Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The 1-Year Post Graduate Diploma in Psychological Counselling (PGDPC) at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi is a full-time, on-campus programme offered under the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences. The course is designed to train graduates in the theory and practice of psychological counselling, covering areas such as counselling techniques, psychotherapy, mental health assessment, and applied psychology. The programme spans one year (two semesters), with a seat intake of 20 students. The total course fee is Rs. 30,000 per annum (plus regular university fee), payable in two instalments of Rs. 15,000 per semester. Admission is merit-based, conducted through BHU's Special Courses of Study (SCS) process. The programme is popular among psychology graduates and mental health professionals seeking structured training in counselling, and is well-regarded given BHU's strong psychology department and clinical facilities.

Admissions for the SCS 2026-27 session followed the standard BHU SCS timeline, with the application window opening around November 2026 and closing in December 2026. As of March 2027, the 2026-27 batch is currently underway. For the 2027-28 session, the application window is tentatively expected to open in November 2027 on bhuonline.in.

Key Points

The course is offered under the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, BHU, one of the oldest and most reputed psychology departments in India.
The programme covers both theoretical foundations and practical skills in psychological counselling and psychotherapy.
The course code under BHU's SCS system is 908 (Full Time); it is also offered at DAV PG College, Varanasi (20 seats) as an additional centre.
Minimum 10 and maximum 20 seats are available at the main campus; if applications fall below the minimum, the course may not run for that session.
The fee is payable in two instalments of Rs. 15,000 per semester, making it accessible for students.
SC/ST candidates are exempt from the minimum percentage requirement in the qualifying examination.
Candidates must hold a Master's degree in Psychology or related disciplines; a general graduation degree is not sufficient.

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

BHU PGDPC Fees

The PGDPC at BHU carries a course-specific fee of Rs. 30,000 per annum, payable in two instalments of Rs. 15,000 per semester. The university's regular fee of approximately Rs. 2,000 per annum is added to this, bringing the total academic fee to approximately Rs. 32,000 per year. Hostel accommodation is available on campus but is not mandatory; hostel fees are approximately Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 5,375 per year depending on the hostel allotted.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (Per Annum)
Course-Specific Fee (SCS Fee)	Rs. 30,000
Regular University Fee (approx.)	Rs. 2,000
Total Academic Fee	Rs. 32,000
Hostel Fee (optional, approx.)	Rs. 4,000 - Rs. 5,375
Total Fees (without hostel)	Rs. 32,000
Total Fees (with hostel, approx.)	Rs. 36,000 - Rs. 37,375

The course fee is payable in two instalments: Rs. 15,000 at the start of Semester 1 and Rs. 15,000 at the start of Semester 2.
The regular university fee is approximate and may vary slightly; the exact amount is communicated at the time of admission.
Hostel accommodation is not guaranteed and is subject to availability.
It is not mandatory for this course.
A caution/security deposit (refundable) of approximately Rs. 2,000 may be charged at the time of hostel allotment.
Application processing/entrance test fee: Rs. 600 for General/OBC/EWS candidates; Rs. 300 for SC/ST/PwBD candidates.
No EMI option is available; fees are payable as per the semester schedule.

BHU PGDPC Admission 2026

Admission to the PGDPC at BHU is conducted through the university's Special Courses of Study (SCS) admission process, managed via the BHU entrance test portal (bhuonline.in). The process is merit-based, with selection determined by performance in the qualifying examination and, where applicable, a written test or interview conducted by the Department of Psychology. The 2026-27 admission cycle followed the standard SCS timeline, with applications opening in November 2026. For the upcoming 2027-28 session, the process is expected to follow a similar schedule.

BHU SCS Admission Dates

Event	Tentative Date (2026-27)
Availability of SCS Online Application Form on bhuonline.in	November 2026 (tentative)
Last Date for Online Submission of Application Form	December 2026 (tentative)
Issue of Call Letters for Counselling/Interview	January 2027 (tentative)
Counselling / Admission Process	January - February 2027 (tentative)
Commencement of Classes (Semester 1)	February - March 2027 (tentative)

Entrance Exam Dates

Event	Date
No separate national-level entrance exam is required for this course. Admission is based on merit in the qualifying examination (Master's degree). BHU may conduct an internal written test or interview at the departmental level if the number of applicants exceeds the available seats. There is no CUET-PG or other external exam requirement for this SCS programme.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold a Master's degree in Psychology, Cognitive Sciences, Applied Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Psychiatric Nursing, Community Psychology, Rehabilitation Psychology, Counselling and Family Therapy, Counselling Psychology, Education, M.Ed., M.Ed. (Special Education), or MBBS/BAMS with a minimum of 50% marks from a recognised university.
SC/ST candidates are exempt from the minimum percentage requirement; they must have passed the qualifying examination.
OBC-NCL and PwBD candidates get a relaxation of 5% marks in the minimum eligibility requirement compared to the unreserved category.

Admission Process

Register on the BHU entrance test portal at bhuonline.in and fill the online application form for SCS 2026.
Select course code 908 (PG Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy / PGDPC) and upload required documents (photograph, signature).
Pay the application processing fee online (Rs. 600 for General; Rs. 300 for SC/ST/PwBD).
Shortlisted candidates will receive a call letter via email for counselling/interview conducted by the Department of Psychology.
Carry all original documents (qualifying exam marksheets, category certificate if applicable, transfer certificate, migration certificate) at the time of counselling.
Final admission is granted based on merit in the qualifying examination; in case of a tie, higher marks in the qualifying exam, then higher marks in the relevant subject, then seniority in age is considered.

