Banaras Hindu University (BHU), established in 1916, is one of India’s most prestigious central universities. Located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, it was founded by the visionary freedom fighter and educationist Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya under the Parliamentary legislation of the Banaras Hindu University Act, 1915. The university was built on land donated by the then Kashi Naresh, Prabhu Narayan Singh.
BHU is recognized as an “Institution of Eminence” (IoE) by the Government of India and holds the “University with Potential for Excellence” status from the UGC. It has been accredited with an ‘A’ Grade by NAAC.
BHU was established in 1916 as a residential university, making it one of the oldest and largest universities in Asia. It was envisioned by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya as a institution that would blend modern education with Indian cultural values. The main campus, spread over 1,300 acres, started development in 1916.
The university’s prominent landmarks include:
Shri Vishwanath Mandir: A 252-foot (77 m) high temple complex at the centre of the campus, featuring seven temples. Construction took almost three decades to complete (from 1931).
Bharat Kala Bhavan: An art and archaeological museum established in 1920, with Rabindranath Tagore as its first chairman.
Sir Sunderlal Hospital: Established in 1926 with 96 beds, now expanded to over 900 beds, serving as the largest tertiary referral hospital in the region.
Banaras Hindu University Rankings & Reputation 2026
Ranking Body
Category
Rank
Year
NIRF
University Category
#6
2025
NIRF
Overall Category
#10
2026
NIRF
Medical Category
#7
2026
NIRF
Law Category
#23
2026
IIRF
University Category
#5
2026
QS World University Rankings
World
#566
2026
Banaras Hindu University Courses & Fee Structure 2026
BHU offers an extensive range of courses across 5 institutes, 16 faculties, and numerous departments covering Arts, Science, Commerce, Law, Medicine, Engineering, Management, Agriculture, and Performing Arts.
Spot Rounds: Two spot allotment rounds (July 16 and July 20, 2026)
Entrance Exams Accepted
Program
Entrance Exam
UG Programs
CUET UG
PG Programs
CUET PG
MBA
CAT
MBBS / BDS
NEET
BTech (IIT BHU)
JEE Advanced
M.Tech (IIT BHU)
GATE
B.Arch
JEE Advanced / NATA
Step-by-Step Process
Appear for the respective entrance examination
Obtain a valid score
Register on the official counselling portal (JoSAA for JEE, COAP for GATE, BHU CAP for CUET)
Select BHU as your preferred choice during counselling
Complete document verification
Pay the admission fees to confirm your seat
Banaras Hindu University Placements 2026
BHU has a dedicated Training & Placement Cell that facilitates campus recruitment drives throughout the year, beginning in the final week of July and continuing until March.
Institute of Management Studies (IMS) Placements
Parameter
Details
Highest Package
₹35 LPA (50% increase over previous year)
Average Package
₹11.4 LPA (increased from ₹9.7 LPA)
Placement Rate
~90% of the batch
Top Recruiters at IMS
Sector
Recruiters
IT
IBM, Infosys, Wipro, Genpact
Consulting
Various consulting firms
Banking & Finance
Federal Bank, ICICI Bank, IDBI Bank, L&T Financial Services, SBI Life Insurance
Located on the southern edge of Varanasi, near the banks of the River Ganges
Features fine examples of Indo-Gothic architecture from the first half of the 20th century
2. Rajiv Gandhi South Campus (Mirzapur)
Spread over 2,700 acres, about 60 km southwest of the main campus
Hosts the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (Agricultural Science Centre)
Features a lecture complex, library, student hostels, and faculty housing
Being developed as a hub for education, training, and entrepreneurship
Key Facilities
Facility
Details
Hostels
60+ hostels accommodating 12,000+ students
Library
Sayaji Rao Gaekwad Library with 1.3+ million volumes; 3 institute libraries, 8 faculty libraries, 25+ departmental libraries
Hospital
Sir Sunderlal Hospital (900+ beds) – largest tertiary referral hospital in the region
Museum
Bharat Kala Bhavan – art and archaeological museum (est. 1920)
Temple
Shri Vishwanath Mandir – 252-ft high complex with seven temples
Auditorium
Pt. Onkarnath Auditorium with modern sound and light equipment
Other Facilities
Canteen, Banks, Post Offices, Railway Reservation Counter, Shopping Complex, Air Strip and Helipad
Banaras Hindu University 2026 Key Updates
1. UG Admission via CUET
BHU has adopted CUET UG 2026 scores as the primary admission criterion for all undergraduate programs. Registration opened on July 9, 2026, with the last date being July 25, 2026.
2. PG Admission: 8,400 Seats Across 150 Courses
BHU announced 8,400 PG seats across 150 courses for 2026. Two spot rounds were conducted for seat allotment, with classes beginning on July 30, 2026.
3. IIT BHU Launches Undergraduate Research Avenue
IIT BHU launched the Undergraduate Research Avenue to boost semiconductor research and innovation.
4. IIT BHU Institute Day 2026
The institute celebrated Institute Day 2026 with an Innovation and Technology Showcase, featuring 79 thematic exhibition stalls with participation from startups, academic departments, and industry partners.
5. Free Online Skill Development Courses
BHU announced the launch of free online skill development courses in multiple languages, starting on January 26, 2026 (Republic Day).
6. New School of Decision Sciences and Engineering
IIT BHU launched the School of Decision Sciences and Engineering as a new department.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information as of July 2026. Admission policies, fees, rankings, and other details are subject to change. Readers are strongly advised to verify all information through official university channels before making any admission decisions.
