Banaras Hindu University (BHU), established in 1916, is a prestigious public research university located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. Founded by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya with support from Annie Besant and other notable figures, BHU is renowned for its commitment to education and research. It is one of the largest residential universities in Asia, accommodating over 30,000 students, including more than 18,000 on-campus residents.
Key Highlights
Institutes and Faculties: BHU comprises six institutes, 14 faculties, and approximately 140 departments. Notable among these are the Institute of Science, Institute of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Social Sciences, and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT-BHU).
Campuses: The main campus spans 1,370 acres in Varanasi, featuring Indo-Gothic architecture, the Shri Vishwanath Mandir, and the Sayaji Rao Gaekwad Library. Additionally, the south campus in Barkachha, Mirzapur district, covers 2,700 acres and houses the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (Agriculture Science Centre).
Admissions: Since 2022, BHU has adopted the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) for undergraduate and postgraduate admissions. Admissions to specific programs like IIT-BHU and the Institute of Medical Sciences are through JEE Advanced and NEET, respectively.
Rankings: In the 2024 National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), BHU secured the 5th position among Indian universities, 11th overall, and notable ranks in research, medical, law, and management categories.
Student Life: BHU offers a vibrant campus life with numerous clubs, societies, and annual festivals such as “Spandan” and “Kashiyatra.” The university also celebrates cultural events like Saraswati Puja, Diwali, and Janmashtami, fostering a rich cultural environment.
Notable Alumni: BHU boasts an impressive list of alumni, including former Presidents of India Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan, and scientist C.V. Raman.
Banaras Hindu University (BHU) offers a comprehensive range of academic programs across various disciplines, catering to undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, diploma, and certificate levels. Here’s an overview of the courses available:
Undergraduate Programs
Arts, Social Sciences & Humanities
- B.A. (Hons.) in subjects like Arts, Social Sciences, Psychology, Geography, Ancient Indian History, Culture & Archaeology, and Shastri (Sanskrit).
- B.Ed. (including Special Education for Hearing Impaired and Mental Retardation)
Commerce & Management
- B.Com. (Hons.) and B.Com. (Hons.) Financial Markets Management.
Science & Technology
- B.Sc. (Hons.) in disciplines such as Botany, Zoology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Geology, Home Science, Industrial Microbiology, and Statistics.
- B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture.
Engineering & Technology
- B.E. in Ceramic Technology.
Medical & Health Sciences
- MBBS, BDS, BAMS, B.Sc. Nursing, B.Pharma (Ayurveda), Bachelor of Naturopathy & Yogic Sciences (BNYS).
Law
- LL.B. (3 years).
Performing & Visual Arts
- Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA) in Vocal, Instrumental (Sitar), and Dance (Kathak, Bharatanatyam).
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Painting, Applied Arts, Textile Design, and Pottery & Ceramics.
Vocational Studies
- B.Voc. programs in Agribusiness & Entrepreneurship, Marketing Management & IT, Catering Technology & Hotel Management, Tourism & Hospitality Management, and Hospital Administration & Management.
Postgraduate Programs
Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
- M.A. in subjects including English, Hindi, Urdu, Sanskrit, Philosophy, History, Geography, Psychology, Sociology, Linguistics, Museology, and various languages like Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Nepali, Persian, Russian, Bengali, Kannada, Marathi, Telugu, and Pali.
- M.Ed. (including Special Education for Hearing Impaired, Mental Retardation, and Visual Impairment).
Science & Technology
- M.Sc. in disciplines such as Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Statistics, Botany, Zoology, Geology, Home Science, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Food Science & Nutrition, Molecular Biology & Human Genetics, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Applied Microbiology, and Bioinformatics.
- M.Sc. (Tech.) in Environmental Science & Technology, Geology, and Geophysics.
Engineering & Technology
- M.Tech. in Agricultural Engineering, Extractive Metallurgy, and Materials Science & Technology.
Commerce & Management
- M.Com., MBA, MBA (Agri-business), MBA (International Business), Master of Financial Management (MFM), Master in Personnel Management & Industrial Relations (MPMIR), and Masters in International Business & Foreign Trade.
Law
- LL.M. (2 years)
Performing & Visual Arts
- Master of Performing Arts (MPA) in Instrumental Music (Violin).
- Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Painting, Applied Arts, Plastic Arts, Textile Design, and Pottery & Ceramics.
Computer Applications
- Master of Computer Applications (MCA).
Doctoral Programs (Ph.D.)
Ph.D. programs are offered across various disciplines, including but not limited to:
- Science: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Statistics, Botany, Zoology, Geology, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Molecular & Human Genetics, Biotechnology, Biochemistry.
- Arts & Humanities: English, Hindi, Sanskrit, Philosophy, History, Geography, Psychology, Sociology, Linguistics, Museology.
- Commerce & Management: Management Studies, Tourism Management.
- Law: Law, Intellectual Property Rights.
Diploma & Certificate Programs
Postgraduate Diplomas
- PG Diplomas in areas such as Remote Sensing & GIS, Post Harvest Technology, Business Administration, Conflict Management & Development, Japanese Studies, Counseling & Psychotherapy, Intellectual Property Laws, Environmental Law, Forensic Science & Medical Jurisprudence, Mass Communication & Media Laws, Human Resource Management, Information Technology Law, Gender & Women Studies, Health Communication, Hindi Journalism, Counseling Guidance & Psychological Intervention, Population Studies, Panchkarma Therapy, Maternal Health Care, Kshar Karma, Neonatal & Child Care, Lab Technology, Dialysis Therapy, Medical Technology (Radiotherapy), Sports Journalism, Archaeology, Sangyaharan (Ayurveda), Agni Karma & Jalauka Vacharan, Chromosomal Genetics & Molecular Diagnostics, Translation Skills, Travel & Tourism Management, Office Management & Corporate Secretaryship
Diplomas
- Diploma programs in Seed Technology, Vegetable Production, Microfinance & Entrepreneurship, Leisure & Hospitality Management, Vastu Shastra & Jyotish, Dental Mechanic, Dental Hygienist, Statistics & Computing, Textile Design, Pottery & Ceramics, Plastic Arts, Bhojpuri & Janpadiya Studies, Tourism Management, Office Management & Business Communications.
Certificate Courses
- Certificate programs in Health Care Management, Prasav Vigyan, Painting, Advertising Design, Handloom Weaving & Handicraft, Dyeing & Printing, Textile Design, Karma Kanda, Bhojpuri Language, Ayurvedic Pain Management, Statistical Methods & Applications, and various languages including Telugu, Bengali, Japanese, and more.