BHU PhD admissions 2025-26 open through JRF, NET, direct modes: interview from January 5

The Banaras Hindu University (BHU) has opened applications for PhD admissions for the academic year 2026. PhD admissions will be done based on three modes— Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), National Eligibility Test (NET), and direct admission. The BHU PhD applications are available on the official portal, bhuonline.in, and will be closed on December 16.

Candidates should have a valid email ID, mobile number, scanned photograph and signature, credit card, net banking or ATM-cum-debit card for payment, before applying for BHU PhD admissions 2025 .

Interviews for candidates who have applied for arts, social science, medicine, Ayurveda, and science will be held between January 5 to 16. Those who have applied for faculties of commerce, education, SVDV, management studies, veterinary and animal sciences, law, ESD, dental science, visual arts, performing arts, agriculture sciences will be called for interview from January 10 to 16.

Also read PhD admission gaps: Why marginalised candidates struggle to fill reserved seats across central universities

BHU PhD Admission 2025: Eligibility

JRF Mode – Candidates who have qualified JRF under UGC, CSIR, ICMR, DBT or any other national agency will be eligible. Assistant professorship without JRF or NET-only candidates will not be eligible for admission. Merit will be entirely based on interview percentile.

UGC, CSIR NET - Candidates who have qualified in UGC NET or CSIR December 2024 or June 2025 exam under category 1 (JRF), category 2 (assistant professorship without JRF), and category 3 (PhD-only), or ICAR-SRF (PhD) for agriculture sciences will be eligible.

Merit will be based on the total scores out of 100 that will be awarded on the basis of two factors: 70% weightage for the scores obtained in the qualifying exam, UGC, CSIR NET, and 30% weightage for interview percentile as computed by the university.

Direct admission - Candidates with a nationally or internationally renowned PhD scholarship, at par with UGC, CSIR, ICAR, will be admitted under supernumerary quota. A candidate occupying a senior management position may be considered for admission with prior approval of the Vice Chancellor. Such applicants should have at least 12 years of experience and have a minimum age of 43 years.

A candidate, working in an externally funded research project in the university as a research personnel, permanent teacher, or a non-teaching permanent employee, who meets the eligibility criteria will be considered for the reserved seats.

The second cycle of admissions will begin on February 12 if seats remain vacant after cycle 1. Vacant seats in one mode will be transferred to the other mode.

BHU PhD Admission 2025: Schedule

Candidates can check the BHU PhD admission schedule for the academic year 2025-26.