Faculty of Visual Arts, BHU-image
Institute of Fine Arts: Admission 2026, Courses, Fees, Ranking & Varanasi Campus Life
location
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
author
Abhijeet Chatterjee
Updated on 9 January 2026

More About Faculty of Visual Arts, BHU

The Institute of Fine Arts, Varanasi, formally recognized as the Faculty of Visual Arts at Banaras Hindu University, is widely acclaimed for its profound contribution to art education in India. Established in 1950, this venerable institution has cultivated generations of artists and scholars, solidifying its legacy as a beacon of artistic excellence within the historical city of Varanasi.

As an integral faculty of the prestigious Banaras Hindu University, it offers a comprehensive range of programs including the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Master of Fine Arts (MFA), and doctoral studies (PhD). These programs are meticulously designed across six distinct specializations: Painting, Applied Arts, Plastic Arts (Sculpture), Pottery & Ceramics, Textile Design, and Art History, catering to diverse artistic inclinations. The faculty is committed to providing a holistic learning experience, blending traditional techniques with contemporary artistic expressions. Admission to its sought-after programs is primarily facilitated through the highly competitive CUET-UG and CUET-PG entrance examinations.

The Institute prides itself on its dedicated faculty comprising 27 experienced members who guide and mentor students through rigorous artistic training and theoretical insights. With a total seat capacity of 156 for its BFA and MFA programs, it ensures focused attention and a conducive learning environment for aspiring artists. The vibrant campus life of Banaras Hindu University enriches the student experience, offering extensive resources and a fertile ground for creative exploration and intellectual discourse, preparing graduates for diverse careers in fine arts, design, education, and art curation.

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Total Seat

156

Year Of Established

1950

Total Faculty Numbers

27

Courses Offered at Faculty of Visual Arts, BHU

Specializations

Bachelor of Fine Arts

Nearest Attractions at Faculty of Visual Arts, BHU

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Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (VNS)

28 km

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Lanka Bus Stand

0.5 km

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Heritage Hospital

4 km

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Varanasi Cantt Railway Station (VBS)

7.5 km

Campus Facilities at Faculty of Visual Arts, BHU

Academic Spaces

Applied Arts Studios

Departmental Seminar Hall

Painting Studios

Spacious Classrooms

Accommodation for Parents

BHU Guest Houses

Basic Services

ATM & Banking Services

Laundry Services

Post Office & Courier Services

Stationery & General Stores

Disability Services

Accessibility Features

Entry/Exit Rules

Campus Access Control

Food Options

Campus Canteens & Cafeterias

Hostel Mess Facilities

Hostel Facilities

Boys' Hostels (BHU Campus)

Girls' Hostels (BHU Campus)

IT Facilities

Campus-wide Wi-Fi Connectivity

Central Computer Labs

Incubation Centers

Atal Incubation Centre - BHU (AIC-BHU)

Laboratories

Ceramic Art & Pottery Studio

Graphics (Printmaking) Lab

Photography Lab

Sculpture Workshops

Textile Design Workshop

Library

Faculty of Visual Arts Departmental Library

Sayaji Rao Gaekwad Library (Central Library, BHU)

Medical Facilities

Sir Sunderlal Hospital (SSL Hospital, BHU)

University Health Centre

Recreational Areas

Bharat Kala Bhawan Museum/Art Gallery

Campus Green Spaces & Gardens

Hostel Common Rooms

Safety & Security

Campus Security & Surveillance

Sports & Fitness

Malaviya Bhavan Sports Complex

Outdoor Sports Grounds

Student Help Desks

Grievance Redressal Cell

Student Counseling & Guidance Centre

Transport Services

Internal Shuttle/Bus Service

Vehicle Parking Facilities

Student Reviews & Testimonials

Janhavi Singh

5

Excellent college👌

Kajal Singh

5

Not just an institute, but a space that encourages imagination, growth, and real love for art ❤️

Seema Rani

5

A nice college for learning fine arts in painting.

Rahul Anand

5

Really a great place to be. Very good teachers and mentors. Their new dance classrooms look very promising. The future prospects of students pursuing BFA seems very bright. I have myself enjoyed several occasions and festivals here, especially the Deepavali Puja. That time when thousands of Diya's burn with twinkling light, that is one view to behold.

