BHU PhD Admission 2026: RET Entrance Exam, Last Date and Eligibility
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- 23 Oct 2026IIT BHU Even Semester PhD Applications Open
Online portal for IIT BHU PhD admission (Even Semester 2026-27) opened on 23 October 2026 and closes on 9 November 2026 at 17:00 hrs. - 16 Dec 2025BHU PhD Session Application Window Closed
BHU accepted online registrations for PhD admission through JRF and NET modes up to 16 December 2025.
BHU PhD admission for 2026-27 is conducted without a separate Research Entrance Test (RET); instead, selection is based on UGC NET, CSIR NET, JRF, or ICAR-SRF scores alongside interview evaluation.
The following guide details the complete BHU Ph.D. admission process, academic eligibility, entrance exam policy, selection modes, seat reservation rules, fee structures, and step-by-step application instructions.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting University | Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi |
| Entrance Exam Policy | No separate RET; scores of UGC NET / CSIR NET / JRF / ICAR-SRF are used |
| Academic Eligibility (Master’s) | Minimum 55% marks in Master’s degree (50% for SC/ST/OBC/PC) |
| Academic Eligibility (4-Year UG) | Minimum 75% marks in 4-year Bachelor’s degree with Research Honours |
| Admission Modes | JRF Mode, NET Mode, and Direct Admission |
| Application Portal | bhuonline.in |
| BHU PhD Application Fee | ₹600 for General/OBC/EWS; ₹300 for SC/ST/PwBD |
| Reservation Seats | 15% SC, 7.5% ST, 27% OBC, 3% Horizontal Reservation for PC |
Ph.D. Eligibility
General category candidates require a minimum of 55% aggregate marks or equivalent CGPA in their Master’s degree, while SC, ST, OBC, and PC candidates receive a 5% relaxation requiring 50% marks. Under NEP 2020 guidelines, candidates with a 4-year undergraduate degree in research honours can apply directly for Ph.D. with at least 75% aggregate marks (70% for reserved categories).
The BHU Ph.D. Ordinance mandates securing a minimum of 50 marks in academic record calculation (45 marks for SC/ST/PC candidates and 47.50 for OBC candidates).
BHU PhD Admission Modes: JRF Mode vs NET Mode vs Direct Admission
Banaras Hindu University divides doctoral applicants into three operational categories to ensure structured selection:
Candidates applying in JRF Mode are evaluated based on 100% interview percentile. In NET Mode, final merit is computed by taking 70% weightage of the NET score percentile and 30% weightage of the interview percentile.
Direct Admission mode is open to holders of national/international Ph.D. fellowships or senior professionals with 12+ years experience and minimum age of 43 with Vice-Chancellor approval.
BHU PhD Fee Structure and Fellowship Stipend Details
| Fee / Stipend Type | Category / Tenure | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BHU PhD Application Fee | General / OBC / EWS | ₹600 |
| BHU PhD Application Fee | SC / ST / PwBD | ₹300 |
| IIT BHU PhD Application Fee | General / OBC-NCL / EWS | ₹500 |
| IIT BHU PhD Application Fee | SC / ST / PD | ₹250 |
| UGC NET JRF Monthly Stipend | First 2 Years | ₹37,000 per month |
| UGC NET JRF Monthly Stipend | After 2 Years | ₹42,000 per month |
Across government colleges offering Ph.D. programs, the median total course fee is ₹71,600, with the middle half ranging between ₹34,582 and ₹1.16 lakh.
Top Ph.D. Colleges
At least 3561 colleges offer Ph.D. programs across India, including 287 government institutions and 1129 private colleges. Government colleges have a median total course fee of ₹71,600, with the middle half between ₹34,582 and ₹1.16 lakh across 126 colleges with fee data. Private colleges have a median total course fee of ₹1.85 lakh, with the middle half between ₹90,270 and ₹3.00 lakh across 249 colleges with fee data.
State-wise breakdown of Ph.D. colleges shows Maharashtra leading with 609 colleges, followed by Tamil Nadu with 538, Karnataka with 352, Uttar Pradesh with 287, Gujarat with 222, and Rajasthan with 188. Across 9 evaluated colleges, the median average placement package stands at 6.47 LPA.
