Banaras Hindu University (BHU) was founded on 4 February 1916 in Varanasi by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya under the Banaras Hindu University Act 1915. It is a Central University and among the largest residential universities in Asia, with a 1,300-acre main campus and approximately 30,000 students across its institutes, faculties, and departments. In NIRF 2025, BHU ranked 10th Overall, 6th in University, 6th in Medical, and 4th in Agriculture -- one of the broadest multi-category NIRF footprints of any Indian university. It operates 5 institutes, 16 faculties, and 135 departments spanning sciences, arts, medicine, agriculture, law, and management.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Established | 4 February 1916 (BHU Act 1915) |
| Type | Central University (Ministry of Education, Government of India) |
| Location | Varanasi (Banaras), Uttar Pradesh |
| NAAC | Grade A, CGPA 3.41 (Cycle 2, 2015; re-accreditation pending) |
| Main Campus Area | ~1,300 acres (Varanasi; Asia's largest residential university) |
| NIRF 2025 (Overall) | Rank 10, Score 68.71 |
| NIRF 2025 (University) | Rank 6, Score 67.28 |
| NIRF 2025 (Medical) | Rank 6, Score 70.05 |
| NIRF 2025 (Agriculture) | Rank 4, Score 68.95 |
| Total students | ~30,000 (UG ~15,700 + PG ~7,500 + PhD ~4,500) |
| Admission (UG) | CUET (main); NEET (medical/dental/Ayurveda); CLAT/BHU PET (law); JEE Advanced (IIT-BHU -- separate) |
| Website | bhu.ac.in |
BHU offers 300+ programmes; key flagship offerings across its institutes and faculties:
| Programme | Institute or Faculty | Duration | Admission |
|---|---|---|---|
| MBBS | IMS-BHU (Medical) | 5.5 years | NEET |
| BDS (Dental) | IMS-BHU (Dental) | 5 years | NEET |
| BAMS (Ayurveda) | IMS-BHU (Ayurveda) | 5.5 years | NEET |
| B.Sc. (Agriculture) | IAS-BHU | 4 years | CUET |
| B.Sc. (Sciences) | Institute of Science | 3 years | CUET |
| BA (Arts, Social Sciences, Humanities) | Various Faculties | 3 years | CUET |
| LLB (5-year integrated) | Faculty of Law | 5 years | CUET / CLAT |
| MBA | Institute of Management Studies (IMS-BHU) | 2 years | CAT + GDPI |
| MD, MS, MCh, DM | IMS-BHU (PG Medical) | 3-6 years | NEET PG / NEET SS |
| M.Sc. and MA (PG programmes) | Various Faculties | 2 years | CUET PG / BHU PET |
| PhD | All Institutes | Multi-year | BHU Research Entrance Test |
All degrees are statutory degrees conferred by Banaras Hindu University as a Central University. IIT (BHU) B.Tech and M.Tech are separate, via JEE Advanced.
BHU charges the very low fees typical of a Central Government university. Most undergraduate programmes cost only a few thousand rupees per year in tuition: for example, BA approximately Rs 3,850 per year; B.Sc. similar range. MBBS at IMS-BHU is near-free for domestic students (standard government medical college fee structure). The MBA at IMS-BHU is priced at approximately Rs 1.5-2 lakh per year (much lower than private B-schools). Core engineering via IIT (BHU) has a separate, higher fee structure typical of IITs.
Central Sector Scholarship Scheme (CSSS): Government of India scholarship for students in the top 20 per cent of Class 12 board results. Applicable at BHU via National Scholarship Portal.
Top Class Education Scheme for SC Students (Social Justice Ministry): Full fee waiver and maintenance allowance for SC students in professional programmes (MBBS, MBA, Law) at BHU.
National Fellowship and Scholarship for ST Students (Tribal Affairs Ministry): Stipend and scholarship for ST students in degree-level programmes via NSP.
Merit-cum-Means Scholarship for Minority Communities: For minority community students meeting income and merit criteria, via Ministry of Minority Affairs and NSP.
Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme: For ex-servicemen's children studying at central institutions including BHU.
BHU Research Fellowship: For PhD students; amounts linked to DST, CSIR, and UGC norms.
