BHU Entrance Exam 2026: Application, Eligibility, Exam Pattern

Banaras Hindu University (BHU), a premier central university in Varanasi, offers a wide range of undergraduate (UG), postgraduate (PG), and research (PhD) programs. Admissions are primarily merit-based through national-level entrance exams, as per the university's official policies outlined on the BHU Admission Portal (admission.bhu.ac.in) and detailed Information Bulletins. BHU follows the guidelines of the National Testing Agency (NTA) and UGC for centralized testing under the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) framework.

BHU Entrance Exam 2026: UG Courses

Admissions to nearly all UG programs (e.g., BA, B.Sc., B.Com., B.Voc., B.A. LL.B., BFA, BPA) are conducted through the Common University Entrance Test - Undergraduate (CUET-UG), administered by the NTA. For courses like MBBS, BDS and BAMS, students need to qualify NEET UG to be eligible for BHU admissions. Below are the key highlights of Banaras Hindu University Entrance Exam 2026 accepted for UG courses:

• Primary Exam: CUET-UG (mandatory for Indian nationals; specific subject papers based on program eligibility).
• Key Details:
• Candidates must register for CUET-UG via nta.ac.in/cuetug and apply for BHU seats through the Common Allotment Program (CAP-UG) on the BHU portal.
• Foreign nationals (15% supernumerary seats) are exempted and admitted on merit.
• Exceptions/Specialized UG Programs:
• Medical Courses (MBBS, BDS, BAMS, etc.): NEET-UG (conducted by NTA).
• B.Sc. (Agriculture) and related: CUET-UG (with ICAR alignment for some).

How to Apply: Visit bhucuet.samarth.edu.in for CUET-UG; then admission.bhu.ac.in for CAP.

BHU Entrance Exam 2026: PG Courses

Most PG programs (e.g., MA, M.Sc., M.Com., LL.M., MPA, MFA) admit via the Common University Entrance Test - Postgraduate (CUET-PG) by NTA. Some programs include additional components like Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI).

• Primary Exam: CUET-PG (specific paper codes like COQP12, SCQP09, etc., per program).
• Key Details:
• All Indian applicants must appear in CUET-PG; foreign nationals exempted (merit-based).
• Seat allotment via CAP-PG on the BHU portal.
• Exceptions/Specialized PG Programs:

How to Apply: exams.nta.ac.in/CUET-PG for CUET; bhuadm.samarth.edu.in for CAP-PG; bhumbaadm.samarth.edu.in for MBA.

BHU Entrance Exam 2026: Research Courses

BHU has shifted PhD admissions to national-level eligibility tests in line with UGC regulations and NEP 2020, replacing the earlier BHU Research Entrance Test (RET) for most cases. Admissions are through UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, JRF, and equivalent exams, followed by interviews.

Primary Exams Accepted:

 Key Details:

• Applications via bhuonline.in or admission.bhu.ac.in (e.g., 2025-26 cycle opened Dec 2025).
• Two cycles: Main (Jan interviews) and Mop-up (Feb).
• Foreign nationals: Merit-based via Foreign Students' Registry.
• Minimum eligibility: Master's degree with 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC/PwD).

How to Apply: Check bhuonline.in for PhD portal; register with NET scorecard.

BHU Entrance Exam 2026: Application Process

Securing admission to Banaras Hindu University (BHU) for the 2026 academic session begins with navigating the Online Admission Portal at bhuonline.in. The application window typically opens in February and remains accessible until March 15, 2026, offering candidates a six-week timeframe to complete the registration process. Unlike previous offline methods, the current system demands precision in digital document submission and real-time fee payment verification.

The journey commences with generating a unique Login ID and password through the "New Registration" tab. You must specify whether you are applying for UET (Undergraduate Entrance Test), PET (Postgraduate Entrance Test), or RET (Research Entrance Test).

During this phase, applicants select their preferred courses from over 200 programs including BA (Hons) Arts, BSc (Hons) Biology, LLB, and MBA offered across BHU's Varanasi campuses. Prioritize your choices carefully as the system locks preferences after payment. The interface requires entering personal details exactly as they appear on Class 10 certificates, including name, date of birth, and mobile number linked to Aadhaar for OTP verification.

The payment gateway distinguishes between categories with precision. General and OBC candidates pay ₹600 for UET programs and ₹800 for PET courses, while SC/ST applicants submit a reduced fee of ₹250 and ₹400 respectively. EWS candidates enjoy the same concession as SC/ST upon uploading valid income certificates.

BHU provides a limited correction window typically opening two weeks after the application deadline, allowing edits to photograph, signature, and examination centre preferences only. Critical fields like name, date of birth, category, and course selection remain locked to prevent fraudulent changes.

Final submission generates an Application Confirmation Page containing the unique registration number, which you must print alongside the fee receipt for counselling verification. The system releases admit cards ten days before examination dates, accessible only through the original login credentials.

