Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Master of Arts in Samveda, offered under the Faculty of Sanskrit Vidya Dharma Vijnana at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, is a 2-year full-time postgraduate program (officially designated as "Acharya in Samveda" - PG0283 - in BHU's nomenclature). The Samveda, known as the "Veda of Melodies," is the third of the four Vedas and is primarily a liturgical collection of hymns set to musical notes. This program provides advanced study of Samveda's Samhita, Brahmana (Panchavimsha and Sadvimsha), Aranyaka, and Upanishads (Chandogya and Kena), along with Vedic phonetics, grammar, and ritual science. The total tuition fee is just Rs. 4,000 for the entire 2-year course (Rs. 1,000 per semester), making it extremely affordable. The program is offered in full-time, on-campus mode at BHU's main campus in Varanasi, and admission is based on CUET PG scores.

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

Samveda is unique among the Vedas for its musical tradition; this program provides specialized training in Samagana (Vedic chanting with musical notes), which is a rare skill preserved at BHU.
The program is offered under the Department of Veda, Faculty of Sanskrit Vidya Dharma Vijnana, one of the most distinguished centers for Vedic studies in India.
BHU is among the very few institutions in India offering a dedicated postgraduate program in Samveda, preserving this ancient musical-Vedic tradition.
The curriculum includes study of Samhita, Brahmana texts, Aranyaka, Chandogya Upanishad, and Kena Upanishad, along with Vedic grammar and phonetics.
Graduates are equipped for careers in Vedic scholarship, teaching, research, and preservation of India's intangible cultural heritage.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
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 (Samveda) Fees

The MA (Samveda) at BHU carries a nominal tuition fee of Rs. 1,000 per semester, totaling Rs. 4,000 for the complete 2-year program. This makes it one of the most affordable postgraduate programs in the country. Additional university charges are applicable per semester. Hostel accommodation is available on campus for eligible students on an optional basis.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Per Semester (Rs.)	Total for 2 Years (Rs.)
Tuition Fee	1,000	4,000
Other University Charges (approx.)	4,375	17,500
Total Fees (excluding hostel)	~5,375	~21,500
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 (Samveda) Admission 2026

Admissions to MA (Samveda) 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 Shastri (Hons.) / Shastri in Samveda with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate from a recognized university.
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.
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 (Samveda) Scholarships 2026

Students admitted to MA (Samveda) at BHU can avail of various scholarships from central and state governments as well as BHU's own scholarship schemes. Given the very low tuition fee, even modest scholarships can cover a significant portion of the overall cost of education.

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

Students must apply for scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) within the prescribed deadlines, usually in October-November each year.
BHU's own merit scholarships are awarded based on performance in the qualifying examination and are announced at the beginning of the academic session.
SC/ST students are strongly encouraged to apply for the Post Matric Scholarship as it covers most of the course expenses.

BHU MA (Samveda) FAQs

Ques. What is the difference between MA (Samveda) and Acharya in Samveda at BHU?

Ans. They are the same program. BHU officially calls it "Acharya in Samveda" (PG0283) under the Faculty of Sanskrit Vidya Dharma Vijnana. The "MA" designation is used in common parlance and in some databases. The degree awarded by BHU is "Acharya," which is recognized as equivalent to a Master's degree.

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

Ans. Candidates must have passed Shastri (Hons.) or Shastri in Samveda with at least 50% marks in aggregate from a recognized university. SC/ST candidates are exempt from the minimum percentage requirement. Admission is through CUET PG scores.

Ques. Is Samagana (Vedic musical chanting) taught as part of this program?

Ans. Yes. Samagana, the unique musical tradition of the Samveda, is an integral part of the curriculum. Students learn the traditional method of chanting Samaveda hymns with their prescribed musical notes (svaras), which is a rare and endangered art form being preserved at BHU.

Ques. What career opportunities are available after MA (Samveda) from BHU?

Ans. Graduates can work as Vedic scholars, Sanskrit/Vedic teachers in schools and colleges (after qualifying UGC NET/SET), researchers in Vedic musicology and Vedic studies, Vedic priests, and can contribute to organizations working on preservation of India's intangible cultural heritage. PhD in Vedic studies is also a popular next step. Government positions in Sanskrit academies and Kendriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha are also available.

Ques. How competitive is admission to MA (Samveda) at BHU?

Ans. The program has a very limited seat intake (typically 10-20 seats across all categories). However, since the eligibility is restricted to Shastri graduates in Samveda, the applicant pool is also small, making competition relatively manageable compared to mainstream MA programs.

Ques. Can I pursue PhD in Samveda after completing this program from BHU?

Ans. Yes. BHU offers PhD programs in Vedic studies through the Department of Veda, Faculty of Sanskrit Vidya Dharma Vijnana. Graduates of the Acharya (MA) program in Samveda are eligible to apply for PhD admission, subject to qualifying the relevant entrance test and meeting other eligibility criteria.