| College | City | Ownership | Total course fee | NIRF rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Institute of Science | Bangalore | — | ₹89,200 | 1 (Overall, 2025) |
| Indian Institute of Technology Madras | Chennai | Government | ₹30,850 | 1 (Overall, 2025) |
| Jawaharlal Nehru University | Delhi | Government | — | 2 (Overall, 2025) |
| Indian Institute of Technology Bombay | Mumbai | Government | ₹70,200 | 3 (Overall, 2024) |
| Manipal University Manipal | Manipal | — | ₹59,000 | 3 (Overall, 2025) |
| Punjab Agricultural University | Ludhiana | — | ₹1.76 lakh | 3 (Overall, 2025) |
| Jamia Millia Islamia University | Delhi | Government | ₹27,740 | 4 (Overall, 2025) |
| Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur | Kanpur | Government | ₹52,200 | 5 (Overall, 2025) |
| Delhi University | Delhi | Government | ₹7,130 | 5 (Overall, 2025) |
| Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee | Roorkee | — | ₹85,800 | 6 (Overall, 2025) |
| College | City | Ownership | Total course fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Institute of Foreign Trade Kolkata | Kolkata | Government | ₹5,000 |
| Bharathi Women’s College | Chennai | Government | ₹5,105 |
| All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi | Delhi | Government | ₹5,215 |
| Gulbarga University | Gulbarga | Government | ₹6,545 |
| Govt. Raza Post Graduate College | Rampur | Government | ₹6,810 |
| Delhi University | Delhi | Government | ₹7,130 |
| Calicut University | Calicut | Government | ₹7,130 |
| Bastar University | Bastar | Government | ₹7,170 |
| Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research | Chandigarh | Government | ₹7,410 |
| Government Thakur Ranmat Singh College | Rewa | Government | ₹7,777 |
| College | City | Ownership | Total course fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani | Pilani | Private | ₹1.84 lakh |
| Chandigarh University | Chandigarh | Private | ₹3.60 lakh |
| VIT University Chennai | Chennai | Private | ₹1.33 lakh |
| Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology | Patiala | Private | ₹69,000 |
| Chebrolu Hanumaiah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences | Guntur | Private | ₹1.05 lakh |
| Indian Institute of Technology Dhanbad | Dhanbad | Private | ₹50,400 |
| Uttaranchal University | Dehradun | Private | ₹3.59 lakh |
| Marwadi University | Rajkot | Private | ₹2.25 lakh |
| SVKM’s Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies Navi Mumbai | Navi Mumbai | Private | ₹3.00 lakh |
| Doon Business School | Dehradun | Private | ₹3.30 lakh |
| City | Colleges | Fee range | Well-known options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangalore | 179 | ₹50,000 – ₹8.75 lakh | Alliance University, Christ University |
| Pune | 173 | ₹52,785 – ₹5.16 lakh | Symbiosis Law School Pune, Armed Forces Medical College |
| Mumbai | 149 | ₹7,923 – ₹33.82 lakh | Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies |
| Chennai | 135 | ₹5,105 – ₹7.50 lakh | Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences |
| Coimbatore | 114 | ₹36,500 – ₹9.34 lakh | Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, P.S.G College of Technology |
| Delhi | 77 | ₹5,215 – ₹7.50 lakh | All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi, Jamia Millia Islamia University |
| Jaipur | 76 | ₹30,970 – ₹45.00 lakh | Manipal University Jaipur, University of Rajasthan |
| Hyderabad | 69 | ₹35,000 – ₹5.20 lakh | University of Hyderabad, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad |
| College | City | Total course fee |
|---|---|---|
| IIHMR University | Jaipur | ₹4.00 lakh |
| Indian School of Business Management & Administration | Kolkata | ₹69,900 |
| Indian Institute of Business Management and Studies | Mumbai | ₹75,800 |
| Indian Institute of Information Technology Sri City | Sri City | ₹1.83 lakh |
| Shyam University | Dausa | ₹3.15 lakh |
| Birla Institute of Technology Mesra | Ranchi | ₹1.99 lakh |
How to Apply for Ph.D. Admission in 2026: Step by Step
- Check Eligibility Criteria: Ensure you hold a Master’s degree with 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC/PC) or a 4-year Bachelor’s degree with 75% marks, alongside a valid UGC NET, CSIR NET, JRF, or ICAR-SRF score.
- Select BHU Admission Mode: Choose JRF Mode (if holding JRF fellowship), NET Mode (if holding NET Category 1, 2, or 3 qualification), or Direct Admission (for supernumerary fellowship holders/experienced professionals).
- Register on Official BHU Admission Portal: Visit bhuonline.in, complete initial registration with a valid email ID and mobile number, and generate your application login credentials.
- Fill Online Application Form & Pay Fee: Complete personal, academic, and NET score details. Pay the non-refundable application fee of ₹600 (General/OBC/EWS) or ₹300 (SC/ST/PwBD) online.
- Appear for Departmental Document Check & Interview: Download your interview call letter from bhuonline.in and present your research proposal and academic credentials before the departmental research committee.
- Check Merit List & Pay Admission Fees: Check the final merit list (calculated as 100% interview for JRF mode; 70% NET + 30% interview for NET mode) and pay the prescribed fee to confirm admission.
| What to do | Where | Link |
|---|---|---|
| application | IIT BHU PG Admission Portal | pgadmission.iitbhu.ac.in |
FAQs
Is BHU PhD admission open?
BHU releases PhD admission notifications for two semesters (Odd and Even) every academic year on bhuonline.in. Applicants should regularly check the portal for active registration forms.
Will there be an entrance test for BHU PhD in 2026?
No separate Research Entrance Test (RET) is conducted by BHU for 2026-27. Admissions are granted based on national test scores like UGC NET, CSIR NET, JRF, or ICAR-SRF followed by an interview.
What qualifications do I need to get a PhD from BHU?
You need a Master’s degree with at least 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC/PC) or a 4-year Bachelor’s degree with minimum 75% marks, plus a valid national entrance qualification (UGC NET/CSIR NET/JRF).
What is the monthly stipend for PhD students at BHU?
Candidates qualifying UGC NET JRF receive ₹37,000 per month for the first two years (JRF), which increases to ₹42,000 per month (SRF) for the remaining tenure, along with HRA as applicable.
Is JRF equal to PhD?
No. JRF (Junior Research Fellowship) is a financial award and eligibility qualification earned through competitive national exams (like UGC/CSIR NET), whereas PhD is the doctoral degree awarded after completing research.
How to get admission into PhD at BHU?
Qualify UGC NET or CSIR NET, apply online at bhuonline.in under JRF or NET mode, attend the departmental document verification and interview, and secure merit selection.
