Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Ph.D. in Agricultural Statistics at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi is a full-time, on-campus doctoral research programme offered under the Faculty of Agriculture (Institute of Agricultural Sciences). The programme has a minimum duration of 3 years and a maximum of 6 years, with research focused on statistical methods in agriculture, experimental design, sampling techniques, biometrics, econometrics, and data science applications in agriculture. BHU is one of India's premier Central Universities (NIRF Rank 3 among universities) with well-equipped computing and statistical laboratories supporting advanced quantitative research. The programme is popular among agriculture and statistics graduates seeking careers in agricultural research institutions, government statistical services, and academia. Admission is through the NTA Ph.D. Entrance Test or the RET-Exempted mode for candidates holding national fellowships such as ICAR-JRF or UGC-NET.

Admissions for the 2026-27 session have been completed. The online registration window was open from December 3 to December 16, 2026, with document verification and interviews held from January 10 to January 16, 2027, and results/offer letters published between January 24 and February 5, 2027. A second admission cycle is expected to begin from February 12, 2027. For the 2027-28 session, tentative registration is expected to open around November-December 2027 based on the current year's pattern.

Key Points

Offered under the Department of Agricultural Statistics, Faculty of Agriculture, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, BHU.
Admission is through NTA Ph.D. Entrance Test (for non-NET candidates) or RET-Exempted mode (for ICAR-JRF/UGC-NET/CSIR-NET holders).
50% of seats are filled through the RET-Exempted (NET/JRF) mode and the remaining 50% through NTA Ph.D. Entrance Test.
Research areas include experimental design, sampling theory, biometrics, statistical modelling, econometrics, and data science in agriculture.
BHU's computing infrastructure and access to large agricultural datasets support advanced statistical research.
Candidates with valid JRF/SRF fellowships are eligible for monthly stipends of Rs. 37,000 (JRF) and Rs. 42,000 (SRF) as per revised ICAR/UGC norms.

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BHU Ph.D. (Agricultural Statistics) Fees

The Ph.D. (Agricultural Statistics) at BHU falls under the Faculty of Agriculture (Agricultural Sciences category). The annual fees are extremely affordable, making BHU one of the most cost-effective institutions for doctoral research in India. The first-year fees include one-time charges such as admission fee, enrollment fee, and caution money, while subsequent years attract only recurring charges.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	1st Year (Rs.)	2nd Year Onwards (Rs.)
Tuition Fee	2,000	2,000
Library Fee	500	500
Campus Utility Fee	410	410
Development Fund	2,400	2,400
Student Health Welfare Scheme	350	350
Student Welfare Fund	300	300
Extra Curricular Activities Fund	210	210
Academic Assessment Fee	100	-
Registration Fee	20	-
Enrollment Fee	100	-
Admission Fee	150	-
I-Card and Passbook Fee	50	-
College Caution Money (Refundable)	1,000	-
Degree Charges	100	-
Total Fees	7,690	6,170

College Caution Money of Rs. 1,000 is refundable at the time of leaving the university.
Hostel fees are separate and optional. BHU has 72 hostels on campus; hostel charges typically range from Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 8,000 per year depending on the hostel type, plus mess charges.
Application processing fee: Rs. 600 for General/OBC/EWS candidates and Rs. 300 for SC/ST/PwBD candidates.
No EMI facility is applicable given the very low fee structure.

BHU Ph.D. (Agricultural Statistics) Admission 2026

Admissions to the Ph.D. (Agricultural Statistics) at BHU are conducted annually through a two-cycle process. Candidates can apply either through the NTA Ph.D. Entrance Test mode or the RET-Exempted mode if they hold a valid national fellowship such as ICAR-JRF or UGC-NET. The 2026-27 admission cycle has been completed; the second cycle is expected to begin from February 12, 2027. For the upcoming 2027-28 session, applications are tentatively expected to open in November-December 2027.

Important Dates

Event	Date
Online Registration Opens	December 3, 2026
Online Registration Closes	December 16, 2026
Correction Window	December 17, 2026
Call Letter Issuance	December 20-24, 2026
Document Verification & Interview	January 10-16, 2027
Result / Offer Letter Publication	January 24 - February 5, 2027
Second Cycle Admission Begins	February 12, 2027

Entrance Exam Dates

Exam	Registration Period	Exam Date	Remarks
UGC-NET (Phase 1)	October 7 - November 7, 2026	December 31, 2026 - January 7, 2027	Qualifying for RET-Exempted admission
UGC-NET (Phase 2)	April 1, 2027	June 2027	Qualifying for RET-Exempted admission
CSIR-NET	May 1 - May 21, 2027	July 25-27, 2027	Applicable for Mathematical Sciences
NTA Ph.D. Entrance Test	As per NTA schedule	As per NTA schedule	Primary entrance for non-NET candidates

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold an M.Sc. (Ag.) or M.Sc. in Agricultural Statistics from a recognized university, with a minimum of 55% marks in aggregate (50% for SC/ST/PwBD candidates).
The undergraduate degree must be B.Sc. (Ag.) or B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture, a 4-year credit-based programme under ICAR guidelines.
Candidates with valid ICAR-JRF, UGC-NET/JRF, or CSIR-NET are eligible for direct admission under the RET-Exempted category without appearing in the NTA Ph.D. Entrance Test.

