Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

Master of Arts [MA] in Arabic at Banaras Hindu University is a 2-year full-time postgraduate programme offered by the Department of Arabic under the Faculty of Arts. Established in 1916, the Department of Arabic is one of the oldest Arabic language departments in India, offering a comprehensive curriculum covering classical and modern Arabic literature, language, grammar, translation, and the cultural heritage of the Arab world. With a total intake of 22 seats, the programme is among the most sought-after Arabic PG courses in India. Admission is based on CUET PG scores, and the annual tuition fee is approximately Rs. 3,000, making it one of the most affordable PG programmes in the country. The course is popular among students interested in diplomacy, translation, intelligence services, medical tourism, and careers in the Gulf region.

Admissions for the 2026-27 academic session are upcoming. The CUET PG 2026 exam was conducted from March 13 to April 1, 2026, and results are expected tentatively in May 2026. BHU's PG counselling registration is expected to open in May-June 2026, based on the previous year's schedule (registration opened May 22, 2025 for the 2025-26 session). The CUET PG 2025 cutoff for MA Arabic at BHU was 137 marks for General category (Round 1) and 75 marks (Round 4), indicating moderate competition for this niche programme.

Key Points

The Department of Arabic at BHU was established in 1916, making it one of the oldest and most reputed Arabic departments in India.
The department offers a wide range of programmes including MA, BA (Hons.), PG Diploma, UG Diploma, and Certificate courses in Arabic, providing a complete academic ecosystem.
The revised syllabus (effective July 2019) includes translation from Arabic to English and vice versa, making graduates job-ready for the modern market.
Arabic is one of the six official languages of the United Nations, and BHU graduates are eligible for UN and international organisation recruitment.
The Government of India's Atal Bhashantar Yojna initiative specifically includes Arabic as one of the target languages for training world-class translators, creating new opportunities for BHU Arabic graduates.

Official Link:

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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 Arabic Fees

BHU MA Arabic is one of the most affordable postgraduate programmes in India. The total tuition fee for the entire 2-year course is Rs. 6,000 (Rs. 1,500 per semester). In addition to tuition, students pay a regular fee of approximately Rs. 2,582 per semester covering registration, examination, and development charges. Hostel accommodation is available on campus at approximately Rs. 4,875 per year (non-AC room), which is optional and subject to availability. The overall cost of studying MA Arabic at BHU is significantly lower than comparable programmes at private universities.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Per Semester (Rs.)	Total for 2 Years (Rs.)
Tuition Fee	1,500	6,000
Regular Fee (Registration + Exam + Development)	1,082	4,328
Total Academic Fee	2,582	10,328
Hostel Fee (Optional, Non-AC)	-	9,750 (approx., 2 years)
Mess Charges (Optional, approx.)	-	48,000 (approx., 2 years)
Total Fees (Without Hostel)	-	10,328
Total Fees (With Hostel + Mess)	-	68,078 (approx.)

The regular fee of Rs. 2,582 per semester includes registration, examination, and university development charges as per the BHU PG Bulletin 2024-25.
Hostel accommodation is not mandatory and is subject to availability. Approximately 50% of students are accommodated in university hostels.
Mess charges are approximately Rs. 40-50 per meal; the figure above is an estimate based on 3 meals/day for 10 months per year.
A refundable caution/security deposit may be collected at the time of admission.
No EMI facility is available; fees are paid semester-wise at the time of admission/re-registration.
Paid seat fee of Rs. 10,000 per annum is applicable for students admitted under the paid seat category (15% supernumerary seats).

BHU MA Arabic Admission 2026

Admission to MA Arabic at BHU is based on CUET PG scores. BHU follows a Combined Allotment Program (CAP PG) for all postgraduate admissions. For the 2026-27 session, CUET PG 2026 was conducted from March 13 to April 1, 2026, and BHU counselling is expected to follow after results are declared in May 2026. The 2025-26 admission cycle saw registration open on May 22, 2025, with multiple allotment rounds through July-August 2025. The CUET PG 2025 cutoff for MA Arabic was 137 marks (General, Round 1) and 75 marks (General, Round 4), with OBC cutoff at 110 (Round 1) and 46 (Round 4).

BHU PG Admission Schedule

Event	2025-26 Actual Date	2026-27 Tentative Date
CUET PG Registration	Jan 2 - Feb 8, 2025	Dec 14, 2025 - Jan 23, 2026 (Done)
CUET PG Exam	May 13 - Jun 3, 2025	Mar 13 - Apr 1, 2026 (Done)
CUET PG Result	June 2025	May 6, 2026 (Tentative)
BHU PG Registration Opens	May 22, 2025	May-June 2026 (Tentative)
BHU PG Registration Closes	June 10-15, 2025	June 2026 (Tentative)
1st Round Allotment	July 14, 2025	July 2026 (Tentative)
2nd Round Allotment	July 18, 2025	July 2026 (Tentative)
Mid-Entry Registration	July 22, 2025	July 2026 (Tentative)
3rd Round Allotment	July 29, 2025	July-August 2026 (Tentative)
4th Round Allotment	August 1, 2025	August 2026 (Tentative)
Spot Round	August 2025	August 2026 (Tentative)
Classes Begin	August-September 2025	August-September 2026 (Tentative)

CUET PG 2026 Exam Dates

Event	Date
CUET PG 2026 Registration	December 14, 2025 - January 23, 2026
Form Correction Window	January 28 - January 30, 2026
Admit Card Release	March 9, 2026
CUET PG 2026 Exam	March 13 - April 1, 2026
Result Declaration	May 6, 2026 (Tentative)

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must have passed B.A. (Hons.) or B.A. under the 10+2+3 pattern with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate (45% for SC/ST/PWD candidates).
Arabic must have been the Honours subject at B.A. (Hons.) level, OR a subject studied in all three years at B.A. level.
Candidates with a B.A. (Hons.) or B.A. with PG Diploma/Advanced Diploma in Arabic from a recognised university are also eligible.

