BHU Admission 2026: Registration, Eligibility, Dates, Fees & Courses

10 Jul 2026 PP Singh

Banaras Hindu University (BHU), one of India's oldest and most respected central universities, has kicked off its admission cycle for the 2026-27 academic session. If you are chasing a seat at this historic Varanasi campus founded by Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya in 1916 this guide walks you through everything about BHU admission 2026: eligibility, important dates, courses, fees, the application form, counselling, and more.

BHU offers admission to over 600 programmes across UG, PG, diploma, certificate, and PhD levels, spread across its main Varanasi campus, constituent colleges, and the Rajiv Gandhi South Campus (RGSC) in Mirzapur. Almost every seat at BHU is filled through a national-level entrance test CUET UG for undergraduate courses and CUET PG for postgraduate courses followed by a structured counselling process on the university's own admission portal.

BHU Admission 2026 Highlights

Particulars

Details

University Name

Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi

Established

1916

Admission Levels

UG, PG, Diploma, Certificate, PhD

Entrance Exams Accepted

CUET UG, CUET PG, NEET UG/PG, CAT, UGC-NET, BHU RET

Total Programmes

600+

Official Admission Portals

admission.bhu.ac.in, bhucuet.samarth.edu.in, bhuonline.in

Counselling Mode

Online, through CAP (Combined Allotment Program)

Application Fee

Rs 250 – Rs 1,000 (category-wise)

BHU CUET UG admission 2026 and BHU CUET PG admission 2026 remain the two biggest entry points into the university, and both follow NTA's exam calendar before BHU takes over for its own counselling and seat-allotment rounds.

BHU Admission 2026 Important Dates

The BHU entrance exam 2026 timeline is split into two parts the NTA-conducted CUET exam schedule, and BHU's own counselling schedule, which is released separately once CUET results are declared.

Event

Tentative Date

CUET UG 2026 registration

Closed on 26 February 2026

CUET UG 2026 exam

11 May – 31 May 2026

BHU application form 2026 (UG) release

Second week of July 2026

BHU CAP-UG registration 2026

Third week of July 2026 (bhucuet.samarth.edu.in)

CUET PG 2026 based BHU PG counselling

Rolling out after CUET PG results

BHU merit list / cut-off release

After CAP registration closes

Seat allotment (Round 1 onwards)

July – August 2026

Document verification & fee payment

Within a few days of each allotment round

Spot round allotment

September 2026

Since BHU counselling dates depend on when NTA declares CUET results, candidates should keep checking the official BHU admission portal regularly for updates rather than relying only on tentative dates found elsewhere. This applies equally to bhu admission 2026, bhu ug admission 2026, and bhu pg admission 2026 timelines.

BHU Admission 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility at BHU is course-specific, but here is a general breakdown for UG, PG, and PhD applicants.

UG Eligibility

  • Candidates must have passed Class 12 (10+2) from a recognised board.
  • A minimum aggregate of around 50% is generally required for General/EWS category candidates, with relaxations for reserved categories.
  • A valid CUET UG 2026 score is mandatory for almost all undergraduate programmes BA, BSc, BCom, BTech, BFA, BPA, B.Voc, and BA LLB (Hons.).
  • For BA LLB (Hons.) specifically, candidates from any stream (Arts, Commerce, or Science) can apply, provided they clear Class 12 with English as a compulsory subject and meet the minimum percentage.
  • MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BNYS, and B.Pharma (Ayurveda) require a valid NEET UG score instead of CUET, and admission for these runs through the national MCC counselling process rather than BHU's own CAP-UG portal.
  • B.Sc Nursing has its own separate entrance test conducted by BHU.
  • There is generally no upper age limit for UG admission under CUET norms, though a few professional courses may specify a minimum age.

PG Eligibility

  • A relevant Bachelor's degree from a recognised university is required, typically with 50% aggregate marks (some relaxation for SC/ST/OBC candidates).
  • A valid bhu cuet pg admission 2026 score is mandatory for most postgraduate programmes such as MA, MSc, MCom, MTech, MCA, LLM, and MEd.
  • MBA and MBA (IB) admissions are based on CAT scores, followed by BHU's own Group Discussion and Personal Interview (GD/PI) round.
  • Eligibility criteria can vary depending on the specific subject or specialisation, so applicants should always cross-check the official information bulletin for their chosen programme.

