BHU School Admission 2026 – SET & E-Lottery Complete Guide

Banaras Hindu University (BHU), one of India’s most prestigious and historic central universities, has released two separate admission bulletins for its affiliated schools for the academic session 2026-27. These cover two distinct admission processes — the School Entrance Test (SET-2026) for Classes IX and XI, and the E-Lottery 2026 for Bal Vatika-2, Bal Vatika-3, Class I, and Class VI admissions. Both processes are conducted through BHU’s online portal and follow a transparent, merit or lottery-based system depending on the class.

The schools involved — Central Hindu Boys School (CHBS) and Central Hindu Girls School (CHGS), both located in the heart of Varanasi’s Kamachha area — trace their roots back to the Central Hindu College established by Dr. Annie Besant in 1898. Affiliated with CBSE, New Delhi, these schools offer excellent academic streams along with NCC training, computer education, well-equipped science laboratories, and access to BHU campus facilities. For families in and around Varanasi, admission to these schools is a highly sought-after opportunity.

This comprehensive guide covers everything — important dates, eligibility, fees, seats, reservation policy, selection process, and how to apply — for both the SET-2026 and E-Lottery 2026, so you don’t have to read two separate bulletins.

Organisation & Admission Overview

Both processes share the same application portal and application window, making it convenient for families who may be applying for children in different classes simultaneously. However, you must fill out separate application forms for each class or stream you wish to apply for.

Important Dates – SET-2026 & E-Lottery 2026

Planning around these dates is critical. Both admission processes share the same application window but have different subsequent timelines. Keep track of all dates carefully.

Common Dates (Both SET & E-Lottery)

SET-2026 Specific Dates (Class IX & XI)

E-Lottery 2026 Specific Dates (Bal Vatika & Class VI)

Application / Entrance Test Fee

Both admission processes require payment of an application fee online. There is no offline mode. Fees paid once will not be refunded under any circumstances.

SET-2026 Fee (Class IX & XI)

E-Lottery 2026 Fee (Bal Vatika-2, Bal Vatika-3, Class I & Class VI)

Payment is made online via credit card, debit card, or internet banking through the BHU Entrance Test Portal’s payment gateway. Once an SC/ST fee is paid, the form will be considered under SC/ST category — you cannot later claim the general category.

Age Limit & Eligibility

SET-2026 – Age & Eligibility (Class IX & XI)

For SC/ST and Divyang (Orthopedically Handicapped-OH only) candidates, the minimum qualifying marks in the entrance test are relaxed to 25% (compared to 33% for others). All candidates including BHU employee wards must secure at least 33% in SET-2026, with this exception for SC/ST/OH-Divyang.

E-Lottery 2026 – Age & Eligibility (Primary Classes)

Children born on 1st April of the cutoff year are also eligible and should be considered. Eligibility will be verified with original certificates at the time of admission.

Seat Availability

SET-2026 – Minimum Available Seats (External Candidates)

For CHGS, Commerce stream has 20 seats for Class XI. Note that these are minimum external seats — the actual number may vary based on how many internal students (currently in CHBS/CHGS) choose to continue in Class XI.

E-Lottery 2026 – Total Seats

Reservation Policy

Both admission processes follow Government of India reservation norms. The reservations apply after BHU employee ward admissions, on the remaining external seats.

BHU Employee Ward Quota covers: (i) Permanent employees currently in service or in service during the immediately preceding session; (ii) Employees on deputation; (iii) Contractual/Daily Wager/Outsourcing employees with minimum 2 years of service. Employees working in research projects are not eligible for employee ward quota.

Entrance Test Syllabus – SET-2026

The SET-2026 is an MCQ-based offline written test. All papers contain 100 multiple-choice questions to be answered in 2 hours (8 AM to 10 AM). The syllabus level and subjects differ by class and stream.

There is no negative marking mentioned in the bulletin. Unattempted questions receive zero marks. Answers must be marked using Blue/Black Ball Point Pen on the OMR answer sheet — whitener is not allowed. Darkening more than one oval per question leads to that answer being treated as incorrect.

Selection Process

SET-2026 – How Merit is Determined (Class IX & XI)

For Class IX, in the case of a tie in the SET merit index, priority is given to the older candidate. For Class XI, ties are resolved using percentage of Class X board marks, calculated progressively through subject-specific criteria (TABLE-1 and TABLE-2 as per the official bulletin). If a tie persists even after all tiebreaker criteria, the older candidate is ranked higher.

Candidates with an NCC “A” Certificate receive 3 additional marks in the Class XI entrance test, provided they have already secured the minimum qualifying marks.

Separate application forms must be submitted for each stream in Class XI if you wish to apply for more than one stream. Final subject combination allotment is purely based on merit in SET-2026 and subject availability.

