Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Master of Arts in Pali at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, is a 2-year full-time postgraduate program offered by the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies under the Faculty of Arts. Pali is the sacred language of Theravada Buddhism and the language in which the Pali Canon (Tipitaka) - the oldest complete collection of Buddhist scriptures - is preserved. This program provides advanced study of Pali language, literature, grammar, and Buddhist philosophy, along with comparative study of Sanskrit and Prakrit. The total tuition fee is Rs. 6,000 for the 2-year course (Rs. 1,500 per semester), with a total course fee of approximately Rs. 25,500 including other charges. The program has a seat intake of 44 seats and admission is based on CUET PG scores. The program is offered in full-time, on-campus mode at BHU's main campus in Varanasi.

Admissions for the 2026-27 session are upcoming. CUET PG 2026 has been conducted from March 13 to April 1, 2026, with results expected around May 6, 2026. BHU's CAP-PG registration for CUET PG 2026 qualified candidates is expected to open tentatively in May-June 2026, with the last date for registration likely around June 2026 (based on the 2025 pattern where registration closed on June 10, 2025).

Key Points

BHU's Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies is one of the most prestigious centers for Pali and Buddhist studies in India, with a long tradition of distinguished scholarship.
Varanasi (Sarnath nearby) is one of the most sacred sites in Buddhism, where the Buddha delivered his first sermon; studying Pali at BHU provides students with an unparalleled cultural and historical context.
The curriculum covers Pali grammar (Kaccayana Vyakarana), Pali literature (Tipitaka texts), Buddhist philosophy (Abhidhamma), and the history of Buddhism in India and Southeast Asia.
Graduates are well-positioned for careers in Buddhist studies, Pali language teaching, research, and work with Buddhist organizations and institutions in India and abroad.
The program has a relatively larger seat intake (44 seats) compared to other specialized language programs at BHU, making it more accessible.

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 (Pali) Fees

The MA (Pali) at BHU has a tuition fee of Rs. 1,500 per semester, totaling Rs. 6,000 for the complete 2-year program. Including other university charges, the total course fee comes to approximately Rs. 25,500. Hostel accommodation is available on campus for eligible students on an optional basis.

Fee Breakdown

Fee Component	Per Semester (Rs.)	Total for 2 Years (Rs.)
Tuition Fee	1,500	6,000
Other University Charges (approx.)	4,875	19,500
Total Fees (excluding hostel)	~6,375	~25,500
Hostel Fee (optional, if availed)	~4,875	~19,500

Fees are subject to revision by the university each academic session.
Hostel accommodation is not mandatory; it is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
For foreign national students (SAARC countries): Development fee of Rs. 45,000 per year is applicable in addition to regular fees.
For foreign national students (Non-SAARC countries): Development fee of Rs. 60,000 per year is applicable.
Fee once paid is generally non-refundable except for the refundable security deposit component.

BHU MA (Pali) Admission 2026

Admissions to MA (Pali) at BHU are conducted through the CUET PG entrance exam administered by NTA. Candidates must first qualify CUET PG and then register through BHU's Combined Allotment Program (CAP-PG). The 2026-27 admission cycle is upcoming; dates below are based on the 2025 cycle and tentative projections for 2026.

BHU Admission Dates

Event	Date (Tentative for 2026)
CUET PG 2026 Exam	March 13 - April 1, 2026
CUET PG 2026 Result	May 6, 2026 (tentative)
BHU CAP-PG 2026 Registration Opens	May 2026 (tentative)
Last Date for BHU CAP-PG Registration	June 2026 (tentative)
BHU Merit List / Seat Allotment	July 2026 (tentative)
Fee Payment and Reporting	July - August 2026 (tentative)
Commencement of Classes	August 2026 (tentative)

Entrance Exam Dates

Event	Date
CUET PG 2026 Registration Start	December 14, 2025
CUET PG 2026 Registration End	January 25, 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 Graduation (Bachelor's degree) from a recognized university with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate.
SC/ST candidates are exempt from the minimum percentage requirement; they only need to have passed the qualifying examination.
OBC and PwBD candidates are eligible for a 5% relaxation in the minimum eligibility marks.

