Master of Library and Information Science [M.Lib.I.Sc]
Fees
Fees at Banaras Hindu University for the Bachelor of Arts + Bachelor of Law [BALLB] {Hons.} program comprise various components. The annual tuition fee is now set at Rs. 72,000. Additional costs include a hostel fee of Rs. 6,000 per year and a monthly mess fee of approximately Rs. 4,500.
There is a student welfare fee of Rs. 200 annually. Other yearly expenses include Rs. 170 for cultural activities, Rs. 350 for student health facilities, Rs. 100 for computer and internet facilities, Rs. 50 for the Alumni Activity Fund, Rs. 100 for training and placement, and Rs. 10 for the Border Delegacy fee.
The special course fee amounts to Rs. 60,000, while a laminated ID card costs Rs. 26. Scholarships are available, particularly benefiting students from reserved categories.
About Master of Library and Information Science [M.Lib.I.Sc]
The Master of Library and Information Science (M.Lib.I.Sc) at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi is a 2-year full-time postgraduate programme offered by the Department of Library and Information Science. The programme covers library management, information organisation, cataloguing and classification, digital libraries, information retrieval, knowledge management, library automation, and research methodology. BHU's M.Lib.I.Sc is a highly sought-after programme with only 47 seats and CUET-PG 2025 General category cutoffs reaching 205 marks in Round 1, making it one of the most competitive library science programmes in India. The total tuition fee for the regular seat is just Rs. 6,000 for the entire 2-year course. The programme is popular among students aspiring to careers as librarians, information managers, and knowledge professionals in academic, public, and corporate libraries.
Admission for the 2026-27 session is currently in progress. CUET-PG 2026 was conducted between March 13 and April 1, 2026, and results are expected in May 2026. Based on the 2025 pattern, BHU typically opens its PG admission portal in May-June 2026, with multiple rounds of seat allotment between July and September 2026.
Key Points
- BHU's Department of Library and Information Science is one of the most reputed library science departments in India, with a long tradition of producing qualified library professionals.
- The 2-year M.Lib.I.Sc at BHU is distinct from the 1-year M.Lib.I.Sc offered by many other universities, providing a more comprehensive and in-depth education.
- The programme covers both traditional library management and modern digital library technologies, including library automation software, digital repositories, and information retrieval systems.
- BHU's own central library, one of the largest university libraries in Asia with over 10 lakh books and manuscripts, serves as a practical training ground for students.
- The programme is highly competitive, with CUET-PG cutoffs among the highest for any library science programme in India.
- Graduates are eligible to appear for UGC NET in Library and Information Science for Assistant Professor and JRF positions.
BHU M.Lib.I.Sc Fees
The M.Lib.I.Sc programme at BHU is extremely affordable, with a total tuition fee of just Rs. 6,000 for the entire 2-year course (Rs. 1,500 per semester). This is significantly lower than most private library science institutes. Hostel accommodation is available at approximately Rs. 5,375 per year for male students, excluding mess charges.
Fee Structure
| Fee Component | Regular Seat (Per Semester) | Regular Seat (Total - 2 Years) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee | Rs. 1,500 | Rs. 6,000 |
| Other Academic Charges | Included in tuition | Included in tuition |
| Total Fees (Academic) | Rs. 1,500 | Rs. 6,000 |
| Hostel Fees (Optional) | - | Rs. 5,375/year (approx.) |
- Hostel fees are not mandatory and are charged separately.
- The amount mentioned is for the cheapest available option and excludes mess charges.
- A caution/security deposit may be collected at the time of admission, which is refundable at the end of the course.
- All government scholarships (UP Scholarship, NSP, etc.) are applicable for eligible students.
BHU M.Lib.I.Sc Admission 2026
Admission to M.Lib.I.Sc at BHU is entirely merit-based through CUET-PG scores. This is one of the most competitive programmes at BHU, with General category cutoffs reaching 205 marks in Round 1 of 2025. The 2026 admission cycle is currently in progress, with CUET-PG 2026 having been conducted between March 13 and April 1, 2026. Results are expected in May 2026, after which BHU will announce its admission schedule.
Admission Dates
| Event | Tentative Date (2026) |
|---|---|
| CUET-PG 2026 Exam | March 13 - April 1, 2026 |
| CUET-PG 2026 Result | May 6, 2026 (Tentative) |
| BHU PG Admission Portal Opens | May - June 2026 (Tentative) |
| Round 1 Seat Allotment | July 2026 (Tentative) |
| Fee Payment - Round 1 | July 2026 (Tentative) |
| Physical Reporting - Round 1 | July - August 2026 (Tentative) |
| Round 2 / Round 3 Allotment | August 2026 (Tentative) |
| Mop-Up Round | September 2026 (Tentative) |
| Last Date of Fee Payment - Mop-Up Round | September 18, 2025 (2025 reference); September 2026 (Tentative) |
| Physical Reporting - Mop-Up Round | September 19, 2025 (2025 reference); September 2026 (Tentative) |
| Batch Commencement | October 2026 (Tentative) |
Entrance Exam Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| CUET-PG 2026 Registration | December 14, 2025 - January 25, 2026 |
| CUET-PG 2026 Form Correction | January 28 - January 30, 2026 |
| CUET-PG 2026 Admit Card | March 9, 2026 |
| CUET-PG 2026 Exam | March 13 - April 1, 2026 |
| CUET-PG 2026 Result | May 6, 2026 (Tentative) |
The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria
- Candidates must have passed a Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD).
