BHU Ph.D Botany: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

Banaras Hindu University's Ph.D. in Botany is a 3-year full-time doctoral programme offered through the Department of Botany under the Institute of Science (Faculty of Science), one of the oldest and most distinguished science faculties in India, established in 1916. The programme covers a wide spectrum of botanical research including plant physiology, plant ecology, phycology, mycology, plant pathology, ethnobotany, environmental botany, molecular biology, and applied microbiology. The total course fee is approximately Rs. 33,055 for the entire 3-year duration, making it one of the most affordable PhD programmes in the country. The Department of Botany at BHU has 15 Professors, 5 Associate Professors, and 14 Assistant Professors, with a strong research output and DST-FIST support. Admission is based on UGC/CSIR NET scores (RET mode) or JRF qualification (RET-Exempted mode), with a seat intake of 30 seats (7 under RET mode and 23 under RET-Exempted mode) as per the 2026-27 bulletin. BHU is ranked 6th among Indian universities by NIRF 2025 and is recognised as an Institution of Eminence.

Admission for the 2026-27 session has been completed. The first cycle registration was open from December 3 to December 16, 2026, with interviews held between January 5 and January 16, 2027, and results published between January 24 and February 5, 2027. The second cycle of admissions began from February 12, 2027. For the upcoming 2027-28 session, applications are tentatively expected to open in August 2027, based on the previous year's schedule.

Key Points

Offered by the Department of Botany, Institute of Science, BHU - one of the oldest botany departments in India with over a century of research legacy.
Research areas include plant physiology, phycology, mycology, plant pathology, ethnobotany, environmental botany, molecular plant biology, and applied microbiology.
The department has received DST-FIST support and has active UGC-SAP programmes, reflecting its research excellence.
Candidates with JRF (UGC/CSIR/DBT/ICMR) qualify for direct admission under the RET-Exempted category with 100% interview weightage.
Allied disciplines accepted include Applied Microbiology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, and Environmental Science, broadening eligibility.
BHU's Central Library provides access to 15+ lakh volumes and 15,000+ online journals, supporting extensive literature review and research.
Non-NET PhD scholars are eligible for BHU's Non-NET Fellowship of Rs. 8,000 per month for up to 4 years.

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BHU PhD Botany Fees

The Ph.D. (Botany) programme at BHU is extremely affordable, with a total course fee of approximately Rs. 33,055 for the full 3-year duration. The fee structure is annual, with a slightly higher first-year fee due to one-time admission charges. Hostel accommodation is available on campus at nominal charges and is not mandatory; mess charges are payable separately based on actual usage.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Year 1 (Rs.)	Year 2 (Rs.)	Year 3 (Rs.)	Total (Rs.)
Tuition Fee	7,167	6,317	6,317	19,801
Examination Fee	2,000	2,000	2,000	6,000
Other University Charges	2,418	2,418	2,418	7,254
Total Fees	11,585	10,735	10,735	33,055

Hostel Fees (Optional)

Hostel Component	Amount (Rs.)
Hostel Seat Rent (per year)	~3,000 - 4,500
Mess Charges (per year, approx.)	~24,000
Total Hostel + Mess (approx. per year)	~27,000 - 28,500

A refundable caution deposit is collected at the time of admission and returned upon completion/withdrawal.
Hostel accommodation is subject to availability and is not mandatory.
Mess charges are variable and depend on actual consumption.
No EMI facility is available; fees are payable annually at the time of registration.
Application processing fee: Rs. 600 for General/OBC/EWS candidates and Rs. 300 for SC/ST/PwBD candidates (non-refundable).

BHU PhD Botany Admission 2026

BHU PhD admissions for Botany are conducted annually through the Department of Botany under the Faculty of Science. The 2026-27 admission cycle has been completed, with the first cycle concluding in February 2027 and a second cycle beginning from February 12, 2027. For the 2027-28 session, applications are tentatively expected in August-September 2027. Admission is merit-based, combining UGC/CSIR NET scores with a personal interview, and it is mandatory to have a valid NET qualification before applying.