Admission Process

Register for CUET PG 2026 on the NTA portal (exams.nta.ac.in/CUET-PG/).
Appear for the CUET PG exam in the relevant subject paper (Pali).
After CUET PG results, register separately on BHU's CAP-PG portal (bhucuetpg.samarth.edu.in).
Upload required documents including qualifying degree certificate, caste certificate (if applicable), and other supporting documents.
Seat allotment is done based on CUET PG score and category.
Up to 25% of open category seats are reserved for BHU's own students (institutional preference).
Supernumerary seats are available for BHU employee wards, sports quota, and foreign nationals.
Report to the department with original documents and pay the fee within the stipulated time to confirm admission.

BHU MA (Pali) Scholarships 2026

Students admitted to MA (Pali) at BHU can avail of various scholarships from central and state governments as well as BHU's own scholarship schemes. Additionally, several Buddhist organizations and foundations offer scholarships specifically for students of Pali and Buddhist studies.

Available Scholarships

Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount (Approx.)
Post Matric Scholarship (SC/ST) - Central Govt.	SC/ST students with family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh/year	Full tuition fee + maintenance allowance
OBC Post Matric Scholarship - Central Govt.	OBC students with family income below Rs. 1 lakh/year	Tuition fee + maintenance allowance
Prime Minister's Scholarship (PMSS)	Wards of ex-servicemen/paramilitary	Rs. 3,000/month (girls), Rs. 2,500/month (boys)
BHU Merit Scholarship	Top performers in qualifying exam	Variable (based on merit)
National Scholarship Portal (NSP) Schemes	Various categories	Variable
Nalanda University / Buddhist Foundation Scholarships	Students of Buddhist studies	Variable

Students must apply for scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) within the prescribed deadlines, usually in October-November each year.
Several Buddhist organizations and foundations (including international Buddhist organizations) offer scholarships for students of Pali and Buddhist studies; students are encouraged to explore these opportunities.
BHU's own merit scholarships are awarded based on performance in the qualifying examination and are announced at the beginning of the academic session.

BHU MA (Pali) FAQs

Ques. What is the scope of MA (Pali) from BHU in terms of career opportunities?

Ans. Graduates can pursue careers as Pali language teachers in schools and colleges (after qualifying UGC NET/SET), researchers in Buddhist studies and Indology, translators of Pali texts, and can work with Buddhist organizations, monasteries, and cultural institutions in India and abroad (especially in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Japan, and other Buddhist countries). PhD in Pali/Buddhist Studies is a popular next step.

Ques. What is the eligibility for MA (Pali) at BHU?

Ans. Candidates must have passed Graduation (Bachelor's degree) from a recognized university with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate. SC/ST candidates are exempt from the minimum percentage requirement. Admission is through CUET PG scores.

Ques. What was the CUET PG cutoff for MA Pali at BHU in 2025?

Ans. The CUET PG 2025 cutoff for MA Pali at BHU (Round 1) was 126 marks for the General category. In 2024, the cutoff was 51 marks for the General category. The variation suggests that the cutoff depends heavily on the number of applicants each year.

Ques. Is prior knowledge of Pali required for admission to MA (Pali) at BHU?

Ans. No prior knowledge of Pali is strictly required for admission, as the eligibility is a general Graduation degree. However, students with a background in Sanskrit, Pali, or Buddhist studies at the undergraduate level will find the program easier to follow. The department provides foundational training in Pali grammar and language from the beginning.

Ques. What is the connection between Pali and Buddhism?

Ans. Pali is the liturgical language of Theravada Buddhism and the language in which the Pali Canon (Tipitaka) - the oldest complete collection of Buddhist scriptures - is preserved. Studying Pali provides direct access to the original teachings of the Buddha and is essential for serious scholars of Buddhism.

Ques. Are there international opportunities for MA (Pali) graduates from BHU?

Ans. Yes. Graduates of MA (Pali) from BHU are well-regarded internationally, especially in Theravada Buddhist countries like Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos. Many graduates pursue further studies or research positions at international Buddhist universities and institutes. BHU's reputation in Pali and Buddhist studies opens doors to international academic and cultural exchange programs.