Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Ph.D. (Journalism and Mass Media) at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi is a full-time, on-campus doctoral programme offered under the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Faculty of Arts. The programme spans a minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 6 years, focusing on advanced research in areas such as media studies, journalism ethics, digital media, broadcast journalism, corporate communication, media management, and communication theory. BHU's Department of Journalism and Mass Communication is one of the oldest and most reputed media studies departments in India, with a strong tradition of producing journalists, media professionals, and communication researchers. The programme is particularly popular among candidates aspiring to careers in media research, academia, and communication policy. Admission is based on UGC-NET/JRF qualification, and the programme is offered in full-time, on-campus mode only.

Admissions for the 2026-27 session have been completed (reporting to department was February 10, 2027). The next admission cycle for 2027-28 is expected to begin around November-December 2027, based on the previous year's schedule. Candidates are advised to regularly check the official BHU admission portal at bhuonline.in and admission.bhu.ac.in for the upcoming notification.

Key Points

The Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at BHU is one of the oldest media studies departments in India, with a strong legacy of producing media professionals and communication researchers.
The programme covers both traditional journalism and emerging digital media, making it relevant for research in the rapidly evolving media landscape.
Admission is offered through three routes: JRF mode, UGC-NET mode, and Direct Admission (supernumerary quota for senior professionals with 12+ years of experience and age 43+).
For the 2026-27 session, the department advertised 12 total seats (9 under JRF mode and 3 under NET mode), making it a competitive programme.
BHU has discontinued the Research Entrance Test (RET) as per NEP 2020 guidelines; admission is now based on national-level qualifying exams.
Allied disciplines accepted include Journalism and Mass Communication/Media Studies, in addition to the main discipline of Mass Communication and Corporate Communication.

99 Views Last Year

4 Studentsshown interest in the last 30 days

Official Link:

Go To Website

Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

BHU Ph.D. (Journalism and Mass Media) Fees

The Ph.D. (Journalism and Mass Media) at BHU is one of the most affordable doctoral programmes in India, given its status as a centrally funded university. The annual tuition fee is nominal, and the total course fee for the minimum duration is very low compared to private institutions. Below is a component-wise fee structure based on the latest available data for the Faculty of Arts at BHU.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (Per Year)
Tuition Fee	Rs. 1,500
Examination Fee	Rs. 500
Library Fee	Rs. 300
Sports Fee	Rs. 200
Other University Charges	Rs. 500
Total Fees (Per Year)	Rs. 3,000
Total Fees (3 Years - Minimum Duration)	Rs. 9,000

Hostel Fees (Optional - Not Mandatory)

Hostel Component	Amount (Per Year)
Hostel Room Rent	Rs. 2,000 - Rs. 4,000 (approx.)
Mess Charges	Rs. 24,000 - Rs. 36,000 (approx.)

Hostel accommodation is available for PhD students subject to availability and is not mandatory.
Priority for hostel allotment is given to outstation students.
Fees are subject to revision by the university; candidates should verify the latest fee structure from the official BHU admission bulletin at bhu.ac.in.
No EMI or instalment options are typically offered for such nominal fees; payment is made at the time of admission/registration each year.
Security deposit (refundable) may be applicable at the time of hostel allotment.

BHU Ph.D. (Journalism and Mass Media) Admission 2026

BHU PhD admissions for the Faculty of Arts follow a structured process based on national qualifying exams. The 2026-27 admission cycle has been completed. The 2027-28 cycle is expected to follow a similar schedule, with registration likely opening in November-December 2027.

Faculty of Arts Admission Schedule

Event	2026-27 (Actual Dates)	2027-28 (Tentative)
Online Registration Opens	December 3, 2026	November-December 2027
Last Date for Online Registration	December 16, 2026	December 2027
Correction Window	December 17, 2026	December 2027
Issue of Call Letters	December 20-24, 2026	December 2027
Interviews and Document Verification	January 5-16, 2027	January 2028
Result Publication and Offer Letter	January 24 - February 5, 2027	January-February 2028
End of First Admission Round	February 5, 2027	February 2028
Reporting to Department	February 10, 2027	February 2028
Second Admission Cycle (if applicable)	From February 12, 2027	February 2028

UGC-NET Exam Dates

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

Note: UGC-NET in Mass Communication and Journalism is the relevant qualifying exam for this programme.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold a Master's degree in Mass Communication, Corporate Communication, Journalism and Mass Communication, or Media Studies from a recognised university.
Minimum 55% marks in the qualifying degree for General/OBC-NCL/EWS candidates; 50% for SC/ST/PwD candidates.
Valid UGC-NET (JRF or Assistant Professorship or PhD-only category) qualification is required; candidates with JRF from UGC or other national agencies are eligible under the JRF mode.

