Students applying for Banaras Hindu University’s Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) program are demanding answers after scores in the practical exam dropped sharply this year, leaving many with lower marks despite additional preparation. Some candidates saw their scores plummet from over 300 in 2025 to as low as 120 in 2026, raising suspicions of manipulation in the evaluation process. Akshay Morya from Pratapgarh, a BFA aspirant, said, “Last year, I scored 262 in the practical and this year, after an additional year of preparation, I got 263.” He questioned how work that received 300-plus marks earlier could receive much lower marks this time.
The practical exam, worth 400 of the 650 total marks, is the focal point of the controversy. A list circulated by students compares scores from both years, highlighting cases where repeat candidates received lower marks in 2026 than they did the previous year. Gautam Kumar’s marks fell from 365 to 240, while Zoya Fatima’s dropped from 330 to 248. Akash Kumar’s score declined from 350 to 254, and Prajukta Mallick’s from 310 to 177. Students allege that the evaluation process lacks transparency, particularly regarding the practical component.
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Bandana Gupta, who appeared for the exam a second time, scored 271 in the practical this year—down from 320 in 2025. “The biggest issue is that our practical copies are not shown to us,” she said. “If we could see our drawings or copies, we could compare them with the marks we received.” Gupta’s total score of 464 (271 in practical and 193 in theory) demonstrates how the practical exam’s weight disproportionately affects admission outcomes. Students also want the university to explain the evaluation method used for the practical papers.
Allegations of Coaching Influence and Bias
Concerns extend beyond individual scores. Students suspect favoritism toward candidates linked to a private coaching institute in Varanasi, which they claim provides financial and logistical support to the university. Kathyayani, a leader of the Bhagat Singh Students Morcha (BSM) and BHU student, said students allege that some coached candidates secured higher marks and admission. The institute is accused of providing stationery and other resources to the university, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest in the evaluation process. Students have demanded disclosure of marks and cut-offs for the 2026 admission session.
A memorandum submitted to the vice-chancellor on August 27 by students detailed an incident on August 25, when security personnel allegedly assaulted protesters at BHU’s central office. The document alleges that guards pushed demonstrators out and injured a female student. The memorandum lists five demands: transparency in marking, an independent review of the exam, action against security personnel involved in the altercation, the removal of the chief proctor, and an end to disciplinary action against protesters. Students had given the administration 72 hours to respond but received no resolution. They have now planned another protest for September 9.
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BHU’s Prestigious BFA and Cut-Off Controversies
The BFA program at BHU is one of India’s most prestigious fine arts undergraduate courses, offered by the Faculty of Visual Arts. The four-year program provides specializations in applied arts, painting, textile design, plastic arts (sculpture), and pottery and ceramics. Admission cut-offs vary based on the combination of major and minor disciplines chosen by candidates. Archana, a self-taught aspirant from Varanasi, scored 261 out of 400 in the practical examination and 209 out of 250 in the theory paper, totaling 470 overall but missing the cut-off of 486 for her selected combination of applied arts and ceramics. She emphasized that the theory exam was not the issue—only the practical evaluation.
The practical exam was held on August 9, while the first-round selection list was released on August 25. Students argue that without access to their evaluated work or clear cut-off criteria, the process appears arbitrary. The university has not yet responded to requests for clarification or comment. Information about admission-related cut-offs is being sent to candidates individually by email, making it difficult for students to determine the actual thresholds used for selection.