Admission Process

Register for CUET PG 2026 on the NTA portal (exams.nta.ac.in/cuet-pg) and select BHU as a participating university.
Appear in the CUET PG exam for the relevant Arabic/Language subject test (CUET Paper Code: LAQP05 for Arabic).
After CUET PG results, register on the BHU CUET PG portal (bhucuetpg.samarth.edu.in) during the registration window.
Pay the non-refundable registration fee (Rs. 300 for General/OBC/EWS; Rs. 150 for SC/ST/PWD).
Participate in the Combined Allotment Program (CAP PG) rounds and accept the allotted seat.
Report to the Department of Arabic, Faculty of Arts, BHU with original documents and pay the semester fee to confirm admission.

BHU MA Arabic Scholarships 2026

BHU offers several scholarship options for MA Arabic students, primarily through government schemes and university endowments. Given the extremely low tuition fee, most students benefit from government scholarships that cover living expenses and additional costs. Students from reserved categories and economically weaker sections have access to multiple scholarship avenues, making the programme virtually free for eligible students.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount
Merit-Based Scholarship (BHU)	1st and 2nd rank holders in the programme	Rs. 4,000 (1st rank); Rs. 3,000 (2nd rank) - one time
Merit-cum-Means Scholarship (BHU)	Academic merit + family income up to Rs. 1 lakh/year	Rs. 2,000 per year
Post-Matric Scholarship (SC/ST)	SC/ST students; family income up to Rs. 2.5 lakh/year	Tuition fee waiver + maintenance allowance (via NSP)
Post-Matric Scholarship (OBC/Minority)	OBC/Minority students; family income up to Rs. 2 lakh/year	Tuition fee waiver + maintenance allowance (via NSP)
Mandava Foundation Fund	Academic merit + financial need	Rs. 25,000 per year
Maulana Azad National Fellowship (Minority)	Minority community students in PG/research	Rs. 31,000/month (JRF)
National Fellowship for SC Students (UGC)	SC students pursuing PG/research	Rs. 31,000/month (JRF)

Post-Matric Scholarships must be applied through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) at the start of each academic year.
BHU's internal scholarships (Merit-Based, Merit-cum-Means) are awarded by the university based on academic performance; no separate application is required.
The Mandava Foundation Fund requires a separate application through BHU's scholarship portal.
The Maulana Azad National Fellowship is particularly relevant for minority community students pursuing MA Arabic at BHU.

BHU MA Arabic FAQs

Ques. What are the career opportunities after MA Arabic from BHU?

Ans. MA Arabic graduates from BHU have diverse career options. Government sector jobs include positions in the Intelligence Bureau, RAW, CBI, and Indian Embassies/Consulate Generals across the Arab world. In the private sector, opportunities exist in MNCs, national and international banks, financial companies, call centres, and medical tourism (as translators/interpreters for Arab patients visiting Indian hospitals). Many graduates also work in the Gulf countries (UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman) in various capacities. The UN and Red Cross also hire Indian Arabic experts. Additionally, Arabic is a UPSC Civil Services optional subject.

Ques. What is the CUET PG cutoff for MA Arabic at BHU?

Ans. The CUET PG 2025 cutoff for MA Arabic at BHU was 137 marks for the General category in Round 1, dropping to 75 marks in Round 4. For OBC category, it was 110 (Round 1) and 46 (Round 4). This indicates that seats are available across multiple rounds, and students with moderate CUET PG scores can also secure admission. The cutoff varies each year based on the number of applicants.

Ques. Does BHU's Department of Arabic offer any short-term courses for working professionals?

Ans. Yes, the Department of Arabic at BHU offers Certificate Courses (1 year) and Diploma courses (UG and PG level) in Arabic in addition to the full MA programme. These shorter programmes are suitable for working professionals or students who want to learn Arabic without committing to a full 2-year MA. The department also offers a BA (Hons.) in Arab Culture, which is distinct from the standard BA (Hons.) in Arabic.

Ques. Is Arabic from BHU recognised for jobs in the Gulf countries?

Ans. Yes, a degree from BHU is widely recognised. BHU is a central university established by an Act of Parliament and is one of India's premier institutions. Thousands of BHU Arabic graduates are currently working in the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and other Gulf countries in various capacities including translation, teaching, banking, and business. The BHU degree is recognised by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) and is accepted by employers globally.

Ques. What is the difference between MA Arabic and BA (Hons.) in Arabic at BHU? Can BA graduates directly apply for MA?

Ans. BA (Hons.) in Arabic is a 4-year undergraduate programme, while MA Arabic is a 2-year postgraduate programme. BA graduates with Arabic as their Honours subject are directly eligible to apply for MA Arabic through CUET PG. The MA programme goes deeper into Arabic literature, linguistics, and research methodology compared to the undergraduate level. Students who complete MA Arabic can further pursue PhD in Arabic from BHU.

Ques. How is the faculty and research environment in BHU's Department of Arabic?

Ans. The Department of Arabic at BHU has a strong faculty with specialisations in classical Arabic poetry, modern Arabic literature, Arabic linguistics, and Indo-Arabic cultural relations. The department has been active in organising national and international seminars. BHU's Central Library has an extensive collection of Arabic books and manuscripts. The department also has connections with Arab universities and cultural organisations, providing students with exposure to contemporary Arabic scholarship.