- Candidates appearing in their final year of graduation are also eligible to apply, subject to fulfilling the eligibility at the time of admission.
- There is no requirement for a B.Lib.I.Sc degree for admission to the 2-year M.Lib.I.Sc at BHU, unlike many other universities.
Admission Process
- Register and appear for CUET-PG 2026 conducted by NTA, selecting the relevant Library and Information Science paper.
- After results are declared, register on BHU's admission portal (bhucuetpg.samarth.edu.in) and fill in course preferences.
- Seat allotment is done in multiple rounds based on CUET-PG score, category, and seat availability.
- Candidates allotted seats must pay the admission fee online within the stipulated deadline.
- Physical reporting at the Department of Library and Information Science, BHU with original documents is mandatory to confirm admission.
BHU M.Lib.I.Sc Scholarships 2026
BHU M.Lib.I.Sc students can avail government scholarships from both central and state sources. Given the very low fee structure, even modest scholarships can cover the entire cost of education. Students qualifying UGC NET/JRF in Library and Information Science after the programme are also eligible for research fellowships.
Scholarship Details
| Scholarship | Eligibility | Amount | Offered By |
|---|---|---|---|
| UP Post-Matric Scholarship | UP domicile students; family income below Rs. 2 lakh (General/OBC) or Rs. 2.5 lakh (SC/ST) | Covers tuition fee + maintenance allowance | UP Government |
| National Scholarship Portal (NSP) - Post-Matric | Students from SC/ST/OBC/Minority/EBC categories; family income criteria apply | Varies by category; covers tuition + maintenance | Central Government |
| BHU Merit Scholarship | Rank 1 holder in semester exams | Rs. 4,000 (one-time) | BHU |
| BHU Merit Scholarship (2nd Rank) | Rank 2 holder in semester exams | Rs. 3,000 (one-time) | BHU |
| BHU Economically Weak Students Scholarship | Family income below Rs. 1 lakh/year | Free meals (lunch + dinner) for 7 months + Rs. 2,000/year | BHU |
| UGC JRF (post-programme) | Qualify UGC NET with JRF in Library and Information Science | Rs. 37,000/month (Junior); Rs. 42,000/month (Senior) | UGC |
| Earn While Learn Programme | Students with financial need | Stipend for part-time work on campus | BHU |
- Students already receiving any other scholarship are not eligible for BHU's internal scholarships.
- UP Scholarship applications are typically open between July and October each year.
- NSP applications open annually; students must register on scholarships.gov.in.
- SC/ST students may also be eligible for full tuition fee waiver under state government schemes.
BHU M.Lib.I.Sc FAQs
Ques. Why is BHU's M.Lib.I.Sc 2 years when most universities offer it as a 1-year programme?
Ans. BHU offers a 2-year integrated M.Lib.I.Sc programme that combines the B.Lib.I.Sc and M.Lib.I.Sc into a single 4-semester course. This means students with any graduation background can directly join the 2-year programme without needing a separate B.Lib.I.Sc degree. The 2-year format provides a more comprehensive education covering both foundational and advanced library science topics, making BHU graduates more competitive in the job market.
Ques. What CUET-PG score is needed for M.Lib.I.Sc at BHU?
Ans. Based on the 2025 admission cycle, the Round 1 cutoff for General category was 205 marks, which came down to 179 in the final Mop-Up round. For OBC, it was 180 (Round 1) to 178 (Mop-Up). EWS cutoff was 190 (Round 1) to 179 (Mop-Up). SC cutoff was 155 (Round 1) to 137 (Mop-Up). This is one of the highest cutoffs among all BHU PG programmes, reflecting the programme's popularity.
Ques. What career options are available after M.Lib.I.Sc from BHU?
Ans. Graduates can pursue careers as librarians and information officers in academic libraries (universities, colleges), public libraries, special libraries (corporate, government, research), digital library managers, knowledge management professionals in IT and consulting firms, information architects, and academic researchers (UGC NET/JRF). Government positions include Central Secretariat Library, National Library of India, DRDO, ISRO, and various state government library services.
Ques. Is UGC NET in Library and Information Science required for government library jobs?
Ans. For Assistant Professor positions in library science at colleges and universities, UGC NET qualification is mandatory. For non-teaching library positions in government organisations, NET is not always required, but it significantly improves prospects. BHU's M.Lib.I.Sc provides excellent preparation for UGC NET in Library and Information Science.
Ques. How does BHU's central library benefit M.Lib.I.Sc students?
Ans. BHU's central library is one of the largest university libraries in Asia, with over 10 lakh books, journals, manuscripts, and digital resources. M.Lib.I.Sc students get hands-on training in library operations, cataloguing, classification, digital resource management, and user services in this world-class facility. This practical exposure is invaluable for professional development and is a significant advantage over students from smaller institutions.
Ques. Can I pursue PhD in Library and Information Science from BHU after M.Lib.I.Sc?
Ans. Yes, BHU offers PhD in Library and Information Science through its Department of Library and Information Science. Admission is based on UGC NET/JRF scores or BHU's Research Entrance Test (RET). Research areas include digital libraries, knowledge organisation, information retrieval, bibliometrics, and library management. Students with UGC JRF receive a monthly fellowship during their PhD tenure.