Admission Dates

Event	2026-27 (Actual)	2027-28 (Tentative)
Online Registration Opens	December 3, 2026	August 2027
Last Date of Registration	December 16, 2026	August 25, 2027
Correction Window	December 17, 2026	August 26, 2027
Call Letter / Admit Card Issue	December 20-24, 2026	September 2027
Physical Verification and Interview	January 5-16, 2027	September 2027
Result / Offer Letter Publication	January 24 - February 5, 2027	September-October 2027
	February 5, 2027	October 2027
Second Cycle Begins	February 12, 2027	October 2027
Session Commencement	February-March 2027	October-November 2027

Entrance Exam Dates

Exam	Event	Dates
UGC NET (Phase 1)	Registration	October 7 - November 7, 2026
UGC NET (Phase 1)	Exam	December 31, 2026 - January 7, 2027
UGC NET (Phase 1)	Result	February 4, 2027
UGC NET (Phase 2)	Registration	April 1 - May 1, 2027 (Tentative)
UGC NET (Phase 2)	Exam	June 2027 (Tentative)
UGC NET (Phase 2)	Result	July 2027 (Tentative)
CSIR NET	Registration	May 1 - May 21, 2027 (Tentative)
CSIR NET	Exam	July 25-27, 2027 (Tentative)
CSIR NET	Result	September 2027 (Tentative)

Note: For PhD Botany at BHU, UGC NET (Botany subject) and CSIR NET (Life Sciences) are the primary relevant exams. Candidates with valid JRF from UGC/CSIR/DBT/ICMR are eligible for the RET-Exempted (direct) category.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Master's degree in Botany from a recognised university.
Candidates with Master's degree in allied subjects (Applied Microbiology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, and Environmental Science) are also eligible to apply for allied discipline seats.
Minimum 55% marks in aggregate in the qualifying examination (50% for SC/ST/PwBD/OBC candidates).
Valid UGC/CSIR NET score (June 2026 or later cycle) for RET mode; valid JRF certificate for RET-Exempted mode.

Admission Process

Register online at bhuonline.in and fill the application form.
Pay the application processing fee online (Rs. 600 for General/OBC/EWS; Rs. 300 for SC/ST/PwBD).
Upload photograph, signature, and required documents.
Shortlisted candidates (10 per seat per category for RET mode; all JRF holders for RET-Exempted) are called for a personal interview at the Department of Botany, BHU.
Final merit list is prepared: 70% NET score percentile + 30% interview marks (RET mode); 100% interview marks (RET-Exempted mode).
Selected candidates complete physical document verification and pay the course fee to confirm admission.
Supervisor allotment is done at the time of admission/counselling.

BHU PhD Botany Scholarships 2026

BHU PhD scholars in Botany have access to multiple fellowship and scholarship options. JRF holders from UGC/CSIR receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 37,000 (first 2 years) and Rs. 42,000 (as SRF thereafter), making the programme financially self-sustaining for qualified candidates. Non-JRF scholars admitted through the RET mode are eligible for BHU's Non-NET Fellowship of Rs. 8,000 per month, providing meaningful financial support throughout the research tenure.

Fellowship Details

Scholarship / Fellowship	Eligibility	Amount	Duration
UGC JRF Fellowship	UGC NET JRF qualified	Rs. 37,000/month (JRF); Rs. 42,000/month (SRF)	2 years JRF + upgradable to SRF
CSIR JRF Fellowship	CSIR NET JRF qualified (Life Sciences)	Rs. 37,000/month (JRF); Rs. 42,000/month (SRF)	2 years JRF + upgradable to SRF
DBT JRF Fellowship	DBT BET qualified	Rs. 37,000/month	2 years, extendable
BHU Non-NET Fellowship	PhD scholars not receiving any other fellowship	Rs. 8,000/month + Rs. 10,000/year contingency	Up to 4 years
DST INSPIRE Fellowship	INSPIRE awardees	Rs. 80,000/month	5 years
Project-based JRF/SRF	Selected through project interviews at Botany Dept.	Rs. 31,000 - 35,000/month (as per DST/CSIR norms)	Project duration

