CUET Performing Arts Syllabus 2026: PDF Link Available; Important Chapters, Pattern & Books
Common University Entrance Test 2026 ( CUET )
Exam On - To be notified
The CUET 2026 will be held between May 11 and May 31, 2026. Candidates willing to appear for the CUET 2026 Performing Arts exam can check the CUET Performing Arts Syllabus here. It will help students get an idea about the topics from which the questions are asked in the exam. Learn about the CUET Performing Arts syllabus, exam pattern, and more.
CUET Performing Arts Syllabus
NTA released the official CUET Performing Arts Syllabus 2026 at cuet.nta.nic.in. Candidates preparing for the CUET Performing Arts exam must download and cover the entire topics included in the CUET Performing Arts Syllabus 2026. For better preparation for the CUET UG Performing Arts exam, candidates should also refer to the previous years’ Performing Arts question papers, as they will help them know the total marks, chapter-wise weightage, topics, and types of questions asked in the exam.
The CUET UG syllabus for all subjects are available on NTA CUET UG website in PDF format. Candidates preparing for CUET exam who have selected Performing Arts as one of their domain subjects can check find the complete CUET UG Performing Arts syllabus on this page. NTA conducts Common University EntranceTest for admission to UG courses in all participating central, state, private, government and deemed universities in India.
For 2026-27 admission cycle, CUET UG 2026 will take place between May 11 and May 31, 2026. The mode of examination will be Computer Based Test. NTA will soon announce the subject-wise exam dates at cuet.nta.nic.in.
Commonly asked questions
Since the CUET UG 2026 syllabus is in line with the Class 12 Board exam syllabus, it can be safely assumed that the NCERT books are enough to clear CUET UG 2025 exam. Candidates must note that, CUET exam tests students' understanding of the concepts and ability to apply them in various situations. Therefore, to prepare well and get a good score, it is advised that students refer to other study materials and books designed for national level competitive entrance exams. The CUET UG syllabus is in tune with the Class 12 Board exam syllabus. The chapters and topics are similar to Class 12 syllabus. Unlike other UG entrance exams, CUET UG syllabus does not include Class 11 syllabus.
- CUET Performing Arts Pattern
- CUET Performing Arts Syllabus 2026
- CUET Performing Arts Syllabus PDF Download
- CUET Subject List: Syllabus and Question Paper
CUET Performing Arts Pattern
CUET Performing Arts Syllabus 2026
In the Performing Arts Subject, there are a total of four sections which are Dance, Drama-Theatre, and Music. Candidates can check the detailed CUET Performing Arts Syllabus 2026 in the table below:
| Section |
Unit |
Details / Topics Covered |
|---|---|---|
| Music (Section A) |
Unit I |
Definitions: Sangeet, Nad, Shruti, Swara (Shuddha, Komal, Teevra), Pitch, Intensity, Timbre, Gram, Murcchana, Varna, Alankar, Raga, Alap, Tana, Gamak, Meend, Kan |
| Unit II |
Vadi, Samvadi, Anuvadi, Vivadi, Uttarang, Puravang, Aroh, Avroh, Pakad, Thata (Mela), Jati – Audav, Shadav, Sampurna and varieties |
|
| Unit III |
Laya (Vilambit, Madhya, Drut), Layakari (Dagun, Tigun, Chaugun, Chegun), Tala terms (Tala, Matra, Tali, Khali, Sam, Vibhag, Avartan), Talas: Teental, Ektala, Dadra, Keharwa, Jhaptala, Rupak, Adi, Saptala, Chaputala, Rupakam |
|
| Unit IV |
Musical forms: Prabandh, Dhrupad, Khayal, Thumri, Tarana, Maseetkhani & Razakhani Gat, Kriti, Pallavi, Padam, Tillana |
