Banaras Hindu University (BHU) is in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, was set up in 1916, is ranked #6 in NIRF 2025 and holds NAAC A. Central University of Himachal Pradesh (CUHP) is in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh and was set up in 2009. Both admit students through CUET UG, CUET PG, so one set of scores works for both.
Quick verdict
- BHU: better NIRF rank (#6 vs Not ranked)
- BHU: more teachers (1,891 vs 190)
- BHU: higher median salary (2-year PG) (Rs. 9 lakh (2024-25) vs Rs. 3.1 lakh (2024-25))
- BHU: more of the PG batch placed (1,372 of 4,472 (31%) vs 97 of 536 (18%))
- BHU: more research funding (Rs. 206 crore (2024-25) vs Rs. 2.3 crore (2024-25))
- BHU: more PhDs awarded (738 (2024-25) vs 34 (2024-25))
- CUHP: fewer students per teacher (17 vs 13)
BHU vs CUHP: full comparison
| Parameter | BHU | CUHP |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh | Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh |
| Established | 1916 | 2009 |
| NIRF rank | #6 | Not ranked |
| NAAC grade | A | - |
| Students (UG, PG, PhD) | 32,334 (2024-25) | 2,563 (2024-25) |
| Women students | 49% | 57% |
| From other states | 49% | 31% |
| Teachers | 1,891 | 190 |
| Students per teacher | 17 | 13 |
| Median salary, 2-year PG | Rs. 9 lakh (2024-25) | Rs. 3.1 lakh (2024-25) |
| Placed, 2-year PG | 1,372 of 4,472 (31%) | 97 of 536 (18%) |
| Higher studies, 2-year PG | 67% of the batch | 56% of the batch |
| Research grants | Rs. 206 crore (2024-25) | Rs. 2.3 crore (2024-25) |
| PhDs awarded | 738 (2024-25) | 34 (2024-25) |
| Admission routes | CUET UG, CUET PG, NET/JRF, JEE Main, NEET UG, CAT, GATE, CLAT, NCET/ITEP | CUET UG, CUET PG |
| BHU profile → | CUHP profile → |
Sources: NIRF 2025 (Ministry of Education) and NAAC. Students, teachers, median salaries, placements and research grants are from the data each university filed with NIRF and published on its own website (open a university's profile for the PDF). Fees are compared only where they have been checked against the university's own prospectus. A tick marks the better value in a row.
Which one should you choose?
- Choose BHU if what matters most to you is: better NIRF rank (#6 vs Not ranked); more teachers (1,891 vs 190); higher median salary (2-year PG) (Rs. 9 lakh (2024-25) vs Rs. 3.1 lakh (2024-25)), or you want to study in Varanasi.
- Choose CUHP if what matters most to you is: fewer students per teacher (17 vs 13), or you want to study in Dharamshala.
Admission at both is mostly through the national entrance tests, so check each one's BHU admission and CUHP admission pages for the courses and seats you want.
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