BHU Non-NET Fellowship is available only to scholars not receiving any other financial assistance.
Fellowship extension beyond 3 years requires publication of at least one paper in a UGC CARE-listed journal.
Scholars drawing Non-NET fellowship cannot hold any other paid appointment simultaneously.
Contingency grant (Rs. 10,000/year for science subjects) is available for books, consumables, and travel.
JRF/SRF fellowship amounts are as per the revised UGC/CSIR rates effective from January 2023.

BHU PhD Botany FAQs

Ques. What is the seat intake for PhD Botany at BHU and how competitive is the admission?

Ans. As per the 2026-27 bulletin, the Department of Botany at BHU offers 30 seats in total - 7 under RET mode (NET-qualified) and 23 under RET-Exempted mode (JRF holders). The RET-Exempted seats are significantly more, making it advantageous for JRF holders. For RET mode, 10 candidates are called per available seat per category, making it moderately competitive. The large number of RET-Exempted seats reflects the department's preference for well-funded research scholars.

Ques. Can CSIR NET Life Sciences candidates apply for PhD Botany at BHU?

Ans. Yes. CSIR NET Life Sciences is one of the primary qualifying exams for PhD Botany at BHU. Candidates who have qualified CSIR NET in Life Sciences (either for JRF or for Lectureship/Assistant Professorship) are eligible to apply. JRF holders from CSIR NET Life Sciences qualify for the RET-Exempted category, while those who qualified for Lectureship only fall under the RET mode.

Ques. What are the major research areas in the BHU Botany Department?

Ans. The Department of Botany at BHU has active research in: (a) Phycology and algal biotechnology; (b) Plant physiology and stress biology; (c) Mycology and plant pathology; (d) Ethnobotany and medicinal plants; (e) Environmental botany and pollution biology; (f) Molecular plant biology and genomics; (g) Applied microbiology and bioremediation. The department has faculty with national and international recognition, including FNASc fellows, and receives funding from DST, DBT, CSIR, and UGC.

Ques. Is it possible to do PhD Botany at BHU if my MSc is in Biochemistry or Biotechnology?

Ans. Yes, but only for allied discipline seats. The Department of Botany at BHU accepts candidates with MSc in Applied Microbiology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, and Environmental Science for allied discipline seats. However, the number of allied discipline seats is limited (maximum 20% of total vacancies in the main discipline). Candidates from allied disciplines should carefully check the available allied seats before applying.

Ques. How is the research environment and infrastructure in the BHU Botany Department?

Ans. The Department of Botany at BHU is one of the oldest and most well-equipped botany departments in India. It has received DST-FIST support and has active UGC-SAP programmes. The department has modern laboratories for molecular biology, plant tissue culture, environmental analysis, and phycology. Research scholars also benefit from BHU's Central Library (15+ lakh volumes, 15,000+ online journals), the university's botanical garden, and collaborative research networks with national institutes like CSIR labs and ICAR institutes.

Ques. What career options are available after completing PhD Botany from BHU?

Ans. PhD Botany graduates from BHU typically pursue: (a) Academic positions as Assistant Professors in colleges and universities (UGC NET/SET qualification required); (b) Research scientist positions at CSIR labs (NBRI, CIMAP, NEERI), ICAR institutes, and national botanical research centres; (c) Positions in state forest departments, botanical surveys, and biodiversity conservation organisations; (d) Roles in pharmaceutical and herbal product companies for plant-based drug research; (e) Environmental consultancy for botanical surveys, EIA studies, and biodiversity assessments; (f) Post-doctoral fellowships (NPDF, SERB, Raman Fellowship) for advanced research careers.

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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

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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.

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