Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi offers a 2-year full-time Master of Arts in Anthropology under the Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences. The programme spans 4 semesters and admits 37 students per year. It is a Special Fee Course with a tuition fee of Rs. 63,000 per semester (Rs. 1,26,000 total tuition for 2 years), and the total course fee including other charges is approximately Rs. 1,35,750. The programme covers physical anthropology, social and cultural anthropology, archaeological anthropology, and applied anthropology, making it a comprehensive and interdisciplinary postgraduate degree. BHU's MA Anthropology is popular for its strong research orientation, experienced faculty, and the university's rich cultural and archaeological environment in Varanasi.

Admissions for the 2026-27 session are based on CUET PG 2026 scores. The CUET PG 2026 exam is currently ongoing (March 13 - April 1, 2026), and results are expected by May 6, 2026 (tentative). Following the result, BHU will conduct its Combined Allotment Program (CAP-PG 2026) for seat allotment, with counselling registration expected to begin in the third week of July 2026. Candidates are advised to regularly check admission.bhu.ac.in for updates.

Key Points

This is a Special Fee Course under the Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, BHU - one of the most reputed social science faculties in India.
The programme offers a comprehensive curriculum covering physical, social, cultural, archaeological, and applied anthropology.
BHU's location in Varanasi, one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities, provides a unique environment for anthropological fieldwork and research.
With 37 seats, the programme is moderately competitive, with CUET PG 2025 General category cutoff at 175 (Round 1).
Students can pursue PhD in Anthropology or Sociology from BHU after completing the MA, or appear for UGC NET to enter academia.
The programme has strong interdisciplinary connections with departments of History, Sociology, Archaeology, and Psychology at BHU.

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BHU MA Anthropology Fees

The MA Anthropology programme at BHU is a Special Fee Course with a higher fee structure compared to regular MA programmes. The tuition fee is Rs. 63,000 per semester, totalling Rs. 1,26,000 for the 2-year programme. Including other charges, the total course fee comes to approximately Rs. 1,35,750. Hostel accommodation is available separately and is not mandatory.

Fee Breakdown

Fee Component	Semester 1	Semester 2	Semester 3	Semester 4	Total (2 Years)
Tuition Fee (Special Course)	Rs. 63,000	Rs. 63,000	Rs. 63,000	Rs. 63,000	Rs. 1,26,000
Other Charges (Registration, Development, Misc.)	Rs. 2,438	Rs. 2,438	Rs. 2,438	Rs. 2,438	Rs. 9,750
Total Fee (Excluding Hostel)	Rs. 33,938	Rs. 33,938	Rs. 33,938	Rs. 33,938	Rs. 1,35,750
Hostel Fee (Optional)	Rs. 4,875	Rs. 4,875	Rs. 4,875	Rs. 4,875	Rs. 19,500

Hostel fee is optional and not included in the Total Fees above. Students opting for hostel accommodation will pay an additional Rs. 19,500 over 2 years.
This is a Special Fee Course; no paid seats provision is available for special courses as per BHU norms.
Fees are subject to revision by the university. Always verify the latest fee structure at the time of admission from the official BHU admission portal (admission.bhu.ac.in).
Security/caution deposit (refundable) may be applicable for hostel residents.
Education loans are available under the PM Vidyalaxmi Scheme (collateral-free and guarantor-free) at pmvidyalaxmi.co.in.

BHU MA Anthropology Admission 2026

Admissions to MA Anthropology at BHU for the 2026-27 session are based on CUET PG 2026 scores. Candidates must apply separately for BHU's CAP-PG 2026 on the BHU admission portal after CUET PG results are out. The BHU programme code for this course is PG0707S (Special Course). Note that no institutional preference (BHU student preference) is available for special courses.

BHU Admission Dates

Event	Date
CUET PG 2026 Exam	March 13, 2026 - April 1, 2026
CUET PG 2026 Result	May 6, 2026 (Tentative)
BHU CAP-PG 2026 Registration Opens	Third week of July 2026 (Tentative)
Last Date for CAP-PG 2026 Registration	First week of August 2026 (Tentative)
BHU Seat Allotment - Round 1	August 2026 (Tentative)
Document Verification / Fee Payment	Within 48 hours of seat acceptance (Tentative)
Batch Commencement	August/September 2026 (Tentative)

Entrance Exam Dates

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

Official Website: https://exams.nta.nic.in/cuet-pg/

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree (graduation) in any discipline with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate (45% for OBC; no minimum percentage for SC/ST candidates, only pass required).
Candidates appearing in their final year of graduation are also eligible to apply provisionally.
Candidates must have appeared in CUET PG 2026 with the relevant subject paper for MA Anthropology at BHU (PG0707S).

Admission Process

Register for CUET PG 2026 on the NTA portal (exams.nta.nic.in/cuet-pg/) with the relevant paper code.
Appear for the CUET PG 2026 examination.
After results, register for BHU's CAP-PG 2026 on admission.bhu.ac.in.
Fill in course preferences and submit required documents online.
Participate in seat allotment rounds; accept allotted seat within 48 hours.
Pay the admission fee online within the stipulated time.
Report physically to the Department of Sociology, BHU for document verification and enrollment.
Note: No institutional preference (BHU student preference) is available for this special course.