Step-by-Step Application Process:

1. Register and apply for CUET UG 2026/ CUET PG 2026 on the NTA website. Select BHU as a participating university and choose required subjects/domain papers.
2. Appear in the exam
3. After CUET results, register on BHU's CAP-UG/ PG portal for BHU-specific application, choice filling, and counselling.

4. For programmes requiring GD/PI (e.g., MBA Agribusiness, select vocational courses): Appear in additional rounds after CUET (weightage varies, e.g., 20% for GD/PI in some).
5. Merit list prepared (CUET score + additional components where applicable); participate in counselling, document verification, and fee payment.

1. Pay fees and report for document verification/admission confirmation.

BHU Entrance Exam 2026: Exam Pattern

The exam pattern for UG and PG BHU admissions 2026 is Computer-Based Test. There are Multiple choice questions (MCQs). Check the table below to know the exam pattern for BHU entrance exam 2026:

BHU Entrance Exam 2026: Preparation Tips & Strategies

Cracking the Banaras Hindu University entrance examination demands more than rote memorization. It requires a tactical approach calibrated to the exam's specific architecture.

With negative marking deducting one-third of marks for incorrect answers and a window of merely 150 minutes to navigate 150 questions in UET or 120 questions in PET, aspirants must balance speed with precision.

The examination pattern varies significantly across disciplines—from the quantitative-heavy BCom (Hons) to the literature-intensive MA Hindi—necessitating customized preparation strategies rather than generic study routines. Understanding these nuances becomes critical when competing for limited seats in one of India's most sought-after central universities, where cut-offs often soar beyond 350 marks out of 450 for general category candidates.

Implementing targeted methodologies across different subject domains can significantly elevate your performance metrics.

• Strategic Negative Marking Management: Given the 1/3 mark penalty per wrong answer, attempt questions only when you can eliminate at least two options; leave doubtful ones unattempted rather than risking deduction.
• Subject-Specific Bibliography: BSc (Hons) Biology candidates should master NCERT textbooks (₹180-₹350) plus Trueman's Elementary Biology (₹850), while MA Hindi aspirants require Ramchandra Shukla's Sahitya Sagar (₹495) and Renuka Prasad Singh's texts.
• Temporal Compartmentalization: Allocate 45 minutes to General Knowledge, 60 minutes to core subjects, and 30 minutes for revision during the 150-minute UET, ensuring no single question consumes more than 90 seconds initially.
• Sunday Mock Test Ritual: Simulate exam conditions weekly at 9:00 AM using Arihant's 15 Practice Sets (₹425), strictly adhering to the 2.5-hour window to build physiological readiness for the actual May/June schedule.
• Previous Year Pattern Recognition: Analyze UET papers from 2019-2025 to identify recurring question archetypes; approximately 25% of questions repeat annually with modified values, particularly in Accountancy and Physics sections.
• Current Affairs Mining: Dedicate 45 minutes daily to The Hindu, maintaining notes on Padma Awards and constitutional amendments that constitute 20% of the General Knowledge syllabus.
• Circadian Optimization: Maintain 11 PM to 6 AM sleep cycles to enhance memory consolidation, and practice 4-7-8 breathing techniques before attempting 120-minute PET papers requiring sustained analytical focus.
• Triad Study Methodology: Form groups with candidates from different courses—explaining General Knowledge concepts to peers reinforces retention while exchanging mnemonic techniques for historical chronology.
• Pomodoro Digital Discipline: Implement 50-minute focused study blocks with 10-minute breaks, keeping GKP's PET Preparation Guide (₹380) and physical notes accessible to minimize smartphone distraction during intensive preparation phases.
• Error Log Maintenance: Maintain a dedicated notebook cataloging mistakes from mock tests, categorizing them as conceptual gaps versus calculation errors to prioritize remedial action in the final four weeks.

Success in the BHU entrance ecosystem emerges from consistent execution rather than sporadic intensity. By integrating these discipline-specific strategies with rigorous mock test schedules, candidates can optimize their scoring potential while mitigating anxiety through structured preparation protocols. Begin implementing these methodologies at least 16 weeks before the May/June examination window to allow sufficient time for in-depth syllabus completion, multiple revision cycles, and strategic refinement based on weekly performance analytics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the exam pattern for BHU UET 2026 undergraduate courses?

There are 50 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) per test paper/subject. All questions are compulsory (no internal choice; all 50 must be attempted). Students are given 60 minutes for each test paper/subject. Each correct answer is awarded +5 marks and there is negative marking of -1 for each wrong answer.

Q2. Is there negative marking in BHU entrance exam 2026?

Yes, there is negative marking of -1 in CUET UG and -1 for CUET PG. Students should attempt the questions carefully to avoid risk of getting negative marking.

Q3. When will BHU conduct its entrance exams in 2026?

The CUET UG will tentatively take place between May 11 to May 31, 2026. Whereas, CUET PG is scheduled from March 6 to March 27, 2026. Talking about Reseach courses, UGC-NET/CSIR-NET cycles typically take place in June/Dec.