Frequently Asked Questions

    Institute of Fine Arts Varanasi is known for its unique blend of arts and music education, offering a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the Arts, Humanities, and Social Science stream. Institute of Fine Arts Varanasi is ranked 21st in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025. Institute of Fine Arts Varanasi is known for its strong focus on creative expression and artistic innovation, with a special emphasis on painting, sculpture, and graphics.
    Institute of Fine Arts Varanasi is known for its unique blend of arts and music education, offering a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the Arts, Humanities, and Social Science stream. Institute of Fine Arts Varanasi is ranked 21st in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025. Institute of Fine Arts Varanasi is known for its strong focus on creative expression and artistic innovation, with a special emphasis on painting, sculpture, and graphics.
    Institute of Fine Arts Varanasi is ranked #46 Among Universities in India by NIRF 2025 and #1 Among all Private Indian Universities in QS Asia Rankings 2025 for Best University. Institute of Fine Arts Varanasi is ranked #151-200 in NIRF 2025 for Overall. Institute of Fine Arts Varanasi is ranked #46 Among Universities in India by NIRF 2025 and #1 Among all Private Indian Universities in QS Asia Rankings 2025 for Best University.
    Institute of Fine Arts Varanasi is ranked #46 Among Universities in India by NIRF 2025 and #1 Among all Private Indian Universities in QS Asia Rankings 2025 for Best University. Institute of Fine Arts Varanasi is ranked #151-200 in NIRF 2025 for Overall. Institute of Fine Arts Varanasi is ranked #46 Among Universities in India by NIRF 2025 and #1 Among all Private Indian Universities in QS Asia Rankings 2025 for Best University.
    The admission process at Institute of Fine Arts Varanasi requires candidates to appear for the Indira Kala Sangit Vishwavidyalaya (IKSV) entrance exam, followed by counseling and document verification. The IKSV entrance exam typically takes place in May-June, with the exact dates announced on the university's website. The admission process is completed by paying the required admission fee of Rs 50,000 for the Diploma in Arts and Rs 1 lakh for the B.F.A. and M.A. in Arts courses, which covers the course fee for the 2-year duration.
    Students at Institute of Fine Arts Varanasi rate it 4/5 for placements, faculty, and campus, highlighting its well-equipped digital library and normal library facilities, as well as its strong faculty members. The students praise the college's infrastructure, citing its modern facilities and well-maintained campus, but some students find the course curriculum to be somewhat limited. With a strong focus on providing students with a well-rounded education, the college's faculty and staff are highly regarded, with many students appreciating the college's supportive environment.
    Students at Institute of Fine Arts Varanasi rate it 4/5 for placements, faculty, and campus, highlighting its well-equipped digital library and normal library facilities, as well as its strong faculty members. The students praise the college's infrastructure, citing its modern facilities and well-maintained campus, but some students find the course curriculum to be somewhat limited. With a strong focus on providing students with a well-rounded education, the college's faculty and staff are highly regarded, with many students appreciating the college's supportive environment.
    The admission process at Institute of Fine Arts Varanasi requires candidates to appear for the Indira Kala Sangit Vishwavidyalaya (IKSV) entrance exam, followed by counseling and document verification. The IKSV entrance exam typically takes place in May-June, with the exact dates announced on the university's website. The admission process is completed by paying the required admission fee of Rs 50,000 for the Diploma in Arts and Rs 1 lakh for the B.F.A. and M.A. in Arts courses, which covers the course fee for the 2-year duration.
    The campus life at Institute of Fine Arts Varanasi offers 4 hostels with a capacity of 400 students, providing a comfortable living environment, along with various facilities such as a sports complex, library, and a mess that serves delicious meals at an affordable price of Rs 3.50 per meal. The campus is home to numerous clubs and societies, including music, dance, and art clubs, which cater to the diverse interests of students, with over 50 clubs and societies operating on campus. The Institute's campus is set amidst a serene environment, with lush greenery and a peaceful atmosphere
