Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The BA (Hons.) in Arabic at Banaras Hindu University is a 3-year full-time undergraduate programme offered by the Department of Arabic and Persian under the Faculty of Arts. The programme provides comprehensive training in the Arabic language, covering classical and modern Arabic literature, grammar, translation, and Islamic studies. Arabic is one of the six official languages of the United Nations and is spoken by over 400 million people worldwide, making this programme highly relevant for careers in diplomacy, international trade, and academia. The total course fee is just Rs. 6,900 for the entire 3-year duration. Admission is based on CUET UG scores, and the course is conducted in on-campus, full-time mode at BHU's main campus in Varanasi.

Admissions for the 2026-27 session are upcoming. CUET UG 2026 registration was open from January 3 to February 26, 2026. The exam is scheduled from May 11 to May 31, 2026 (tentative), with results expected by July 4, 2026 (tentative). BHU's CUET-based counselling portal (bhucuet.samarth.edu.in) is expected to open in the third week of July 2026, with the last date for registration likely in the first week of August 2026.

Key Points

BHU's Department of Arabic and Persian is one of the oldest and most respected Arabic studies departments in India, with a long tradition of scholarship in classical Arabic literature and Islamic studies.
The programme covers both classical (Fusha) and modern standard Arabic, along with Arabic literature, history, and Islamic civilisation.
Arabic proficiency is highly valued in the Gulf countries, which are major destinations for Indian professionals, making this programme practically relevant.
Graduates are well-positioned for careers in the Ministry of External Affairs, Gulf-based companies, Islamic banking, translation, journalism, and academia.
Varanasi's historical connection with Islamic scholarship and the presence of a significant Muslim scholarly community adds a unique cultural dimension to the programme.

Official Link:

Go To Website

Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Cutoff
FAQs

BHU Latest Updates and News

18 Apr, 2026 CUET UG 2026 subject selection edit window is open till April 19, 2026, @cuet.nta.nic.in. The Exam will be held from May 11 to 31, 2026.

BHU BA (Hons.) Arabic Fees

The BA (Hons.) Arabic programme at BHU is among the most affordable Arabic language courses in India. The total tuition fee for the entire 3-year programme is Rs. 6,900, charged at Rs. 2,300 per year. There are no separate examination fees. Hostel accommodation is available on campus at approximately Rs. 4,875 per year (non-AC room), and is not mandatory.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Per Year (INR)	Total - 3 Years (INR)
Tuition Fee	2,300	6,900
Other Charges	Included	Included
Total Fees (excluding hostel)	2,300	6,900

Hostel Fees

Hostel Fees (Optional)	Per Year (INR)
Hostel Charges (Non-AC Room)	4,875
Mess Charges (approx.)	24,000

Fees are refundable as per university norms.
Hostel accommodation is not mandatory and is subject to availability. Approximately 50% of students are allotted hostel seats.
Mess charges are approximate and may vary based on the number of days of occupancy.
A one-time caution/security deposit may be applicable at the time of admission.
No EMI facility is available; fees are paid semester-wise or annually as per university schedule.

BHU BA (Hons.) Arabic Admission 2026

Admissions to BA (Hons.) Arabic at BHU are conducted through CUET UG scores. BHU prepares a merit list based on CUET scores and conducts its own counselling process through the CUET-BHU portal. For 2025, the General category CUET cutoff was 263 (Round 1) and 257 (Rounds 2-4), while EWS was 250 and OBC-NCL was 243.

Admission Dates

Event	Date
CUET UG Registration Start	January 3, 2026
CUET UG Registration End	February 26, 2026
BHU CUET-UG Portal Registration Opens	Third week of July 2026 (Tentative)
Last Date for BHU UG Registration	First week of August 2026 (Tentative)
BHU CUET UG Merit List / Seat Allotment	August 2026 (Tentative)
Fee Payment and Document Verification	August - September 2026 (Tentative)
Batch Commencement	October 2026 (Tentative)

Entrance Exam Dates

Event	Date
CUET UG Registration Start	January 3, 2026
CUET UG Registration End	February 26, 2026
CUET UG Admit Card Release	May 5, 2026 (Tentative)
CUET UG Exam	May 11 - May 31, 2026 (Tentative)
CUET UG Answer Key Release	June 17, 2026 (Tentative)
CUET UG Result Declaration	July 4, 2026 (Tentative)

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must have passed 10+2 (or equivalent) from a recognised board.
Minimum 50% marks in the qualifying examination for General/EWS category; 45% for OBC-NCL; 40% for SC/ST/PwD.
A valid CUET UG score in the relevant subject(s) is mandatory for admission.