BHU MA Anthropology Scholarships 2026

BHU offers a range of scholarships and financial aid options to MA Anthropology students, primarily on merit and need basis. Students from Uttar Pradesh can additionally benefit from the UP Government Scholarship, which can reimburse a significant portion of the fees. National scholarships are also available for students from other states.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount / Benefit
Merit Scholarship (Rank 1)	First rank holder in the department/exam	Rs. 4,000 (one-time)
Merit Scholarship (Rank 2)	Second rank holder in the department/exam	Rs. 3,000 (one-time)
Economically Weak Students Scholarship	Family income below Rs. 1 lakh per annum	Free meals (lunch and dinner) for 7 months + Rs. 2,000 annually
Physically Challenged Scholarship	Students with benchmark disability (min. 40%)	Rs. 4,000 per year (for 25 students)
Blind Students - Annadaan Yojana	Blind/visually impaired students	Free lunch and dinner + Rs. 5,000 annually
UP Government Scholarship	UP domicile students; income-based	Fee reimbursement (varies by category)
National Scholarship Portal (NSP)	Students from other states; income-based	Varies by scheme
International Students Scholarship	Foreign students enrolled after March 21, 2022	Rs. 6,000 per month (one-time grant)

Students already receiving any other scholarship are not eligible for BHU's internal scholarships.
Minimum 75% attendance is mandatory to remain eligible for scholarships.
For this Special Fee Course, the UP Scholarship may partially reimburse fees depending on the category and income criteria.
Scholarship application forms are available at the BHU administration office.

BHU MA Anthropology FAQs

Ques. Is MA Anthropology at BHU a good course for a career in research and academia?

Ans. Yes, BHU's MA Anthropology is a well-regarded programme with strong research orientation. Graduates can pursue careers in academia (as lecturers/professors after clearing UGC NET), research institutions, NGOs, government departments (like the Anthropological Survey of India), public health organisations, and development sector organisations. BHU's location in Varanasi provides unique opportunities for fieldwork in social and cultural anthropology. However, like most social science disciplines, career opportunities in the private sector are limited, and students are advised to pursue UGC NET/JRF or PhD for better prospects.

Ques. What is the difference between MA Anthropology and MA Sociology at BHU? Which is better?

Ans. Both MA Anthropology and MA Sociology are offered at BHU under the Faculty of Social Sciences. Anthropology focuses on the study of human beings from a biological, cultural, archaeological, and linguistic perspective, while Sociology focuses on social structures, institutions, and relationships. Anthropology has a stronger fieldwork component and covers physical/biological aspects of humans, while Sociology is more focused on contemporary social issues. The choice depends on your interest: if you are interested in human evolution, tribal studies, and cultural diversity, choose Anthropology; if you are interested in social institutions, inequality, and contemporary social issues, choose Sociology.

Ques. What is the CUET PG paper code for MA Anthropology at BHU?

Ans. The BHU programme code for MA Anthropology is PG0707S (Special Course). Candidates should verify the exact CUET PG paper code required for this programme on the official NTA website (exams.nta.nic.in/cuet-pg/) and the BHU PG Bulletin 2026 before registering. Selecting the wrong paper will make you ineligible for admission.

Ques. What is the fee for MA Anthropology at BHU, and why is it higher than other MA programmes?

Ans. MA Anthropology at BHU is a Special Fee Course with a tuition fee of Rs. 63,000 per semester (Rs. 1,26,000 for 2 years). Including other charges, the total fee is approximately Rs. 1,35,750 for 2 years. This is significantly higher than regular MA programmes at BHU (which typically cost Rs. 6,000-10,000 in tuition for 2 years) because it is classified as a Special Course. However, it is still considerably more affordable than similar programmes at private universities.

Ques. Can I pursue PhD in Anthropology from BHU after completing the MA?

Ans. Yes, BHU offers PhD programmes in Anthropology and related disciplines. After completing the MA, students can apply for PhD admission, which is based on UGC NET/JRF scores or BHU's own research entrance test. Holding a UGC NET/JRF qualification significantly strengthens your PhD application and also makes you eligible for a monthly fellowship. Many MA Anthropology graduates from BHU go on to pursue PhD and enter academia or research institutions like the Anthropological Survey of India.

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

Ans. Graduates of MA Anthropology from BHU can pursue careers in: (1) Academia - as lecturers/professors after clearing UGC NET; (2) Research - at institutions like the Anthropological Survey of India, ICSSR-funded research projects, and NGOs; (3) Government - in tribal welfare departments, public health organisations, and development agencies; (4) International organisations - UNESCO, WHO, UNICEF, and other organisations working on cultural heritage, public health, and development; (5) Forensic anthropology - with additional training; (6) Corporate sector - in HR, market research, and user experience research. The field has limited private sector opportunities, so academic and research careers are the most common paths.