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 classical learning, offers the Master of Arts [MA] in Bauddha Darshan (Buddhist Philosophy) 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 Jain and Baudha Darshan. The course provides a comprehensive study of Buddhist philosophy, covering Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana traditions, along with classical Buddhist texts in Pali and Sanskrit, Buddhist logic (Pramana), and the philosophical contributions of major Buddhist thinkers such as Nagarjuna, Vasubandhu, and Dignaga. The total tuition fee for the programme is approximately Rs. 4,912 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 42 seats shared between Jain Darshan and Bauddha Darshan under the Department of Jain and Baudha Darshan. Varanasi's historical significance as a centre of Buddhist learning (being close to Sarnath, where the Buddha gave his first sermon) makes BHU an especially meaningful place to study Buddhist philosophy.

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

The programme is offered under the Faculty of Sanskrit Vidya Dharma Vijnana, and BHU's proximity to Sarnath (the site of the Buddha's first sermon) makes it a uniquely significant location for Buddhist studies.
The course covers all major schools of Buddhist philosophy, including Theravada, Madhyamaka, Yogacara, and Vajrayana traditions.
BHU's Department of Jain and Baudha Darshan has a distinguished faculty with expertise in Buddhist logic, epistemology, and classical Buddhist texts.
The programme is taught primarily in Sanskrit and Hindi, with study of original texts in Pali and Sanskrit.
Graduates are well-positioned for PhD research in Buddhist studies, comparative religion, and Indian philosophy at leading universities in India and abroad.

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Cutoff
FAQs

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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 Bauddha Darshan Fees

The MA (Bauddha Darshan) programme at BHU is extremely affordable, with a total tuition fee of approximately Rs. 4,912 for the entire 2-year course. The annual fee is around Rs. 2,456, 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 Components

Fee Component	Amount (Per Annum)
Tuition Fee	Rs. 1,200
Development Fee	Rs. 750
Other University Charges	Rs. 506
Total Annual Fee (Regular Seat)	Rs. 2,456
Paid Seat Additional Fee	Rs. 2,500 per annum
Total Fee for 2 Years (Regular Seat)	Rs. 4,912

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 Bauddha Darshan Admission 2026

Admission to MA (Bauddha Darshan) at BHU is based on CUET-PG scores. Candidates must first appear in CUET-PG in the relevant test paper (ACQP04 for Acharya in Bauddha Darshan) 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 or equivalent degree with Bauddha Darshan, securing a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate.
OR Bachelor's degree/equivalent with Sanskrit (studied in all the years), 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 (ACQP04).
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 Jain and Baudha Darshan, Faculty of Sanskrit Vidya Dharma Vijnana, BHU, for document verification and physical reporting.

BHU MA Bauddha Darshan 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 (Bauddha Darshan) is already very low (Rs. 2,456 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 Bauddha Darshan FAQs

Ques. Why is BHU considered a special place to study Bauddha Darshan (Buddhist Philosophy)?

Ans. BHU is located in Varanasi, just 10 km from Sarnath, where the Buddha gave his first sermon (Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta) after attaining enlightenment. This makes BHU one of the most historically and spiritually significant places in the world to study Buddhist philosophy. The university also has access to extensive Buddhist manuscript collections and is close to major Buddhist pilgrimage sites.

Ques. What is the difference between MA Bauddha Darshan at BHU and MA Pali at BHU?

Ans. MA Bauddha Darshan focuses on Buddhist philosophy, metaphysics, epistemology, and the philosophical traditions of Buddhism (Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana). It is offered under the Faculty of Sanskrit Vidya Dharma Vijnana. MA Pali, on the other hand, focuses on the Pali language and literature, and is offered under the Faculty of Arts (Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies). Students interested in the philosophical aspects of Buddhism should opt for MA Bauddha Darshan, while those interested in the linguistic and textual aspects should consider MA Pali.

Ques. Can a student with a BA in Philosophy or History apply for MA Bauddha Darshan at BHU?

Ans. A student with a BA in Philosophy or History (without Sanskrit) is generally not eligible. The eligibility requires either a Shastri degree with Bauddha Darshan as a subject, or a Bachelor's degree with Sanskrit studied in all years, both with a minimum of 50% marks. Students with a background in Philosophy or History but without Sanskrit should check the specific eligibility criteria in the BHU PG Bulletin before applying.

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

Ans. Graduates can pursue careers in academia (as lecturers/professors in Buddhist studies, Sanskrit, and Philosophy departments), research (PhD in Buddhist philosophy, comparative religion, or Indology), Buddhist monasteries and cultural institutions, international Buddhist organisations, and government bodies promoting Buddhist heritage. There are also opportunities in Buddhist tourism, museum curation, and translation of classical Buddhist texts.

Ques. Is there any connection between MA Bauddha Darshan at BHU and the Sarnath Buddhist institutions?

Ans. Yes, BHU's proximity to Sarnath provides students with unique opportunities to interact with Buddhist scholars, monks, and institutions in the area. The Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies (CIHTS) in Sarnath is a premier institution for Buddhist studies, and BHU students often benefit from the rich academic and cultural ecosystem of the Varanasi-Sarnath region.

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

Ans. The relevant CUET-PG test paper code is ACQP04. The paper covers topics related to Buddhist philosophy, classical Buddhist texts, and related Sanskrit and Pali traditions. Candidates are advised to refer to the official NTA CUET-PG syllabus for ACQP04 available on the NTA website (exams.nta.nic.in/cuet-pg/) for detailed preparation guidance.