BHU: Students' Opinion

AI-Generated Summary based on 1 Reviews

Admission to Banaras Hindu University (BHU) for courses like BA, BSc, and BCom requires passing a common entrance test conducted by the university. Applications for this test open online in mid-February. To qualify for admission, students need at least 50% in their 12th board exams. Entry into specialized institutes like the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and the Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS) at BHU demands clearing the JEE and NEET exams, respectively.

BHU boasts a variety of faculties, including the Institute of Medical Science, Indian Institute of Technology, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Social Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, and Faculty of Biotechnology. The fee structure at BHU is highly affordable, with annual fees ranging from 2,000 to 10,000 INR, making it appealing to many students. The university provides placement services and includes a 1-month internship as part of the curriculum, aiding in personality development.

Scholarships are offered by the state government, crucial for students needing financial aid. Applications for scholarships require completing a form and are vital for students to optimize their educational experience.

By Collegedunia’s Personal AI

BHU PGDPC Scholarships 2026

BHU offers a range of scholarships and financial assistance programmes to students, primarily through government schemes and university-level grants. Students from Uttar Pradesh can benefit from the UP Government Post-Matric Scholarship, which can reimburse a significant portion of fees and hostel charges. National-level scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) are also available. The course fee of Rs. 30,000 per annum is moderate, and government scholarships can substantially offset this cost for eligible students.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount / Benefit
UP Government Post-Matric Scholarship	UP domicile students; family income below Rs. 2 lakh (SC/ST) or Rs. 2.5 lakh (OBC/General-EWS)	Fee reimbursement + maintenance allowance (varies by category)
National Scholarship Portal (NSP) - Post-Matric Scholarship	SC/ST/OBC/Minority students; family income limits apply	Tuition fee + maintenance allowance as per central norms
BHU Merit Scholarship (Rank Holders)	1st rank holder in the programme	One-time cash reward of Rs. 4,000
BHU Merit Scholarship (2nd Rank)	2nd rank holder in the programme	One-time cash reward of Rs. 3,000
BHU Scholarship for Economically Weak Students	Family income below Rs. 1 lakh per annum; good conduct and 75% attendance	Free meals (lunch and dinner) for at least 7 months; Rs. 2,000 annually for 100 students
BHU Scholarship for Blind/Physically Challenged Students	Blind or physically challenged students enrolled at BHU	Free meals under Annadaan Yojana; Rs. 4,000 - Rs. 5,000 annually
Earn While Learn Programme	Financially needy students	Part-time work opportunities on campus with financial compensation

Students already receiving any other scholarship are not eligible for BHU's internal scholarships simultaneously.
UP Scholarship applications are typically submitted online through scholarship.up.gov.in after admission.
NSP scholarships are applied for through scholarships.gov.in; deadlines are typically October-November each year.
BHU internal scholarship forms are available from the university administration office.
Minimum 75% attendance is mandatory to remain eligible for BHU scholarships.

BHU PGDPC FAQs

Ques. Is a general graduation degree sufficient to apply for the PGDPC at BHU, or is a Master's degree in Psychology mandatory?

Ans. A general graduation degree is not sufficient. The PGDPC at BHU requires candidates to hold a Master's degree in Psychology or closely related disciplines such as Cognitive Sciences, Applied Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Psychiatric Nursing, M.Ed., or MBBS/BAMS. This makes it a post-master's level diploma, not a post-graduation diploma open to all graduates.

Ques. What is the difference between the PGDPC and the PG Diploma in Counselling Guidance and Psychological Intervention (course code 932) also offered at BHU?

Ans. Both are 1-year full-time SCS programmes at BHU's Department of Psychology with similar eligibility criteria. The PGDPC (course code 908) focuses on counselling and psychotherapy broadly, while the PG Diploma in Counselling Guidance and Psychological Intervention (932) has a slightly different curriculum emphasis on guidance and psychological intervention techniques. Both are offered at the main campus; students should check the current SCS bulletin for the exact curriculum differences and seat availability.

Ques. Does the PGDPC at BHU provide any clinical or practical training?

Ans. Yes, the PGDPC at BHU includes practical components such as case studies, role-play exercises, and supervised counselling sessions. The Department of Psychology at BHU has a counselling centre and psychological testing lab. Students get exposure to real counselling scenarios under faculty supervision. The practical training is a key component that prepares students for professional counselling roles.

Ques. What career options are available after completing the PGDPC from BHU?

Ans. Graduates of the PGDPC can work as counsellors, psychotherapists, and mental health support professionals in schools, colleges, hospitals, NGOs, corporate HR departments, and rehabilitation centres. Career roles include school counsellor, career counsellor, employee assistance programme (EAP) counsellor, and community mental health worker. The diploma also serves as a stepping stone for those wishing to pursue further studies in clinical or counselling psychology.

Ques. Is the PGDPC at BHU recognised by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) or any other regulatory body?

Ans. The PGDPC is offered under BHU's Special Courses of Study framework and is a university-level diploma. It is not a degree programme and may not be recognised by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) for registration as a rehabilitation professional. Candidates seeking RCI-recognised qualifications should verify the current recognition status with RCI before applying. For general counselling practice, the diploma from a prestigious institution like BHU carries significant value.

Ques. Can this diploma be pursued alongside a full-time job, or does it require daily attendance on campus?

Ans. The PGDPC is a full-time on-campus programme at BHU's main campus in Varanasi. It requires regular daily attendance and cannot be pursued alongside a full-time job. Students who need a part-time or distance mode option should look for other institutions offering PGDPC in part-time format. BHU does not offer this specific programme in part-time or online mode.

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Fees and Financial Aid:

Scholarship facility is given by the state government. The scholarship is most important for some student to better study and utilisation of resources. Some other way of getting a scholarship is to fill the form of scholarship and get the scholarship.

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