Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Doctorate of Medicine [MD] in Shalakya Tantra at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi is a 3-year full-time postgraduate Ayurvedic programme offered by the Faculty of Ayurveda, established in 1920. Shalakya Tantra is the Ayurvedic specialisation dealing with diseases of the head and neck region, including the eyes (Netra Roga), ears (Karna Roga), nose (Nasa Roga), throat (Mukha Roga), and related structures - broadly equivalent to ENT and Ophthalmology in modern medicine. The programme has 12 seats and an annual fee of Rs. 25,000, making the total course fee Rs. 75,000 for 3 years. Admission is through AIAPGET (All India Ayush Post Graduate Entrance Test) conducted by NTA. BHU's Faculty of Ayurveda is ranked among the top Ayurvedic institutions in India by NIRF, and Shalakya Tantra is one of the most sought-after specialisations given its clinical scope.

Admissions for the 2026-27 session are upcoming. AIAPGET 2026 registration is expected to begin in April-May 2026 (tentative), with the exam likely to be held in July 2026 (tentative). The 2025 admission cycle has been completed. Based on 2023 AIAPGET data, the General category closing rank for MD Shalakya at BHU was 23 (OBC), indicating very high competition.

Key Points

Shalakya Tantra covers diseases of the eye, ear, nose, throat, and head - making it one of the most clinically relevant Ayurvedic specialisations with growing demand in integrative healthcare.
The programme has 12 seats at BHU's Faculty of Ayurveda, making it highly competitive.
The Faculty of Ayurveda at BHU is approved by NCISM and affiliated to Banaras Hindu University.
BHU's Ayurveda campus has a 500-bed hospital providing extensive clinical exposure including dedicated Shalakya OPD and IPD.
Graduates are eligible for teaching positions in Ayurvedic medical colleges, government AYUSH hospitals, and can establish specialised Ayurvedic eye and ENT clinics.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Cutoff
Ranking
FAQs

BHU MD Shalakya Tantra Fees

The MD Shalakya Tantra programme at BHU's Faculty of Ayurveda is offered at a highly subsidised fee. The annual fee is Rs. 25,000, making the total fee for the 3-year programme Rs. 75,000. Hostel accommodation is available on campus at approximately Rs. 6,000 per year (excluding mess charges).

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Year 1 (Rs.)	Year 2 (Rs.)	Year 3 (Rs.)	Total (Rs.)
Tuition Fee	5,000	5,000	5,000	15,000
Admission Fee (one-time)	50	-	-	50
Other Charges (exam, library, etc.)	9,276	9,276	9,276	27,828
Total Fees (per year)	~25,000	~25,000	~25,000	~75,000
Hostel Fee (optional, per year)	~6,000	~6,000	~6,000	~18,000

Fees are subject to revision by the university.
Hostel fees do not include mess charges, which are billed separately.

BHU MD Shalakya Tantra Admission 2026

Admissions to the MD Shalakya Tantra programme at BHU are conducted through AIAPGET (All India Ayush Post Graduate Entrance Test), conducted by NTA. After the AIAPGET result, counselling is conducted by the Uttar Pradesh State Ayush Society for state quota seats, while All India quota seats are filled through centralised AIAPGET counselling. Based on 2023 AIAPGET data, the OBC closing rank for MD Shalakya at BHU was 23, indicating very high competition.

Important Dates

Event	Date
AIAPGET 2026 Registration Start	April 16, 2026 (Tentative)
AIAPGET 2026 Registration End	May 15, 2026 (Tentative)
AIAPGET 2026 Exam Date	July 5, 2026 (Tentative)
AIAPGET 2026 Result	August 2026 (Tentative)
AIAPGET Centralised Counselling	August - September 2026 (Tentative)
UP State Ayush Counselling	September - October 2026 (Tentative)
Admission / Reporting	October 2026 (Tentative)

Event	Date
Registration Start	April 16, 2026 (Tentative)
Registration End	May 15, 2026 (Tentative)
Exam Date	July 5, 2026 (Tentative)
Result	August 2026 (Tentative)

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria:

Candidates must hold a BAMS degree from an NCISM-recognised institution with a minimum of 50% marks.
Completion of a one-year compulsory rotating internship by or before March 31 of the admission year is mandatory.
Candidates must qualify AIAPGET conducted by NTA.

