Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The MA (Dharma Shastra) is a 2-year full-time postgraduate programme offered by the Department of Dharmashastra and Mimansa under the Faculty of Sanskrit Vidya Dharma Vigyan (SVDV) at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. Dharma Shastra is the classical Indian science of Dharma (righteous conduct, law, and ethics), encompassing the study of Smriti literature, Hindu law, social ethics, and the philosophical foundations of Dharmic living. The course spans 4 semesters and is offered in on-campus mode. Total tuition fees for the entire 2-year programme are Rs. 4,000, making it one of the most affordable postgraduate programmes in the country. Admission is based on CUET PG scores, and the programme is popular among students of Sanskrit, Vedic studies, and classical Indian law and ethics.

Admissions for the 2026-27 academic session are upcoming. CUET PG 2026 is currently ongoing (March 13 - April 1, 2026), and BHU PG counselling is expected to begin tentatively in May-June 2026 based on the previous year's schedule. Students who have registered for CUET PG 2026 and opted for BHU should monitor the official BHU admission portal (bhucuetpg.samarth.edu.in) for counselling registration dates.

Key Points

Dharma Shastra is the classical Indian science of law, ethics, and righteous conduct, covering the Smriti literature (Manusmriti, Yajnavalkyasmriti, etc.), Hindu personal law, and the philosophical foundations of Dharma.
The programme is offered by the Department of Dharmashastra and Mimansa, one of the most distinguished departments for classical Indian legal and philosophical studies in the country.
BHU is one of the very few universities in India offering a dedicated MA in Dharma Shastra, making it a rare and specialised academic opportunity.
The course is highly relevant for students interested in Hindu law, comparative jurisprudence, and the philosophical foundations of Indian legal traditions.
Graduates can pursue careers in academics, research, Sanskrit education, legal studies, and civil services.

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 (Dharma Shastra) Fees

BHU offers the MA (Dharma Shastra) programme at a highly subsidised fee structure, with total tuition fees of just Rs. 4,000 for the entire 2-year course (Rs. 1,000 per semester). Including other university charges such as registration, development, and caution fees, the total course fee amounts to approximately Rs. 23,500. Hostel accommodation is available separately and is not mandatory.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (INR)
Tuition Fee (per semester)	1,000
Tuition Fee (Total - 4 semesters)	4,000
Other University Charges (Registration, Development, Caution, etc.)	~19,500
Total Course Fees	23,500
Hostel Fee - Male (per year, optional)	5,375

Caution money/security deposit is refundable at the time of leaving the university.
Hostel fees do not include mess/food charges, which are charged separately.
Students from Uttar Pradesh may be eligible for UP Government Post-Matric Scholarship, which can cover a significant portion of fees and hostel charges.
No EMI facility is typically available for such low-fee government university programmes.

BHU MA (Dharma Shastra) Admission 2026

BHU MA (Dharma Shastra) admissions for 2026-27 are based on CUET PG 2026 scores. The CUET PG exam is currently ongoing, and BHU counselling is expected to begin after the declaration of CUET PG results in May 2026. Candidates must register separately on the BHU admission portal after CUET PG results are declared. Based on the 2025 admission cycle, the BHU PG counselling registration typically opens in May-June and the process concludes by August-September.

BHU PG Admission Dates

Event	Tentative Date (2026)
CUET PG 2026 Exam	March 13 - April 1, 2026
CUET PG 2026 Result	May 6, 2026 (Tentative)
BHU PG Counselling Registration Opens	May 2026 (Tentative)
Last Date for BHU PG Registration	June 2026 (Tentative)
Seat Allotment / Round 1	July 2026 (Tentative)
Fee Payment after Allotment	July 2026 (Tentative)
Physical Reporting / Document Verification	August 2026 (Tentative)
Commencement of Classes	August/September 2026 (Tentative)

CUET PG Exam Dates

Event	Date
CUET PG 2026 Registration	December 14, 2025 - January 23, 2026
CUET PG 2026 Form Correction Window	January 28 - January 30, 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 a Bachelor's degree (Shastri/BA with Dharma Shastra, Sanskrit, or related subject) with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate (45% for SC/ST/PwBD candidates).
Candidates must have appeared in CUET PG 2026 and opted for Banaras Hindu University (BHU) at the time of filling the NTA form.
Age: No upper age limit for MA programmes at BHU.

