Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Master of Arts in History at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi is a 2-year full-time postgraduate programme offered by the Department of History under the Faculty of Social Sciences. The programme covers ancient, medieval, and modern Indian history, world history, historiography, historical methodology, economic history, social history, and the history of science and technology. BHU's Department of History is one of the most reputed in India, with distinguished faculty including noted academicians like Dr. A.K. Singh and Prof. M.N.P. Tiwari. The total tuition fee for the regular seat is just Rs. 6,000 for the entire 2-year course, and admission is based on CUET-PG scores. The programme is popular among students aspiring to careers in academia, civil services, archaeology, heritage management, and archival studies.

Admission for the 2026-27 session is currently in progress. CUET-PG 2026 was conducted between March 13 and April 1, 2026, and results are expected in May 2026. Based on the 2025 pattern, BHU typically opens its PG admission portal in May-June 2026, with multiple rounds of seat allotment between July and September 2026.

Key Points

BHU's Department of History is one of the oldest and most reputed history departments in India, with a strong tradition of academic excellence and research in Indian and world history.
The programme covers all major periods of history - ancient, medieval, and modern - with special emphasis on Indian history, which is particularly relevant for UPSC Civil Services preparation.
Varanasi's rich historical heritage, as one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, provides a unique living laboratory for historical study and research.
The department also offers related programmes including MA in Heritage Management and MA in Archival Studies and Management, providing students with diverse specialisation options.
SC and ST students are exempt from tuition fees, making the programme highly accessible for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
The programme is well-suited for students aspiring to careers in the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), National Archives, state archives, museums, and heritage management.

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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 (History) Fees

The MA History programme at BHU is extremely affordable, with a total tuition fee of just Rs. 6,000 for the entire 2-year course (Rs. 1,500 per semester). SC and ST students are exempt from tuition fees. Hostel accommodation is available at approximately Rs. 5,375 per year for male students, excluding mess charges.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Regular Seat (Per Semester)	Regular Seat (Total - 2 Years)
Tuition Fee	Rs. 1,500	Rs. 6,000
Other Academic Charges	Included in tuition	Included in tuition
Total Fees (Academic)	Rs. 1,500	Rs. 6,000
Hostel Fees (Optional)	-	Rs. 5,375/year (approx.)

SC and ST students are exempt from tuition fees as per BHU policy.
Hostel fees are not mandatory and are charged separately. The amount mentioned is for the cheapest available option and excludes mess charges.
A caution/security deposit may be collected at the time of admission, which is refundable at the end of the course.
All government scholarships (UP Scholarship, NSP, etc.) are applicable for eligible students.
Free medical checkups and treatment are available at BHU hospital for all enrolled students.

BHU MA (History) Admission 2026

Admission to MA History at BHU is entirely merit-based through CUET-PG scores. The 2026 admission cycle is currently in progress, with CUET-PG 2026 having been conducted between March 13 and April 1, 2026. Results are expected in May 2026, after which BHU will announce its admission schedule. Based on the previous year's pattern, counselling and seat allotment rounds are expected between June and September 2026.

BHU MA History 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 Admission Portal Opens	May - June 2026 (Tentative)
Round 1 Seat Allotment	July 2026 (Tentative)
Fee Payment - Round 1	July 2026 (Tentative)
Physical Reporting - Round 1	July - August 2026 (Tentative)
Round 2 / Round 3 Allotment	August 2026 (Tentative)
Mop-Up Round	September 2026 (Tentative)
Last Date of Fee Payment - Mop-Up Round	September 18, 2025 (2025 reference); September 2026 (Tentative)
Physical Reporting - Mop-Up Round	September 19, 2025 (2025 reference); September 2026 (Tentative)
Batch Commencement	October 2026 (Tentative)

CUET-PG 2026 Exam Dates

Event	Date
CUET-PG 2026 Registration	December 14, 2025 - January 25, 2026
CUET-PG 2026 Form Correction	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 in any discipline from a recognised university under the 10+2+3 pattern with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD; SC/ST candidates need only pass the qualifying examination).
Candidates appearing in their final year of graduation are also eligible to apply, subject to fulfilling the eligibility at the time of admission.
While History as a subject in graduation is preferred, students from any discipline can apply.

Admission Process

Register and appear for CUET-PG 2026 conducted by NTA, selecting the relevant History paper.
After results are declared, register on BHU's admission portal (bhucuetpg.samarth.edu.in) and fill in course preferences.
Seat allotment is done in multiple rounds based on CUET-PG score, category, and seat availability.
Candidates allotted seats must pay the admission fee online within the stipulated deadline.
Physical reporting at the Department of History, BHU with original documents is mandatory to confirm admission.

BHU: Students' Opinion

AI-Generated Summary based on 3 Reviews

Banaras Hindu University (BHU) is a prestigious Indian institute known for its excellence in humanities and science. Admission to BHU is competitive, requiring thorough preparation after 12th grade or post-graduation. The faculty is highly skilled and engaging, featuring notable academicians like Dr. A.K. Singh and Prof. M.N.P. Tiwari. The university's fee structure is affordable, with variations depending on the course. Regular courses start at 2,000 INR, while paid seats can cost up to 200,000 INR.

Economically disadvantaged SC and ST students are exempt from fees, and there is a minimal fee for medical facilities. BHU offers moderate placement opportunities, especially in History of Art and Tourism, with about 60% of students securing positions in companies such as Amazon. However, History Master's graduates often pursue academic or public service careers. The university supports students through national and state scholarships, loan facilities for professional courses, and offers a fee waiver of around 1,000 INR for certain courses.