Admission Process:

Register and appear for AIAPGET on the official NTA portal (exams.nta.ac.in/AIAPGET).
After AIAPGET results, participate in centralised AIAPGET counselling for All India quota seats.
For state quota seats, participate in UP State Ayush Society counselling.
Submit required documents including BAMS degree, internship completion certificate, AIAPGET scorecard, and category certificates.
Pay the admission fee and report to the Faculty of Ayurveda, BHU within the stipulated deadline.

BHU MD Shalakya Tantra Scholarships 2026

Available Scholarships

Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount	Application Mode
UP Post-Matric Scholarship (State Government)	UP domicile students; family income below Rs. 2 lakh/year	Tuition fee reimbursement	scholarship.up.gov.in
Post-Matric Scholarship for SC/ST Students (Central)	SC/ST students; family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh/year	Full tuition fee + maintenance allowance	scholarships.gov.in
National Scholarship Portal - Central Sector Scheme	Merit-based; family income below Rs. 8 lakh/year	Rs. 20,000/year (PG)	scholarships.gov.in
BHU Need-Based Financial Assistance	Economically disadvantaged students	Case-by-case basis	Apply to Faculty Dean

Students enrolled in the MD Shalakya Tantra programme at BHU can avail scholarships from central and state government sources. The UP Post-Matric Scholarship is one of the most widely availed schemes for UP domicile students. Scholarship deadlines are typically announced in October-November each year; students should verify current details on official portals.

BHU M.D Shalakya Tantra Ranking

NIRF Ranking

#6 out of 50 in India 2025

#2nd in Uttar Pradesh

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BHU MD Shalakya Tantra FAQs

Ques. What is Shalakya Tantra in Ayurveda?

Ans. Shalakya Tantra is the Ayurvedic branch dealing with diseases of the head and neck region, including the eyes, ears, nose, throat, and oral cavity. It is broadly equivalent to ENT and Ophthalmology in modern medicine, but uses Ayurvedic diagnostic and treatment methods including specialised procedures like Tarpana (eye treatment), Nasya (nasal therapy), and Karnapurana (ear treatment).

Ques. What is the AIAPGET cutoff rank for MD Shalakya Tantra at BHU?

Ans. Based on 2023 AIAPGET counselling data, the OBC category closing rank for MD Shalakya at BHU was 23. General category candidates typically need to be within the top 50-100 ranks to secure a seat at BHU for this specialisation.

Ques. What career options are available after MD Shalakya Tantra from BHU?

Ans. Graduates can work as Ayurvedic ENT and eye specialists in government AYUSH hospitals, establish private Ayurvedic eye and ENT clinics, teach in Ayurvedic medical colleges, and pursue research in AYUSH institutions. The growing demand for natural eye care and Panchakarma-based ENT treatments makes this a commercially viable specialisation.

Ques. Is there a stipend for MD Shalakya Tantra students at BHU?

Ans. BHU provides a monthly stipend to MD/MS Ayurveda students as per university norms. Students should confirm the current stipend amount from the Faculty of Ayurveda office at the time of admission.

Ques. How many seats are available for MD Shalakya Tantra at BHU?

Ans. There are 12 seats available for MD Shalakya Tantra at BHU's Faculty of Ayurveda, making it a highly competitive programme.

Ques. Can I apply for MD Shalakya Tantra at BHU if I have a BAMS degree from another state?

Ans. Yes. AIAPGET is a national-level exam and there is no state domicile restriction for All India quota seats. Candidates from any state with a valid BAMS degree from an NCISM-recognised institution can apply and participate in centralised AIAPGET counselling for BHU seats.