Admission Process

Appear in CUET PG 2026 conducted by NTA and select BHU as a preferred university.
After CUET PG result declaration, register on the BHU CUET PG admission portal (bhucuetpg.samarth.edu.in) by paying the registration fee (Rs. 300 for General/OBC/EWS; Rs. 150 for SC/ST/PwBD).
Seat allotment is done through the Combined Allotment Program (CAP-PG) based on CUET PG score, category, and preferences.
After seat allotment, pay the course fee online within the stipulated deadline.
Report physically to the university with original documents for verification and complete the admission formalities.

BHU MA (Dharma Shastra) Scholarships 2026

BHU offers a range of scholarships and financial aid options to students, making higher education accessible to students from all economic backgrounds. For MA (Dharma Shastra) students, the fees are already highly subsidised, and additional scholarships from government and university sources are available. Students from Uttar Pradesh can benefit significantly from the UP Government Post-Matric Scholarship, while national-level scholarships are available for students from other states.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount / Benefit
UP Government Post-Matric Scholarship	UP domicile students; family income below Rs. 2 lakh (General/OBC) or Rs. 2.5 lakh (SC/ST)	Fee reimbursement + maintenance allowance (varies by category and course)
National Scholarship Portal (NSP) - Post-Matric	SC/ST/OBC/Minority students; family income as per government norms	Up to Rs. 1,200/month (hosteller), Rs. 550/month (day scholar)
BHU Merit Scholarship	1st rank holder in university examination	Rs. 4,000 (one-time)
BHU Merit Scholarship	2nd rank holder in university examination	Rs. 3,000 (one-time)
BHU Scholarship for Economically Weak Students	Family income below Rs. 1 lakh per annum; good academic record and 75% attendance	Free meals (lunch and dinner) for 7 months; Rs. 2,000 annually (for 100 students)
BHU Scholarship for Physically Challenged Students	PwBD students	Rs. 4,000 per year (one-time, for 25 students)
BHU Scholarship for Blind Students	Visually impaired students	Free meals under Annadaan Yojana + Rs. 5,000 annually (for 20 students)

Students already receiving any other scholarship are not eligible for BHU institutional scholarships.
Minimum 75% attendance is mandatory to remain eligible for BHU scholarships.
UP Scholarship applications are typically submitted online through the UP Scholarship portal (scholarship.up.gov.in) at the beginning of each academic year.
NSP scholarships are applied through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in).

BHU MA (Dharma Shastra) FAQs

Ques. What is Dharma Shastra and what does the MA programme cover at BHU?

Ans. Dharma Shastra is the classical Indian science of Dharma, encompassing the study of Smriti literature (including Manusmriti, Yajnavalkyasmriti, Parasharasmriti, etc.), Hindu personal law, social ethics, and the philosophical foundations of righteous conduct. The MA programme at BHU covers the major Smriti texts, their commentaries, the history of Hindu law, and the relationship between Dharma Shastra and modern Indian law.

Ques. Is Dharma Shastra relevant to modern law studies?

Ans. Yes, Dharma Shastra has significant relevance to modern Indian law, particularly in the area of Hindu personal law (marriage, inheritance, adoption, etc.), which is still governed by principles derived from Dharma Shastra texts. Students interested in comparative jurisprudence, legal history, or the philosophical foundations of Indian law will find this course highly valuable. It also provides a strong background for research in legal anthropology and the history of Indian legal traditions.

Ques. What are the career prospects after MA Dharma Shastra from BHU?

Ans. Graduates can pursue careers in academics and research (PhD in Dharma Shastra, Sanskrit, or Indology), teaching at Sanskrit colleges and universities, legal research institutions, and cultural heritage organisations. The course also provides a strong foundation for UPSC Civil Services with Sanskrit or Philosophy as optional subjects. Opportunities also exist in manuscript research and Indological research centres.

Ques. Is CUET PG mandatory for admission to MA Dharma Shastra at BHU?

Ans. Yes, admission to MA Dharma Shastra at BHU is based exclusively on CUET PG scores. Candidates must appear in CUET PG conducted by NTA and must have opted for BHU at the time of filling the NTA application form. There is no separate BHU entrance exam for this course.

Ques. What is the medium of instruction for MA Dharma Shastra at BHU?

Ans. The medium of instruction is primarily Sanskrit and Hindi. Students are expected to have a working knowledge of Sanskrit, as the course involves reading and interpreting original Smriti texts and their classical commentaries.

Ques. Is hostel accommodation available for MA Dharma Shastra students at BHU?

Ans. Hostel accommodation at BHU is available but not guaranteed, and is allotted on a first-come, first-served basis subject to availability. BHU has separate hostels for male and female students. The hostel fee for male students is approximately Rs. 5,375 per year (excluding mess charges). Students are advised to apply for hostel accommodation immediately after securing admission.