Is CUET UG mandatory for all BHU UG admissions in 2026?

Yes, CUET UG 2026 is the only route for BHU UG programmes including BA, B.Sc, B.Com, Agriculture, and Veterinary Science. Class 12 board marks carry zero weight in BHUs merit list. The CUET UG normalised score alone determines allotment.

What CUET UG score is needed to get into BHU?

In 2026, BHU CUET UG Round 1 cutoffs for the General AI category ranged from 73 to 217 across programmes. High-demand courses like B.Sc (Hons) and BA English require scores at the higher end. Check bhucuet.samarth.edu.in for subject-wise cutoffs after the merit list is released.

Does BHU have a management quota or NRI quota?

No. BHU is a central university and all seats fill through merit and centralised counselling only. No management quota or NRI quota exists for any programme at BHU, including MBBS and MBA.

Is CAT the only accepted exam for IMS BHU MBA?

Yes. CAT is the only exam accepted for IMS BHU MBA and MBA-IB. XAT, GMAT, CMAT, and MAT scores are not accepted. Apply on bhumbaadm.samarth.edu.in during the November-January window each year.

What CAT percentile is needed for IMS BHU MBA shortlisting?

The CAT 2025 shortlisting cutoff for IMS BHU MBA (General category) was 85 percentile overall with a minimum 50 percentile required in each section. The final admission composite uses CAT 50%, Academic Record 20%, and GD-PI 30%.

What is the BHU LLB admission process for 2026?

The 3-year LLB at BHU (286 seats) admits through CUET LLB 2026 scores. The 5-year BA LLB (74 seats) admits through CUET UG 2026. Both programmes are at the Faculty of Law, BHU, in Varanasi.

How does BHU PhD admission work and who can apply?

BHU PhD admission requires a Masters degree with 55% (General/EWS) or 50% (SC/ST/PwD). UGC-NET and JRF holders go directly to the department interview. Final merit is 70% entrance score plus 30% interview. Apply on bhuonline.in.

What scholarships does BHU offer for economically weaker students?

Government schemes via NSP cover most students: CSSS (merit-based), Post-Matric Scholarship for SC/ST (tuition + maintenance), Merit-cum-Means for minority students, and Top Class Education Scheme for eligible SC students (tuition, hostel, books). BHU's own Student Welfare Fund provides one-time grants and emergency aid for students in acute financial need.

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

Collegedunia Team

Content Curator | Updated 3+ months ago

BHU Ph.D. (Social Sciences) is a full-time doctoral programme offered by the Faculty of Social Sciences at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, one of India's foremost central universities and an Institution of Eminence. The programme spans a minimum of 3 years and is offered across multiple departments including Economics, Political Science, Sociology, Psychology, Geography, Social Work, and Home Science. Admission is merit-based through UGC/CSIR NET scores and a departmental interview, with JRF holders given priority. The total course fee for the entire 3-year duration is approximately Rs. 33,055, making it one of the most affordable doctoral programmes in the country. The programme is highly popular among social science researchers due to BHU's strong interdisciplinary research culture, distinguished faculty, and its location in Varanasi, a city of immense historical and sociological significance.

Admissions for the 2026-27 session have been completed. The online registration window was open from December 3 to December 16, 2026, with interviews conducted between January 5 and January 16, 2027, and results published between January 24 and February 5, 2027. Reporting to the department was scheduled for February 10, 2027. For the 2027-28 session, the admission notification is expected around November-December 2027, based on the previous year's pattern.

Key Points

The Faculty of Social Sciences at BHU comprises departments of Economics, Political Science, Sociology, Psychology, Geography, Social Work, and Home Science, each offering Ph.D. specialisations.
Departments of Mathematics, Statistics, Geography, Home Science, and Psychology run programmes in more than one faculty; seats mentioned in the bulletin are inclusive of all faculties.
Candidates with UGC/CSIR JRF qualify under the JRF mode and are directly called for interview; NET-qualified candidates compete under the NET mode with 70% weightage to NET percentile and 30% to interview.
BHU's Faculty of Social Sciences is known for its strong ICSSR-funded research projects and interdisciplinary approach to social science research.
Allied discipline candidates can also apply, enabling interdisciplinary research across social science departments.

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Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

BHU Ph.D. (Social Sciences) Fees

The Ph.D. (Social Sciences) programme at BHU is extremely affordable, with the total fee for the entire 3-year duration being approximately Rs. 33,055. The first year is the most expensive due to a one-time admission fee, while subsequent years involve only exam and other recurring charges. There is no tuition fee in the traditional sense; the charges are primarily administrative and examination-related.