Admission Process

Candidates must apply online through the BHU admission portal (bhuonline.in or admission.bhu.ac.in) during the registration window.
Select the appropriate admission mode: JRF, UGC-NET, or Direct Admission.
Upload required documents including Master's degree certificate, mark sheets, NET/JRF scorecard, category certificate (if applicable), and passport-size photograph.
Pay the application fee online (approximately Rs. 600 for General category; Rs. 300 for SC/ST/OBC).
Shortlisted candidates are issued call letters for interview and physical document verification.
Final selection is based on interview performance (JRF mode: 100% interview; NET mode: 70% qualifying exam score + 30% interview).
Selected candidates must report to the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication with original documents on the specified date.
A research proposal may be required at the time of interview.

BHU Ph.D. (Journalism and Mass Media) Scholarships 2026

BHU PhD students in Journalism and Mass Media can avail of several fellowships and scholarships that provide significant financial support during their research tenure. Students with JRF qualification receive a monthly stipend, making the programme financially viable for meritorious candidates. The university also provides support through its own fellowship scheme for students without JRF.

Fellowships and Scholarships

Scholarship/Fellowship	Eligibility	Amount	Duration
UGC-JRF (Junior Research Fellowship)	Candidates who qualify UGC-NET with JRF	Rs. 37,000/month (1st-2nd year); Rs. 42,000/month (3rd year onwards as SRF)	Up to 5 years
BHU Research Fellowship	Students admitted without JRF, selected by the department	Rs. 8,000 - Rs. 10,000/month (approx.)	As per university norms
National Fellowship for SC Students (UGC)	SC category PhD students	Rs. 37,000/month (JRF level)	Up to 5 years
National Fellowship for OBC Students (UGC)	OBC-NCL category PhD students	Rs. 37,000/month	Up to 5 years
Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF)	Minority community students	Rs. 37,000/month	Up to 5 years

JRF fellowship amounts are as per UGC revised rates (effective from January 2023 onwards).
BHU Research Fellowship availability depends on departmental budget and is not guaranteed for all students.
Fellowship is subject to satisfactory progress in research as assessed through annual reviews.
Contingency grant of Rs. 10,000/year (JRF) and Rs. 20,500/year (SRF) is also available for research expenses.

BHU Ph.D. (Journalism and Mass Media) FAQs

Ques. What is the difference between the PhD in Journalism and Mass Media and the PhD in Mass Communication at BHU? Are they the same?

Ans. The Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at BHU offers the PhD under the subject basket that includes Mass Communication, Corporate Communication, and allied disciplines like Journalism and Mass Communication/Media Studies. The course_id 16631 refers to the PhD in Journalism and Mass Media, which is essentially the same programme offered by the same department. The research focus can span journalism, media studies, corporate communication, or digital media depending on the supervisor's expertise.

Ques. Which UGC-NET subject should I qualify for admission to BHU PhD in Journalism and Mass Media?

Ans. The relevant UGC-NET subject is Mass Communication and Journalism (Subject Code 36). Candidates who have qualified this NET with JRF, Assistant Professorship, or PhD-only eligibility can apply for this programme.

Ques. What research areas are available under the PhD in Journalism and Mass Media at BHU?

Ans. The Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at BHU covers a wide range of research areas including print journalism, broadcast journalism, digital and social media, media ethics and law, communication theory, development communication, corporate communication, media management, political communication, and health communication. The choice of research topic depends on the availability of a supervisor with expertise in that area.

Ques. Is the PhD in Journalism and Mass Media from BHU recognised for teaching positions in media/communication colleges?

Ans. Yes, a PhD from BHU in Journalism and Mass Communication qualifies candidates for Assistant Professor positions in journalism and mass communication departments of universities and colleges, as per UGC norms. BHU is a centrally funded university with NAAC accreditation, and its PhD degrees are widely recognised across India.

Ques. How competitive is admission to the PhD in Journalism and Mass Media at BHU?

Ans. The programme is highly competitive. For the 2026-27 session, only 12 seats were advertised (9 under JRF mode and 3 under NET mode). Given the large number of applicants for media studies programmes, candidates with JRF qualification have a significant advantage. For NET-only candidates, both the qualifying exam score and interview performance matter.

Ques. Can candidates with a background in digital media or social media research apply for this PhD?

Ans. Yes, the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at BHU has faculty with expertise in digital media and new media studies. Candidates with a research interest in digital journalism, social media analytics, online news consumption, or digital communication can apply, provided they have a qualifying Master's degree in Mass Communication or a related field and have cleared UGC-NET in Mass Communication and Journalism.