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The M.Sc. (Agriculture) in Mycology and Plant Pathology at Banaras Hindu University is a 2-year full-time postgraduate programme offered by the Department of Mycology and Plant Pathology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences (I.Ag.Sc.), at BHU's main campus in Varanasi. The programme is offered under the course code PG0340 and is a Professional Programme. Mycology is the study of fungi, while Plant Pathology deals with the diseases of plants caused by pathogens including fungi, bacteria, viruses, and nematodes. The curriculum covers fungal biology, plant disease diagnosis, disease management strategies, biological control, integrated pest management, and molecular plant pathology. BHU's Department of Mycology and Plant Pathology is one of the oldest and most reputed departments in India for plant disease research, with a strong tradition of research on crop diseases and their management. The total fee for the programme is Rs. 12,500 per semester (Rs. 50,000 for the entire 2-year duration) for regular seats, with paid seats available at Rs. 42,500 per semester. Admission is based on CUET PG scores, and the programme is popular among students seeking careers in plant disease management, agricultural research, and crop protection.

Admissions for the 2026-27 academic session are upcoming. CUET PG 2026 was conducted from March 6 to March 27, 2026, and results are expected by May 6, 2026. BHU's Combined Allotment Programme (CAP-PG 2026) registration is expected to open tentatively in May-June 2026. Candidates are advised to regularly check the official BHU admission portal at https://admission.bhu.ac.in for updates.

Key Points

The Department of Mycology and Plant Pathology at BHU is one of the oldest in India, with a strong research tradition in fungal taxonomy, plant disease epidemiology, and biological control of plant pathogens.
The programme covers both classical and molecular approaches to plant disease diagnosis and management, including PCR-based diagnostics, ELISA, and next-generation sequencing for pathogen identification.
Both regular seats (Rs. 12,500/semester) and paid seats (Rs. 42,500/semester) are available, with the same academic curriculum for both categories.
Graduates are well-positioned for careers in crop protection companies, ICAR research institutes, state agricultural departments, and quarantine services.
The programme is a strong foundation for Ph.D. in Plant Pathology, Mycology, or Biological Control, opening doors to research and academic careers.

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BHU M.Sc Mycology & Plant Pathology Fees

The M.Sc. (Mycology and Plant Pathology) at BHU is a Professional Programme with two fee categories: regular seats at Rs. 12,500 per semester and paid seats at Rs. 42,500 per semester. The total tuition fee for the 2-year programme is Rs. 50,000 for regular seats and Rs. 1,70,000 for paid seats. Hostel accommodation is available on campus at a separate nominal charge.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Regular Seats (INR)	Paid Seats (INR)
Tuition Fee (per semester)	12,500	42,500
Tuition Fee (4 semesters total)	50,000	1,70,000
Other University Charges	As applicable	As applicable
Total Tuition Fees	50,000	1,70,000

Hostel Fees (Optional - Not Mandatory)

Hostel Component	Amount (INR)
Hostel Room Rent (per year)	Approx. 5,000 - 7,500
Security Deposit (refundable)	Approx. 2,000 (included in Year 1 hostel fee)
Mess Charges	Payable separately at actuals

Fee amounts are as per the BHU PG Bulletin 2026 and are subject to revision by the university.
Paid seats are supernumerary seats with a higher fee but the same academic programme and curriculum.
Hostel fees are separate from tuition fees and are not mandatory.
No EMI facility is officially offered; fees are payable semester-wise.
SC/ST/OBC students from Uttar Pradesh may be eligible for UP Scholarship which can cover tuition fees.

BHU M.Sc Mycology & Plant Pathology Admission 2026

Admissions to the M.Sc. (Mycology and Plant Pathology) programme at BHU are conducted through CUET PG scores, followed by BHU's Combined Allotment Programme (CAP-PG). For the 2026-27 session, CUET PG 2026 has been conducted and results are awaited. The CAP-PG 2026 process is expected to begin after CUET PG results are declared. Candidates must apply separately on the BHU CAP-PG portal after CUET PG registration.

Important Dates

Event	Date
CUET PG 2026 Registration Start	December 14, 2025
CUET PG 2026 Registration End	January 25, 2026
CUET PG 2026 Admit Card Release	March 3, 2026
CUET PG 2026 Exam Dates	March 6 - March 27, 2026
CUET PG 2026 Result Declaration	May 6, 2026
BHU CAP-PG 2026 Registration (Tentative)	May - June 2026
BHU CAP-PG 2026 Counselling/Allotment (Tentative)	June - July 2026
Academic Session Commencement (Tentative)	July - August 2026

Note: BHU CAP-PG 2026 dates are tentative and based on the previous year's schedule. Candidates must check https://admission.bhu.ac.in for official updates.

Exam Details

Exam	CUET PG 2026
Conducting Body	National Testing Agency (NTA)
CUET Paper Code for this Course	SCQP01 (Agriculture)
Mode	Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Exam Dates	March 6 - March 27, 2026
Result Date	May 6, 2026
Official Website	https://exams.nta.nic.in/cuet-pg

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold a 4-year degree of Bachelor of Science (Agriculture) or Bachelor of Science (Honours) Agriculture from a recognised university, with credit-based course system.
General category candidates must have secured at least 6.0/10 OGPA (or equivalent: 2.5/4, 3.5/5, 4.0/6) in the qualifying examination. SC/ST/OBC/PwBD candidates require 5.5/10 OGPA (or equivalent: 2.0/4, 3.0/5, 3.5/6).
Candidates must not have secured more than one III-division or equivalent OGPA in their academic career.