Fee Breakdown

Fee Component	Year 1 (Rs.)	Year 2 (Rs.)	Year 3 (Rs.)	Total (Rs.)
Admission Fee (one-time)	1,418	-	-	1,418
Examination Fee	2,000	2,000	200	4,200
Other Charges	4,950	4,950	4,950	14,850
Registration Processing Fee	600	-	-	600
Annual Total	8,968	6,950	5,150	21,068
Hostel Fee (Male, optional)	5,375	5,375	5,375	16,125
Total Fees (without hostel)				21,068
Total Fees (with hostel)				37,193

The admission fee of Rs. 1,418 is a one-time charge payable in Year 1 only.
Registration processing fee: Rs. 600 for General/OBC/EWS candidates; Rs. 300 for SC/ST/PwBD candidates.
Hostel accommodation is optional and not mandatory.
Hostel fee for male students is approximately Rs. 5,375 per year; female hostel fees may vary.
Fees are subject to revision by the university.
Candidates should verify the latest fee structure from the official BHU admission portal at admission.bhu.ac.in.
JRF holders receive a monthly fellowship of Rs. 37,000 (as per UGC norms), which effectively covers all fees and living expenses.
No EMI options are available; fees are payable as per the university's schedule.

BHU Ph.D. (Social Sciences) Admission 2026

Admissions to the Ph.D. (Social Sciences) programme at BHU are conducted annually through a structured process involving UGC/CSIR NET scores and a departmental interview. For the 2026-27 session, the process has been completed. Candidates qualifying under the JRF mode are directly called for interview, while NET mode candidates are shortlisted based on their NET percentile score. Each department within the Faculty of Social Sciences has its own subject basket and seat matrix, and candidates must apply to the specific department of their choice.

Important Dates

Event	Date
Online Registration Opens	December 3, 2026
Online Registration Closes	December 16, 2026
Correction Window	December 17, 2026
Call Letter Issuance	December 20-24, 2026
Physical Verification of Documents and Interview	January 5-16, 2027
Publication of Result, Offer Letter and Fee Submission Link	January 24 - February 5, 2027
End of First Round of Admissions	February 5, 2027
Second Cycle of Admissions Begins	February 12, 2027
Reporting to Department	February 10, 2027

UGC NET Exam Dates

Event	UGC NET December 2026 Session	UGC NET June 2027 Session (Tentative)
Registration Start	October 7, 2026	April 1, 2027
Registration End	November 7, 2026	May 1, 2027
Admit Card	December 28, 2026	June 1, 2027
Exam Date	December 31, 2026 - January 7, 2027	June 2027
Answer Key Release	January 14, 2027	July 2027
Result	February 4, 2027	July 2027

Note: UGC NET is the primary qualifying exam for BHU Ph.D. Social Sciences admission. Candidates must qualify in the relevant subject (Economics, Political Science, Sociology, Psychology, Geography, Social Work, Home Science, etc.) under UGC NET. CSIR NET is applicable only for Psychology (if offered under CSIR subjects).

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold a Master's degree in a relevant Social Sciences discipline from a recognised university (e.g., M.A. Economics, M.A. Political Science, M.A. Sociology, M.A. Psychology, M.A. Geography, M.S.W., M.Sc. Home Science, etc.).
Minimum 55% marks in the qualifying degree for General/OBC/EWS candidates; 50% for SC/ST/PwBD candidates.
Candidates must have qualified UGC NET (JRF or LS/AP category) in the relevant subject for the NET mode, or hold a valid JRF from UGC/CSIR/ICMR/DBT for the JRF mode.

Admission Process

Register online at the BHU admission portal (admission.bhu.ac.in) and pay the registration processing fee.
Select the subject basket corresponding to the desired Social Sciences department (Economics, Political Science, Sociology, Psychology, Geography, Social Work, or Home Science).
Shortlisted candidates (up to 10 per seat under NET mode; all JRF candidates) are called for a departmental interview (30 marks).
Merit is prepared: for JRF mode, 100% weightage to interview percentile; for NET mode, 70% to NET percentile and 30% to interview percentile.
Offer letters are issued online; candidates must pay the admission fee within the stipulated time to confirm the seat.
Physical verification of original documents is conducted at the time of interview.

