Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

Banaras Hindu University (BHU), one of India's most prestigious central universities and a globally recognised centre of traditional learning, offers the Master of Arts [MA] in Agam Tantra through its Faculty of Sanskrit Vidya Dharma Vijnana. This is a 2-year full-time postgraduate programme spread over 4 semesters, offered under the Department of Dharmagama. Agam Tantra is a highly specialised field of study that deals with the Agamic scriptures, Tantric traditions, Shaiva philosophy, and the ritual and philosophical dimensions of the Agamic corpus. The course covers classical Agamic texts, Shaiva Siddhanta, Shakta Tantra, Vaishnava Agamas, and related traditions. The total tuition fee for the programme is approximately Rs. 5,512 for the entire 2-year course, making it one of the most affordable postgraduate programmes in the country. The seat intake is part of a combined pool of 35 seats shared between Dharm Vijnan and Agam Tantra under the Department of Dharmagama. Varanasi's status as a living centre of Shaiva and Tantric traditions makes BHU an especially significant place to study Agam Tantra.

Admissions for the 2026-27 academic session are upcoming. Based on the 2025-26 cycle, BHU PG admissions are conducted through CUET-PG scores via the Combined Allotment Program (CAP-PG). The CUET-PG 2026 registration opened in December 2025 and closed in January 2026, with the exam conducted between March and April 2026. BHU CAP-PG registration for 2026-27 is expected to begin around June 2026, with allotment rounds in July 2026 and classes commencing in August 2026.

Key Points

Agam Tantra is one of the rarest and most specialised postgraduate programmes offered in India, and BHU is among the very few universities that offer this course at the PG level.
The programme is offered under the Faculty of Sanskrit Vidya Dharma Vijnana, and Varanasi's living Shaiva and Tantric traditions provide an unparalleled academic and cultural environment for this study.
The course covers Shaiva Agamas, Shakta Tantras, Vaishnava Agamas, Pancharatra, and related classical traditions.
The programme is taught primarily in Sanskrit and Hindi, requiring a strong foundation in classical Sanskrit.
Graduates are well-positioned for PhD research in Agamic studies, Tantra, Shaiva philosophy, and related fields at leading universities in India and abroad.

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Cutoff
FAQs

BHU Latest Updates and News

15 Apr, 2026 CUET PG 2026 Results are expected to be released by First week of May @exams.nta.nic.in. To know more, click here.

BHU MA Agam Tantra Fees

The MA (Agam Tantra) programme at BHU is extremely affordable, with a total tuition fee of approximately Rs. 5,512 for the entire 2-year course. The annual fee is around Rs. 2,756, which includes tuition, development, and other charges. Students admitted on paid seats are required to pay an additional Rs. 2,500 per annum over and above the regular fee. Hostel fees are separate and optional.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Amount (Per Annum)
Tuition Fee	Rs. 1,500
Development Fee	Rs. 750
Other University Charges	Rs. 506
Total Annual Fee (Regular Seat)	Rs. 2,756
Paid Seat Additional Fee	Rs. 2,500 per annum
Total Fee for 2 Years (Regular Seat)	Rs. 5,512

Hostel Fees

Hostel Component	Amount
Hostel Fee	Approx. Rs. 4,875 per semester
Hostel Security Deposit (Refundable)	Rs. 2,000 (one-time)

Hostel accommodation is NOT guaranteed and is allotted on a composite merit basis (distance from university + entrance score).
The security deposit of Rs. 2,000 is refundable at the end of the course.
Students admitted on paid seats pay Regular Fee + Paid Seat Fee (Rs. 2,500 p.a.).
No EMI option is available; fees are to be paid as per the schedule announced during CAP-PG allotment rounds.
Full refund of admission fee is available if withdrawal is made before the last date of admission set by BHU.

BHU MA Agam Tantra Admission 2026

Admission to MA (Agam Tantra) at BHU is based on CUET-PG scores. Candidates must first appear in CUET-PG in the relevant test paper (ACQP03 for Acharya in Agam Tantra) and then register separately on BHU's CAP-PG portal. The 2025-26 admission cycle saw registration open on May 22, 2025, with allotment rounds conducted in July 2025. For 2026-27, the process is expected to follow a similar timeline.

Important Dates

Event	Tentative Date (2026-27)
CUET-PG 2026 Registration Opens	December 2025
CUET-PG 2026 Registration Closes	January 2026
CUET-PG 2026 Admit Card	March 2026
CUET-PG 2026 Exam	March - April 2026
CUET-PG 2026 Result	May 2026
BHU CAP-PG Registration Opens	June 2026
BHU CAP-PG Registration Closes	Early July 2026
1st Round Allotment	Mid-July 2026
2nd Round Allotment	Late July 2026
3rd Round Allotment	Late July 2026
Spot Round (if seats vacant)	August 2026
Classes Commence	August 2026

CUET-PG 2026 Exam Dates

Event	Date
CUET-PG Registration Start	December 14, 2025
CUET-PG Registration End	January 25, 2026
CUET-PG Admit Card	March 3, 2026
CUET-PG Exam	March 6 - March 27, 2026
CUET-PG Result	May 6, 2026

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Shastri (Hons.) or Shastri with subject Dharmagam / Yogatantra / Agamatantra / Agam / Shaivagam, securing a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate.
OR Bachelor's degree/equivalent securing a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate AND a Two-year PG Diploma in Agamatantra securing a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate.
SC/ST/OBC/PwBD candidates are eligible for a 5% relaxation in minimum eligibility marks as per university norms.

