Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

Banaras Hindu University's Ph.D. in Zoology is a 3-year full-time doctoral programme offered through the Department of Zoology under the Institute of Science (Faculty of Science). Founded in 1921, the Department of Zoology at BHU is one of the leading zoology departments in India with over a century of research excellence. The programme covers diverse research areas including cancer biology, molecular zoology, fish biology, ethology, taxonomy, conservation biology, animal physiology, parasitology, and molecular & human genetics. The total course fee is approximately Rs. 33,055 for the entire 3-year duration. Admission is based on UGC/CSIR NET scores (RET mode) or JRF qualification (RET-Exempted mode), with a seat intake of 32 seats (8 under RET mode and 24 under RET-Exempted mode) as per the 2026-27 bulletin - making it one of the largest PhD programmes in the Faculty of Science at BHU. BHU is ranked 6th among Indian universities by NIRF 2025 and is recognised as an Institution of Eminence by the Ministry of Education.

Admission for the 2026-27 session has been completed. The first cycle registration was open from December 3 to December 16, 2026, with interviews held between January 5 and January 16, 2027, and results published between January 24 and February 5, 2027. The second cycle of admissions began from February 12, 2027. For the upcoming 2027-28 session, applications are tentatively expected to open in August 2027, based on the previous year's schedule.

Key Points

Offered by the Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, BHU - founded in 1921, one of the oldest and most distinguished zoology departments in India.
Research areas include cancer biology, molecular zoology, fish biology, ethology, taxonomy, conservation biology, animal physiology, parasitology, and molecular genetics.
The department has faculty with national recognition including Ramalingaswami Fellows, reflecting high research calibre.
Allied disciplines accepted include Animal Science, Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Biotechnology, and Molecular & Human Genetics, broadening eligibility.
With 32 total seats (8 RET + 24 RET-Exempted), this is one of the largest PhD programmes in the Faculty of Science at BHU.
Candidates with JRF (UGC/CSIR/DBT/ICMR) qualify for direct admission under the RET-Exempted category with 100% interview weightage.
Non-NET PhD scholars are eligible for BHU's Non-NET Fellowship of Rs. 8,000 per month for up to 4 years.

293 Views Last Year

9 Studentsshown interest in the last 30 days

Official Link:

Go To Website

Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Ranking
FAQs

BHU Ph.D. (Zoology) Fees

The Ph.D. (Zoology) programme at BHU is highly affordable, with a total course fee of approximately Rs. 33,055 for the full 3-year duration. The fee is structured annually, with a slightly higher first-year fee due to one-time admission charges. Hostel accommodation is available on campus at nominal charges and is not mandatory; mess charges are payable separately.

Course Fee Structure

Fee Component	Year 1 (Rs.)	Year 2 (Rs.)	Year 3 (Rs.)	Total (Rs.)
Tuition Fee	7,167	6,317	6,317	19,801
Examination Fee	2,000	2,000	2,000	6,000
Other University Charges	2,418	2,418	2,418	7,254
Total Fees	11,585	10,735	10,735	33,055

Hostel Fees (Optional)

Hostel Component	Amount (Rs.)
Hostel Seat Rent (per year)	~3,000 - 4,500
Mess Charges (per year, approx.)	~24,000
Total Hostel + Mess (approx. per year)	~27,000 - 28,500

A refundable caution deposit is collected at the time of admission and returned upon completion/withdrawal.
Hostel accommodation is subject to availability and is not mandatory.
Mess charges are variable and depend on actual consumption.
No EMI facility is available; fees are payable annually at the time of registration.
Application processing fee: Rs. 600 for General/OBC/EWS candidates and Rs. 300 for SC/ST/PwBD candidates (non-refundable).

BHU Ph.D. (Zoology) Admission 2026

BHU PhD admissions for Zoology are conducted annually through the Department of Zoology under the Faculty of Science. The 2026-27 admission cycle has been completed, with the first cycle concluding in February 2027 and a second cycle beginning from February 12, 2027. For the 2027-28 session, applications are tentatively expected in August-September 2027. Admission is merit-based, combining UGC/CSIR NET scores with a personal interview. With 32 total seats, this is one of the most accessible PhD programmes in the Faculty of Science at BHU, offering good opportunities for both JRF holders and NET-qualified candidates.