BHU Ph.D. (Social Sciences) Scholarships 2026

BHU Ph.D. (Social Sciences) students can avail of several scholarships and fellowships, with the UGC JRF being the most significant. Students admitted under the JRF mode receive a monthly stipend that covers their living and academic expenses entirely. Additionally, BHU offers its own research fellowship for NET-qualified students who do not hold a JRF. Various government and private scholarships are also available for SC/ST/OBC/EWS and minority students. ICSSR also offers fellowships specifically for social science research.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship/Fellowship	Amount	Eligibility	Duration
UGC Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)	Rs. 37,000/month (Year 1-2); Rs. 42,000/month (Year 3+)	UGC NET JRF qualified	Up to 5 years
ICSSR Doctoral Fellowship	Rs. 25,000/month + contingency	Social science research scholars	Up to 2 years
BHU Research Fellowship	As per university norms	NET-qualified students (non-JRF) admitted to BHU Ph.D.	Duration of Ph.D.
National Fellowship for SC Students (UGC)	Rs. 37,000/month + contingency	SC category students	Up to 5 years
National Fellowship for OBC Students (UGC)	Rs. 37,000/month + contingency	OBC (NCL) students	Up to 5 years
Maulana Azad National Fellowship	Rs. 37,000/month + contingency	Minority community students	Up to 5 years
Post-Matric Scholarship (State Government)	Varies by state	SC/ST students	Annual

JRF fellowship amounts are as per UGC revised rates (effective from January 2023).
Candidates should verify the latest rates from the UGC website.
Contingency grant for JRF holders: Rs. 10,000/year (Year 1-2) and Rs. 20,500/year (Year 3+).
ICSSR Doctoral Fellowship applications are made separately through the ICSSR portal (icssr.org).
Candidates must have a registered Ph.D. topic.
BHU Research Fellowship amount is determined by the university and may differ from UGC JRF rates.
Scholarship applications for national fellowships are made separately through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in).
Candidates must maintain satisfactory progress in research to continue receiving fellowship amounts.

BHU Ph.D. (Social Sciences) FAQs

Ques. Which departments are included under the Faculty of Social Sciences at BHU for Ph.D. admission?

Ans. The Faculty of Social Sciences at BHU includes the following departments offering Ph.D. programmes: Economics, Political Science, Sociology, Psychology, Geography, Social Work, and Home Science. Some departments like Geography, Psychology, and Home Science also run programmes in other faculties, and the seat matrix in the bulletin covers all faculties combined.

Ques. Can I apply for Ph.D. in Sociology at BHU if my Master's degree is in Social Work?

Ans. Yes, BHU allows allied discipline candidates to apply for Ph.D. in departments where their subject is listed as an allied discipline. Social Work may be listed as an allied discipline in the Sociology department's subject basket. However, a maximum of 20% of total advertised seats in any subject basket can be filled by allied discipline candidates. Candidates should check the specific subject basket in the official Ph.D. Admission Bulletin for the relevant session.

Ques. Is there a separate entrance test for BHU Ph.D. Social Sciences, or is UGC NET sufficient?

Ans. For the 2026-27 session, BHU has moved to a NET-based admission system. Candidates who have qualified UGC NET (with or without JRF) in the relevant Social Sciences subject can apply directly. There is no separate BHU Research Entrance Test (RET) for these disciplines. The selection is based on NET percentile (70%) and interview performance (30%) for NET mode candidates.

Ques. How competitive is Ph.D. admission in Social Sciences at BHU?

Ans. BHU Ph.D. Social Sciences is highly competitive, especially in popular departments like Economics, Political Science, and Sociology. For each advertised seat under the NET mode, up to 10-15 candidates are called for interview. The number of seats varies by department and year. Candidates with higher NET percentile scores and strong interview performance have better chances. JRF holders have a separate, often less competitive pool.

Ques. What research facilities are available for Ph.D. Social Sciences students at BHU?

Ans. BHU offers excellent research infrastructure for social science scholars, including access to the Sayaji Rao Gaekwad Central Library with over 15 lakh volumes and 15,000+ online journals, ICSSR-funded research centres, a dedicated Centre for Women Studies and Development, and the Centre for Integrated Rural Development. The university's Wi-Fi campus and digital library resources further support research activities.

Ques. What are the career prospects after completing Ph.D. in Social Sciences from BHU?

Ans. A Ph.D. in Social Sciences from BHU opens diverse career pathways including academic positions (Assistant Professor/Associate Professor) in universities and colleges, research positions in think tanks and policy institutes, roles in government bodies (UPSC, state PSCs, planning commissions), international organisations (UN, World Bank), NGOs, and civil society organisations. BHU's strong reputation and alumni network significantly enhance career prospects in both academia and policy research.

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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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