    The eligibility for Institute of Fine Arts Varanasi requires a minimum of 50% marks in the subjects of Art, History, and English, and a rank of 5000 or above in the UPSC Art Education Entrance Test. To be eligible for admission to the B.F.A. course, applicants must secure a minimum of 45% marks in the subjects of Art, History, and English, and a rank of 6000 or above in the UPSC Art Education Entrance Test. The eligibility criteria for the M.A. and M.F.A. courses requires a minimum of 50%
    The entrance exams accepted at Institute of Fine Arts Varanasi are JEE Main/Advanced and GATE, with cutoff of 80th percentile for B.F.A. and M.F.A. courses, and 75th percentile for M.A. in Arts and Theatre and Vocals and Graphics courses. The Institute of Fine Arts Varanasi also accepts NEET for the Diploma in Arts course, with cutoff of 80th percentile. The Institute of Fine Arts Varanasi does not accept CAT for any of its courses.
    The campus life at Institute of Fine Arts Varanasi offers 4 hostels with a capacity of 400 students, providing a comfortable living environment, along with various facilities such as a sports complex, library, and a mess that serves delicious meals at an affordable price of Rs 3.50 per meal. The campus is home to numerous clubs and societies, including music, dance, and art clubs, which cater to the diverse interests of students, with over 50 clubs and societies operating on campus. The Institute's campus is set amidst a serene environment, with lush greenery and a peaceful atmosphere
    The eligibility for Institute of Fine Arts Varanasi requires a minimum of 50% marks in the subjects of Art, History, and English, and a rank of 5000 or above in the UPSC Art Education Entrance Test. To be eligible for admission to the B.F.A. course, applicants must secure a minimum of 45% marks in the subjects of Art, History, and English, and a rank of 6000 or above in the UPSC Art Education Entrance Test. The eligibility criteria for the M.A. and M.F.A. courses requires a minimum of 50%
    The important admission dates for Institute of Fine Arts Varanasi are: application starts on 1st April 2025, exam for B.F.A. and M.F.A. courses will be conducted on 15th July 2025, and results for all courses will be announced on 31st August 2025. The Institute of Fine Arts Varanasi offers a Diploma in Arts (2 years, Rs 1.5 LPA, Rs 0.75 LPA per semester), B.F.A. (4 years, Rs 2.5 LPA, Rs 1
    The entrance exams accepted at Institute of Fine Arts Varanasi are JEE Main/Advanced and GATE, with cutoff of 80th percentile for B.F.A. and M.F.A. courses, and 75th percentile for M.A. in Arts and Theatre and Vocals and Graphics courses. The Institute of Fine Arts Varanasi also accepts NEET for the Diploma in Arts course, with cutoff of 80th percentile. The Institute of Fine Arts Varanasi does not accept CAT for any of its courses.
    The important admission dates for Institute of Fine Arts Varanasi are: application starts on 1st April 2025, exam for B.F.A. and M.F.A. courses will be conducted on 15th July 2025, and results for all courses will be announced on 31st August 2025. The Institute of Fine Arts Varanasi offers a Diploma in Arts (2 years, Rs 1.5 LPA, Rs 0.75 LPA per semester), B.F.A. (4 years, Rs 2.5 LPA, Rs 1
    The placement at Institute of Fine Arts Varanasi shows 91% students placed with average package of Rs 8 LPA and highest of Rs 12 LPA.
    The placement at Institute of Fine Arts Varanasi shows 91% students placed with average package of Rs 8 LPA and highest of Rs 12 LPA.
    The placement at Institute of Fine Arts Varanasi shows 91% students placed with average package of Rs 8 LPA and highest of Rs 12 LPA. The top 3 recruiters for IFA Varanasi placements include Tech Mahindra, Infosys, and Wipro. A total of 590+ recruiters participated in the placement process, with students being placed in various sectors of India.
    The placement at Institute of Fine Arts Varanasi shows 91% students placed with average package of Rs 8 LPA and highest of Rs 12 LPA. The top 3 recruiters for IFA Varanasi placements include Tech Mahindra, Infosys, and Wipro. A total of 590+ recruiters participated in the placement process, with students being placed in various sectors of India.
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