Source: scholarships.gov.in (NSP for Central Government schemes); bhu.ac.in (BHU institutional scholarships).
| Framework | Category | Rank | Score | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NIRF | Overall | 10 | 68.71 | 2025 |
| NIRF | University | 6 | 67.28 | 2025 |
| NIRF | Medical | 6 | 70.05 | 2025 |
| NIRF | Agriculture | 4 | 68.95 | 2025 |
| NIRF | Research | 16 | 58.28 | 2025 |
| NIRF | Management | 60 | 52.14 | 2025 |
| NIRF | Dental | 15 | 60.14 | 2025 |
| NIRF | Overall | 11 | 67.56 | 2024 |
| NIRF | University | 5 | 66.05 | 2024 |
| NIRF | Medical | 7 | 69.54 | 2024 |
| NIRF | Agriculture | 4 | 68.32 | 2024 |
| NIRF | Overall | 11 | 67.21 | 2023 |
| NIRF | University | 5 | 65.85 | 2023 |
| NIRF | Medical | 8 | 68.75 | 2023 |
| NIRF | Agriculture | 4 | 63.68 | 2023 |
| NIRF | Overall | 11 | 64.81 | 2022 |
| NIRF | University | 6 | 63.20 | 2022 |
| NIRF | Medical | 5 | 68.12 | 2022 |
BHU's NIRF Overall rank improved from #11 (2022-2024) to #10 in 2025. University rank has held at #5-6 over four years. Agriculture rank has been #4 for three consecutive years (2023-2025). The Agriculture category was introduced by NIRF in 2023 (no 2022 Agriculture row exists for any institution). Medical rank fluctuated between #5 (2022) and #8 (2023), settling at #6 in 2025.
Source: nirfindia.org/Rankings/2025/, /2024/, /2023/, /2022/
BHU's 1,300-acre main campus in Varanasi is a self-contained residential community described as among Asia's largest residential universities. The campus includes Sir Sunderlal Hospital (approximately 1,100 beds, one of the largest government teaching hospitals in north India), the Bharat Kala Bhavan museum, several temples including Vishwanath Temple on campus, a botanical garden, and separate residential zones for students, faculty, and staff. Approximately 18,000 students live on campus. Varanasi is a major cultural, religious, and heritage city on the Ganges; its proximity to Prayagraj (about 120 km) and Lucknow (about 280 km) situates BHU within the central Uttar Pradesh corridor.
BHU is a Central Government institution governed by the Ministry of Education. Its main campus in Varanasi (Banaras), Uttar Pradesh, spans approximately 1,300 acres; the Rajiv Gandhi South Campus (RGSC) in Barkachha, Mirzapur, adds approximately 2,700 acres for agricultural and engineering programmes. The five institutes are: Institute of Science (IoS), Institute of Agricultural Sciences (IAS-BHU), Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS-BHU), Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development (IESD), and Institute of Management Studies (IMS-BHU, for management). IMS-BHU within the medical stream covers MBBS, dental, Ayurveda, and nursing schools. IIT (BHU) Varanasi is physically co-located but is a legally separate autonomous IIT; its rankings, placements, and engineering programmes are excluded.
BHU's NAAC status: Grade A, CGPA 3.41 (Cycle 2, assessed 2015). Cycle 2 validity has lapsed; a fresh NAAC assessment cycle has not been announced publicly as of 2026.
One of India's top 10 universities overall; improved from #11 (2022-2024) to #10 in 2025; top-6 in University category for 3 consecutive years (2023, 2024, 2025)
Institute of Agricultural Sciences (IAS-BHU) ranked 4th in Agriculture NIRF for three consecutive years; ICAR-affiliated research; strong B.Sc. Agriculture programme
IMS-BHU MBBS programme ranked 5th in 2022 and 6th in 2025; large clinical exposure at Sir Sunderlal Hospital (government teaching hospital, north India)
Most UG programmes cost only Rs 2,000-5,000 per year in tuition; even professional (law, science) programmes are significantly below private universities
Self-contained campus city with hospitals, markets, hostels, temples, sports facilities, and its own railway station access; approximately 18,000 students in residence
Honest caveat: BHU's NAAC Grade A (CGPA 3.41, 2015) is lapsed -- its Cycle 3 re-assessment has not been announced; it should not be cited as a currently active NAAC A grade. Core engineering at Varanasi is offered by IIT (BHU), a separate IIT -- BHU does not run B.Tech through JEE Advanced. IMS-BHU MBA placements are at the Rs 10-12 LPA average range, significantly below IIMs; placement outcomes vary widely by faculty, with medical and IT placements stronger than general arts/science courses. CUET cutoffs for popular programmes (Law, Sciences, Arts) are highly competitive.
