Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Master of Arts in Archaeology at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, is a 2-year full-time postgraduate program offered by the Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology (AIHC and Archaeology) under the Faculty of Arts. Officially designated as "MA in A.I.H.C. and Archaeology" (PG0448), this program provides advanced training in archaeological methods, ancient Indian history, cultural heritage, and material culture studies. The curriculum covers prehistoric and protohistoric archaeology, historical archaeology, art history, epigraphy, numismatics, and museum studies, along with fieldwork and laboratory techniques. The total tuition fee is Rs. 10,328 for the 2-year course (Rs. 2,582 per semester), with a total course fee of approximately Rs. 25,500 including other charges. The program is offered in full-time, on-campus mode at BHU's main campus in Varanasi, and admission is based on CUET PG scores.

Admissions for the 2026-27 session are upcoming. CUET PG 2026 has been conducted from March 13 to April 1, 2026, with results expected around May 6, 2026. BHU's CAP-PG registration for CUET PG 2026 qualified candidates is expected to open tentatively in May-June 2026, with the last date for registration likely around June 2026 (based on the 2025 pattern where registration closed on June 10, 2025).

Key Points

The program is offered by the Department of AIHC and Archaeology, one of the oldest and most distinguished departments for archaeological studies in India, with a legacy of pioneering excavations and research.
BHU's location in Varanasi, one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities, provides students with unparalleled access to archaeological sites, museums, and cultural heritage resources.
The curriculum integrates theoretical frameworks with practical fieldwork, including participation in archaeological excavations and surveys.
Students gain expertise in archaeological methods, ancient Indian history, epigraphy (study of inscriptions), numismatics (study of coins), and art history.
The program is ideal for students aspiring to careers in the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), state archaeology departments, museums, and academic research.

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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 (Archaeology) Fees

The MA (Archaeology) at BHU has a tuition fee of Rs. 2,582 per semester, totaling Rs. 10,328 for the complete 2-year program. Including other university charges, the total course fee comes to approximately Rs. 25,500. Hostel accommodation is available on campus for eligible students on an optional basis.

Fee Breakdown

Fee Component	Per Semester (Rs.)	Total for 2 Years (Rs.)
Tuition Fee	2,582	10,328
Other University Charges (approx.)	3,793	15,172
Total Fees (excluding hostel)	~6,375	~25,500
Hostel Fee (optional, if availed)	~4,875	~19,500

Fees are subject to revision by the university each academic session.
Hostel accommodation is not mandatory; it is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
For foreign national students (SAARC countries): Development fee of Rs. 45,000 per year is applicable in addition to regular fees.
For foreign national students (Non-SAARC countries): Development fee of Rs. 60,000 per year is applicable.
Fee once paid is generally non-refundable except for the refundable security deposit component.

BHU MA (Archaeology) Admission 2026

Admissions to MA (Archaeology) at BHU are conducted through the CUET PG entrance exam administered by NTA. Candidates must first qualify CUET PG and then register through BHU's Combined Allotment Program (CAP-PG). The 2026-27 admission cycle is upcoming; dates below are based on the 2025 cycle and tentative projections for 2026.

BHU Admission Dates

Event	Date (Tentative for 2026)
CUET PG 2026 Exam	March 13 - April 1, 2026
CUET PG 2026 Result	May 6, 2026 (tentative)
BHU CAP-PG 2026 Registration Opens	May 2026 (tentative)
Last Date for BHU CAP-PG Registration	June 2026 (tentative)
BHU Merit List / Seat Allotment	July 2026 (tentative)
Fee Payment and Reporting	July - August 2026 (tentative)
Commencement of Classes	August 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 9, 2026
CUET PG 2026 Exam	March 13 - April 1, 2026
CUET PG 2026 Result	May 6, 2026 (tentative)

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must have passed Graduation (Bachelor's degree) from a recognized university with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate.
SC/ST candidates are exempt from the minimum percentage requirement; they only need to have passed the qualifying examination.
OBC and PwBD candidates are eligible for a 5% relaxation in the minimum eligibility marks.