Admission Process

Register and appear for CUET UG 2026 conducted by NTA.
Register separately on BHU's CUET-UG admission portal (bhucuet.samarth.edu.in) after CUET results are declared.
BHU prepares a merit list based on CUET scores.
Shortlisted candidates are allotted seats through multiple rounds of counselling.
Candidates must complete fee payment and document verification within the stipulated time to confirm admission.
Physical reporting at the institute is required as per the schedule announced by BHU.

BHU BA (Hons.) Arabic Scholarships 2026

BHU offers a range of scholarships and financial aid options to students, primarily targeting meritorious and economically weaker sections. Given the very low fee structure of this programme, even modest scholarships can effectively cover the entire course cost. Students from Uttar Pradesh can additionally benefit from the UP Government Scholarship scheme.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount / Benefit
BHU Merit Scholarship (Rank 1)	First rank holder in the course	Rs. 4,000 (one-time)
BHU Merit Scholarship (Rank 2)	Second rank holder in the course	Rs. 3,000 (one-time)
BHU Scholarship for Economically Weak Students	Family income below Rs. 1 lakh per annum	Free meals (lunch and dinner) for 7 months + Rs. 2,000 annually (for 100 students)
BHU Scholarship for Blind/Visually Impaired Students	Blind students enrolled at BHU	Free meals under Annadaan Yojana + Rs. 5,000 annually (for 20 students)
BHU Scholarship for Physically Challenged Students	PwD students enrolled at BHU	Rs. 4,000 (one-time, for 25 students)
Maulana Azad National Fellowship	Minority community students pursuing higher education	Maintenance allowance as per NSP norms
UP Government Scholarship	UP domicile students; family income below Rs. 2 lakh (General/OBC) or Rs. 2.5 lakh (SC/ST)	Fee reimbursement + maintenance allowance (varies by category)
National Scholarship Portal (NSP)	Students from other states meeting NSP criteria	As per NSP norms

Students already receiving any other scholarship are not eligible for BHU's internal scholarships.
A minimum attendance of 75% is mandatory to remain eligible for BHU scholarships.
UP Scholarship applications are submitted online through the UP Scholarship portal; deadlines are typically in October-November each year.
Students are advised to check the official BHU website (bhu.ac.in) and the UP Scholarship portal for updated deadlines and amounts each academic year.

BHU BA (Hons.) Arabic FAQs

Ques. Is prior knowledge of Arabic required to apply for BA (Hons.) Arabic at BHU?

Ans. No prior knowledge of Arabic is required for admission. However, students who have studied Arabic at the school level (Madrasa or CBSE/State Board) will have an advantage in the initial semesters. The programme is designed to build proficiency from the ground up over 3 years.

Ques. What is the CUET cutoff for BA (Hons.) Arabic at BHU?

Ans. For 2025, the General category cutoff was 263 in Round 1 and 257 in Rounds 2-4. EWS cutoff was 250, OBC-NCL was 243, SC was 204-217, and ST was 168. Cutoffs vary each year based on the number of applicants and seat availability.

Ques. What career opportunities are available after BA (Hons.) Arabic from BHU?

Ans. Graduates can pursue careers as Arabic language translators and interpreters, work with Gulf-based companies and embassies, join the Indian Foreign Service (Arabic is a key language for MEA postings in the Arab world), work in Islamic banking and finance, pursue MA/PhD in Arabic Studies, or teach Arabic. The demand for Arabic-speaking professionals in India has grown significantly with increasing Gulf trade and investment.

Ques. Can I pursue MA in Arabic after completing BA (Hons.) Arabic from BHU?

Ans. Yes, BHU offers MA in Arabic. Graduates can also apply to institutions like JNU, Jamia Millia Islamia, or AMU for MA in Arabic. Higher studies in Arab countries are also possible through scholarships offered by the governments of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt (Al-Azhar University), and other Arab nations.

Ques. Is the Arabic department at BHU known for any particular area of scholarship?

Ans. Yes, BHU's Department of Arabic and Persian has a strong tradition of scholarship in classical Arabic literature, Quranic studies, and Arabic-Persian literary connections. The department has produced several notable Arabic scholars and has a well-stocked library of Arabic manuscripts and texts. The department also offers Persian as a subject, providing students with a broader perspective on Islamic literary traditions.

Ques. Is hostel accommodation available for BA Arabic students at BHU?

Ans. Hostel accommodation at BHU is not guaranteed and is allotted to approximately 50% of students based on merit and availability. The annual hostel fee is approximately Rs. 4,875 for a non-AC room, with mess charges extra. Students are advised to apply for hostel accommodation promptly after admission confirmation.