Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The BA (Hons.) in Tamil at Banaras Hindu University is a 3-year full-time undergraduate programme offered by the Department of Modern Indian Languages under the Faculty of Arts. The programme covers classical and modern Tamil literature, Tamil grammar, linguistics, and literary theory, with a strong emphasis on the ancient and rich Dravidian literary tradition of Tamil. Tamil is one of the world's oldest living classical languages, with a literary tradition spanning over 2,000 years. The total course fee is just Rs. 6,900 for the entire 3-year duration, making it highly accessible. 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 Modern Indian Languages offers Tamil as a full Honours programme, one of the few central universities in North India to offer Tamil at the undergraduate level.
Tamil is one of the world's oldest living classical languages, with a literary tradition of over 2,000 years, including the ancient Sangam literature, Thirukkural, and the works of Kamban and Subramania Bharati.
The programme is particularly valuable for students from Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka who wish to pursue higher studies or careers in Tamil literature, journalism, and civil services.
Graduates can appear for civil services (Tamil medium), work as Tamil journalists, content writers, translators, or teachers, or pursue MA/PhD in Tamil Studies.
BHU's central university status and diverse student community make it an attractive destination for Tamil-speaking students from across 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.) Tamil Fees

The BA (Hons.) Tamil programme at BHU is among the most affordable Tamil literature 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.) Tamil Admission 2026

Admissions to BA (Hons.) Tamil 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. The 2025 cutoff data for this course has not been released separately; based on 2023 data, the General category CUET cutoff was 237.01 (Round 1) and dropped to 211.22 by Round 8, indicating moderate competition.

BHU 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)

CUET UG 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.) Tamil 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 Tamil Nadu can additionally benefit from state government scholarship schemes.

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)
S.N. Ranade Scholarship	Students with excellent academic performance	Amount varies based on performance
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.
Students from Tamil Nadu should check the Tamil Nadu state scholarship portal for additional financial aid options.
Students are advised to check the official BHU website (bhu.ac.in) for updated deadlines and amounts each academic year.

BHU BA (Hons.) Tamil FAQs

Ques. Is BA (Hons.) Tamil at BHU only for students from Tamil Nadu?

Ans. No, any student who meets the eligibility criteria (10+2 with 50% marks and a valid CUET UG score) can apply, regardless of their state. However, a strong foundation in Tamil language and literature is essential to succeed in the programme.

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

Ans. The 2025 cutoff has not been separately published for this course. Based on 2023 data, the General category cutoff was 237.01 in Round 1 and dropped to 211.22 by Round 8. EWS was 227.39 (Round 1), OBC-NCL was 233.40 (Round 1), SC was 182.11, and ST was 142.06. Students should check the official BHU CUET portal for the latest cutoff data.

Ques. What career options are available after BA (Hons.) Tamil from BHU?

Ans. Graduates can pursue MA in Tamil, appear for civil services (Tamil medium), work as Tamil journalists, content writers, translators, editors, or teachers. Many graduates also pursue B.Ed. to become Tamil teachers in schools. The programme also opens doors to careers in Tamil publishing, media, film industry (as script writers, lyricists, dialogue writers), and cultural organisations.

Ques. Is Tamil recognised as a classical language, and how does that benefit students?

Ans. Yes, Tamil was the first language to be accorded Classical Language status by the Government of India in 2004, recognising its ancient literary heritage of over 2,000 years. This status has led to increased funding for Tamil research, establishment of the Central Institute of Classical Tamil (CICT), and greater academic recognition for Tamil literature graduates.

Ques. Can students from outside Tamil Nadu apply for BA (Hons.) Tamil at BHU?

Ans. Yes, students from any state can apply. BHU is a central university and admits students from across India. However, students must have a strong command of Tamil language and literature to succeed in the programme. Tamil-speaking communities exist in several states including Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Sri Lanka, and parts of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

Ques. Is hostel accommodation available for BA Tamil 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.