BHU Ph.D Agronomy: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Varanasi, Uttar PradeshCentral UniversityEstd 1916NAAC Grade A
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The Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D.] in Agronomy at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi is a 3-year full-time doctoral programme offered by the Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Institute of Agricultural Sciences (IAS). BHU's Institute of Agricultural Sciences is ranked #4 in India and #1 in Uttar Pradesh in the NIRF Agriculture Rankings 2025, making it one of the most prestigious institutions for agricultural research in the country. The Department of Agronomy at BHU is one of the oldest and most active departments in the institute, with research focus areas including crop production systems, integrated crop management, weed science, soil-water-plant relationships, and climate-smart agriculture. With 10 seats and an affordable fee structure, the programme is highly sought after by M.Sc. (Agriculture) graduates in Agronomy. Admission is through the BHU Research Entrance Test (BHU-RET) or through the RET-Exempted category for ASRB-NET/ICAR-NET/UGC-NET/GATE qualified candidates.

Admissions for the 2026-27 academic session are upcoming. The 2025-26 admission cycle has been completed (reporting date was February 10, 2026). The 2026-27 admission notification is expected to be released around November-December 2026, based on the previous year's schedule.

Key Points

  • BHU's Institute of Agricultural Sciences is ranked #4 in India and #1 in Uttar Pradesh in NIRF Agriculture Rankings 2025.
  • The Department of Agronomy at BHU has a strong research tradition with active projects funded by ICAR, DST, DBT, and other national agencies.
  • Research areas include crop production systems, integrated crop management, weed science, soil-water-plant relationships, precision agriculture, and climate-smart agriculture.
  • 50% of seats are filled through the BHU-RET Exempted category (for ASRB-NET/ICAR-NET/UGC-NET/GATE qualified candidates), and the remaining 50% through the BHU-RET entrance test.
  • Ph.D. scholars are eligible for ICAR-JRF/SRF stipends if they qualify the ICAR-NET/ASRB-NET examination, providing significant financial support during the programme.
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BHU Ph.D. (Agronomy) Fees

The Ph.D. (Agronomy) programme at BHU is offered at a very affordable fee, consistent with BHU's policy of accessible higher education. As per the latest available data, the total fee for the 3-year programme is approximately Rs. 33,055. Students are advised to check the official BHU Ph.D. admission bulletin for the latest fee schedule.

Fee Structure

Fee ComponentYear 1 (INR)Year 2 (INR)Year 3 (INR)
Tuition Fee1,0001,0001,000
Other Charges (Development Fund, Campus Utility, Library, etc.)10,01810,01810,018
Yearly Total11,01811,01811,018
Total Fees (3 Years)33,055

Hostel Fees (Optional, not included in Total Fees above)

Hostel TypeAnnual Fee (INR)
Boys Hostel7,500
Girls Hostel8,500
  • Hostel fees are not mandatory and are charged separately.
  • Mess charges are additional and vary by hostel.
  • Ph.D. scholars receiving JRF/SRF stipends from ICAR/UGC/CSIR are generally not required to pay tuition fees (subject to university policy; students should verify).
  • Fees are payable at the time of admission through the BHU online portal.

BHU Ph.D. (Agronomy) Admission 2026

Admission to the Ph.D. (Agronomy) programme at BHU is through the BHU Research Entrance Test (BHU-RET) or through the RET-Exempted category for candidates who have qualified ASRB-NET/ICAR-NET/UGC-NET/GATE. 50% of seats are filled through the RET-Exempted mode and 50% through the BHU-RET. Shortlisted candidates are called for a departmental interview/viva-voce. The 2025-26 admission cycle has been completed. The 2026-27 admission cycle is expected to begin with a notification around November-December 2026.

Important Dates

Event2025-26 (Actual)2026-27 (Tentative)
Ph.D. Admission NotificationNovember-December 2025November-December 2026
Application / Registration StartDecember 2025December 2026
Last Date for ApplicationDecember 16, 2025December 2026
BHU-RET Entrance TestDecember-January 2025-26December 2026 - January 2027
Publication of Result and Offer LetterJanuary 24 - February 5, 2026January-February 2027 (Tentative)
End of First Round of AdmissionsFebruary 5, 2026February 2027 (Tentative)
Date of Reporting to DepartmentFebruary 10, 2026February 2027 (Tentative)

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Candidates must hold an M.Sc.(Ag.) or M.Sc. in Agronomy from a recognised university, with a B.Sc.(Ag.) / B.Sc.(Hons.) Agriculture 4-year degree with credit-based course programme under ICAR guidelines.
  • Minimum 55% marks in aggregate in the qualifying examination (50% for SC/ST/PwD; 52.5% for OBC non-creamy layer).
  • Candidates who have qualified ASRB-NET/ICAR-NET/UGC-NET/GATE with valid scores are eligible for direct admission under the RET-Exempted category without appearing in the BHU-RET.

