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 South Bihar (CUSB) is in Gaya, Bihar, was set up in 2009, is in the NIRF 151-200 band and holds NAAC A++. Both admit students through CUET UG, CUET PG, NET/JRF, NCET/ITEP, so one set of scores works for both.
Quick verdict
- BHU: better NIRF rank (#6 vs 151-200)
- CUSB: higher NAAC grade (A vs A++)
BHU vs CUSB: full comparison
| Parameter | BHU | CUSB |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh | Gaya, Bihar |
| Established | 1916 | 2009 |
| NIRF rank | #6 | 151-200 |
| NAAC grade | A | A++ |
| Students (UG, PG, PhD) | 32,334 (2024-25) | - |
| Women students | 49% | - |
| From other states | 49% | - |
| Teachers | 1,891 | - |
| Students per teacher | 17 | - |
| Median salary, 2-year PG | Rs. 9 lakh (2024-25) | - |
| Placed, 2-year PG | 1,372 of 4,472 (31%) | - |
| Higher studies, 2-year PG | 67% of the batch | - |
| Research grants | Rs. 206 crore (2024-25) | - |
| PhDs awarded | 738 (2024-25) | - |
| Admission routes | CUET UG, CUET PG, NET/JRF, JEE Main, NEET UG, CAT, GATE, CLAT, NCET/ITEP | CUET UG, CUET PG, NET/JRF, NCET/ITEP |
| BHU profile → | CUSB 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 151-200), or you want to study in Varanasi.
- Choose CUSB if what matters most to you is: higher NAAC grade (A vs A++), or you want to study in Gaya.
Admission at both is mostly through the national entrance tests, so check each one's BHU admission and CUSB admission pages for the courses and seats you want.
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