Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Bachelor of Arts [BA] {Hons.} (Nepali) at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi is a 3-year full-time undergraduate programme offered under the Faculty of Arts. Nepali is one of the scheduled languages of India and is spoken widely in the Himalayan belt, Sikkim, Darjeeling, and parts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. BHU's programme covers Nepali language, literature, grammar, and the rich literary tradition of Nepali poetry and prose. The total course fee is Rs. 6,900 for the entire 3-year duration. The programme is conducted in regular on-campus mode at BHU's main campus in Varanasi.

Admissions for the 2026-27 session are upcoming. The CUET UG 2026 exam is scheduled from May 11 to May 31, 2026 (tentative), with results expected in early July 2026. BHU's counselling and seat allotment process (CAP-UG) is expected to begin in the last week of July 2026. Based on the 2023 CUET cutoff data (the most recent available), the General category cutoff was 230-249 marks, indicating a moderate level of competition for this niche programme.

Key Points

BHU is one of the few central universities in India offering a dedicated BA {Hons.} programme in Nepali language and literature, making it a unique destination for students passionate about Nepali studies.
The programme follows a semester system under the NEP 2020 framework, covering 6 semesters over 3 years.
The curriculum covers classical and modern Nepali literature, Nepali grammar and linguistics, Nepali poetry (Bhanubhakta Acharya, Laxmi Prasad Devkota), prose, and the cultural heritage of Nepali-speaking communities.
Varanasi's proximity to the Nepali-speaking belt of India and its historical connections with Nepal make it an ideal location for Nepali studies.
Graduates are well-positioned for careers in teaching, translation, journalism, civil services, and cultural diplomacy with Nepal and Bhutan.
The programme is particularly relevant for students from Sikkim, Darjeeling, Uttarakhand, and other Nepali-speaking regions of India.

Official Link:

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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.) Nepali Fees

BHU offers the BA {Hons.} (Nepali) programme at an exceptionally low fee of Rs. 6,900 for the entire 3-year course, approximately Rs. 2,300 per year. The fee structure is uniform across all categories. Hostel accommodation is available separately at approximately Rs. 4,875 per year (non-AC room), with mess charges billed additionally.

Course Fee Structure

Fee Component	Year 1 (Rs.)	Year 2 (Rs.)	Year 3 (Rs.)	Total (Rs.)
Academic Fee (Tuition)	800	800	800	2,400
Development Fee	750	750	750	2,250
Other Charges	150	150	150	450
Yearly Fee	1,700	1,700	1,700	5,100
Registration/Admission (One-time)	1,800	-	-	1,800
Total Fees	3,500	1,700	1,700	6,900

Hostel Fees (Optional)

Hostel Component	Per Year (Rs.)
Hostel Room Charges (Non-AC)	4,875
Mess Charges	~24,000
Total Hostel + Mess (approx.)	~28,875

The course fee of Rs. 6,900 is the same for all categories (General, OBC-NCL, EWS, SC, ST).
A one-time CAP (UG) registration fee of Rs. 500 (General/OBC/EWS) or Rs. 250 (SC/ST/PwBD) is payable at the time of BHU counselling registration (non-refundable).
Hostel accommodation is optional and subject to availability.
Hostel fees are approximately Rs. 4,875 per year for a non-AC room; mess charges are billed separately at approximately Rs. 40-50 per meal.
A caution/security deposit may be collected at the time of admission, which is refundable at the end of the course.
No EMI facility is available; fees are paid semester-wise or annually as per BHU's schedule.

BHU BA (Hons.) Nepali Admission 2026

Admissions to BA {Hons.} (Nepali) at BHU are conducted through the CUET (UG) exam, followed by BHU's Combined Allotment Programme (CAP-UG). For 2026-27, the CUET UG exam is scheduled from May 11-31, 2026, and BHU's counselling is expected to begin in July 2026. Based on the 2023 CUET cutoff (most recent available), the General category cutoff was 230-249 marks. This is a niche programme with limited competition, making it accessible to students with a genuine interest in Nepali language and literature.

Important Dates

Event	Date (Tentative)
CUET UG 2026 Registration Start	January 3, 2026
CUET UG 2026 Registration End	February 26, 2026
CUET UG 2026 Admit Card Release	May 5, 2026
CUET UG 2026 Exam	May 11 - May 31, 2026
CUET UG 2026 Answer Key Release	June 17, 2026
CUET UG 2026 Result Declaration	July 4, 2026
BHU CAP-UG Registration Opens	Last week of July 2026
BHU CAP-UG Registration Closes	2nd week of August 2026
BHU 1st Allotment List	3rd week of August 2026
BHU 2nd Allotment List	Last week of August 2026
Fee Payment and Physical Reporting	September 2026
Batch Commencement	October/November 2026

Event	Date
CUET UG Registration Start	January 3, 2026
CUET UG Registration End	February 26, 2026
Admit Card Release	May 5, 2026 (Tentative)
CUET UG Exam	May 11 - May 31, 2026 (Tentative)
Answer Key Release	June 17, 2026 (Tentative)
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 examination from a recognised board.
Minimum 50% aggregate marks in 10+2 for General/EWS category; 45% for OBC-NCL; 40% for SC/ST/PwBD candidates.
Age limit: Not more than 22 years as on July 1 of the admission year (25 years for SC/ST candidates).
Candidates must have appeared in CUET (UG) 2026 and selected the relevant subject(s) as per BHU's eligibility criteria for this programme.