Admission Process

Step 1: Apply online through the BHU Admission Portal (admission.bhu.ac.in) within the notified registration window.
Step 2: Pay the application processing fee online (Rs. 600 for General/OBC/EWS; Rs. 300 for SC/ST/PwBD).
Step 3: Appear in NTA Ph.D. Entrance Test (if not RET-Exempted); RET-Exempted candidates proceed directly to document verification.
Step 4: Attend document verification and interview at the Faculty of Agriculture as per the notified schedule.
Step 5: Merit list is prepared based on NTA/NET score and interview performance.
Step 6: Selected candidates receive offer letters and must pay fees within the stipulated deadline to confirm admission.
Step 7: Allotment of research supervisor by the Departmental Research Committee (DRC).

BHU Ph.D. (Agricultural Statistics) Scholarships 2026

BHU Ph.D. scholars in Agricultural Statistics can avail of several fellowship and scholarship options through national-level competitive examinations. ICAR-JRF is the most relevant fellowship for agricultural statistics students, while UGC-NET/JRF and CSIR-NET are also accepted. BHU also provides a non-NET fellowship for scholars without any national fellowship, ensuring financial support throughout the doctoral tenure.

Fellowship Amounts

Scholarship / Fellowship	Amount	Eligibility
ICAR-JRF (Junior Research Fellowship)	Rs. 37,000/month (first 2 years)	ICAR-NET qualified with JRF
ICAR-SRF (Senior Research Fellowship)	Rs. 42,000/month (after 2 years, on assessment)	Upgrade from ICAR-JRF
UGC-JRF	Rs. 37,000/month (first 2 years)	UGC-NET qualified with JRF
UGC-SRF	Rs. 42,000/month (after 2 years, on assessment)	Upgrade from UGC-JRF
CSIR-JRF	Rs. 37,000/month (first 2 years)	CSIR-NET qualified with JRF
CSIR-SRF	Rs. 42,000/month (after 2 years)	Upgrade from CSIR-JRF
BHU Non-NET Fellowship	Rs. 8,000/month	PhD scholars enrolled at BHU without any national fellowship

JRF/SRF fellowship amounts are as per revised ICAR/UGC/CSIR norms effective from January 1, 2023.
HRA (House Rent Allowance) is admissible to JRF/SRF holders as per institutional norms.
BHU Non-NET Fellowship of Rs. 8,000/month is provided to scholars who do not hold any external fellowship, subject to satisfactory research progress.
Scholars are also eligible to apply for project-based fellowships from DST, DBT, ICAR, and other funding agencies through their supervisors.
SC/ST/PwBD scholars may also be eligible for additional government scholarships such as the National Fellowship for SC/ST students.

BHU Ph.D Agricultural Statistics 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 Ph.D. (Agricultural Statistics) FAQs

Ques. What is the scope of Ph.D. in Agricultural Statistics from BHU?

Ans. Agricultural Statistics is a highly interdisciplinary field with strong demand in research institutions, government statistical services, and data analytics. Graduates can work as biometricians and statisticians at ICAR institutes (e.g., IASRI, IARI), as faculty in agricultural universities, as data analysts in agri-tech companies, and as statistical officers in government departments such as the Ministry of Agriculture and NSSO.

Ques. Is Ph.D. Agricultural Statistics different from Ph.D. Statistics at BHU?

Ans. Yes. Ph.D. Agricultural Statistics under the Faculty of Agriculture focuses on statistical applications specific to agricultural research, including experimental design for field trials, sampling in agricultural surveys, and biometrical genetics. Ph.D. Statistics under the Faculty of Science/Arts is broader and covers theoretical statistics, probability, and general applications. The Agricultural Statistics programme is more applied and agriculture-specific.

Ques. How many seats are available for Ph.D. Agricultural Statistics at BHU?

Ans. As per the 2023-24 Ph.D. Information Bulletin, 6 seats are available for Ph.D. in Agricultural Statistics under the Faculty of Agriculture. Of these, 50% are filled through the RET-Exempted (NET/JRF) mode and the remaining 50% through the NTA Ph.D. Entrance Test.

Ques. What software and tools are used in Ph.D. Agricultural Statistics research at BHU?

Ans. Scholars typically use statistical software such as SAS, R, SPSS, and Python for data analysis. Specialized agricultural statistics software like OPSTAT, SPAR, and GENRES are also used for experimental design and analysis. BHU's computing infrastructure supports access to these tools.

Ques. Can a candidate with M.Sc. Statistics (non-agriculture) apply for Ph.D. Agricultural Statistics at BHU?

Ans. The primary eligibility requires M.Sc. (Ag.) in Agricultural Statistics with a B.Sc. (Ag.) background under ICAR guidelines. Candidates with M.Sc. Statistics from a general university may not directly qualify unless their qualification falls under the allied discipline provisions notified in the official bulletin. Candidates should verify eligibility carefully before applying.

Ques. What are the emerging research areas in Agricultural Statistics that Ph.D. scholars at BHU are working on?

Ans. Emerging research areas include machine learning and AI applications in crop yield prediction, remote sensing data analysis for agricultural monitoring, climate change impact modelling, precision agriculture analytics, and big data approaches for agricultural decision-making. These areas align well with national priorities in digital agriculture and food security.