Admission Process

Appear in CUET-PG 2026 in the relevant test paper (ACQP03).
Register on BHU's CAP-PG portal (bhucuetpg.samarth.edu.in) after CUET-PG results are declared.
Pay the non-refundable CAP-PG registration fee: Rs. 300 (UR/OBC-NCL/EWS) or Rs. 150 (SC/ST/PwBD) per programme.
Fill in programme preferences and submit the application.
Seat allotment is done based on CUET-PG score and programme-specific merit list.
Upon allotment, pay the full admission fee within the stipulated deadline to confirm the seat.
Report to the Department of Dharmagama, Faculty of Sanskrit Vidya Dharma Vijnana, BHU, for document verification and physical reporting.

BHU MA Agam Tantra Scholarships 2026

BHU offers several scholarships and financial aid options to students, making higher education accessible to students from all economic backgrounds. The annual tuition fee for MA (Agam Tantra) is already very low (Rs. 2,756 per year), and additional support is available through government and university schemes.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount/Benefit
UP Government Post-Matric Scholarship	Students domiciled in Uttar Pradesh with family income below Rs. 2 lakh (General/OBC) or Rs. 2.5 lakh (SC/ST)	Fee reimbursement + maintenance allowance
National Scholarship Portal (NSP)	Students from other states with family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh	Varies by category and course
BHU Merit Scholarship (Rank Holders)	1st rank holder in the programme	One-time reward of Rs. 4,000
BHU Merit Scholarship (2nd Rank)	2nd rank holder in the programme	One-time reward of Rs. 3,000
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	PwBD students enrolled at BHU	One-time Rs. 4,000 for 25 students

Students already receiving any other scholarship are NOT eligible for BHU's internal scholarships.
UP Scholarship applications are typically submitted online through the UP Scholarship portal (scholarship.up.gov.in) at the start of the academic year.
BHU scholarship application forms are available at the university administration office; there is no online application for BHU's internal scholarships.
Minimum 75% attendance is mandatory to remain eligible for BHU scholarships.

BHU MA Agam Tantra FAQs

Ques. What exactly is Agam Tantra, and why is it studied at BHU?

Ans. Agam Tantra is the study of the Agamic scriptures, which are a vast body of classical texts that form the basis of Shaiva, Shakta, and Vaishnava ritual and philosophical traditions. These texts deal with cosmology, theology, ritual practice (puja, yajna), yoga, and metaphysics. BHU is one of the very few universities in India that offers a dedicated postgraduate programme in Agam Tantra, and Varanasi's living Shaiva tradition makes it an ideal place for this study.

Ques. What is the difference between MA Agam Tantra and MA Dharm Vijnan at BHU?

Ans. Both programmes are offered under the Department of Dharmagama at BHU. MA Agam Tantra focuses specifically on the Agamic scriptures, Tantric traditions, and their philosophical and ritual dimensions. MA Dharm Vijnan has a broader focus on Dharmic philosophy, including the philosophical foundations of Dharma, Dharmashastra, and related traditions. Students interested in Tantric and Agamic texts should opt for MA Agam Tantra, while those interested in the broader philosophical dimensions of Dharma should consider MA Dharm Vijnan.

Ques. Is there any practical or ritual component in the MA Agam Tantra programme at BHU?

Ans. The MA Agam Tantra programme at BHU is primarily an academic and textual study programme. While the curriculum includes the study of ritual texts and their philosophical underpinnings, the programme is not a training programme for ritual practitioners. Students interested in the practical aspects of Agamic rituals may supplement their academic study with exposure to the living Shaiva traditions in Varanasi.

Ques. What are the career options after MA Agam Tantra from BHU?

Ans. Graduates can pursue careers in academia (as lecturers/professors in Sanskrit, Agamic studies, and Tantric philosophy departments), research (PhD in Agamic studies, Tantra, or Shaiva philosophy), religious and cultural institutions, temple administration (especially in South Indian Agamic temples), government bodies promoting Sanskrit and Indian knowledge systems, and as consultants for Agamic ritual traditions.

Ques. Can a student from South India with a background in Agamic traditions apply for MA Agam Tantra at BHU?

Ans. Yes, students from South India with a background in Agamic traditions are eligible to apply, provided they meet the eligibility criteria (Shastri with Dharmagam/Agamatantra/Shaivagam, or Bachelor's degree with Sanskrit + PG Diploma in Agamatantra, with minimum 50% marks). The programme at BHU covers both North Indian and South Indian Agamic traditions, making it relevant for students from all regions.

Ques. What is the CUET-PG test paper code for MA Agam Tantra at BHU?

Ans. The relevant CUET-PG test paper code is ACQP03. The paper covers topics related to Agamatantra, Shaivagam, Dharmagam, and related classical traditions. Candidates are advised to refer to the official NTA CUET-PG syllabus for ACQP03 available on the NTA website (exams.nta.nic.in/cuet-pg/) for detailed preparation guidance.