Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Ph.D. (Pharmacology) programme at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, is a doctoral-level research programme offered by the Department of Pharmacology under the Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS). Established in 1963, the Department of Pharmacology at BHU is one of the oldest and most productive pharmacology departments in India, having awarded over 52 MD and 43 Ph.D. degrees. The programme spans a minimum of 3 years and is designed for postgraduates in medicine, pharmacy, or life sciences seeking to contribute to advanced research in drug discovery, neuropharmacology, molecular pharmacology, and related areas. BHU's IMS is ranked #6 among medical colleges in India by NIRF 2025. The total course fees are approximately Rs. 33,055 for the entire 3-year duration, making it highly affordable.

Admissions to the Ph.D. (Pharmacology) programme for the 2026-27 session have been completed. The online registration was open from December 3 to December 16, 2026, with interviews conducted between January 5 and January 16, 2027. Results and offer letters were published between January 24 and February 5, 2027, and reporting to the department was scheduled for February 10, 2027. A second cycle of admissions commenced from February 12, 2027. For the upcoming 2027-28 session, admissions are expected to follow a similar timeline, with notifications likely in November-December 2027.

Key Points

The Department of Pharmacology at IMS BHU was established in 1963 and has a strong legacy of research, having awarded over 43 Ph.D. degrees.
Key research areas include Molecular Modeling and Drug Discovery, Neuropharmacology, Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Ethnopharmacology, and Clinical Pharmacology.
The department has faculty with expertise in cutting-edge areas such as computational drug design and neuropharmacology.
BHU is recognised as an Institution of Eminence by the Ministry of Education, Government of India.
Scholars not receiving any other fellowship may be eligible for the UGC Non-NET Fellowship of Rs. 8,000 per month.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

BHU Ph.D. (Pharmacology) Fees

The Ph.D. (Pharmacology) programme at BHU is extremely affordable, with a total course fee of Rs. 33,055 for the complete 3-year duration. The first year fee is slightly higher at Rs. 11,585 due to one-time admission-related charges, while subsequent years cost Rs. 10,735 each. Hostel accommodation is available separately at approximately Rs. 5,375 per year for male students and is not mandatory.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Year 1 (Rs.)	Year 2 (Rs.)	Year 3 (Rs.)	Total (Rs.)
Tuition Fee	11,585	10,735	10,735	33,055
Total Fees	11,585	10,735	10,735	33,055
Hostel Fee (Optional - Male)	5,375	5,375	5,375	16,125

Fees are subject to revision by the university each academic year.
Hostel fee is not included in the total course fee as it is optional.
Some fee components may be refundable as per university norms.
No EMI facility is officially offered; fees are payable as per the university's payment schedule.
SC/ST/PwBD candidates may be eligible for fee concessions as per Government of India norms.

BHU Ph.D. (Pharmacology) Admission 2026

Admissions to the Ph.D. (Pharmacology) programme at BHU are conducted annually through the BHU Research Entrance Test (RET) or the RET-Exempted mode for JRF/NET-qualified candidates. The 2026-27 admission cycle has been completed. For the 2027-28 session, the process is expected to begin in November-December 2027. Candidates must hold an M.D. (Pharmacology), M.Pharm., M.Sc. (Pharmacology/Life Sciences), or equivalent postgraduate degree with at least 55% marks.

Important Dates

BHU Ph.D. Admission Dates (2026-27 Session - Medicine Faculty)

Event	Date
Online Registration Opens	December 3, 2026
Online Registration Closes	December 16, 2026
Correction Window	December 17, 2026
Call Letter / Admit Card Issue	December 20 - December 24, 2026
Physical Verification of Documents and Interview	January 5 - January 16, 2027
Publication of Result, Offer Letter and Fee Submission Link	January 24 - February 5, 2027
Date of Reporting to Department	February 10, 2027
Second Cycle Admissions Begin	February 12, 2027

Entrance Exam Details

Exam	Relevance	Mode
BHU-RET (Research Entrance Test)	Primary entrance exam for Ph.D. admission at BHU	Offline (Interview-based for Medicine Faculty)
UGC/CSIR NET (JRF/LS)	Exemption from RET; JRF holders eligible for RET-Exempted category	Written Test
NTA Ph.D. Entrance Test	Accepted in lieu of BHU-RET for eligible candidates	Computer-Based Test

Note: For the Faculty of Medicine at BHU, the Ph.D. admission process is primarily interview-based. Candidates with JRF qualification are eligible under the RET-Exempted mode.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold an M.D. (Pharmacology), M.Pharm., M.Sc. (Pharmacology/Biochemistry/Life Sciences), or equivalent postgraduate degree recognised by a statutory body, with at least 55% marks in aggregate (50% for SC/ST/PwBD candidates).
Candidates must qualify BHU-RET or hold a valid JRF/NET-LS qualification for the RET-Exempted category.
Candidates from allied disciplines such as Biochemistry, Physiology, Microbiology, Biotechnology, or Chemistry may also be eligible under the allied discipline category.

