Banaras Hindu University (BHU) has announced the commencement of the PhD admission process for the academic year 2025-26, inviting applications from eligible candidates until December 16, 2025. The university is offering a wide array of doctoral programs across various faculties, providing a significant opportunity for aspiring scholars.

Application Process and Key Dates

The application process is entirely online, requiring candidates to register and submit their forms through the university's official portal, bhuonline.in. The online application window is open from December 3 to December 16, 2025. Applicants are advised to carefully review the information bulletin available on the website to ascertain their eligibility criteria and seat availability before submitting their applications. A correction window will also be available on December 17, 2025.

Key dates for the admission process are as follows:

• Online Application Submission: December 3 - 16, 2025
• Application Correction Window: December 17, 2025
• Issue of Call Letters: December 20 - 24, 2025
• Document Verification & Interview (Arts, Social Science, Medicine, Ayurveda, Science): January 5 - 16, 2026
• Document Verification & Interview (Commerce, Education, SVDV, Management Studies, Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Law, ESD, Dental Science, Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Agriculture Sciences): January 10-16, 2026
• Result Publication & Offer Letter Issuance: January 24 - February 5, 2026
• End of First Admission Round: February 5, 2026
• Department Reporting: February 10, 2026
• Second Admission Cycle (if applicable): From February 12, 2026

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the PhD program, candidates must possess the minimum educational qualifications as specified in the admission brochure. Generally, candidates must have passed the qualifying examination with at least 55% in the aggregate or an equivalent grade point average. For the Faculty of Management Sciences, this requirement is a minimum of 60%.

BHU will conduct admissions through JRF and NET modes. Candidates who have qualified under Category 1 (JRF qualified candidates), Category 2 (qualified for Assistant Professorship without JRF) and Category 3 (qualified neither for JRF nor for Assistant Professorship but eligible for admission to Ph. D. only) in the NET December 2024 and NET June 2025 conducted by UGC/CSIR can apply for admission to Ph.D. Degree programmes under this mode. In case of Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ICAR-SRF (Ph. D.) examination 2025 will be used for the same.

Selection Process

The selection process involves different modes: JRF, NET, and a direct admission route for exceptional cases. The final merit list will depend on the candidate's performance in the interview.

• JRF Mode: Admission will be based on 100% weightage given to the percentile score computed from interview marks.
• NET Mode: Merit will be determined by a combination of 70% weightage for the NET percentile score and 30% weightage for the interview percentile.

Application Fee

To apply, candidates need to register on the BHU portal, fill out the PhD form according to their chosen mode of admission, and pay the application fee. The application fee is ₹600 for General/OBC/EWS candidates and ₹300 for SC/ST/PwBD candidates. After payment, candidates must upload all required documents correctly and submit the form, downloading the confirmation page for future reference.

Available Faculties

The PhD program is available in the following faculties:

• Agricultural Sciences
• Arts
• Ayurveda
• Commerce
• Dental Sciences
• Education
• Environment and Sustainable Development
• Law
• Management Studies
• Medicine
• Science
• Performing Arts
• Social Science
• Sanskrit Vidya Dharm Vigyan (SVDV)
• Veterinary & Animal Sciences
• Visual Arts

Important Instructions for Applicants

Applicants are advised to have a valid email address, mobile number, scanned photograph and signature, and an appropriate online payment method ready before beginning the application process. The university will conduct a second admission cycle from February 12, 2026, if seats remain unfilled after the first round.