|
| Unit V |
Contributions of musicians: V.N. Bhatkhande, Omkar Nath Thakur, Allauddin Khan, Mushtaq Ali Khan, Tyagaraja, Purandaradasa, Rabindranath Tagore, Kazi Nazrul Islam |
|
| Unit VI |
Musical instruments & classification: String (Sitar, Tanpura, Veena, Sarod, Sarangi), Percussion (Tabla, Pakhawaj, Mridangam, Khatam, Khanjira, Dholak), Wind (Flute, Shehnai, Nagaswaram, Harmonium), Metallic (Chimta, Cymbal, Ghungroo, Khadtala, Chipla, Morchung) |
|
| Unit VII |
Salient features of ragas: Yaman/Kalyani, Bhairav/Mayamalavagowla, Alhaiya Bilawal/Shankarabharanam, Malkauns/Hindolam, Bageshree/Shri Ranjani, Bhupali/Mohanam |
|
| Dance (Section B) |
Unit I |
Classical dances of India (Kathak, Bharatanatyam, Manipuri, Kathakali, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Mohiniattam, Sattriya): History, repertoire, music, costume & makeup |
| Unit II |
Life sketches of chief exponents and contributors (past & present) |
|
| Unit III |
Terms: Sangeet, Natya, Nritta, Nritya, Tandav, Lasya, Lokdharmi, Natyadharmi |
|
| Unit IV |
Texts: Abhinaya Darpan, Natya Shastra, Abhinaya Chandrika, Hasta Lakshana Deepika; Major folk dances of India |
|
| Unit V |
Abhinaya & Rasa theory: Aangika, Vachika, Aaharya, Satwika; Navrasa & Sthayi Bhava; Bhava, Vibhava, Anubhava, Sanchari |
|
| Unit VI |
Survey of classical dance practice: Gharanas, institutions, university departments; Major dance festivals |
|
| Percussion Music (Section C) |
Unit I |
Structure of Tabla, Pakhawaj and Mridangam |
| Unit II |
Varnas of Tabla, Pakhawaj and Mridangam |
|
| Unit III |
Tala terminology, compositions (Theka, Kayada, Rela, Tukda, Paran, etc.), Carnatic forms (Korvai, Mohra, Muktayipu), Laya, Layakari, Jati |
|
| Unit IV |
Bhatkhande Tala Notation System & Carnatic Tala Notation System |
|
| Unit V |
Origin of Tabla, Pakhawaj, Mridangam; Gharanas of Tabla & Pakhawaj |
|
| Unit VI |
Prescribed Talas: Teental, Jhaptala, Ektala, Rupak, Keharwa, Dadra, Chautala, Dhamar, Sooltala, Khemta, Carnatic Talas (Dhruva, Matya, Jhampa, Triputa, Ata, Eka) |
|
| Unit VII |
Biographies: Pt. Kishan Maharaj, Ustad Zakir Hussain, Raja Chatrapati Singh, Guru Purushottam Das, Palani Subramania Pillai, Palghat Mani Iyer |
|
| Drama & Theatre (Section D) |
Unit I |
Indian classical & traditional theatre: Sanskrit playwrights (Bhasa, Kalidasa, Sudraka, Bhavabhuti), major traditional forms |
| Unit II |
Modern Indian theatre: Tagore, Bhartendu, Tendulkar, Mohan Rakesh, Girish Karnad etc.; Theatre practitioners |
|
| Unit III |
Western classical & medieval drama: Greek playwrights (Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides), Shakespeare |
|
| Unit IV |
Modern Western theatre: Chekhov, Ibsen, Shaw, Beckett, Brecht etc.; Theatre practitioners |
|
| Unit V |
Theatre production & design: Types of theatres; Set, light, costume, makeup, sound & music |
|
| Unit VI |
Indian theatre organisations (NSD, SNA, ZCCs); Research project development & documentation |
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CUET Performing Arts Syllabus PDF Download
Students who are preparing to appear for the Fine Arts exams can download the CUET Syllabus 2026 Performing Arts PDF from the direct link provided below.
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Most of the courses in City Group of College is offered on the basis of CUET scores. However, it is NIT compulsory. The college also accepts Lucknow University entrance exam, AKTU exam etc. socres to admit students into different UG and PG programmes.
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