Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The MA (Manuscriptology and Paleography) is a 2-year full-time postgraduate programme offered by the Department of Persian under the Faculty of Arts at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. Manuscriptology is the scientific study of manuscripts, encompassing the identification, dating, conservation, and critical editing of handwritten texts from ancient and medieval periods. Paleography is the study of historical handwriting systems and scripts. Together, these disciplines form a critical foundation for the preservation and study of India's vast manuscript heritage. The course spans 4 semesters with a total intake of 20 seats, and is offered in on-campus mode. Total tuition fees for the 2-year programme are Rs. 6,000 (Rs. 1,500 per semester), with total course fees of Rs. 25,500. Admission is based on CUET PG scores.

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 (admission.bhu.ac.in) for counselling registration dates.

Key Points

Manuscriptology and Paleography is a rare and specialised academic discipline, and BHU is one of the very few universities in India offering a dedicated MA in this subject.
India has one of the world's largest manuscript heritages, with millions of manuscripts in Sanskrit, Arabic, Persian, and regional languages, making this programme highly relevant for cultural preservation.
The programme equips students with skills in manuscript identification, dating, conservation, critical editing, and digital preservation, which are in demand at national archives, libraries, and research institutions.
BHU's location in Varanasi, one of the oldest cities in the world and a major centre of Sanskrit and manuscript studies, provides students with unparalleled access to manuscript collections and scholarly resources.
Graduates can pursue careers in national archives, manuscript libraries, cultural heritage organisations, and academic research.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
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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 (Manuscriptology) Fees

BHU offers the MA (Manuscriptology) programme at a highly subsidised fee structure, with total tuition fees of Rs. 6,000 for the entire 2-year course (Rs. 1,500 per semester). Including other university charges such as registration, development, and caution fees, the total course fee amounts to Rs. 25,500. Hostel accommodation is available separately and is not mandatory.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (INR)
Tuition Fee (per semester)	1,500
Tuition Fee (Total - 4 semesters)	6,000
Other University Charges (Registration, Development, Caution, etc.)	~19,500
Total Course Fees	25,500
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 (Manuscriptology) Admission 2026

BHU MA (Manuscriptology) 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 BA (Hons.) or BA degree under the 10+2+3 pattern with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks (45% for OBC/PwBD candidates; no minimum percentage required for SC/ST candidates, only passing required).
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 CAP-PG admission portal (admission.bhu.ac.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 (Manuscriptology) 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 (Manuscriptology) 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 (Manuscriptology) FAQs

Ques. What is Manuscriptology and Paleography, and what does the MA programme cover at BHU?

Ans. Manuscriptology is the scientific study of manuscripts, encompassing their identification, dating, physical description, conservation, and critical editing. Paleography is the study of historical handwriting systems and scripts. The MA programme at BHU covers the history and classification of Indian manuscripts, major script systems (Devanagari, Sharada, Grantha, etc.), manuscript conservation techniques, critical editing methodology, and the use of digital tools for manuscript preservation and dissemination.

Ques. What career opportunities are available after MA Manuscriptology from BHU?

Ans. Graduates can pursue careers at national archives (National Archives of India, state archives), manuscript libraries (National Mission for Manuscripts, Saraswati Mahal Library, etc.), cultural heritage organisations (ASI, IGNCA), academic research institutions, and universities. The National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM) under the Ministry of Culture regularly recruits manuscript specialists. Graduates can also pursue PhD in Manuscriptology, Indology, or related subjects.

Ques. Is there a National Mission for Manuscripts that supports this field?

Ans. Yes, the National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM), established by the Government of India under the Ministry of Culture, is dedicated to the documentation, conservation, and dissemination of India's manuscript heritage. NMM has identified over 5 million manuscripts across India and provides employment opportunities for trained manuscriptologists. Graduates of this programme are well-positioned for careers with NMM and its network of Manuscript Resource Centres (MRCs) across the country.

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

Ans. Yes, admission to MA Manuscriptology 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 Manuscriptology at BHU?

Ans. The medium of instruction is primarily Hindi and English, with significant emphasis on Sanskrit, Arabic, and Persian scripts depending on the manuscript traditions being studied. Students are expected to have a working knowledge of at least one classical language (Sanskrit, Arabic, or Persian) to effectively engage with manuscript texts.

Ques. Is hostel accommodation available for MA Manuscriptology 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.