Admission Process

Appear in CUET (UG) 2026 conducted by NTA; select Nepali or the relevant domain subject as per BHU's eligibility criteria.
Register on BHU's CAP-UG portal (bhucuet.samarth.edu.in) using your NTA Application Number after CUET results.
Pay the non-refundable CAP registration fee (Rs. 500 for General/OBC/EWS; Rs. 250 for SC/ST/PwBD).
Fill in programme preferences on the BHU portal.
Seat allotment is done based on CUET score, category, and preference order.
Accept the allotted seat and pay the course fee online within the stipulated deadline.
Report physically to BHU with original documents for verification and final admission.

BHU BA (Hons.) Nepali Scholarships 2026

BHU offers a range of scholarships and financial aid options for BA {Hons.} (Nepali) students. Given the already very low course fee of Rs. 6,900 for 3 years, government scholarships can effectively make the programme nearly free for eligible students. Students from Sikkim, Darjeeling, and other Nepali-speaking regions can also explore state government scholarships.

Available Scholarships

Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount/Benefit
UP Government Scholarship (Pre/Post Matric)	UP domicile students; family income below Rs. 2 lakh (General/OBC) or Rs. 2.5 lakh (SC/ST)	Fee reimbursement + maintenance allowance (up to Rs. 60,000/year for some categories)
National Scholarship Portal (NSP) - Post Matric	SC/ST/OBC/Minority students; family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh	Rs. 3,000 - Rs. 10,000 per year depending on category
BHU Merit Scholarship (Rank Holders)	1st rank holder in the department	One-time cash reward of Rs. 4,000
BHU Merit Scholarship (2nd Rank)	2nd rank holder in the department	One-time cash reward of Rs. 3,000
BHU Scholarship for Economically Weak Students	Family income below Rs. 1 lakh/year; 75% attendance	Free meals (lunch + dinner) for 7 months + Rs. 2,000/year
BHU Scholarship for Blind/Visually Impaired	Blind students enrolled at BHU	Free meals under Annadaan Yojana + Rs. 5,000/year for study materials
BHU Scholarship for Physically Challenged	PwBD students	One-time grant of Rs. 4,000
S.N. Ranade Scholarship	Students with excellent academic performance	Variable amount based on performance
Sikkim/West Bengal State Scholarships	Students from Sikkim, Darjeeling (WB) domicile	Check respective state scholarship portals

Students already receiving any other scholarship are not eligible for BHU's internal scholarships simultaneously.
UP Scholarship applications are typically submitted online through the UP Scholarship portal (scholarship.up.gov.in) in October-November each year.
NSP scholarships are applied through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in).
BHU internal scholarships require submission of application forms at the university administration office.
Minimum 75% attendance is mandatory to remain eligible for BHU scholarships.
Students from Sikkim and Darjeeling (West Bengal) should check their respective state government scholarship portals for additional financial aid.

BHU BA (Hons.) Nepali FAQs

Ques. Is Nepali a recognised language for UPSC Civil Services? Can I use it as an optional?

Ans. Yes, Nepali is one of the 22 scheduled languages of India listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, and it is available as an optional subject in the UPSC Civil Services Mains examination. A BA {Hons.} in Nepali from BHU provides an excellent foundation for this optional. The Nepali optional syllabus covers Nepali literature, grammar, and linguistics, which aligns well with the BHU curriculum.

Ques. Who should consider studying BA {Hons.} Nepali at BHU?

Ans. This programme is ideal for students from Nepali-speaking communities in India (Sikkim, Darjeeling, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Assam), students interested in Nepali literature and culture, those planning careers in translation, journalism, or cultural diplomacy with Nepal and Bhutan, and students who wish to pursue UPSC with Nepali as an optional subject.

Ques. What career opportunities are available after BA {Hons.} Nepali from BHU?

Ans. Graduates can pursue MA in Nepali, work as Nepali language teachers (after B.Ed), work as translators and interpreters (Nepali-Hindi-English), join journalism and media in Nepali language, appear for UPSC/state PSC with Nepali as an optional subject, work with cultural organisations and embassies dealing with Nepal and Bhutan, and pursue research in Nepali linguistics and literature.

Ques. Is Nepali similar to Hindi? Will knowing Hindi help in studying Nepali?

Ans. Nepali and Hindi are both Indo-Aryan languages and share significant vocabulary and grammatical structures. A strong background in Hindi (especially Devanagari script) provides a significant advantage in learning Nepali, as both languages use the Devanagari script and share many Sanskrit-derived words. However, Nepali has its own distinct grammar, phonology, and literary tradition that requires dedicated study.

Ques. Are there job opportunities in Nepal for graduates of BA Nepali from BHU?

Ans. Yes, graduates with a strong command of Nepali language and literature can find opportunities in Nepal in areas such as teaching, translation, journalism, publishing, and cultural exchange programmes. Indian graduates with Nepali language expertise are also valued in diplomatic missions, trade organisations, and NGOs working in Nepal and Bhutan.

Ques. What is the medium of instruction for BA {Hons.} Nepali at BHU?

Ans. The medium of instruction is primarily Nepali and Hindi. Lectures, texts, and examinations are conducted in Nepali and Hindi. Students are expected to have a working knowledge of Nepali (reading and writing in Devanagari script) to benefit fully from the programme. Students from Nepali-speaking backgrounds will find the transition to university-level Nepali studies smooth.