Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Master of Arts [MA] in Bengali at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, is a 2-year full-time postgraduate programme offered by the Faculty of Arts under the Department of Bengali. BHU's Department of Bengali is one of the well-established departments for Bengali language and literature studies outside West Bengal and Bangladesh, offering a comprehensive curriculum covering classical and modern Bengali literature, linguistics, translation, and comparative literature. The programme spans 4 semesters with a total seat intake of 96 seats, and the annual tuition fee is approximately Rs. 3,000 (Rs. 1,500 per semester). Admission is based on CUET-PG scores. The course is popular among students from West Bengal, Jharkhand, Assam, and other Bengali-speaking regions who wish to pursue advanced studies in Bengali language and literature at a central university.

As of March 2026, the CUET-PG 2026 examination is currently ongoing (March 13 - April 1, 2026). Results are expected in May 2026, following which BHU will open its Combined Allotment Program (CAP-PG 2026) for registration, tentatively in May-June 2026. Candidates who have appeared in CUET-PG 2026 must separately register on the BHU CAP-PG portal (bhucuetpg.samarth.edu.in) to be considered for admission to the 2026-27 batch.

Key Points

BHU's Department of Bengali is one of the few departments outside West Bengal offering a full MA programme in Bengali language and literature at a central university.
The programme covers both classical Bengali literature (Rabindranath Tagore, Bankim Chandra, Sarat Chandra) and modern Bengali writing.
Bengali is the 7th most spoken language in the world and the 2nd most spoken language in India, making it a significant academic and career field.
UGC-NET qualified graduates are eligible for assistant professor positions in Bengali departments across Indian universities.
With 96 seats, the programme has a relatively larger intake, and the very low cutoff (13 marks in 2025) makes it highly accessible for Bengali language students.

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 Bengali Fees

BHU offers the MA Bengali programme at a highly affordable fee structure, consistent with other MA programmes at the university. The total tuition fee for the entire 2-year course is approximately Rs. 6,000 (Rs. 1,500 per semester). In addition to tuition, students pay other charges including examination fees, library fees, and development fees, bringing the total academic fee to approximately Rs. 25,500 for the full course. Hostel accommodation is available separately and is not mandatory.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Per Semester (INR)	Total for 2 Years (INR)
Tuition Fee	1,500	6,000
Examination Fee	Approx. 500	Approx. 2,000
Library Fee	Approx. 200	Approx. 800
Development / Other Charges	Approx. 4,175	Approx. 16,700
Total Academic Fee	Approx. 6,375	Approx. 25,500
Hostel Fee (Boys, optional)	Approx. 2,688 per semester	Approx. 10,750
Total Fee (with Hostel)	-	Approx. 36,250
Total Fee (without Hostel)	-	Approx. 25,500

Hostel accommodation is not guaranteed and is allotted on a merit-cum-distance basis as per BHU Hostel Manual.
Students from West Bengal and other distant states generally have a higher chance of getting hostel accommodation.
Hostel fee does not include mess/food charges.
Mess charges are approximately Rs. 80-100 per day.
The registration fee for CAP-PG 2026 is Rs. 300 (General/OBC/EWS) and Rs. 150 (SC/ST/PwBD) per programme, which is non-refundable.
Full refund of admission fee is available if withdrawal is made before the last date of admission declared by BHU.
No EMI facility is available; fees are paid semester-wise through the online portal.

BHU MA Bengali Admission 2026

Admission to MA Bengali at BHU is entirely merit-based through CUET-PG scores. Candidates must first appear in CUET-PG conducted by NTA, and then separately register on BHU's CAP-PG portal. The seat allotment is done through multiple rounds of the Combined Allotment Program. For the 2026-27 session, CUET-PG 2026 is currently ongoing and BHU's CAP-PG registration is expected to open in May 2026. The 2025 General category cutoff was just 13 marks (CUET-PG score), and the 2024 General cutoff was 46 marks, indicating this is one of the most accessible MA programmes at BHU.

BHU MA Bengali Admission Schedule

Event	Tentative Date
CUET-PG 2026 Exam	March 13 - April 1, 2026 (Ongoing)
CUET-PG 2026 Result	May 6, 2026 (Tentative)
BHU CAP-PG 2026 Registration Opens	May 2026 (Tentative)
BHU CAP-PG 2026 Registration Closes	June 2026 (Tentative)
1st Round Allotment	July 2026 (Tentative)
2nd Round Allotment	July 2026 (Tentative)
3rd Round Allotment	July-August 2026 (Tentative)
Spot Round (if applicable)	August-September 2026 (Tentative)
Classes Begin	August-September 2026 (Tentative)

CUET-PG 2026 Important Dates

Event	Date
CUET-PG 2026 Registration Start	December 14, 2025
CUET-PG 2026 Registration End	January 25, 2026
Admit Card Release	March 3, 2026
CUET-PG 2026 Exam	March 6 - 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 hold a Bachelor's degree (BA/BA Hons.) under the 10+2+3 pattern from a recognised university with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks (45% for SC/ST/PwBD candidates).
Candidates who have studied Bengali as a subject at the graduation level are preferred; however, graduates from any discipline who have appeared in the relevant CUET-PG Bengali test paper are eligible.
Candidates appearing in their final year of graduation are also eligible to apply provisionally, subject to fulfilling eligibility by October 31, 2026.

