Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Master of Arts [MA] in Puranetihasa at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi is a 2-year full-time postgraduate programme offered by the Faculty of Sanskrit Vidya Dharma Vijnana (SVDV). Puranetihasa is the study of the Puranas (ancient Indian encyclopaedic texts) and Itihasa (epics - Ramayana and Mahabharata), which form the core of the Smriti tradition of Indian literature. This programme provides advanced study of the major Puranas (Vishnu Purana, Bhagavata Purana, Shiva Purana, etc.), the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, and their philosophical, cultural, and literary dimensions. BHU's Faculty of SVDV is one of the most prestigious centres for traditional Sanskrit and Vedic studies in India. The total tuition fee is Rs. 4,000 for the entire 2-year course, making it one of the most affordable postgraduate programmes in India. Admission is based on CUET-PG scores, and the course is offered in full-time on-campus mode.

Admissions for the 2026-27 session are currently in progress. CUET-PG 2026 exams were conducted from March 6 to March 27, 2026, and results are expected by May 6, 2026. BHU's Combined Allotment Program (CAP-PG 2026) registration is expected to open in May-June 2026 (tentative, based on last year's schedule when registration opened on May 22, 2025).

Key Points

Puranetihasa is a unique discipline that combines the study of the Puranas and the great epics (Ramayana and Mahabharata) within the Sanskrit literary tradition.
BHU's Faculty of SVDV is one of the most prestigious centres for traditional Sanskrit studies in India, with a century-long legacy.
The CUET-PG cutoff for MA Puranetihasa is low (104 for General in 2024), making it accessible to dedicated students of Sanskrit and Indian literature.
BHU offers a 25% institutional preference to its own undergraduate students in the open category during seat allotment.
Graduates are eligible for UGC NET in Sanskrit for academic positions and research fellowships.

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 Puranetihasa Fees

The MA Puranetihasa programme at BHU is one of the most affordable postgraduate programmes in India. The total tuition fee for the entire 2-year course is Rs. 4,000. Hostel accommodation is available at nominal charges and is not mandatory.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Per Semester (INR)	Total (2 Years / 4 Semesters) (INR)
Tuition Fee	1,000	4,000
Total Fees	1,000	4,000

Hostel fee (optional): Approximately Rs. 5,375 per year for male students (double-seater); charges may vary by hostel type.
Hostel is not mandatory; students may opt for private accommodation.
Fees are subject to revision by the university; candidates should verify the latest fee structure from the official BHU admission bulletin.
SC/ST students may avail deferred fee payment options.

BHU MA Puranetihasa Admission 2026

BHU MA Puranetihasa admissions for 2026-27 are based on CUET-PG 2026 scores. The CUET-PG exam has been conducted and results are awaited. Candidates who qualify CUET-PG must separately register for BHU's Combined Allotment Program (CAP-PG 2026) once the portal opens. The admission process involves multiple allotment rounds, and candidates must complete fee payment within the stipulated deadline to confirm their seat.

Important Dates

Event	Date
CUET-PG 2026 Registration Start	December 14, 2025
CUET-PG 2026 Registration End	January 23, 2026 (extended to January 25, 2026)
CUET-PG 2026 Admit Card Release	March 3, 2026
CUET-PG 2026 Exam Dates	March 6 - March 27, 2026
CUET-PG 2026 Result	May 6, 2026 (Tentative)
BHU CAP-PG 2026 Registration Opens	May-June 2026 (Tentative)
BHU CAP-PG 2026 Registration Closes	June 2026 (Tentative)
BHU Allotment Round 1	July 2026 (Tentative)
Fee Payment / Seat Confirmation	July-August 2026 (Tentative)
Mop-Up Round (if applicable)	August-September 2026 (Tentative)
Classes Begin	October 2026 (Tentative)

Event	Date
Registration Start	December 14, 2025
Registration End	January 23-25, 2026
Admit Card	March 3, 2026
Exam Date	March 6 - March 27, 2026
Result	May 6, 2026 (Tentative)

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree (Shastri / BA / BA Hons.) in Sanskrit, Puranetihasa, or a related subject from a recognized university, with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate.
Minimum 45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates.
Candidates appearing in their final year of graduation are also eligible to apply, subject to meeting the criteria at the time of admission.