E-Lottery 2026 – How Selection Works

There is no written test for E-Lottery admissions. Selection is done through a transparent computerised random lottery using Microsoft Excel’s Random Number Generation Tool. Here is how it works in simple terms:

• Each eligible applicant is assigned a serial number based on the date and time of their application submission.
• A unique random number (between 0 and 1) is generated for each applicant using a randomly chosen seed number.
• The seed number for each class is announced publicly during the lottery event by a member of the audience drawing a chit from a bowl — this ensures full transparency.
• The list is sorted in descending order of random numbers to create the lottery rank/merit list.
• Seats are filled in this order: BHU Employee Ward → Open/Unreserved → Reserved Category seats.

This process ensures a fair, tamper-proof, and auditable selection system. Submitting your application early does not give you an advantage — all eligible applicants have equal probability in the lottery.

Subject Combinations Available in Class XI

Central Hindu Boys School (CHBS)

Science – Maths Group: English Core + Physics + Chemistry + Maths + (Computer Science / Hindi Core / Sanskrit Core / Physical Education / Vocal Music / Psychology)

Science – Biology Group: English Core + Physics + Chemistry + Biology + (Computer Science / Agriculture / Hindi Core / Sanskrit Core / Maths / Physical Education / Vocal Music / Psychology)

Commerce: English Core + Accountancy + Business Studies + Economics + (Mathematics / Vocal Music / Physical Education / Computer Science / Hindi Core / Sanskrit Core)

Arts: Hindi/English + History/Psychology + Political Science/Physical Education + Economics/Geography + (Mathematics / Computer Science / Sanskrit / Hindi / Music / Physical Education)

Central Hindu Girls School (CHGS)

Science: English Core + Physics + Chemistry + (Maths or Biology) + (Hindi Core / Sanskrit Core / Urdu Core / Computer Science / Music-Vocal/Sitar/Tabla / Physical Education)

Commerce: English Core + Accountancy + Business Studies + Economics + (Hindi Core / Sanskrit Core / Urdu Core / Computer Science / Music / Maths / Physical Education)

Arts: Hindi Elective/English Elective + History/Hindi Core/English Core + Economics/Geography/Home Science + Political Science/Psychology/Painting + (Mathematics / Computer Science / Sanskrit Core / Urdu Core / Music / Physical Education)

One language (English or Hindi) is compulsory. A candidate may opt for two languages simultaneously, but the same language cannot be chosen at both core and elective level. Subject combination allotment is strictly merit-based and subject to seat availability.

How to Apply – Step-by-Step Guide

Both SET-2026 and E-Lottery 2026 applications are submitted exclusively online through BHU’s Entrance Test Portal. There is no offline application mode and no printed bulletins are sold by the university.

Application Steps

1. Visit the BHU Entrance Test Portal: Go to bhuonline.in (also accessible via the BHU main website bhu.ac.in). The application link becomes active from 20 February 2026.
2. Register on the Portal: Create your account using a valid email ID and mobile number. Keep these active for at least one year — all communication will happen through them.
3. Select the Correct Admission Process: Choose SET-2026 (for Class IX or XI) or E-Lottery 2026 (for Bal Vatika-2/3, Class I, or Class VI). File separate forms for each class and stream you are applying for.
4. Fill the Application Form: Enter personal details, date of birth, category, parent information, and previous academic details carefully. Any error cannot be corrected after submission.
5. Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of the candidate’s photograph, candidate’s signature, and parent’s signature as per the portal’s specifications.
6. Pay the Application Fee: Complete payment online via credit card, debit card, or net banking. The application is successfully submitted only after fee payment is confirmed.
7. Take a Printout: After successful payment, download and retain the printout of the online application form for your records. You will need it at counselling/admission.

Pre-Submission Checklist

• Candidate’s photograph, signature, and parent’s signature uploaded correctly
• Date of birth and age verified against the eligibility criteria
• Correct category selected (cannot be changed later)
• Correct stream/class selected
• Fee paid and payment confirmation received
• Printout of application form saved safely

Documents Required at the Time of Admission

No separate call letter is sent for counselling. Candidates must check the merit/lottery rank lists on bhuonline.in and appear on the designated date with all required documents in original along with self-attested photocopies.

For SET-2026 (Class IX & XI)

• Original ADMIT CARD for SET-2026 (downloaded from portal)
• Original marks sheet and date of birth certificate
• Previous school leaving certificate
• Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS/PwBD) in prescribed format
• Aadhar Card of candidate and parent
• Printout of online application form
• NOC/forwarding letter if currently enrolled in CHBS/CHGS (for internal candidates)
• NCC “A” Certificate (if applicable, for bonus marks)
• BHU Employee Certificate from LTC Cell (for employee ward candidates)

For E-Lottery 2026 (Bal Vatika & Class VI)

• Registration form printout
• Date of birth certificate issued by Nagar Nigam or Kutumb Register (for Bal Vatika & Class I)
• Class V marks sheet / transfer certificate showing date of birth (for Class VI)
• Character Certificate and previous school leaving certificate (Class VI only)
• Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS) in prescribed format
• Aadhar Card of child and parent(s)
• BHU Employee Ward Certificate (from LTC Cell for permanent employees; from HOD for contractual)
• Divyang certificate from Chief Medical Officer/Civil Surgeon (if applicable)
• PEN (Permanent Education Number) from U-DISE portal of previous school

