Banaras Hindu University MA Entrance Exam (BHU PET / CUET-PG)
The Banaras Hindu University MA Entrance Exam, formerly known as BHU PET, is now conducted as part of the Common University Entrance Test (Postgraduate) or CUET-PG. This national-level entrance examination is administered by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to various Master of Arts (M.A.) programs at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and its affiliated colleges. The exam is held once a year and serves as a gateway for students seeking postgraduate education at this prestigious central university.
Overview / Highlights
{"Particulars": "Details", "Full Name": "Common University Entrance Test (Postgraduate) for Banaras Hindu University", "Short Name": "CUET-PG (for BHU)", "Conducting Body": "National Testing Agency (NTA)", "Exam Level": "National", "Frequency": "Once a year", "Mode of Application": "Online", "Mode of Exam": "Computer Based Test (CBT)", "Medium of Examination": "English and Hindi (Varies by paper)", "Exam Duration": "1 hour 45 minutes (105 Minutes)", "Official Website": "pgcuet.samarth.ac.in"}
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility criteria vary depending on the specific M.A. program. However, a general framework is as follows:\n\n* **Educational Qualification:** Candidates must have a Bachelor's degree (B.A. Hons./B.A.) under the 10+2+3 pattern from a recognized university.\n* **Minimum Marks:** A minimum of 50% marks in aggregate in the qualifying Bachelor's degree is typically required. Specific subject requirements may apply. For instance, for M.A. in English, the candidate must have studied English as a main subject in all three years of their graduation.\n* **Age Limit:** There is no upper age limit for candidates applying for postgraduate programs at BHU through CUET-PG.
Paper Pattern & Marking
The exam pattern is based on the CUET-PG framework, which may vary slightly by subject paper code. A typical pattern for an M.A. subject is as follows:\n\n* **Mode of Exam:** Computer Based Test (CBT)\n* **Number of Questions:** The question paper will have 75 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs).\n* **Sections:** The paper will focus entirely on the domain-specific subject (e.g., English, History, Political Science). The former General Paper (Part A) has been removed from most papers since 2024.\n* **Total Marks:** The total marks for the paper are 300.\n* **Marking Scheme:**\n * For each correct answer, 4 marks are awarded.\n * For each incorrect answer, 1 mark is deducted.\n * No marks are awarded or deducted for unanswered questions.\n* **Duration:** The duration of the examination is 105 minutes (1 hour and 45 minutes).
Important Events & Dates
The dates are based on the typical annual schedule of the CUET-PG examination. Candidates should refer to the official NTA website for exact dates each year.\n\n* **Online Application Start Date:** Last week of December\n* **Application Form Deadline:** First week of February\n* **Application Correction Window:** Second week of February\n* **Advance City Intimation:** First week of March\n* **Admit Card Release:** Second week of March\n* **CUET-PG Exam Dates:** Mid to late March\n* **Answer Key Challenge:** First week of April\n* **Result Declaration:** Mid-April\n* **BHU Counselling Registration:** May/June
Application Process
The application process is conducted online through the official CUET-PG portal.\n\n1. **Registration:** Visit the official CUET-PG website (pgcuet.samarth.ac.in) and register by providing your name, email address, and mobile number to generate login credentials.\n2. **Filling the Application Form:** Log in and fill out the online application form with personal, academic, and contact details.\n3. **University & Program Selection:** Carefully select 'Banaras Hindu University' and the desired M.A. program(s). Ensure you select the correct test paper code corresponding to your chosen program.\n4. **Uploading Documents:** Upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and category certificate (if applicable) in the prescribed format and size.\n5. **Application Fee Payment:** Pay the application fee online using a debit card, credit card, net banking, or UPI. The fees (as per the latest notification) are approximately:\n * General: ₹1200 (for up to two papers)\n * OBC-NCL/Gen-EWS: ₹1000\n * SC/ST/Third Gender: ₹900\n * PwBD: ₹800\n6. **Submission:** Review the entire application form carefully before final submission and print a copy of the confirmation page for future reference.
Selection Procedure
The selection procedure for M.A. programs at BHU is a two-stage process:\n\n**Step 1: CUET-PG Examination**\nCandidates must appear for the CUET-PG exam in the relevant subject paper. The NTA will declare the results and issue a scorecard containing the candidate's marks and percentile.\n\n**Step 2: BHU Counselling**\nAfter the CUET-PG results are announced, candidates who meet the cutoff criteria must register for the BHU counselling process on the university's official portal (bhuonline.in). BHU will then prepare and publish a merit list based on the CUET-PG scores, reservation policies, and program eligibility. Shortlisted candidates are called for counselling (online/offline) for document verification and seat allotment. Final admission is granted upon successful verification and payment of the admission fee.
Available Seats & Participating Institutes
The primary participating institution is Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi. Seats are available at the main campus departments and affiliated colleges.\n\n* **Total Seats:** The number of seats varies significantly for each M.A. program. For example, M.A. in English has approximately 96 seats at the main campus (Department of English), with additional seats at affiliated colleges like DAV PG College, Vasanta Kanya Mahavidyalaya (VKM), and Arya Mahila PG College (AMPGC).\n* **Participating Colleges (within BHU):**\n * Faculty of Arts, BHU Main Campus\n * DAV Post Graduate College (Co-ed)\n * Vasanta Kanya Mahavidyalaya, Kamachha (Women)\n * Arya Mahila Post Graduate College, Chetganj (Women)\n * Mahila Maha Vidyalaya (MMV), BHU Campus (Women)