUET PG 2025 cutoff for MA Geography ranged from 165 (General, Round 1) to 142 (General, Round 5), with OBC cutoff at 149 (Round 1) to 130 (Round 5), and SC cutoff at 130 (Round 1) to 95 (Round 5).

BHU PG Admission Schedule

Event2025-26 Actual Date2026-27 Tentative Date
CUET PG RegistrationJan 2 - Feb 8, 2025Dec 14, 2025 - Jan 23, 2026 (Done)
CUET PG ExamMay 13 - Jun 3, 2025Mar 13 - Apr 1, 2026 (Done)
CUET PG ResultJune 2025May 6, 2026 (Tentative)
BHU PG Registration OpensMay 22, 2025May-June 2026 (Tentative)
BHU PG Registration ClosesJune 10-15, 2025June 2026 (Tentative)
1st Round AllotmentJuly 14, 2025July 2026 (Tentative)
2nd Round AllotmentJuly 18, 2025July 2026 (Tentative)
Mid-Entry RegistrationJuly 22, 2025July 2026 (Tentative)
3rd Round AllotmentJuly 29, 2025July-August 2026 (Tentative)
4th Round AllotmentAugust 1, 2025August 2026 (Tentative)
Spot RoundAugust 2025August 2026 (Tentative)
Classes BeginAugust-September 2025August-September 2026 (Tentative)

CUET PG 2026 Exam Dates

EventDate
CUET PG 2026 RegistrationDecember 14, 2025 - January 23, 2026
Form Correction WindowJanuary 28 - January 30, 2026
Admit Card ReleaseMarch 9, 2026
CUET PG 2026 ExamMarch 13 - April 1, 2026
Result DeclarationMay 6, 2026 (Tentative)

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Candidates must have passed B.A. (Hons.) in Geography or B.Sc. (Hons.) in Geography or B.A./B.Sc. with Geography as a subject under the 10+2+3 pattern with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate (45% for SC/ST/PWD candidates).
  • Candidates with Geography as one of the subjects studied in all three years at the graduation level are also eligible.

Admission Process

  • Register for CUET PG 2026 on the NTA portal (exams.nta.ac.in/cuet-pg) and select BHU as a participating university.
  • Appear in the CUET PG exam for the Geography subject test (CUET Paper Code: SSQP04 for Geography).
  • After CUET PG results, register on the BHU CUET PG portal (bhucuetpg.samarth.edu.in) during the registration window.
  • Pay the non-refundable registration fee (Rs. 300 for General/OBC/EWS; Rs. 150 for SC/ST/PWD).
  • Participate in the Combined Allotment Program (CAP PG) rounds and accept the allotted seat.
  • Report to the Department of Geography, Faculty of Arts, BHU with original documents and pay the semester fee to confirm admission.

BHU: Students' Opinion

AI-Generated Summary based on 2 Reviews

The Bachelor of Geography program at this university is highly regarded, featuring a competitive entrance exam required for admission. The department boasts a favorable teacher-student ratio of about 1:10, allowing for personalized learning experiences. Lectures number between 52 and 54 per paper, and faculty, averaging around 40 years in age, are noted for their cooperation. Students have access to both departmental and central libraries and can participate in seminars. The master's program fees are reasonable, with the first semester costing Rs 3200, the second Rs 800, the third Rs 1600, and the last Rs 810.

The Paid Seat quota, making up 10% of total seats, requires a fee of Rs 30,000 for the first and third semesters. Placement opportunities are available with the Azim Premji Foundation, the Gandhian Fellowship, and Sharda University. An earn while learn internship program is also offered to current students. While there are no scholarships directly from the university, reserved category students can benefit from government and institutional scholarship programs. During the reviewer's attendance, fees were about Rs 8000 annually.

The only in-college employment opportunity is as a lab technician.

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 By Collegedunia’s Personal AI

BHU MA Geography Scholarships 2026

BHU offers several scholarship options for MA Geography students, primarily through government schemes and university endowments. The low tuition fee makes the programme accessible to all, and additional scholarships help cover living expenses. Students from reserved categories can benefit from government scholarship programmes.