Admission Process

  • Apply online through the BHU Ph.D. admission portal when the notification is released (typically November-December).
  • Pay the application fee: Rs. 600 for General/OBC/EWS; Rs. 300 for SC/ST/PwD.
  • Candidates qualifying under RET-Exempted category (ASRB-NET/ICAR-NET/UGC-NET/GATE) apply directly; others appear for the BHU-RET.
  • Shortlisted candidates are called for a departmental interview/viva-voce at the Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, BHU.
  • Final merit list is prepared based on BHU-RET score (or NET/JRF score for exempted category) and interview performance.
  • Selected candidates receive an offer letter and must pay the admission fee within the stipulated time.
  • Report to the Department of Agronomy, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, BHU, Varanasi on the date of reporting.

BHU Ph.D. (Agronomy) Scholarships 2026

Ph.D. scholars in Agronomy at BHU can avail a range of fellowships and scholarships from national funding agencies. The most significant financial support comes from ICAR-JRF/SRF and ASRB-NET fellowships. Additionally, project-based fellowships from ICAR, DST, DBT, and other agencies are available through the department's active research projects.

Fellowship Details

Fellowship/ScholarshipEligibilityAmount
ICAR-JRF (Junior Research Fellowship)Qualified ICAR-NET/ASRB-NET with JRF; enrolled in Ph.D. AgricultureRs. 31,000/month (JRF); Rs. 35,000/month (SRF)
UGC-JRFQualified UGC-NET with JRF; enrolled in Ph.D.Rs. 37,000/month (JRF); Rs. 42,000/month (SRF)
DST-INSPIRE FellowshipMerit-based; for top-ranked science graduatesRs. 31,000/month + Rs. 20,000 annual contingency
BHU Merit ScholarshipFirst/Second rank holders in the programmeRs. 3,000-4,000 (one-time)
UP Post-Matric ScholarshipUP domicile; SC/ST/OBC/Minority; family income as per government normsFee reimbursement + maintenance allowance
National Scholarship Portal (NSP)As per NSP eligibility normsVaries
  • JRF/SRF stipend amounts are as per the latest government revision; students should verify current rates with the respective funding agency.
  • ICAR-JRF/ASRB-NET is the most relevant fellowship for Ph.D. Agronomy students.
  • Scholars receiving JRF/SRF from national agencies are generally not required to pay tuition fees; students should confirm with the BHU administration.
  • Minimum 75% attendance is mandatory to remain eligible for BHU internal scholarships.

BHU Ph.D. (Agronomy) FAQs

Ques. What is the entrance exam for Ph.D. (Agronomy) at BHU?

Ans. Admission to Ph.D. (Agronomy) at BHU is through the BHU Research Entrance Test (BHU-RET). Candidates who have qualified ASRB-NET/ICAR-NET/UGC-NET/GATE are eligible for direct admission under the RET-Exempted category without appearing in the BHU-RET. 50% of seats are filled through the RET-Exempted mode and 50% through the BHU-RET, followed by a departmental interview for all candidates.

Ques. What is the eligibility for Ph.D. (Agronomy) at BHU?

Ans. Candidates must hold an M.Sc.(Ag.) or M.Sc. in Agronomy from a recognised university, with a B.Sc.(Ag.) 4-year ICAR credit-based degree. A minimum of 55% marks in the qualifying examination is required (50% for SC/ST/PwD; 52.5% for OBC non-creamy layer).

Ques. How many seats are available for Ph.D. (Agronomy) at BHU?

Ans. The Ph.D. (Agronomy) programme at BHU has 10 seats. Reservations are as per Government of India norms: 27% for OBC (non-creamy layer), 15% for SC, 7.5% for ST, 10% for EWS, and 5% for PwD (horizontal reservation). 50% of seats are filled through the RET-Exempted mode and 50% through the BHU-RET.

Ques. What are the research areas in Ph.D. (Agronomy) at BHU?

Ans. Research areas in the Department of Agronomy at BHU include crop production systems and cropping sequences, integrated crop management, weed science and herbicide management, soil-water-plant relationships, precision agriculture and remote sensing applications, climate-smart agriculture, and organic farming. The department has active research projects funded by ICAR, DST, and other national agencies.

Ques. What are the career prospects after Ph.D. (Agronomy) from BHU?

Ans. Ph.D. (Agronomy) graduates from BHU can pursue careers as agronomists and scientists in ICAR institutes (such as IARI, CRIDA, NRRI), state agricultural universities, government agricultural departments, international agricultural research organisations (CIMMYT, IRRI), agri-input companies, and as faculty in agricultural colleges. BHU's NIRF #4 ranking in Agriculture and strong research output significantly enhance career prospects.

Ques. Can I pursue Ph.D. (Agronomy) at BHU if I have an M.Sc. in a related subject but not specifically Agronomy?

Ans. The primary eligibility is M.Sc.(Ag.) or M.Sc. in Agronomy with a 4-year B.Sc.(Ag.) ICAR credit-based degree. BHU's Ph.D. bulletin specifies that the allied discipline for Agronomy is M.Sc./M.Sc.(Ag.) in Agronomy itself, meaning candidates from other disciplines (e.g., Soil Science, Plant Physiology) would need to apply under those respective departments. Candidates should carefully check the allied discipline list in the official BHU Ph.D. admission bulletin for the relevant year.

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