Important Dates

Event	2026-27 (Actual)	2027-28 (Tentative)
Online Registration Opens	December 3, 2026	August 2027
Last Date of Registration	December 16, 2026	August 25, 2027
Correction Window	December 17, 2026	August 26, 2027
Call Letter / Admit Card Issue	December 20-24, 2026	September 2027
Physical Verification and Interview	January 5-16, 2027	September 2027
Result / Offer Letter Publication	January 24 - February 5, 2027	September-October 2027
	February 5, 2027	October 2027
Second Cycle Begins	February 12, 2027	October 2027
Session Commencement	February-March 2027	October-November 2027

Entrance Exam Dates

Exam	Event	Dates
UGC NET (Phase 1)	Registration	October 7 - November 7, 2026
UGC NET (Phase 1)	Exam	December 31, 2026 - January 7, 2027
UGC NET (Phase 1)	Result	February 4, 2027
UGC NET (Phase 2)	Registration	April 1 - May 1, 2027 (Tentative)
UGC NET (Phase 2)	Exam	June 2027 (Tentative)
UGC NET (Phase 2)	Result	July 2027 (Tentative)
CSIR NET	Registration	May 1 - May 21, 2027 (Tentative)
CSIR NET	Exam	July 25-27, 2027 (Tentative)
CSIR NET	Result	September 2027 (Tentative)

Note: For PhD Zoology at BHU, UGC NET (Zoology subject) and CSIR NET (Life Sciences) are the primary relevant exams. Candidates with valid JRF from UGC/CSIR/DBT/ICMR are eligible for the RET-Exempted (direct) category.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Master's degree in Zoology from a recognised university.
Candidates with Master's degree in allied subjects (Animal Science, Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Biotechnology, and Molecular & Human Genetics) are also eligible to apply for allied discipline seats.
Minimum 55% marks in aggregate in the qualifying examination (50% for SC/ST/PwBD/OBC candidates).
Valid UGC/CSIR NET score for RET mode; valid JRF certificate (UGC/CSIR/DBT/ICMR) for RET-Exempted mode.

Admission Process

Register online at bhuonline.in and fill the application form.
Pay the application processing fee online (Rs. 600 for General/OBC/EWS; Rs. 300 for SC/ST/PwBD).
Upload photograph, signature, and required documents.
Shortlisted candidates (10 per seat per category for RET mode; all JRF holders for RET-Exempted) are called for a personal interview at the Department of Zoology, BHU.
Final merit list is prepared: 70% NET score percentile + 30% interview marks (RET mode); 100% interview marks (RET-Exempted mode).
Selected candidates complete physical document verification and pay the course fee to confirm admission.
Supervisor allotment is done at the time of admission/counselling.

BHU: Students' Opinion

AI-Generated Summary based on 1 Reviews

The university offers a Postgraduation Entrance Exam for each subject, based on the final year graduation syllabus. Previous exam papers and answer keys are available online. The MSc course fee is Rs 3557 per semester, with hostel accommodation costing around Rs 3500 per semester, though there's limited space for girls.

Mess fees have risen from Rs 2400 to about Rs 3000 per month. Some students receive scholarships like DBT Inspire, particularly in DBT-sponsored departments such as Human Genetics. There are no on-campus job opportunities, but students can undertake side jobs. Placement opportunities are limited, mainly involving contractual positions at Aakash Institute.

Graduates can pursue a Ph.D., prepare for jobs, or join projects as students after passing an interview. An MSc dissertation is mandatory, supervised by university professors.

By Collegedunia’s Personal AI

BHU Ph.D. (Zoology) Scholarships 2026

BHU PhD scholars in Zoology have access to multiple fellowship and scholarship options. JRF holders from UGC/CSIR/DBT/ICMR receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 37,000 (first 2 years) and Rs. 42,000 (as SRF thereafter). Non-JRF scholars admitted through the RET mode are eligible for BHU's Non-NET Fellowship of Rs. 8,000 per month. The large number of RET-Exempted seats (24 out of 32) means most admitted scholars are likely to be fellowship holders.

Fellowship Options

Scholarship / Fellowship	Eligibility	Amount	Duration
UGC JRF Fellowship	UGC NET JRF qualified	Rs. 37,000/month (JRF); Rs. 42,000/month (SRF)	2 years JRF + upgradable to SRF
CSIR JRF Fellowship	CSIR NET JRF qualified (Life Sciences)	Rs. 37,000/month (JRF); Rs. 42,000/month (SRF)	2 years JRF + upgradable to SRF
DBT JRF Fellowship	DBT BET (GAT-B) qualified	Rs. 37,000/month (JRF); Rs. 42,000/month (SRF)	2 years JRF + upgradable to SRF
ICMR JRF Fellowship	ICMR JRF qualified	Rs. 37,000/month	2 years, extendable
BHU Non-NET Fellowship	PhD scholars not receiving any other fellowship	Rs. 8,000/month + Rs. 10,000/year contingency	Up to 4 years
DST INSPIRE Fellowship	INSPIRE awardees	Rs. 80,000/month	5 years
Project-based JRF/SRF	Selected through project interviews at Zoology Dept.	Rs. 31,000 - 35,000/month (as per DST/CSIR norms)	Project duration

BHU Non-NET Fellowship is available only to scholars not receiving any other financial assistance.
Fellowship extension beyond 3 years requires publication of at least one paper in a UGC CARE-listed journal.
Scholars drawing Non-NET fellowship cannot hold any other paid appointment simultaneously.
Contingency grant (Rs. 10,000/year for science subjects) is available for books, consumables, and travel.
JRF/SRF fellowship amounts are as per the revised UGC/CSIR rates effective from January 2023.