PhD Eligibility

  • Candidates must hold a Master's degree in the relevant subject with the minimum percentage prescribed by BHU (usually 55% for General category, with relaxation for reserved categories).
  • Admission is generally through the BHU Research Entrance Test (RET), though candidates who already qualify via UGC-NET, CUET PG, or GATE may be eligible for direct entry in certain departments.
  • Shortlisted candidates are called for a personal interview before final selection.
  • PhD eligibility, syllabus, and interview weightage differ from department to department, so applicants are advised to read the department-specific PhD notification carefully.

BHU Admission 2026 Courses Offered

BHU offers admission across 16 faculties and 140-plus departments, covering nearly every major discipline:

  • Undergraduate (UG): BA, BSc (Hons.), BCom, BTech, BFA, BPA, B.Voc, BA LLB (Hons.), B.Sc Nursing, MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BNYS
  • Postgraduate (PG): MA, MSc, MCom, MTech, MCA, LLM, MEd, MBA, MBA (IB)
  • Diploma & Certificate Courses: Across engineering, management, and foreign languages
  • Doctoral Programmes: PhD, DSc, DLitt, LLD, and postdoctoral certificate courses

Among the most searched programmes are courses under the Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University including MBBS, BDS, and Nursing along with professional courses like BA LLB and management programmes. While BHU does not run a standalone BBA degree, commerce and management-oriented aspirants typically apply for B.Com (Hons.) or MBA instead.

BHU Admission 2026 Application Form

The BHU application form 2026 is filled entirely online there is no offline mode of application. UG applicants fill their form on the BHU CAP-UG portal (bhucuet.samarth.edu.in) after clearing CUET UG, while PG applicants use the CUET PG-linked CAP-PG portal. Some non-CUET courses, such as PhD and select diploma programmes, have their own separate application forms on admission.bhu.ac.in.

Key points to remember about the bhu admission form:

  • The form can only be filled after a candidate has a valid CUET UG/PG application number and scorecard.
  • Name, date of birth, category, and photograph are usually auto-fetched from the CUET application, so candidates should ensure these details are accurate at the CUET stage itself.
  • BHU does not accept applications submitted through any channel other than its official CAP portal.
  • Corrections to core personal details (mobile number, email, address) are typically not allowed once submitted, so double-check before final submission.

How to Apply for BHU Admission 2026

Here is the step-by-step process for bhu online admission 2026:

Registration

Visit bhucuet.samarth.edu.in (for UG) or the equivalent CAP-PG portal, click on "New Registration," and enter your CUET application number, date of birth, and captcha code. Save your login credentials safely you'll need them for every subsequent step.

Filling Application Form

Log in and complete your personal, academic, and category details. Most fields are pre-filled from your CUET record, so simply verify and correct any errors.

Uploading Documents

Upload scanned copies of your Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets, CUET scorecard, category certificate (if applicable), photograph, and signature in the specified format and size.

Fee Payment

Pay the non-refundable BHU registration/application fee online through net banking, debit card, credit card, or UPI.

Final Submission

Review the entire form carefully, fill your course and college preferences (there's no cap on how many preferences you can list filling more preferences reduces your chance of going unallotted), and submit. Download and save a copy of the confirmation page for future reference.

Documents Required for BHU Admission 2026

Keep the following documents ready in scanned format before you start your BHU registration:

  • Class 10 mark sheet and passing certificate
  • Class 12 (or equivalent) mark sheet and passing certificate
  • CUET UG/PG 2026 admit card and scorecard
  • Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS), if applicable
  • PwBD certificate, if applicable
  • Income certificate (for fee concessions or scholarships)
  • Transfer certificate and character certificate from the last institution attended
  • Passport-size photograph and signature in the prescribed format
  • Sports quota or BHU-employee-ward certificate, where relevant

BHU Admission 2026 Application Fee

The BHU registration/application fee generally varies by category:

  • General/OBC/EWS candidates: around Rs 500 – Rs 1,000
  • SC/ST candidates: around Rs 250 – Rs 500

This fee is separate from the CUET UG/PG application fee paid earlier to NTA, and is non-refundable once paid. Always verify the exact fee on the official BHU admission portal, as it can be revised for different programmes.

BHU Admission 2026 Selection Process

Selection at BHU is almost entirely merit-based:

  1. Candidates appear for CUET UG or CUET PG (or NEET/CAT/RET, depending on the course).
  2. BHU prepares a programme-wise, category-wise merit list using CUET normalised scores.
  3. Candidates register on the BHU CAP portal and fill course/college preferences.
  4. Seats are allotted across multiple rounds based on merit and preference order.
  5. Selected candidates complete document verification and fee payment to confirm their seat.
  6. For a few courses (like MBA), a Group Discussion/Personal Interview round follows the entrance exam before final selection.