Admission Process

Candidates apply online through the BHU admission portal (admission.bhu.ac.in) during the notified registration window.
Eligible candidates are issued call letters for physical document verification and interview.
Merit list is prepared based on interview performance and academic record.
Selected candidates receive offer letters and must pay fees within the stipulated deadline.
After fee payment, candidates report to the department and are allotted a research supervisor by the Departmental Research Committee (DRC).

BHU Ph.D. (Pharmacology) Scholarships 2026

Ph.D. scholars at BHU have access to multiple fellowship and scholarship options depending on their qualification and source of funding. JRF-qualified scholars receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 37,000 (JRF) or Rs. 42,000 (SRF). Scholars without any other financial assistance may apply for the UGC Non-NET Fellowship offered by BHU at Rs. 8,000 per month. SC/ST candidates may additionally apply for the Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship / Fellowship	Amount	Eligibility	Duration
UGC-JRF (Junior Research Fellowship)	Rs. 37,000/month + HRA	JRF-qualified candidates (UGC/CSIR NET)	Up to 2 years (extendable as SRF)
UGC-SRF (Senior Research Fellowship)	Rs. 42,000/month + HRA	Upgraded from JRF after 2 years	Up to 3 years
BHU UGC Non-NET Fellowship	Rs. 8,000/month + contingency Rs. 10,000/year	Ph.D. scholars admitted through RET/RET-Exempted not receiving any other fellowship	Maximum 4 years
RGNF (Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship)	Rs. 37,000/month (JRF)	SC/ST candidates	Up to 5 years

JRF/SRF fellowships include HRA as per government norms.
Non-NET fellowship is subject to satisfactory progress reports and DRC recommendation.
Extension beyond 3 years for Non-NET fellowship requires a published paper in a UGC CARE-listed journal.
Scholars cannot hold any other paid appointment simultaneously with the fellowship.
Fellowship amounts are subject to revision by UGC/Government of India.

BHU Ph.D. (Pharmacology) FAQs

Ques. What are the key research areas in the Department of Pharmacology at BHU?

Ans. The Department of Pharmacology at IMS BHU has faculty specialising in Molecular Modeling and Drug Discovery, Neuropharmacology, Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Ethnopharmacology, and Clinical Pharmacology. The department has a well-equipped laboratory for in vitro and in vivo pharmacological studies, and researchers have access to the large patient pool at Sir Sunderlal Hospital for clinical pharmacology research.

Ques. Can M.Pharm. or M.Sc. graduates apply for Ph.D. (Pharmacology) at BHU?

Ans. Yes, candidates with M.Pharm. or M.Sc. in Pharmacology, Biochemistry, or related life sciences are eligible to apply for Ph.D. (Pharmacology) at BHU, provided they meet the minimum marks requirement of 55% in their qualifying examination. They may apply through the BHU-RET mode or the RET-Exempted mode if they hold a valid JRF qualification.

Ques. How is the Ph.D. (Pharmacology) admission process at BHU different from other universities?

Ans. At BHU, the Ph.D. admission for the Faculty of Medicine is primarily interview-based, unlike many other universities that rely solely on written entrance tests. Candidates are evaluated on their research aptitude, subject knowledge, and proposed research area during the interview. This makes it important for candidates to have a clear research proposal and knowledge of current pharmacological research trends.

Ques. What is the career scope after Ph.D. (Pharmacology) from BHU?

Ans. Graduates can pursue academic positions in medical and pharmacy colleges, research positions in pharmaceutical companies (drug discovery, preclinical research), government research organisations (CSIR, ICMR, DBT), and regulatory bodies (CDSCO). The degree is also valuable for postdoctoral research in India and abroad, particularly in neuropharmacology and drug discovery.

Ques. Is the Ph.D. (Pharmacology) at BHU recognised by UGC and MCI/NMC?

Ans. Yes, the Ph.D. programme at BHU is awarded by Banaras Hindu University, a Central University recognised by UGC. The Faculty of Medicine at BHU is recognised by the National Medical Commission (NMC). The Ph.D. degree is valid for academic and research positions in medical and pharmacy institutions across India.

Ques. What financial support is available for Ph.D. (Pharmacology) scholars at BHU?

Ans. JRF-qualified scholars receive Rs. 37,000 per month (extendable to Rs. 42,000 as SRF). Scholars without JRF who are admitted through BHU-RET may be eligible for the UGC Non-NET Fellowship of Rs. 8,000 per month, provided they are not receiving any other financial assistance. SC/ST candidates may apply for the Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship. Additionally, project-funded fellowships may be available depending on ongoing research grants in the department.