BHU BA Kathak and Bharatnatyam: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Content Curator | J/hVSQ

The Bachelor of Arts [BA] (Hons.) in Dance (Kathak and Bharatnatyam) at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, is a 4-year full-time undergraduate programme offered at the Mahila Maha Vidyalaya (MMV), the prestigious women's constituent college of BHU. The programme is exclusively for female students and covers both Kathak (North Indian classical dance) and Bharatnatyam (South Indian classical dance) as major specialisations, blending rigorous practical training with theoretical study in Indian aesthetics, musicology, and dance history. With a total tuition fee of approximately Rs. 57,200 for the entire 4-year duration and a seat intake of 270 (BA Hons. Arts at MMV), the course is highly affordable and draws students from across India who wish to pursue classical dance at one of the country's most reputed universities. The programme is popular for its deep-rooted cultural heritage, expert faculty, and BHU's standing as a NIRF-ranked institution.

Admissions for the 2026-27 session are upcoming. Based on the previous year's pattern, applications are expected to open in March-April 2026 through the BHU online portal (bhuonline.in) after CUET UG 2026 registration. The CUET UG 2026 exam is scheduled from May 11 to May 31, 2026, with results expected in early July 2026. BHU admissions typically commence in July-August 2026 following CUET results.

Key Points

The BA (Hons.) in Dance (Kathak and Bharatnatyam) is offered exclusively at Mahila Maha Vidyalaya (MMV), BHU - a women-only constituent college on the main BHU campus, Varanasi.
Students choose their major specialisation (Kathak or Bharatnatyam) after admission based on merit and preference.
The programme follows the NEP 2020 framework and spans 4 years (8 semesters), with multiple exit options at the end of Year 1 (Certificate), Year 2 (Diploma), and Year 3 (UG Degree).
Admission is based on a composite merit comprising CUET UG scores and a practical examination conducted at BHU.
The course is taught by experienced faculty from BHU's Faculty of Performing Arts, one of India's oldest and most respected performing arts institutions.
Graduates are eligible to pursue the Master of Performing Arts (MPA) in Dance at BHU or other universities.

Official Link:

Go To Website

Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

BHU Latest Updates and News

Key Updates1

Other Updates1

06 May, 2026 BHU BA Kathak and Bharatnatyam Fee Structure 2026-27 has been released. The total academic fee is ₹ 6,900 . Read more.

BHU BA (Kathak and Bharatnatyam) Fees

The BA (Hons.) in Dance (Kathak and Bharatnatyam) at MMV, BHU is one of the most affordable classical dance programmes in India. The total tuition fee for the 4-year programme is approximately Rs. 57,200, which works out to roughly Rs. 14,300 per year. The fee structure includes an academic fee and a development fee per semester. SC/ST/PwD students are eligible for full tuition fee waivers as per BHU norms.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Per Semester (Rs.)	Total for 4 Years (Rs.)
Academic Fee	400	3,200
Development Fee	750	6,000
Other Charges (Exam, Library, etc.)	~1,000 (approx.)	~8,000 (approx.)
Tuition Fee Total	~2,150 (approx.)	~57,200 (approx.)
Hostel Fee (optional)	~4,875 per semester	~39,000 for 4 years
Total Fees (without hostel)		~57,200
Total Fees (with hostel)		~96,200

Hostel accommodation is optional and subject to availability. Girls' hostels at MMV campus (Jyoti Kunj, Kirti Kunj, Pragya Kunj, etc.) charge approximately Rs. 4,875 per semester.
Mess/food charges are separate and not included in the hostel fee above.
SC/ST/PwD students receive full tuition fee waiver; they pay only the development and other charges.
Paid seat fee for Performing Arts is Rs. 12,500 per semester (total Rs. 1,00,000 for 4 years) for students admitted on paid seats.
Fees are subject to revision by the university each academic year.

BHU BA (Kathak and Bharatnatyam) Admission 2026

Admission to the BA (Hons.) in Dance (Kathak and Bharatnatyam) at MMV, BHU is based on a composite merit of CUET UG scores and a practical examination conducted by BHU. The 2026-27 admission season is upcoming; based on the 2025 pattern, the process is expected to follow the timeline below.

BHU Admission Dates

Event	Tentative Date (2026)
BHU Online Application Portal Opens	March-April 2026
Last Date to Apply on BHU Portal	April-May 2026
Practical Examination at BHU	June-July 2026
Merit List / Shortlist Announcement	July 2026
Counselling and Document Verification	July-August 2026
Commencement of Classes	August-September 2026

Entrance Exam Dates

Event	Date
CUET UG Application Form Start	January 3, 2026
CUET UG Application Form End	February 26, 2026
CUET UG Admit Card Release	May 5, 2026 (Tentative)
CUET UG Exam	May 11 - May 31, 2026
CUET UG Answer Key Release	June 17, 2026 (Tentative)
CUET UG Result	July 4, 2026 (Tentative)

Source: cuet.nta.nic.in

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must have passed 10+2 or equivalent examination securing a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate (45% for SC/ST/PwD).
Candidates must have Dance (Kathak/Bharatnatyam) as one of the subjects in 10+2 and must have passed in this subject; OR passed a 3-year Diploma in Dance (Kathak/Bharatnatyam) from BHU or an equivalent examination; OR passed Part-time Diploma of Kalakshetra, Chennai / 3-year Diploma of Kathak Kendra, New Delhi / equivalent recognised diploma.
Age: Not more than 22 years as of July 1, 2026 (relaxation for reserved categories as per BHU norms).
This course is open to female students only (offered at MMV, BHU).