BHU Admission 2026 Counselling Process

BHU counselling is conducted entirely online through the Combined Allotment Program (CAP), separately for UG and PG levels:

  • After CUET results are declared, BHU opens CAP registration for eligible candidates.
  • Candidates fill in unlimited programme and college preferences, arranged in order of priority.
  • BHU releases the Round 1 seat allotment list based on merit and preferences.
  • Allotted candidates must pay the seat-confirmation fee within the given window (typically 2–3 days) and undergo document verification.
  • A "sliding" or "float" facility usually allows candidates to move up to a higher preference in later rounds automatically.
  • Multiple rounds (usually up to 4, plus spot rounds) are conducted until all seats are filled.
  • Note: MBBS and BDS admissions at IMS-BHU are not part of this CAP process they go through the national MCC counselling using NEET UG scores.

BHU Admission 2026 Cut Off (Expected)

BHU cut-offs depend on CUET paper difficulty, the number of applicants, category, and seat availability, so they fluctuate every year. Based on recent trends, high-demand UG programmes such as B.Sc (Hons.) in select specialisations and BA LLB (Hons.) have historically closed with relatively high General-category scores, while many other programmes see cut-offs settle in the moderate range across later rounds. Cut-offs are typically higher in Round 1 and tend to ease in subsequent rounds as seats become available. For the most accurate and updated bhu merit list and cut-off figures, always refer to the official round-wise lists published on the BHU admission portal after each counselling round.

BHU Admission 2026 Reservation Criteria

BHU follows the Government of India's reservation policy for admissions:

  • SC: 15%
  • ST: 7.5%
  • OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 27%
  • EWS: 10%
  • PwBD: as per applicable central government norms
  • Additional supernumerary seats for BHU employee wards, sports quota candidates, and foreign nationals

Candidates claiming reservation benefits must upload valid, current certificates at the time of registration and document verification. Category details are locked as per NTA/CUET records and generally cannot be modified during BHU's counselling stage, so it's important to get this right at the CUET application stage itself.

BHU Admission 2026 FAQs

Q1. When will BHU admission 2026 registration start?

CUET UG 2026 registration has already closed, and the exam was conducted between 11 and 31 May 2026. BHU's own CAP-UG counselling registration is expected to open in the third week of July 2026 on bhucuet.samarth.edu.in.

Q2. Is CUET compulsory for BHU UG admission?

Yes. Nearly all undergraduate programmes at BHU require a valid CUET UG score, except for courses like MBBS/BDS (NEET-based) and B.Sc Nursing (BHU's own entrance test).

Q3. What is the eligibility for BHU PG admission 2026?

Candidates need a relevant Bachelor's degree with the minimum required percentage (usually 50%, with relaxation for reserved categories) along with a valid CUET PG score.

Q4. How can I apply for BHU admission 2026 online?

Register on the BHU CAP-UG or CAP-PG portal using your CUET application number, fill in your details, upload documents, pay the application fee, and submit your preference list.

Q5. What documents are needed for BHU counselling?

Class 10 and 12 mark sheets, CUET scorecard, category certificate (if applicable), photograph, signature, and other course-specific documents.

Q6. Does BHU offer a BBA programme?

BHU does not run a standalone BBA course. Commerce-oriented students typically opt for B.Com (Hons.), while postgraduate management aspirants apply for the MBA programme via CAT and GD/PI.

Q7. What is the BHU BA LLB fee structure?

The BA LLB (Hons.) at BHU is a 5-year integrated programme, with fees payable per semester; the total programme cost runs into a few lakh rupees, though SC/ST students and low-income General/OBC families can avail fee waivers or reductions through the university's fee concession scheme.

Q8. Is there an age limit for BHU admission?

Generally, there is no upper age limit for UG admission under CUET norms, though a few professional/law programmes may specify a minimum age requirement.

Q9. Where can I check the BHU merit list and cut-off?

The BHU merit list and round-wise cut-offs are published on the official BHU admission portal (admission.bhu.ac.in) and the CAP portal after each counselling round.

Q10. Are BHU admission dates the same as CUET dates?

No. CUET UG and CUET PG exam dates are set by NTA, while BHU's counselling registration, merit list, and seat allotment schedule are announced separately by the university after CUET results are declared.


Disclaimer: Dates, fees, and cut-offs mentioned above are based on the latest available information and past trends; they are indicative and subject to change. Candidates should always verify the final details from the official BHU admission portals admission.bhu.ac.in, bhucuet.samarth.edu.in, and bhuonline.in before making any admission-related decisions.

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