Admission Process:

Appear in CUET-PG 2026 conducted by NTA in the relevant Bengali test paper.
Register separately on BHU's CAP-PG portal (bhucuetpg.samarth.edu.in) after CUET-PG results are declared.
Fill in programme preferences and pay the non-refundable registration fee (Rs. 300 for General/OBC/EWS; Rs. 150 for SC/ST/PwBD).
Seat allotment is done through multiple rounds based on CUET-PG merit score.
Upon allotment, pay the admission fee within the stipulated deadline to confirm the seat.
Report to the Department of Bengali, Faculty of Arts, BHU with original documents for physical verification.
Up to 25% of open category seats are reserved for BHU students (institutional preference) as per Supreme Court directives.

BHU MA Bengali Scholarships 2026

Students enrolled in MA Bengali at BHU can avail a range of scholarships from central government, state government, and university-level schemes. Given the highly affordable fee structure, scholarships can effectively cover the entire cost of education for eligible students. Students from West Bengal may also be eligible for state government scholarships.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship	Offered By	Amount	Eligibility
National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies (UGC)	UGC / NSP	Rs. 4,500 per month	Graduation with min. 60% marks; age below 30 years; full-time PG at recognised university
Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students	Ministry of Social Justice / NSP	Tuition fee + maintenance allowance	SC category; family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh per annum
Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students	Ministry of Social Justice / NSP	Tuition fee + maintenance allowance	OBC-NCL; family income below Rs. 1.5 lakh per annum
Post-Matric Scholarship for Minorities	Ministry of Minority Affairs / NSP	Tuition fee + maintenance allowance	Minority community; family income below Rs. 2 lakh per annum
West Bengal State Scholarship	West Bengal State Government	Varies	Students from West Bengal studying outside the state; income-based criteria
BHU Merit Scholarship (Internal)	Banaras Hindu University	Varies	Based on academic performance in qualifying examination
Pratidana PG Awards	BHU	Rs. 25,000 per annum	Underprivileged students; family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh; min. 60% in qualifying exam

Most central scholarships are applied through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in).
Applications for NSP scholarships typically open in October-November each year.
Students from West Bengal should check the West Bengal scholarship portal for out-of-state study scholarships.
Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress to continue receiving scholarships.

BHU MA Bengali FAQs

Ques. Why should a Bengali student from West Bengal choose BHU over universities in West Bengal for MA Bengali?

Ans. BHU offers the prestige of a central university degree, which is widely recognised across India. While universities in West Bengal (like Calcutta University, Jadavpur University) are excellent for Bengali studies, BHU provides a different academic environment with exposure to students from across India. For students interested in national-level careers, research, or civil services, BHU's central university status and diverse campus environment offer distinct advantages.

Ques. The 2025 cutoff for MA Bengali at BHU was just 13 marks. Does this mean the programme quality is low?

Ans. Not at all. The very low cutoff reflects the relatively smaller number of students appearing in the CUET-PG Bengali test paper from outside West Bengal, not the quality of the programme. BHU's Department of Bengali has experienced faculty and a strong academic tradition. The low cutoff actually makes it an excellent opportunity for Bengali language students to secure admission to a prestigious central university programme.

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

Ans. After MA Bengali from BHU, common career paths include: (1) Teaching Bengali in schools and colleges after qualifying UGC-NET/JRF, (2) Research and PhD in Bengali literature or linguistics, (3) Translation work (Bengali-Hindi-English), (4) Journalism and media in Bengali language publications and broadcasting, (5) Content writing and digital media in Bengali, and (6) Civil Services where Bengali literature can be an optional subject in UPSC and state PSC exams.

Ques. Is there a Paid Fee Course (PFC) option for MA Bengali at BHU?

Ans. Yes, BHU offers a Paid Fee Course (PFC) option for MA Bengali in the Department of Bengali. The PFC seats are additional seats available at a higher fee for candidates who could not secure admission in the regular seats. The fee for PFC seats is significantly higher than the regular fee. Candidates interested in PFC should check the BHU PG Bulletin for the specific fee and eligibility details.

Ques. Can I pursue PhD in Bengali at BHU after completing MA Bengali?

Ans. Yes, BHU offers PhD in Bengali through its Research Entrance Test (RET). After completing MA Bengali with a good academic record, candidates can apply for PhD admission. Those with UGC-NET/JRF qualification are exempted from the RET. BHU's research environment and library resources make it a good choice for Bengali literary and linguistic research.

Ques. How is the Bengali student community at BHU? Is there cultural support for students from West Bengal?

Ans. BHU has a vibrant and diverse student community. Students from West Bengal and other Bengali-speaking regions form a significant community on campus. There are informal Bengali cultural associations and groups that celebrate festivals like Durga Puja, Saraswati Puja, and Rabindra Jayanti on campus. The annual Spandan cultural festival also provides a platform for Bengali cultural expression. Students generally find a supportive community at BHU.