Important Instructions for Candidates

Expert Tips for BHU School Admission 2026

1. Apply on Day One: The portal opens on 20 February 2026. Apply immediately — not because it improves your lottery rank (it does not), but because it avoids the risk of server crashes near the 20 March deadline and gives you time to fix errors during the correction window (23 March).
2. Check Age Eligibility Carefully: Age requirements differ for every class and school. Cross-check your child’s date of birth against the prescribed DOB range before filling the form. A single day’s difference can disqualify the application.
3. Prepare Documents in Advance: Gather originals and photocopies of date of birth certificates, category certificates, school leaving certificates, and Aadhar cards before applying. Category certificates (especially OBC-NCL and EWS) must be recently issued — do not rely on old certificates.
4. For SET-2026 – Start Revision Early: The syllabus covers Class VIII topics for Class IX and Class X topics for Class XI. With the exam scheduled in late April, students should begin focused revision by early March. Pay special attention to Mathematics and Science, which carry significant weight in the merit index.
5. For E-Lottery – Understand it is Purely Random: No preparation or special effort changes your lottery rank. Your only task is to ensure timely submission of a correct and complete application form. The speed of application submission does not influence the outcome.
6. NCC “A” Certificate Advantage: If your child holds an NCC “A” Certificate, this gives 3 extra marks in the Class XI SET, provided minimum qualifying marks are already secured. Ensure you carry the certificate to the counselling session.
7. Monitor bhuonline.in Regularly: No separate letters are sent for counselling or admission. The merit/lottery rank lists are displayed on the portal. Set reminders to check the portal on expected result/lottery dates so you do not miss your counselling slot.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is SET-2026 and who should apply?

SET-2026 (School Entrance Test 2026) is the entrance exam conducted by Banaras Hindu University for admissions to Class IX (boys only at CHBS) and Class XI (all streams at CHBS and CHGS) for the academic session 2026-27. Students who have passed Class VIII (for Class IX) or Class X (for Class XI) from a recognised school/board should apply.

Q2. What is E-Lottery 2026 and how is it different from SET?

E-Lottery 2026 is a computerised random lottery system for admissions to younger classes — Bal Vatika-2 (LKG), Bal Vatika-3 (Nursery), Class I, and Class VI — at BHU-affiliated schools. Unlike SET, there is no written examination. Selection is purely by random lottery among eligible applicants.

Q3. Is there a common application form for SET and E-Lottery?

Both are applied through the same portal (bhuonline.in), and the application window is the same (20 Feb to 20 March 2026). However, they are separate processes with separate forms and fees. You need to submit a separate form for each class/stream you are applying for.

Q4. What is the application fee for SET-2026?

For SET-2026, the fee is ₹550 for SC/ST candidates and ₹800 for all others. For E-Lottery, the fee is ₹500 for SC/ST and ₹750 for General/OBC/EWS/Divyang/BHU Employee Ward. Fees are non-refundable.

Q5. Can girls apply for Class IX admission through SET-2026?

No. Class IX admission through SET-2026 is available only for boys at the Central Hindu Boys School (CHBS). The Central Hindu Girls School (CHGS) does not offer Class IX admissions through this process (0 seats for Class IX at CHGS).

Q6. What is the minimum qualifying score in SET-2026 for admission?

All candidates (including BHU employee wards) must score a minimum of 33% marks in SET-2026. The relaxed minimum is 25% for SC/ST and Divyang (Orthopedically Handicapped-OH) candidates only.

Q7. What documents are needed at the time of Class XI counselling?

You need to bring the original SET-2026 Admit Card, GATE-2026 Score Card (not applicable — this is SET, not GATE), Class X mark sheets (all boards), date of birth certificate, category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/Divyang), Aadhar card, the printed and signed application form, previous school leaving certificate, and character certificate.

Q8. How does the E-Lottery random number process work?

BHU uses Microsoft Excel’s Random Number Generation tool. A random seed number is chosen publicly by an audience member drawing a numbered chit from a bowl during the lottery event. This seed generates random numbers for all applicants, which are then sorted to create the final lottery rank list. The process is transparent, reproducible, and auditable.

Q9. Can I apply for more than one stream in Class XI?

Yes, but you need to submit a separate application form and separate fee for each stream you wish to apply for in Class XI. If selected in multiple streams, you will have to choose one at the time of counselling.

Q10. Do BHU employee wards get any advantage in SET-2026?

Yes. 50% of the total seats in SET-2026 are reserved for wards of BHU employees (permanent, on deputation, and contractual/outsourcing with minimum 2 years of service). However, even employee ward candidates must secure minimum qualifying marks (33% general, 25% SC/ST/OH-Divyang) in the entrance test.

Q11. What is the last date to challenge the SET-2026 Provisional Answer Key?

Candidates can challenge the provisional answer key up to 7 May 2026. The challenge fee is ₹100 per question. The final answer key will be published on 14 May 2026.

Q12. Is hostel facility available for students at CHBS and CHGS?

Limited hostel seats are available at Central Hindu Boys School, allotted on the basis of SET merit index. No hostel facility is available at Central Hindu Girls School.