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

Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

Banaras Hindu University's Ph.D. in Geological Sciences is a 3-year full-time doctoral programme offered through the Department of Geology under the Institute of Science (Faculty of Science). The Department of Geology at BHU is one of the oldest and most reputed geology departments in India, with a rich legacy of research spanning over a century. The programme covers diverse research areas including paleoceanography, paleoclimatology, marine micropaleontology, metamorphic petrology, structural geology, tectonics, earth and planetary sciences, geochemistry, petrology, and applied geology. The total course fee is approximately Rs. 33,055 for the entire 3-year duration. Admission is based on UGC/CSIR NET scores (RET mode) or JRF qualification (RET-Exempted mode), with a seat intake of 18 seats (4 under RET mode and 14 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 by the Ministry of Education.

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 Geology, Institute of Science, BHU - one of the oldest and most distinguished geology departments in India.
Research areas include paleoceanography, paleoclimatology, marine micropaleontology, metamorphic petrology, structural geology, tectonics, geochemistry, petrology, and earth and planetary sciences.
The department has faculty with national and international recognition, with active research collaborations with national and international institutions.
Allied disciplines accepted include Applied Geology (M.Sc./M.Sc. Tech.), broadening eligibility for candidates from applied geology backgrounds.
Candidates with JRF (UGC/CSIR) qualify for direct admission under the RET-Exempted category with 100% interview weightage.
BHU's Central Library provides access to 15+ lakh volumes and 15,000+ online journals, supporting extensive geological literature research.
Non-NET PhD scholars are eligible for BHU's Non-NET Fellowship of Rs. 8,000 per month for up to 4 years.

Official Link:

Go To Website

Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

BHU Ph.D. Geological Sciences Fees

The Ph.D. (Geological Sciences) programme at BHU is highly affordable, with a total course fee of approximately Rs. 33,055 for the full 3-year duration. The fee is structured annually, 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.

Course 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 Ph.D. Geological Sciences Admission 2026

BHU PhD admissions for Geological Sciences are conducted annually through the Department of Geology 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. With 18 total seats, this is one of the larger PhD programmes in the Faculty of Science at BHU.

BHU PhD Geological Sciences 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
Fee Payment and Admission	February 5, 2027	October 2027
Second Cycle Begins	February 12, 2027	October 2027
Session Commencement	February-March 2027	October-November 2027

Relevant 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 Geological Sciences at BHU, UGC NET (Earth Sciences) and CSIR NET (Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean and Planetary Sciences) are the primary relevant exams. Candidates with valid JRF from UGC/CSIR are eligible for the RET-Exempted (direct) category.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Master's degree in Geology from a recognised university.
Candidates with M.Sc./M.Sc. (Tech.) in Applied Geology 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 for RET mode; valid JRF certificate (UGC/CSIR) 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 Geology, 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 Ph.D. Geological Sciences Scholarships 2026

BHU PhD scholars in Geological Sciences 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). Non-JRF scholars admitted through the RET mode are eligible for BHU's Non-NET Fellowship of Rs. 8,000 per month. Additionally, geology research often attracts project-based funding from DST, MoES (Ministry of Earth Sciences), and GSI (Geological Survey of India).

Scholarship 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 (Earth Sciences)	Rs. 37,000/month (JRF); Rs. 42,000/month (SRF)	2 years JRF + upgradable to SRF
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 Geology Dept.	Rs. 31,000 - 35,000/month (as per DST/MoES 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 Ph.D. Geological Sciences FAQs

Ques. What is the difference between PhD Geology and PhD Geological Sciences at BHU?

Ans. At BHU, the Department of Geology offers the doctoral programme which is referred to as Ph.D. (Geological Sciences) in course listings. The programme is housed in the Department of Geology, Institute of Science, and covers the full spectrum of geological sciences including petrology, structural geology, paleontology, geochemistry, and applied geology. There is no separate department for "Geological Sciences" - it is the same as the Geology department's PhD programme.

Ques. Which NET exam should I qualify for PhD Geological Sciences at BHU?

Ans. For PhD Geological Sciences at BHU, the relevant qualifying exams are: (a) UGC NET in Earth Sciences (Paper II); (b) CSIR NET in Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean and Planetary Sciences. Both JRF and Lectureship/Assistant Professorship qualifications are accepted. JRF holders qualify for the RET-Exempted (direct) category, while those who qualified for Lectureship only fall under the RET mode.

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

Ans. The Department of Geology at BHU has active research in: (a) Paleoceanography and paleoclimatology; (b) Marine micropaleontology and marine-continental correlation of paleoclimate records; (c) Metamorphic petrology and structural geology; (d) Tectonics and earth and planetary sciences; (e) Geochemistry and petrology; (f) Applied geology and mineral exploration; (g) Sedimentology and stratigraphy. The department has faculty with national and international recognition and active research collaborations with institutions like WIHG, BSIP, and international universities.

Ques. Are there fieldwork opportunities during PhD Geological Sciences at BHU?

Ans. Yes. Geological research inherently involves fieldwork, and PhD scholars at BHU's Geology Department regularly undertake field studies across various geological terrains in India. The department has strong connections with the Geological Survey of India (GSI), Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG), and Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), which provide collaborative fieldwork and research opportunities. Field expenses are typically covered through research project grants.

Ques. How is the research output and reputation of BHU's Geology Department?

Ans. The Department of Geology at BHU is one of the most reputed geology departments in India. Faculty members have published extensively in high-impact international journals and have received research grants from DST, MoES, CSIR, and other national agencies. The department has produced numerous PhD scholars who have gone on to work in GSI, ONGC, WIHG, BSIP, and academic institutions across India and abroad. The department's research in paleoclimatology and earth sciences has received international recognition.

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

Ans. PhD Geological Sciences graduates from BHU typically pursue: (a) Scientist positions at Geological Survey of India (GSI), Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG), Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), and National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI); (b) Research positions at ONGC, Oil India, and other petroleum exploration companies; (c) Academic positions as Assistant Professors in geology and earth sciences departments; (d) Positions in state geological departments and mining departments; (e) Environmental geology and geotechnical consulting roles; (f) Post-doctoral fellowships at national and international institutions for advanced research careers.

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