Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

Banaras Hindu University (BHU), one of India's most prestigious central universities, offers the Master of Arts [MA] in Gender Studies as a Special Course under the Institute of Eminence (IoE) initiative, through the Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences. This is a 2-year full-time postgraduate programme spread over 4 semesters, with a seat intake of 35 (minimum 8, maximum 35). The course provides a comprehensive interdisciplinary study of gender, covering feminist theory, gender and development, gender and law, gender and health, intersectionality, and related areas. The total fee for the programme is Rs. 1,06,000 for the entire 2-year course (Rs. 53,000 per year), comprising a regular fee of Rs. 2,582 per annum and a special course fee of Rs. 50,000 per annum. Admission is based on CUET-PG scores, and the programme is popular among students from social sciences, humanities, and law backgrounds who wish to pursue careers in gender research, policy, and advocacy.

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 exam was conducted between March 6 and March 27, 2026, and results were declared on May 6, 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

MA Gender Studies at BHU is a Special Course offered under the Institute of Eminence (IoE) initiative, reflecting BHU's commitment to interdisciplinary and contemporary social science education.
The programme is offered by the Department of Sociology, one of the leading sociology departments in India, with a strong tradition of social science research.
The course is interdisciplinary in nature, drawing from sociology, political science, history, law, economics, and public health to provide a holistic understanding of gender.
BHU's Centre for Women Studies and Development provides additional academic and research support to students of this programme.
Graduates are well-positioned for careers in gender research, policy advocacy, NGOs, international development organisations, and academia.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Cutoff
FAQs

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BHU MA Gender Studies Fees

MA Gender Studies at BHU is a Special Course under the IoE initiative, and therefore carries a higher fee compared to regular PG courses at BHU. The total fee for the 2-year programme is Rs. 1,06,000, comprising a regular university fee and a special course fee. The annual fee is Rs. 53,000 per year. Hostel fees are separate and optional.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (Per Annum)
Regular University Fee	Rs. 2,582
Special Course Fee	Rs. 50,000
Total Annual Fee	Rs. 52,582
Total Fee for 2 Years	Rs. 1,05,164

Note: The total fee as reported by official sources is approximately Rs. 1,06,000 for the full 2-year course. Minor variations may occur due to revision of fee components.

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.
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.
The special course fee is over and above the regular university fee and is non-negotiable.

BHU MA Gender Studies Admission 2026

Admission to MA Gender Studies at BHU is based on CUET-PG scores. Candidates must first appear in CUET-PG in the relevant test paper (COQP11 - General/Interdisciplinary) 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.

BHU PG Admission Schedule

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

Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university, 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.
The minimum number of seats for the course to run is 8; if fewer than 8 candidates are admitted, the course may not be offered for that session.

Admission Process

Appear in CUET-PG 2026 in the relevant test paper (COQP11).
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 (including special course fee) within the stipulated deadline to confirm the seat.
Report to the Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, BHU, for document verification and physical reporting.

BHU MA Gender Studies Scholarships 2026

BHU offers several scholarships and financial aid options to students. However, since MA Gender Studies is a Special Course with a higher fee structure, students should note that most BHU internal scholarships are primarily applicable to regular fee courses. Government scholarships such as UP Post-Matric Scholarship and NSP are available to eligible students regardless of course type.

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 (covers regular fee component; special course fee may not be covered)
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 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.
The special course fee of Rs. 50,000 per annum may not be covered by government scholarships; students should verify this with the scholarship authority before applying.

BHU MA Gender Studies FAQs

Ques. Why is the fee for MA Gender Studies at BHU higher than other MA programmes?

Ans. MA Gender Studies at BHU is a Special Course offered under the Institute of Eminence (IoE) initiative. Special Courses at BHU are run on a self-financing basis and have a higher fee structure compared to regular general courses. The special course fee of Rs. 50,000 per annum is in addition to the regular university fee of Rs. 2,582 per annum, making the total annual fee approximately Rs. 52,582. This is still significantly lower than similar programmes at private universities.

Ques. Is MA Gender Studies at BHU an interdisciplinary programme?

Ans. Yes, MA Gender Studies at BHU is an interdisciplinary programme that draws from sociology, political science, history, law, economics, and public health. The programme is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of gender as a social, cultural, political, and economic construct. Students from diverse academic backgrounds (social sciences, humanities, law, etc.) are encouraged to apply.

Ques. What is the difference between MA Gender Studies and the PG Diploma in Gender and Women Studies at BHU?

Ans. MA Gender Studies is a 2-year full-time postgraduate degree programme offered under the Department of Sociology (IoE Special Course), with a total fee of approximately Rs. 1,06,000. The PG Diploma in Gender and Women Studies is a 1-year full-time programme offered by the Centre for Women Studies and Development, with a fee of Rs. 8,000 per semester (Rs. 16,000 total). The MA is a more comprehensive and research-oriented programme, while the PG Diploma is a shorter, more focused course.

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

Ans. Graduates can pursue careers in gender research and policy, NGOs and civil society organisations, international development agencies (UN Women, UNICEF, WHO, etc.), government bodies dealing with women and child development, academia (as lecturers/professors in gender studies, sociology, and women's studies departments), journalism and media, and social entrepreneurship. The degree is also a strong foundation for PhD research in gender studies, sociology, and related fields.

Ques. Is the minimum seat requirement of 8 a concern for MA Gender Studies at BHU?

Ans. The minimum seat requirement means that if fewer than 8 candidates are admitted, the course may not run for that session. However, given the growing interest in gender studies and BHU's reputation, this has not been a significant concern in recent years. The CUET-PG 2025 cutoff for MA Gender Studies at BHU was around 61-66 marks (out of 200), indicating reasonable demand for the programme.

Ques. Can students from science or engineering backgrounds apply for MA Gender Studies at BHU?

Ans. Yes, the eligibility for MA Gender Studies at BHU is a Bachelor's degree in any discipline with a minimum of 50% marks. Students from science, engineering, medicine, or any other background are eligible to apply. The interdisciplinary nature of the programme makes it accessible and relevant to students from diverse academic backgrounds who are interested in gender and social justice issues.