Admission Process

Register and appear for CUET PG 2026 conducted by NTA (Paper Code: SCQP01).
After CUET PG results, apply separately on BHU's CAP-PG 2026 portal (https://admission.bhu.ac.in).
Fill in programme preferences in the CAP-PG application form, selecting Mycology and Plant Pathology as the specialisation under M.Sc. (Agriculture).
Seat allotment is done based on CUET PG merit, category, and programme preferences.
Candidates receiving allotment must report to BHU's Department of Mycology and Plant Pathology for document verification and fee payment within the stipulated deadline.
Up to 25% of open category seats carry institutional preference for BHU graduates (students who passed their qualifying degree from BHU in 2025 or 2026).
15% supernumerary seats are available for BHU Employee Wards and Foreign Nationals separately.
Paid seats are also available as supernumerary seats (not exceeding 15% of total seats) with a higher fee.

BHU M.Sc Mycology & Plant Pathology Scholarships 2026

Students enrolled in the M.Sc. (Mycology and Plant Pathology) programme at BHU can avail of several government-funded scholarships. ICAR-JRF holders who qualify the ICAR Junior Research Fellowship examination receive a fellowship of Rs. 31,000 per month during their M.Sc. programme. Additionally, national and state-level scholarships are available for meritorious and economically weaker students.

Available Scholarships

Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount
ICAR Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)	Qualify ICAR-JRF examination; enrolled in ICAR-recognised M.Sc. (Agriculture) programme	Rs. 31,000 per month + HRA
National Scholarship Portal (PM-USP)	80% in Class 12, parental income up to Rs. 4.5 Lakhs, enrolled in AICTE/UGC recognised course	Up to Rs. 82,000 per annum
UGC National Scholarship for PG Studies	First-time PG students under 30 years, enrolled in UGC-recognised full-time programme	Rs. 10,000 per year (or Rs. 15,000 per month for select categories)
UP Scholarship (Pre/Post Matric)	SC/ST/OBC/Minority students domiciled in Uttar Pradesh	Covers tuition fee and maintenance allowance as per state norms
PM Vidyalaxmi Scheme	Students admitted to recognised institutions, seeking education loan	Collateral-free and guarantor-free education loan; interest subsidy for eligible students

ICAR-JRF is a highly competitive examination conducted by ICAR-ASRB. Students who qualify ICAR-JRF before or during their M.Sc. can avail the fellowship.
UP Scholarship applications are typically open from July to October each year on the official portal (https://scholarship.up.gov.in).
PM Vidyalaxmi Scheme applications can be submitted at https://pmvidyalaxmi.co.in.
Students must maintain a minimum of 50% marks and 75% attendance to remain eligible for most scholarships.

BHU M.Sc Mycology & Plant Pathology Ranking

Collegedunia Ranking

#5 out of 53 in India 2025

#2nd in Uttar Pradesh

NIRF Ranking

#4 out of 40 in India 2025

#1st in Uttar Pradesh

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BHU M.Sc Mycology & Plant Pathology FAQs

Ques. What is the difference between Mycology and Plant Pathology, and why are they combined in one department at BHU?

Ans. Mycology is the scientific study of fungi, including their genetics, biochemistry, and ecological roles. Plant Pathology is the study of plant diseases caused by pathogens (fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes, and others). Since fungi are the most common cause of plant diseases, the two disciplines are closely related and are traditionally combined in agricultural universities. BHU's Department of Mycology and Plant Pathology covers both disciplines, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of fungal biology and plant disease management.

Ques. What career opportunities are available after M.Sc. Mycology and Plant Pathology from BHU?

Ans. Graduates can pursue careers in crop protection companies (as plant pathologists and technical representatives), ICAR research institutes (NCIPM, IARI, NBPGR), state agricultural departments (as plant protection officers), and quarantine services (National Plant Quarantine Station). They can also work in biological control companies, seed health testing laboratories, and international organisations. Many graduates pursue Ph.D. in Plant Pathology and subsequently join academia or research institutions.

Ques. Is ICAR-JRF applicable for M.Sc. Mycology and Plant Pathology at BHU?

Ans. Yes. BHU's Institute of Agricultural Sciences is ICAR-recognised, and students enrolled in M.Sc. (Agriculture) Mycology and Plant Pathology are eligible for the ICAR-JRF fellowship. The ICAR-JRF examination for this discipline falls under the Plant Pathology category. Students who qualify receive Rs. 31,000 per month plus HRA during their M.Sc. programme.

Ques. Does the M.Sc. Mycology and Plant Pathology programme at BHU cover molecular diagnostics and biological control?

Ans. Yes. The curriculum at BHU covers modern molecular diagnostic techniques for plant disease identification, including PCR, ELISA, and DNA barcoding. Students also learn about biological control agents (Trichoderma, Bacillus, Pseudomonas) and their application in integrated disease management. The department has well-equipped laboratories for fungal culture, molecular biology, and biocontrol research.

Ques. Can students with a B.Sc. (Hons.) Botany or B.Sc. Microbiology background apply for M.Sc. Mycology and Plant Pathology at BHU?

Ans. No. BHU's M.Sc. (Agriculture) Mycology and Plant Pathology requires a 4-year B.Sc. (Agriculture) or B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture degree. Students with B.Sc. (Hons.) Botany or Microbiology backgrounds are not eligible for this programme. However, they may be eligible for M.Sc. Botany or M.Sc. Microbiology offered by BHU's Faculty of Science.

Ques. What is the significance of studying Mycology and Plant Pathology at BHU given its location in Varanasi?

Ans. BHU's location in the Indo-Gangetic Plain, one of India's most important agricultural regions, provides students with direct exposure to crop diseases affecting major crops like wheat, rice, sugarcane, and vegetables. The department has long-standing research on diseases of these crops, and students benefit from field-based learning in addition to laboratory work. The proximity to ICAR-IISR (Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research) and other research stations in the region also provides networking and research collaboration opportunities.