Scholarship Details

ScholarshipEligibilityAmount
Merit-Based Scholarship (BHU)1st and 2nd rank holders in the programmeRs. 4,000 (1st rank); Rs. 3,000 (2nd rank) - one time
Merit-cum-Means Scholarship (BHU)Academic merit + family income up to Rs. 1 lakh/yearRs. 2,000 per year
Post-Matric Scholarship (SC/ST)SC/ST students; family income up to Rs. 2.5 lakh/yearTuition fee waiver + maintenance allowance (via NSP)
Post-Matric Scholarship (OBC)OBC students; family income up to Rs. 2 lakh/yearTuition fee waiver + maintenance allowance (via NSP)
Mandava Foundation FundAcademic merit + financial needRs. 25,000 per year
UGC-NET JRF in GeographyQualified NET/JRF after MARs. 37,000/month (JRF)
National Fellowship for SC Students (UGC)SC students pursuing PG/researchRs. 31,000/month (JRF)
  • Post-Matric Scholarships must be applied through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) at the start of each academic year.
  • BHU's internal scholarships are awarded based on academic performance; no separate application is required.
  • UGC-NET JRF in Geography is applicable after completing MA and qualifying the NET exam; it supports PhD research.
  • The Mandava Foundation Fund requires a separate application through BHU's scholarship portal.

BHU MA Geography Placement 2026

Placement Opportunities

Organisation
Azim Premji Foundation
Gandhian Fellowship
Sharda University
among others

BHU MA Geography FAQs

Ques. What is the difference between MA Geography and M.Sc. Geography at BHU?

Ans. BHU offers both MA Geography (under Faculty of Arts) and M.Sc. Geography (under Faculty of Science). Both are 2-year full-time PG programmes. The M.Sc. programme typically has a stronger emphasis on physical geography, earth sciences, and quantitative methods, while the MA programme may have a broader coverage including human geography, social geography, and regional planning. Both degrees are recognised for UGC-NET/JRF and teaching positions. Students should review the specific syllabi of both programmes before deciding.

Ques. What career options are available after MA Geography from BHU?

Ans. Graduates can pursue careers as geography teachers in schools and colleges (eligible for UGC-NET/SET after MA), GIS analysts and remote sensing specialists in government and private organisations, urban and regional planners, environmental consultants, cartographers, researchers pursuing PhD in Geography, and civil services aspirants (Geography is a popular UPSC optional subject). Organisations like the Survey of India, National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), ISRO, and various state planning departments hire geography graduates.

Ques. Is Geography a good optional subject for UPSC Civil Services?

Ans. Yes, Geography is one of the most popular optional subjects in UPSC Civil Services, with a well-defined syllabus covering physical geography, human geography, and regional planning. BHU's MA Geography programme covers most of the UPSC Geography optional syllabus. The department's faculty and library resources, combined with BHU's overall academic environment, make it an excellent place to prepare for UPSC with Geography as an optional subject.

Ques. What is the CUET PG cutoff for MA Geography at BHU?

Ans. The CUET PG 2025 cutoff for MA Geography at BHU was 165 marks for General category (Round 1), dropping to 145 marks (Round 4) and 142 marks (Round 5). For OBC, it was 149 (Round 1) to 130 (Round 5). For SC, it was 130 (Round 1) to 95 (Round 5). The EWS cutoff was 138 (Round 1). These cutoffs reflect moderate to high competition for this programme.

Ques. Does BHU's Geography department have GIS and Remote Sensing facilities?

Ans. Yes, the Department of Geography at BHU has laboratory facilities for GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and Remote Sensing. The curriculum includes courses on spatial analysis, remote sensing, and GIS, which are increasingly important for careers in geospatial technology, urban planning, and environmental management. Students also have access to BHU's central computing facilities and library resources.

Ques. What are the placement opportunities for MA Geography graduates from BHU?

Ans. MA Geography graduates from BHU have found placements with organisations such as the Azim Premji Foundation, Gandhian Fellowship, and Sharda University, among others. The department also offers an earn-while-learn internship programme for current students. Beyond campus placements, graduates find opportunities in government agencies (Survey of India, NRSC, ISRO, state planning departments), NGOs, environmental consulting firms, and educational institutions. The UPSC Civil Services and state PSC examinations are also popular career paths for geography graduates.

BHU: 1 Answered Question

How is 5 years integrated law course of BHU and how is the placement there?

Ujjval GuptaA lawyer in the making

BHU LLB Course is better than most Indian Colleges. Some of its salient features are:

  • Fee is higher than the 3-year course

  • Tough competition as limited seats are available 

  • It’s a self-financed course

  • Ranked amongst the 8-10 Law Colleges of India

  • The amenities at BHU- Infrastructure, Faculty, Exposure, Security all add to its wonderful experience 

  • Massive lush green campus

Placements-

The placements at BHU are above average. You might get to work in law firms, practicing in courts under a senior lawyer. Other corporate sectors or legal advisory jobs are also available. Many BHU students also prefer pursuing Judiciary.

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