M.Phil. (Subaltern Studies)

Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, offers an M.Phil. in Subaltern Studies -- a unique and interdisciplinary 1-year full-time, on-campus programme that focuses on the histories, cultures, and experiences of marginalised and subaltern communities in India and beyond. The programme is offered under the Faculty of Social Sciences at BHU and draws on frameworks from history, sociology, anthropology, political science, and cultural studies to examine subaltern voices and experiences. The total course fee is approximately Rs. 4,720 for the entire 1-year duration (2 semesters), making it one of the most affordable M.Phil. programmes in the country. Admission is based on UGC NET/JRF qualification or BHU's Research Entrance Test (RET), and the programme is popular among students interested in critical social theory, Dalit studies, gender studies, and postcolonial thought. BHU is one of the few universities in India offering a dedicated M.Phil. programme in Subaltern Studies, making it a distinctive academic offering.

Admission for the 2026-27 session has been completed. The 2026-27 PhD/M.Phil. admission cycle at BHU (Arts/Social Sciences Faculty) saw online applications from December 3 to December 16, 2026, with interviews held between January 5-16, 2027, and results/offer letters published between January 24 and February 5, 2027. Reporting to the department was scheduled for February 10, 2027. The next admission cycle (2027-28) is expected to open tentatively in November-December 2027, based on the previous year's pattern.

Key Points

• M.Phil. in Subaltern Studies at BHU is a rare, dedicated programme in this field, drawing on interdisciplinary approaches from history, sociology, political science, and cultural studies.
• The programme is particularly relevant for students interested in Dalit studies, tribal studies, gender studies, labour history, and postcolonial theory.
• Completing M.Phil. in Subaltern Studies from BHU makes candidates eligible for direct admission to the Ph.D. programme in relevant disciplines.
• The programme is conducted entirely on campus in Varanasi, providing access to BHU's extensive library resources and a vibrant academic community.
• Candidates with UGC NET/JRF qualification are given preference and may be eligible for fellowship support during the programme.

BHU M.Phil. (Subaltern Studies) Fees

The M.Phil. (Subaltern Studies) at BHU is among the most affordable M.Phil. programmes in India, with a total course fee of approximately Rs. 4,720 for the full 1-year (2-semester) duration. The fee structure is semester-based, with the first semester being slightly higher due to one-time charges such as enrollment fee, caution money, and alumni activity fee. The programme offers exceptional value for money given BHU's academic reputation and infrastructure.

Fee Structure

• College Caution Money of Rs. 500 is refundable at the time of leaving the university.
• Hostel fee (optional, not mandatory): Approximately Rs. 5,375 per year for male students. Hostel availability is subject to seat availability and is not guaranteed.
• Application fee for M.Phil./PhD admission: Rs. 600 (General/OBC) and Rs. 300 (SC/ST/PwD).
• No EMI option is available; fees are paid semester-wise at the time of enrollment.

BHU M.Phil. (Subaltern Studies) Admission 2026

BHU M.Phil. admissions are conducted annually, typically in November-December, alongside the PhD admission process. From the 2026-27 session onwards, BHU has aligned its M.Phil./PhD admission process with NEP 2020 guidelines, and candidates with valid UGC NET/JRF scores are directly eligible for interview-based admission. The 2026-27 admission cycle for the Social Sciences Faculty has been completed. The next cycle (2027-28) is expected to follow a similar timeline. It is important to note that as per UGC's revised guidelines under NEP 2020, M.Phil. programmes are being phased out at many universities; students are advised to verify the current status of this programme directly with BHU before applying.

Admission Dates

Entrance Exam Dates

Note: As per NEP 2020 and BHU's revised admission policy from 2026-27, candidates with valid UGC NET/JRF are directly called for interview. BHU RET may be conducted for candidates who do not hold NET/JRF. Candidates are advised to check the official BHU admission portal (admission.bhu.ac.in) for the latest notification.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

• Candidates must have a Master's degree (or equivalent) in History, Sociology, Political Science, Social Work, Anthropology, or a related social science discipline from a recognised university.
• Minimum 55% marks in the qualifying degree (50% for SC/ST/PwD/OBC-NCL candidates as per UGC norms).
• Candidates must have a valid UGC NET/JRF score, or qualify the BHU Research Entrance Test (RET) if applicable.