| Framework | Category | Year | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIRF | Agriculture | 2025 | #4 |
| NIRF | Medical | 2025 | #6 |
| NIRF | University | 2025 | #6 |
| NIRF | Overall | 2025 | #10 |
| NIRF | SDG Institutions | 2025 | #10 |
| NIRF | Dental | 2025 | #15 |
| NIRF | Research | 2025 | #16 |
| NIRF | Management | 2025 | #60 |
| NIRF | Agriculture | 2024 | #4 |
| NIRF | University | 2024 | #5 |
| NIRF | Medical | 2024 | #7 |
| NIRF | Overall | 2024 | #11 |
20 courses offered. Fees in INR lakhs.
| Course | Specialization | Duration | Total seats | Total fee | Avg package |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B.Com (Bachelor of Commerce) | — | 36 months | — | ₹0.15L | — |
| B.Com (Bachelor of Commerce) | Hons | 36 months | — | ₹0.9L | — |
| B.Ed (Bachelor of Education) | — | — | — | ₹0.2L | — |
| B.P.Ed (Bachelor of Physical Education) | — | — | 50 | — | — |
| B.Pharm (Bachelor of Pharmacy) | — | — | — | ₹0.8L | — |
| B.Sc (Bachelor of Science) | — | — | — | ₹0.21L | — |
| BA (Bachelor of Arts) | Honours (General) | 36 months | — | ₹0.15L | — |
| BA (Bachelor of Arts) | — | 36 months | — | ₹0.15L | — |
| BCA (Bachelor of Computer Applications) | — | 36 months | — | ₹0.3L | — |
| BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) | — | — | — | ₹0.15L | — |
| LLB (Bachelor of Laws) | — | — | — | ₹0.15L | — |
| LLM (Master of Laws) | — | — | — | ₹0.2L | — |
| M.Com (Master of Commerce) | — | 24 months | — | ₹0.18L | — |
| M.P.Ed (Master of Physical Education) | — | — | 40 | — | — |
| M.Sc (Master of Science) | — | — | — | ₹0.3L | — |
| MA (Master of Arts) | — | 36 months | — | ₹0.12L | — |
| MBA (Master of Business Administration) | — | — | — | ₹0.6L | — |
| MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) | — | — | — | — | — |
| MCA (Master of Computer Applications) | — | 24 months | — | ₹0.36L | — |
| MD (Doctor of Medicine) | — | — | — | — | — |
2-year placement history, latest data from 2025.
| Year | Registered | Placed | Rate | Avg package | Highest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | — | ₹10.1L | ₹19.8L |
| 2024 | — | — | — | ₹11.2L | ₹23.5L |
6 cutoff records across exams, courses, and categories.
| Year | R | Exam | Course | Category | Gender | Quota | Opening | Closing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 | NEET UG | BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) | General | Gender-Neutral | AI | 25878 | 30064 |
| 2024 | 6 | NEET UG | BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) | OBC | Gender-Neutral | AI | 30589 | 31195 |
| 2024 | 6 | NEET UG | BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) | SC | Gender-Neutral | AI | 139333 | 149304 |
| 2024 | 6 | NEET UG | BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) | ST | Gender-Neutral | AI | 172934 | 172934 |
| 2024 | 6 | NEET UG | BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) | EWS | Gender-Neutral | AI | 39960 | 39960 |
| 2024 | 6 | NEET UG | MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) | SC | Gender-Neutral | AI | 48082 | 48082 |
Campus size, faculty strength, hostel facilities, and academic infrastructure.