Admission Process

Register for CUET UG 2026 on cuet.nta.nic.in and select Performing Arts (Subject Code 320) as the domain subject.
Appear for the CUET UG computer-based test.
Register separately on the BHU online admission portal (bhuonline.in) after CUET results are declared.
Appear for the BHU Practical Examination conducted at the BHU campus, Varanasi (includes a live performance/audition in Kathak or Bharatnatyam and a viva voce).
Final merit is based on a composite of CUET UG score and BHU Practical Examination marks.
Participate in BHU's Centralised Admission Process (CAP) counselling, submit documents, and pay fees to confirm admission.

BHU BA (Kathak and Bharatnatyam) Scholarships 2026

BHU offers a range of scholarships to students of the BA (Hons.) in Dance programme, covering both merit-based and need-based categories. Students from economically weaker sections and SC/ST/PwD backgrounds receive significant financial support, making this programme accessible to talented dancers from all backgrounds.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship Name	Amount (Rs./Year)	Eligibility
Pyare Lal - Prem Vati Memorial Scholarship	10,000	Top performers in practical examinations
Earn While You Learn Scheme	5,000 + part-time work	Economically needy students; work in library/department
Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship (NSP)	12,000	50%+ marks in 10+2; family income below Rs. 4.5 lakh/year
Post-Matric Scholarship (SC/ST)	As per government norms	SC/ST students; applied via NSP portal
BHU Tuition Fee Waiver	Full tuition waiver	SC/ST/PwD students
State Government Scholarships (UP)	Varies	Domicile of Uttar Pradesh; income-based

Applications for most scholarships are made through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in).
The Earn While You Learn scheme requires students to work part-time (library, department assistance) for approximately 2-3 hours per day.
Scholarship deadlines are typically announced at the start of each academic year; students should check the BHU website and NSP portal regularly.
SC/ST/PwD students must submit valid category certificates at the time of admission to avail fee waivers.

BHU BA (Kathak and Bharatnatyam) FAQs

Q1. Is the BA (Hons.) in Dance (Kathak and Bharatnatyam) at BHU open to male students?

Ans. No, this specific course is offered at Mahila Maha Vidyalaya (MMV), which is a women-only constituent college of BHU. Male students interested in dance at BHU should look at the Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA) in Dance offered by the Faculty of Performing Arts at the main campus (FMC), which is open to all genders.

Q2. What is the difference between the BA (Hons.) in Dance at MMV and the BPA in Dance at the Faculty of Performing Arts?

Ans. The BA (Hons.) in Dance at MMV is a 4-year programme for female students only, offered under the Faculty of Arts umbrella with a broader liberal arts curriculum alongside dance. The BPA in Dance at the Faculty of Performing Arts (FMC) is a professional performing arts degree open to all genders, with a more intensive focus on performance training. Both require CUET UG scores plus a BHU practical examination for admission.

Q3. Do I need to have studied Kathak or Bharatnatyam formally before applying?

Ans. Yes, prior formal training is mandatory. You must have either studied Dance (Kathak/Bharatnatyam) as a subject in 10+2 and passed in it, OR hold a recognised 3-year diploma in Kathak or Bharatnatyam from BHU or an equivalent institution (such as Kalakshetra, Chennai or Kathak Kendra, New Delhi). Candidates without any formal dance background are not eligible.

Q4. Can I choose both Kathak and Bharatnatyam as my specialisation, or do I have to pick one?

Ans. After admission, students are required to choose one major specialisation - either Kathak or Bharatnatyam - based on their prior training, merit, and seat availability. The course title includes both forms as BHU offers both under the same programme, but individual students specialise in one form.

Q5. What career options are available after completing this BA in Dance from BHU?

Ans. Graduates can pursue a Master of Performing Arts (MPA) in Dance at BHU or other universities for advanced training. Career options include becoming a professional classical dancer, dance teacher or faculty at schools/colleges, choreographer, cultural programme coordinator, or joining government cultural organisations such as Sangeet Natak Akademi, Doordarshan, or state cultural departments. Many graduates also establish their own dance academies.

Q6. Is hostel accommodation guaranteed for students admitted to MMV, BHU?

Ans. Hostel accommodation at MMV is available in dedicated girls' hostels on campus (Jyoti Kunj, Kirti Kunj, Pragya Kunj, Swasti Kunj, etc.) but is subject to availability and is allotted on a merit-cum-need basis. Students are advised to apply for hostel accommodation at the time of admission. The hostel fee is approximately Rs. 4,875 per semester, exclusive of mess charges.

Course Finder

Search from 20K+ Courses and 35+ Streams

BHU: 1 Answered Question

How is 5 years integrated law course of BHU and how is the placement there?

Ujjval GuptaA lawyer in the making

BHU LLB Course is better than most Indian Colleges. Some of its salient features are:

Fee is higher than the 3-year course
Tough competition as limited seats are available
It’s a self-financed course
Ranked amongst the 8-10 Law Colleges of India
The amenities at BHU- Infrastructure, Faculty, Exposure, Security all add to its wonderful experience
Massive lush green campus

Placements-

The placements at BHU are above average. You might get to work in law firms, practicing in courts under a senior lawyer. Other corporate sectors or legal advisory jobs are also available. Many BHU students also prefer pursuing Judiciary.

View All Questions and Answers