Admission Process

• Step 1: BHU releases the M.Phil./PhD admission notification on its official portal (admission.bhu.ac.in / bhuonline.in).
• Step 2: Candidates register and submit the online application form along with the application fee.
• Step 3: Call letters are issued to shortlisted candidates for document verification and interview.
• Step 4: Physical verification of documents and personal interview are conducted at the Social Sciences Faculty, BHU.
• Step 5: Results and offer letters are published on the admission portal.
• Step 6: Selected candidates submit fees online and report to the department on the specified date.
• Step 7: A second cycle of admissions is conducted for any remaining vacant seats.

BHU M.Phil. (Subaltern Studies) Scholarships 2026

M.Phil. students at BHU can avail of several scholarships and fellowships, both from the university and from national agencies. The most significant financial support comes through UGC-JRF/SRF fellowships for NET-qualified candidates. BHU also has its own scholarship and welfare schemes for eligible students. Given the very low course fee, even modest scholarship support can cover the entire cost of the programme and living expenses.

Scholarship Details

• JRF/SRF fellowships are the most sought-after and provide the most substantial financial support.
• Students are advised to apply for the UGC NET with JRF option to maximise their chances of fellowship support.
• Application deadlines for government scholarships are typically in October-November each year on the National Scholarship Portal.
• BHU's Student Welfare Fund also provides concessions and support to economically weaker students on a case-by-case basis.

BHU M.Phil. (Subaltern Studies) FAQs

Ques. Is M.Phil. (Subaltern Studies) still being offered at BHU given UGC's directive to phase out M.Phil. programmes?

Ans. As per UGC's revised guidelines under NEP 2020, M.Phil. programmes are being phased out across Indian universities. However, BHU has continued to offer this programme as of the 2026-27 session. Students are strongly advised to verify the current status of this programme directly with BHU's Social Sciences Faculty or the admission portal before applying for the 2027-28 cycle.

Ques. What is Subaltern Studies, and what kind of research can I do in this M.Phil. programme?

Ans. Subaltern Studies is an interdisciplinary field that examines the histories, cultures, and political agency of marginalised groups -- including peasants, workers, women, Dalits, tribals, and other communities whose voices have been historically excluded from mainstream narratives. At BHU, research in this programme can span topics such as Dalit history, tribal movements, gender and caste, labour history, postcolonial theory, and oral history methodologies.

Ques. Does completing M.Phil. in Subaltern Studies from BHU help in getting direct PhD admission?

Ans. Yes. Candidates who have completed M.Phil. from BHU or other recognised universities are generally eligible for direct admission to the PhD programme, subject to the department's requirements and the supervisor's availability. This is a significant advantage of completing M.Phil. before pursuing a PhD.

Ques. What are the career options after M.Phil. in Subaltern Studies from BHU?

Ans. Graduates can pursue careers as Assistant Professors or Lecturers in History, Sociology, Political Science, or Social Work departments (UGC-NET is required for teaching positions). Other options include research fellowships at institutions like ICSSR, ICHR (Indian Council of Historical Research), and NGOs working on social justice and human rights. Many graduates also go on to pursue PhD programmes in India and abroad.

Ques. Is there a written entrance test for M.Phil. (Subaltern Studies) admission at BHU?

Ans. From the 2026-27 session, BHU has moved to an interview-based admission process for candidates with valid UGC NET/JRF scores, in line with NEP 2020 guidelines. Candidates without NET/JRF may need to appear for BHU's Research Entrance Test (RET). The exact process for each cycle is announced in the official admission notification.

Ques. How many seats are available in M.Phil. (Subaltern Studies) at BHU, and how competitive is admission?

Ans. The seat intake for M.Phil. (Subaltern Studies) at BHU is very limited -- typically a small number of seats per year, as is common for specialised M.Phil. programmes. Admission is competitive among candidates with backgrounds in social sciences and humanities. Having a UGC NET/JRF qualification significantly strengthens your application. It is advisable to contact the Social Sciences Faculty directly for the exact number of seats advertised in a given year.