Admission Process

Register for CUET PG 2026 on the NTA portal (exams.nta.ac.in/CUET-PG/).
Appear for the CUET PG exam in the relevant subject paper (Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology).
After CUET PG results, register separately on BHU's CAP-PG portal (bhucuetpg.samarth.edu.in).
Upload required documents including qualifying degree certificate, caste certificate (if applicable), and other supporting documents.
Seat allotment is done based on CUET PG score and category.
Up to 25% of open category seats are reserved for BHU's own students (institutional preference).
Supernumerary seats are available for BHU employee wards, sports quota, and foreign nationals.
Report to the department with original documents and pay the fee within the stipulated time to confirm admission.

BHU MA (Archaeology) Scholarships 2026

Students admitted to MA (Archaeology) at BHU can avail of various scholarships from central and state governments as well as BHU's own scholarship schemes. The relatively low tuition fee makes this program accessible, and scholarships can further reduce the financial burden.

Available Scholarships

Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount (Approx.)
Post Matric Scholarship (SC/ST) - Central Govt.	SC/ST students with family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh/year	Full tuition fee + maintenance allowance
OBC Post Matric Scholarship - Central Govt.	OBC students with family income below Rs. 1 lakh/year	Tuition fee + maintenance allowance
Prime Minister's Scholarship (PMSS)	Wards of ex-servicemen/paramilitary	Rs. 3,000/month (girls), Rs. 2,500/month (boys)
BHU Merit Scholarship	Top performers in qualifying exam	Variable (based on merit)
National Scholarship Portal (NSP) Schemes	Various categories	Variable
ICHR Junior Research Fellowship	Meritorious students in History/Archaeology	Rs. 31,000/month (JRF)

Students must apply for scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) (scholarships.gov.in) within the prescribed deadlines, usually in October-November each year.
The Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) offers Junior Research Fellowships for students pursuing research in history and archaeology; students are encouraged to apply after completing their MA.
BHU's own merit scholarships are awarded based on performance in the qualifying examination and are announced at the beginning of the academic session.

BHU MA (Archaeology) FAQs

Q1. What is the full name of the MA Archaeology program at BHU?

Ans. The full official name is "Master of Arts in Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology" (MA in A.I.H.C. and Archaeology), offered by the Department of AIHC and Archaeology under the Faculty of Arts at BHU. The program code is PG0448.

Q2. What is the eligibility for MA (Archaeology) at BHU?

Ans. Candidates must have passed Graduation (Bachelor's degree) from a recognized university with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate. SC/ST candidates are exempt from the minimum percentage requirement. Admission is through CUET PG scores.

Q3. Does the MA Archaeology program at BHU include fieldwork?

Ans. Yes. Fieldwork is an integral part of the curriculum. Students participate in archaeological excavations and surveys, which may be conducted at sites in and around Varanasi and other historically significant locations. BHU's Department of AIHC and Archaeology has a long tradition of conducting excavations at important sites across India.

Q4. What career opportunities are available after MA (Archaeology) from BHU?

Ans. Graduates can pursue careers in the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), state archaeology departments, museums (as curators and conservators), cultural heritage management, academic research, and teaching (after qualifying UGC NET). PhD in Archaeology is a popular next step. International organizations working on heritage conservation also recruit archaeology graduates.

Q5. What was the CUET PG cutoff for MA Archaeology at BHU in 2025?

Ans. The CUET PG 2025 cutoff for MA Archaeology at BHU (Round 1) was 127 marks for the General category, 110 for OBC, 75 for SC, 82 for ST, 114 for EWS, and 80 for PwD. Cutoffs vary each year based on the number of applicants and seats available.

Q6. Is there a separate entrance exam for MA Archaeology at BHU, or is CUET PG sufficient?

Ans. CUET PG is the only entrance exam required for admission to MA Archaeology at BHU. There is no separate BHU-level entrance test for this program. Candidates must register for CUET PG, appear in the relevant subject paper, and then apply through BHU's CAP-PG portal after results are declared.