Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Bachelor of Arts [BA] {Hons.} (Sanskrit) at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi is a 3-year full-time undergraduate programme offered by the Department of Sanskrit under the Faculty of Arts. Varanasi, being the ancient seat of Sanskrit learning in India, makes BHU one of the most prestigious institutions to pursue Sanskrit studies. The course covers Sanskrit grammar (Vyakarana), literature (Sahitya), philosophy (Darshana), Vedic studies, and classical texts. The total course fee is Rs. 6,900 for the entire 3-year duration. Admission is based on CUET (UG) scores, with a seat intake of 45 seats. 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. The 2025 CUET cutoff for General category was 243-254 marks, reflecting steady demand for this programme among Sanskrit enthusiasts and scholars.

Key Points

BHU's Department of Sanskrit is one of the oldest and most distinguished Sanskrit departments in India, situated in the cultural heartland of Sanskrit learning - Varanasi (Kashi).
The programme follows a semester system under the NEP 2020 framework, covering 6 semesters over 3 years.
The curriculum includes Vedic Sanskrit, classical Sanskrit literature (Kalidasa, Bhasa, Bharavi), Sanskrit grammar (Paninian system), Indian philosophy, and Sanskrit prose and poetry.
BHU's Central Library and the Saraswati Bhavan Library hold one of the largest collections of Sanskrit manuscripts and rare texts in the world, providing unparalleled academic resources.
The department has a strong tradition of producing scholars who go on to pursue research in Indology, Sanskrit studies, and Indian philosophy at national and international institutions.
Graduates can pursue MA in Sanskrit, research careers, teaching, civil services (with Sanskrit as optional), and roles in cultural organisations and religious institutions.

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.} (Sanskrit) Fees

BHU offers the BA {Hons.} (Sanskrit) 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.

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.} (Sanskrit) Admission 2026

Admissions to BA {Hons.} (Sanskrit) 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. The 2025 CUET cutoff for General category was 243-254 marks. With only 45 seats available, candidates with a strong background in Sanskrit at the 10+2 level are best positioned for admission.

BHU Admission 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

CUET UG 2026 Exam Dates

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 Sanskrit as a domain subject.

Admission Process

Appear in CUET (UG) 2026 conducted by NTA; select Sanskrit as the domain subject.
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.} (Sanskrit) Scholarships 2026

BHU offers a range of scholarships and financial aid options for BA {Hons.} (Sanskrit) 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 Uttar Pradesh can benefit from the UP Government Scholarship, while students from other states can avail NSP schemes. Additionally, various Sanskrit promotion bodies and cultural organisations offer scholarships specifically for Sanskrit students.

Scholarship Details

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
Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan Scholarships	Students pursuing Sanskrit at UG level; merit-based	Varies; check official website of Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan

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.
Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan (now part of National Sanskrit University) offers scholarships for Sanskrit students; candidates should check their official website for current schemes.

BHU BA {Hons.} (Sanskrit) FAQs

Ques. Is Sanskrit at BHU taught only in Sanskrit medium, or is Hindi/English also used?

Ans. At BHU, Sanskrit is primarily taught in Sanskrit and Hindi medium. Lectures, texts, and examinations are largely in Sanskrit and Hindi. Students with a background in Sanskrit from school (having studied Sanskrit up to Class 12) will find the transition smooth. English is used occasionally for reference and comparative studies.

Ques. Do I need to have studied Sanskrit in Class 11 and 12 to apply for BA {Hons.} Sanskrit at BHU?

Ans. While it is not a mandatory requirement, having studied Sanskrit at the 10+2 level is strongly recommended as it forms the basis of the CUET Sanskrit domain subject. Students who have not studied Sanskrit at school level will find the CUET Sanskrit paper and the course content very challenging. Most successful applicants have a strong Sanskrit background from school.

Ques. What are the career prospects after BA {Hons.} Sanskrit from BHU?

Ans. Graduates can pursue MA in Sanskrit (BHU offers an excellent MA programme), appear for UPSC/state PSC with Sanskrit as an optional subject, work as Sanskrit teachers (after B.Ed), pursue research in Indology, Sanskrit literature, and Indian philosophy, work with cultural organisations like Sahitya Akademi, and take up roles in religious and cultural institutions. BHU's Sanskrit degree carries significant prestige in academic and cultural circles.

Ques. Is the seat intake of 45 for BA Sanskrit at BHU very competitive?

Ans. With 45 seats and a CUET cutoff of 243-254 for General category in 2025, the competition is moderate. Students who have studied Sanskrit seriously at school level and score well in the CUET Sanskrit domain paper have a good chance of securing admission. The cutoff is lower compared to popular subjects like English or Economics, making it relatively accessible for dedicated Sanskrit students.

Ques. Does BHU have any special resources for Sanskrit students?

Ans. Yes, BHU is uniquely positioned for Sanskrit studies. The Saraswati Bhavan Library at BHU holds one of the largest collections of Sanskrit manuscripts in the world. The university also has the Banaras Hindu University Sanskrit Manuscript Library and the Central Library with extensive Sanskrit texts. The city of Varanasi itself is a living centre of Sanskrit learning with numerous traditional Sanskrit pathshalas and scholars.

Ques. Can I pursue a PhD in Sanskrit from BHU after completing BA and MA?

Ans. Yes, BHU offers PhD programmes in Sanskrit. After completing BA {Hons.} Sanskrit and MA Sanskrit from BHU or any recognised university, candidates can apply for PhD admission at BHU through the CUET (PG) or BHU's own research entrance test. BHU's Sanskrit department has a strong research tradition and is one of the premier centres for Sanskrit research in India.