BHU Ph.D Zoology Ranking

THE Ranking

#800 out of 801 in International 2020

Do you think the Rankings are wrong ? Report Here

BHU Ph.D. (Zoology) FAQs

Ques. How many seats are available for PhD Zoology at BHU and what is the admission process?

Ans. As per the 2026-27 bulletin, the Department of Zoology at BHU offers 32 seats in total - 8 under RET mode (NET-qualified) and 24 under RET-Exempted mode (JRF holders). This is one of the largest PhD programmes in the Faculty of Science at BHU. For RET mode, 10 candidates per seat per category are called for interview. The large number of RET-Exempted seats (75% of total) strongly favours JRF holders.

Ques. Can CSIR NET Life Sciences candidates apply for PhD Zoology at BHU?

Ans. Yes. CSIR NET Life Sciences is one of the primary qualifying exams for PhD Zoology at BHU. Candidates who have qualified CSIR NET in Life Sciences (either for JRF or for Lectureship/Assistant Professorship) are eligible to apply. JRF holders from CSIR NET Life Sciences qualify for the RET-Exempted category, while those who qualified for Lectureship only fall under the RET mode.

Ques. What are the major research areas in the BHU Department of Zoology?

Ans. The Department of Zoology at BHU, founded in 1921, has active research in: (a) Cancer biology with special reference to prevention and treatment; (b) Fish biology and aquatic ecology; (c) Molecular zoology and genetics; (d) Ethology and animal behaviour; (e) Taxonomy and biodiversity; (f) Conservation biology and wildlife science; (g) Animal physiology and endocrinology; (h) Parasitology and vector biology. The department has faculty including Ramalingaswami Fellows, reflecting high research calibre and national recognition.

Ques. Can MSc Biotechnology or Biochemistry students apply for PhD Zoology at BHU?

Ans. Yes, but only for allied discipline seats. The Department of Zoology accepts candidates with MSc in Animal Science, Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Biotechnology, and Molecular & Human Genetics for allied discipline seats. Allied discipline seats are limited to a maximum of 20% of total vacancies in the main discipline. Given the large total seat count (32 seats), there may be a reasonable number of allied discipline seats available.

Ques. Is the MMV (Mahila Mahavidyalaya) quota available for PhD Zoology at BHU?

Ans. Yes. As per the 2026-27 bulletin, the Department of Zoology (Course Code 884) has 11 seats specifically designated for Mahila Mahavidyalaya (MMV), BHU's women's college. These seats are included within the total 32 seats and are available for female candidates who apply through the MMV quota. Female candidates should check the specific MMV seat availability at the time of application.

Ques. What career options are available after completing PhD Zoology from BHU?

Ans. PhD Zoology graduates from BHU typically pursue: (a) Academic positions as Assistant Professors in zoology, life sciences, and biology departments (UGC NET/SET qualification required); (b) Research scientist positions at CSIR labs (CCMB, CDFD, NBFGR), ICAR institutes (CIFE, CIFRI), and wildlife research institutes; (c) Positions in state and national wildlife departments, forest departments, and biodiversity conservation organisations; (d) Roles in pharmaceutical and biotech companies in areas related to animal models and toxicology; (e) Environmental impact assessment and wildlife survey consultancy; (f) Post-doctoral fellowships (NPDF, SERB, Ramalingaswami Re-entry Fellowship) for advanced research careers.

Important Updates

Course Finder

Search from 20K+ Courses and 35+ Streams

Why To Join BHU - Reviews & Rating

3.5

(1 Verified Review)

Write a College Review

& Win Monthly Prizes Up to ₹1 Lakh/-*

5(51%)

4(33%)

3(8%)

2(6%)

1(3%)

Academic

4.1

Faculty

4.1

Infrastructure

4.0

Accommodation

3.7

Social Life

4.0

Placement

3.4

Reset All Filter

Debashruti Das

3.7Helpful

Ph.D, Zoology

Reviewed on Jun 20, 2021(Enrolled 2018)

Life at BHU as a Zoology Post Graduate

Fee Structure And Facilities:

Course fee for Msc was Rs 3557 per semester. I have no knowledge of any scholarship if available. There are no job opportunities in the campus.One can take time out to find and do some side hustle. There were some students with DBT Inspire scholarship and some other Government funded scholarships. Some departments like Human Genetics are DBT sponsored and Masters' students would get scholarships.Hostel accommodation is available. But it's a little tight for girls'. Hostel accommodation cost is around 3.5k per semester. Mess fees were separate, with a base fee of Rs2400 per month. That has now been hiked to about Rs 3000 per month

Report

Do you think the data is wrong ? Report Here