Students who scored below 120 marks in CUET PG 2026 can still secure a BHU PG seat by targeting courses with lower cutoffs or applying through the second round of BHU PG counselling.
BHU (Banaras Hindu University) admits students to over 130 PG programs through CUET PG scores. While competitive programs like MSc Physics or MA English attract high scores, dozens of programs in classical languages, social sciences and professional streams close at considerably lower marks. A smart choice-filling strategy combined with awareness of second round options can help you secure BHU admission even with a modest CUET PG 2026 score.
- CUET PG 2026 carries a maximum of 300 marks (75 questions × 4 marks each, with ?1 for wrong answers).
- Some BHU PG programs close as low as 70–100 marks in the general category based on 2024 trends.
- BHU PG second round counselling is expected in late July 2026 for vacant seats after round one.
- Reserved category students (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD) benefit from lower category-wise cutoffs across all programs.
- Fill the maximum number of program choices in the BHU CUET PG portal to maximise your allotment chances.
| Direct Link — BHU CUET PG 2026 Admission Portal | bhucuetpg.samarth.edu.in |
What is a Low CUET PG 2026 Score for BHU?
CUET PG 2026 is conducted for a maximum of 300 marks. For BHU admissions, a score below 120 is generally considered low for most mainstream programs. However, "low" is relative — a score that misses the cutoff for MA History or MA English may still be competitive enough for classical language or niche interdisciplinary programs at BHU.
| Score Range (out of 300) | Label | BHU Admission Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| 200 and above | High | Strong chances across most programs including competitive ones |
| 150–199 | Moderate | Eligible for most programs; may miss top programs in the open category |
| 100–149 | Low-Moderate | Focus on alternative and niche programs; reserved category students have better prospects |
| Below 100 | Low | Very limited options; target low-demand programs and second round seats |
Reserved category students benefit from lower cutoffs under SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD quotas. If you belong to a reserved category, your effective chances at BHU are considerably stronger than a general category student with the same score. Ensure your valid category certificate is uploaded in the counselling portal before the deadline.
BHU PG Courses with Lower Cutoffs
BHU offers PG programs spanning arts, sciences, social sciences, professional streams and classical languages. Programs in less-popular subjects consistently close at lower marks due to limited applicants. The expected closing scores below are based on 2024 BHU CUET PG trends — final 2026 cutoffs will vary with actual competition and seat intake.
| Program | Faculty/Department | Expected Closing Score (General) — Based on 2024 Trends |
|---|---|---|
| MA Pali and Buddhist Studies | Arts | 70–95 |
| MA Arabic | Arts | 75–95 |
| MA Persian | Arts | 75–95 |
| MA Sanskrit | Arts | 80–105 |
| MA Linguistics | Arts | 85–110 |
| MA Museology | Arts | 90–115 |
| MA Rural Development | Social Sciences | 90–115 |
| MA Ancient Indian History and Culture | Arts | 95–120 |
| MSW (Master of Social Work) | Social Sciences | 100–130 |
| MBA (Agri Business Management) | Agriculture | 100–135 |
MA Pali and Buddhist Studies, MA Arabic and MA Persian attract the fewest applicants among BHU’s PG offerings and have historically seen the lowest closing scores. MSW at BHU is among India’s most respected social work programs and offers strong career prospects in the development and social sector. MA Museology opens doors to cultural institutions, museums and heritage organisations. Students open to these disciplines should prioritise them during choice filling.
BHU PG Second Round Admission 2026
Seats not accepted in the first round of BHU CUET PG 2026 counselling are pooled for the second round. BHU PG second round 2026 is expected to begin in late July 2026, after the first round seat acceptance window closes. Closing scores in the second round often drop further compared to round one because fewer students compete for the remaining seats.
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Who can apply | Students registered for BHU CUET PG 2026 counselling who did not receive a round 1 seat, or who rejected their round 1 allotment |
| Seat pool | Seats surrendered after round 1 and any unfilled seats across all programs |
| Choice filling | Students can modify or re-enter program preferences before the round 2 lock date on the BHU portal |
| Allotment | Based on CUET PG 2026 merit and revised choices; a fresh allotment letter is issued |
| Fee payment | Students must pay the admission fee within the round 2 deadline to confirm their seat |
| Spot admission | BHU may hold a spot round for seats remaining after all scheduled counselling rounds are complete |
Important: If you hold a round 1 seat but want to upgrade to a different program, you can surrender the seat and re-enter round 2. Only do this if you are confident a better option will be available — surrendering is irreversible once the round 1 acceptance window closes. Monitor the official BHU CUET PG portal for all round 2 dates and instructions.
How to Maximise Chances with a Low Score
A low CUET PG 2026 score does not close all doors at BHU. These practical steps can significantly improve your chances of securing a seat:
- Fill the maximum number of program choices in the BHU CUET PG counselling portal. More choices mean more chances of receiving an allotment, especially for programs with fewer applicants.
- Target interdisciplinary programs that accept multiple CUET PG papers — check whether your paper qualifies you for programs outside your primary subject.
- Apply under your correct reserved category if eligible. SC/ST/OBC/EWS and PwD category cutoffs are typically 20–50 marks lower than general cutoffs for the same program.
- Monitor the seat matrix on the BHU CUET PG portal regularly — BHU sometimes releases additional seats mid-counselling, opening up new options for students lower on the merit list.
- Participate in every counselling round including spot rounds. Second and spot round closing scores are historically lower than round 1 scores for the same programs.
- Do not leave choices blank — even programs you consider a fallback are better than no allotment; you can always decline a seat you do not want after receiving the allotment.
CUET PG 2026 BHU Admission FAQs
Ques. What is the minimum CUET PG 2026 score required for BHU PG admission?
Ans. There is no single minimum score — BHU PG cutoffs vary by program, category and competition that year. Based on 2024 trends, niche programs like MA Pali, MA Arabic and MA Persian closed as low as 70–95 marks (out of 300) in the general category. Reserved category students qualify at even lower scores.
Ques. Can I get BHU PG admission with a CUET PG 2026 score below 100?
Ans. Yes, for certain programs. MA Arabic, MA Persian and MA Pali and Buddhist Studies at BHU have historically closed below 100 marks in the general category. Reserved category students have a wider set of viable options at this score level. Fill as many choices as possible during counselling.
Ques. When will BHU PG second round admission 2026 begin?
Ans. BHU PG second round admission 2026 is expected to begin in late July 2026, after the first round seat acceptance deadline. Exact dates will be published on the official BHU CUET PG portal at bhucuetpg.samarth.edu.in.
Ques. What is the total marks in CUET PG 2026?
Ans. CUET PG 2026 is out of 300 marks. The exam has 75 MCQ questions carrying 4 marks each, with a deduction of 1 mark for each incorrect answer.
Ques. Will BHU conduct a spot round for PG 2026 admissions?
Ans. BHU typically holds spot admissions after all scheduled counselling rounds if vacant seats remain. Valid CUET PG 2026 registration is required to participate. Watch the official BHU CUET PG portal for spot round announcements closer to the date.
Ques. Can reserved category students secure BHU PG seats with very low CUET PG 2026 scores?
Ans. Yes. SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD students benefit from reserved seats with lower closing scores across all BHU PG programs. For SC and ST categories, cutoffs can be significantly below the general cutoff for the same program. Ensure your valid category certificate is uploaded correctly in the BHU counselling portal before applying.
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