Admission Process

Register for CUET-PG 2026 on the NTA portal (exams.nta.nic.in/cuet-pg/).
Appear for the CUET-PG 2026 examination in the Sanskrit paper.
After CUET-PG result declaration, register separately on BHU's CAP-PG portal (bhucuetpg.samarth.edu.in).
Fill in programme preferences and submit the application with the required fee.
Participate in the allotment rounds; accept the allotted seat online.
Complete fee payment within the deadline to confirm admission.
Report physically to the Faculty of SVDV, BHU, for document verification and enrollment.

BHU MA Puranetihasa Scholarships 2026

BHU offers a range of institutional and government-backed scholarships to MA Puranetihasa students. Given the very low fee structure, most students benefit significantly from government scholarship schemes. Several national fellowships for Sanskrit studies are also available.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount / Benefit
UP Government Scholarship (Pre/Post Matric)	UP domicile students; family income below Rs. 2 lakh (OBC/General) or Rs. 2.5 lakh (SC/ST)	Fee reimbursement + maintenance allowance; up to Rs. 30,000-60,000 per year depending on category
National Scholarship Portal (NSP) - Central Sector Scheme	Top 20 percentile in Class 12; family income below Rs. 8 lakh	Rs. 10,000 per year for PG students
Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan Scholarship	Students of Sanskrit studies; merit-based	Stipend for advanced Sanskrit studies
BHU Merit Scholarship (Rank Holders)	1st and 2nd rank holders in university examinations	Rs. 4,000 (1st rank) and Rs. 3,000 (2nd rank) one-time reward
SC/ST Deferred Fee Payment	SC/ST students	Tuition fee payment deferred; paid in installments after employment

UP Scholarship applications are submitted through scholarship.up.gov.in.
NSP applications are submitted through scholarships.gov.in.
Candidates must maintain 75% attendance to remain eligible for BHU institutional scholarships.
Application deadlines for government scholarships are typically between October and December each year.

BHU MA Puranetihasa FAQs

Q1. What is Puranetihasa and what does the MA programme at BHU cover?

Ans. Puranetihasa is the combined study of the Puranas (ancient Indian encyclopaedic texts covering cosmology, genealogy, mythology, and philosophy) and Itihasa (the great epics - Ramayana and Mahabharata). The MA programme at BHU covers the major Puranas (Vishnu Purana, Bhagavata Purana, Shiva Purana, Devi Bhagavata, etc.), the Valmiki Ramayana, the Mahabharata, and their philosophical, cultural, and literary dimensions.

Q2. What is the CUET-PG cutoff for MA Puranetihasa at BHU?

Ans. In 2024, the CUET-PG cutoff for MA Puranetihasa at BHU was 104 for the General category, which remained consistent across all rounds. The cutoff is low compared to mainstream MA programmes, reflecting the specialized nature of the course.

Q3. What career options are available after MA Puranetihasa from BHU?

Ans. Graduates of MA Puranetihasa from BHU can pursue careers as Sanskrit scholars and researchers, college and university lecturers (after UGC NET in Sanskrit), researchers at institutions like Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, and similar organizations, Sanskrit teachers in schools and gurukuls, and government Sanskrit promotion officers.

Q4. Is MA Puranetihasa different from MA Sanskrit at BHU?

Ans. Yes, MA Puranetihasa is a specialized programme focusing specifically on the Puranas and Itihasa (epics), while MA Sanskrit is a broader programme covering Sanskrit grammar, literature, philosophy, and various branches of Sanskrit learning. Both are offered by the Faculty of SVDV at BHU.

Q5. Can MA Puranetihasa graduates appear for UGC NET?

Ans. Yes, MA Puranetihasa graduates from BHU can appear for UGC NET in Sanskrit to qualify for Assistant Professor positions in Sanskrit departments. The UGC NET Sanskrit paper covers Sanskrit grammar, literature, philosophy, and Vedic studies including Puranas and Itihasa.

Q6. What is the significance of studying Puranetihasa at BHU in Varanasi?

Ans. Varanasi (Kashi) has been the most important centre of Sanskrit learning in India for millennia. BHU's Faculty of SVDV continues this tradition with a unique combination of traditional gurukul-style learning and modern academic methods. The city itself is deeply connected to the Puranic tradition, with numerous temples, ghats, and sacred sites mentioned in the Puranas. Studying Puranetihasa at BHU in Varanasi provides an unparalleled immersive experience in the living tradition of Sanskrit and Puranic culture.