BHU is noted for being more affordable compared to other Indian universities, providing excellent facilities at low costs.

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BHU MA (History) Scholarships 2026

BHU MA History students can avail a range of scholarships from both the university and government sources. SC and ST students benefit from fee exemption, while other eligible students can avail UP Scholarship and NSP. The university also offers merit-based and need-based scholarships.

Available Scholarships

Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount	Offered By
SC/ST Fee Exemption	SC and ST students	Full tuition fee waiver	BHU
UP Post-Matric Scholarship	UP domicile students; family income below Rs. 2 lakh (General/OBC) or Rs. 2.5 lakh (SC/ST)	Covers tuition fee + maintenance allowance	UP Government
National Scholarship Portal (NSP) - Post-Matric	Students from SC/ST/OBC/Minority/EBC categories; family income criteria apply	Varies by category; covers tuition + maintenance	Central Government
BHU Merit Scholarship	Rank 1 holder in semester exams	Rs. 4,000 (one-time)	BHU
BHU Merit Scholarship (2nd Rank)	Rank 2 holder in semester exams	Rs. 3,000 (one-time)	BHU
BHU Economically Weak Students Scholarship	Family income below Rs. 1 lakh/year	Free meals (lunch + dinner) for 7 months + Rs. 2,000/year	BHU
UGC JRF (post-programme)	Qualify UGC NET with JRF in History	Rs. 37,000/month (Junior); Rs. 42,000/month (Senior)	UGC

Students already receiving any other scholarship are not eligible for BHU's internal scholarships.
UP Scholarship applications are typically open between July and October each year.
NSP applications open annually; students must register on scholarships.gov.in.

BHU MA (History) FAQs

Ques. Is MA History from BHU useful for UPSC Civil Services preparation?

Ans. Yes, History is one of the most popular optional subjects for UPSC Civil Services, and MA History from BHU provides an excellent foundation. BHU's curriculum covers ancient, medieval, and modern Indian history in depth, which aligns well with the UPSC History optional syllabus. The academic environment at BHU, with regular seminars and access to primary historical sources in Varanasi's archives and libraries, further enhances preparation for competitive exams.

Ques. What CUET-PG score is needed for MA History at BHU?

Ans. Based on the 2025 admission cycle, the Round 1 cutoff for General category was 176 marks, which came down to 155 in the final Mop-Up round. For OBC, it was 165 (Round 1) to 147 (Mop-Up). SC category cutoff was 140 (Round 1) to 120 (Mop-Up). EWS cutoff was 175 in Round 1. These scores can vary year to year.

Ques. What career options are available after MA History from BHU?

Ans. MA History from BHU opens up diverse career paths including: teaching and research (UGC NET/JRF), civil services (UPSC, state PSCs with History optional), Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), National Archives of India, state archives, museum curation, heritage management, tourism and travel management, journalism and media, and documentary filmmaking. The department also offers related programmes in Heritage Management and Archival Studies for specialised careers.

Ques. What is the difference between MA History and MA in Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology (AIHCA) at BHU?

Ans. BHU offers two separate programmes: MA History (Department of History, Faculty of Social Sciences) and MA in Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology (Department of AIHCA, Faculty of Arts). MA History covers all periods of history - ancient, medieval, and modern - with a broader scope. MA AIHCA focuses specifically on ancient Indian history, culture, and archaeological methods. Students interested in archaeology and ancient India should opt for MA AIHCA, while those interested in a broader historical education should opt for MA History.

Ques. Does BHU's History department have good faculty?

Ans. Yes, BHU's Department of History has a distinguished faculty including noted academicians like Dr. A.K. Singh and Prof. M.N.P. Tiwari. The department regularly organises seminars, workshops, and guest lectures by eminent historians. Varanasi's rich historical heritage and proximity to important archaeological sites like Sarnath, Chunar, and Varanasi's own ancient monuments provide unique opportunities for field study.

Ques. Can I pursue PhD in History from BHU after MA?

Ans. Yes, BHU offers PhD in History through its Department of History. Admission is based on UGC NET/JRF scores or BHU's Research Entrance Test (RET). The department has active research in areas such as ancient Indian history, medieval history, colonial history, social history, and economic history. Students with UGC JRF receive a monthly fellowship during their PhD tenure. BHU also offers related PhD programmes in Heritage Management and Archival Studies.

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Ritika Ambastha

3.1

MA, History

Reviewed on Jun 11, 2021(Enrolled 2019)

Much more is to be done

Fees and Financial Aid:

Fees are 10000-11000 it is affordable to me. Only U. P students are provided scholarship. I haven't got a scholarship. No campus job is provided to us. As my subject is the history we don't get any placement in college.

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Samayvats

3.6

MA, History

Reviewed on Nov 13, 2020(Enrolled 2019)

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Fees and Financial Aid:

Banaras Hindu university is too cheap than other India universities... And serving great facilities in low cost .

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Ratna Shankar Pandey

4.1Helpful

MA, History

Reviewed on May 11, 2020

Best College for Arts in Asia

Fees and Financial Aid:

No I have not opted for any scholarship but we had option for fee waiver for almost every student in which tution fee can be waived off which is around 1000 in my course. But in other course it is different

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Vipin kumar

4.8Helpful

MA, History

Reviewed on Jul 18, 2019

Faculty of social sciences

Fees and Financial Aid:

Students can apply for national scholarship or state scholarship. Laon facility is also available for professional course students. My course is not professional so I am unable for applying loan. This time I am not availed for any scholarship or loan.

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