CUET Performing Arts Syllabus 2026: PDF Link Available; Important Chapters, Pattern & Books

Common University Entrance Test 2026 ( CUET )

Nupur
Nupur Jain
Senior Executive - Editorial
Updated on May 7, 2026 15:14 IST
The CUET 2026 will be held from May 11 to 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.

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.

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 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 is available 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.

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Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is CUET UG syllabus for Delhi University?
A: 

CUET UG syllabus for Delhi University admission is completely based on NCERT curriculum. CUET UG syllabus for Delhi University varies depending on the course that candidate desires to pursue and CUET subjects that have been opted. Candidates can download the CUET UG 2026 syllabus for 13 languages, 23 domain subjects and General Aptitude Test from the official website. 

 

Q:   Is CUET syllabus based on CBSE syllabus?
A: 

No, CUET syllabus is not based on CBSE syllabus as claimed by Education Ministry in Rajya Sabha. The CUET exam is designed to assess the general understandig of the candidate in subjects he/she has opted for. CUET UG is on of the biggest UG entrance exam carnival conducted for admission in cebtral, state, private and deemed universities.

Candidates preparing for CUET UG exam must check the detailed CUET syllabus and CUET question paper to become familiar with the important topics and type of questions asked in the exam.  

Q:   What is DU CUET syllabus?
A: 

Common University Entrance Test syllabus for Delhi University consists of three sections- Language, Domain subjects and General Aptitude Test. The syllabus for CUET domain subjects is entirely based on NCERT curriculum. Candidates can check the subject-wise CUET UG syllabus at cuet.nta.nic.in. NTA has prescribed syllabus for 37 subjects. Admission to Delhi University through CUET requires appearing in subjects passed in class 12th.

Q:   is it enough to learn from NCERT textbooks to clear CUET?
A: 

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.

Table of contents
  • CUET Performing Arts Syllabus PDF Download
  • CUET Performing Arts Syllabus 2026
  • CUET Performing Arts Pattern
  • Best Books for CUET Performing Arts Preparation
  • CUET Subject List: Syllabus and Question Paper

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.

Download CUET Performing Arts Syllabus PDF

CUET Performing Arts 2026 Syllabus PDF

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:

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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 Pattern

For better preparation of exams, the students should also check the CUET exam pattern. It will help them become aware of type of questions asked in the exam, total number of questions asked, the marking scheme, and more. Candidates can check the detailed CUET 2026 exam pattern below.

Particulars

Details

CUET Exam Conducting Body

National Testing Agency

Mode of the examination

Computer-Based Test Mode

Name of the syllabus

CUET Performing Arts Syllabus 2026

Language of the exam

13 languages - English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu

Type of questions

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Total number of Questions

50 questions (all compulsory)

Duration of Exam

60 minutes

CUET UG Total Marks

250 per subject

Negative marking

Yes

Marking Scheme

+5 for each correct answer

-1 for each incorrect answer

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Best Books for CUET Performing Arts Preparation

Check out recommended books to prepare well for CUET performing arts exam:

  • NCERT Performing Arts (Class 11 & 12)
  • Together with CUET UG & NCET Question Bank Performing Arts by Rachna Sagar
  • Oswaal CUET UG Question Bank
  • R. Gupta's CUET-UG Guide
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Commonly asked questions
Q:   Does NTA releases stream-wise CUET syllabus?
A: 

National Testing Agency releases the subject-wise CUET UG syllabus on its official website. Candidates can download the syllabus PDFs as per their stream-wise subjects. CUET syllabus is available for 23 domain subjects of Arts, Commerce and Science streams.

Q:   Does the CUET syllabus also include chapters from Class 11?
A: 

No, class 11th subject syllabus is not included in CUET UG exam. Students who are preparing for CUET 2026 exam must focus on class 12th NCERT curriculum. NTA prescribes the CUET UG syllabus on its official website. Candidates must be familar the detailed syllabus mentioned on the NTA CUET official website- cuet.nta.nic.in. However, for better concepts clarity, candidates may refer to the class 11th resources.

NTA CUET 2026 exam will be scheduled in May/June 2026 tentatively. Candidates preparing for board examinations must prepare well for the CUET exam along.

CUET Subject List: Syllabus and Question Paper

Candidates can access the CUET 2026 syllabus and CUET previous year's question papers for all the subjects in the table below:

Subjects

CUET Syllabus

CUET Question Paper

Section - I (Language)
English CUET English Syllabus CUET English Question Paper
Section - II (Domain Subjects)
Biology CUET Biology Syllabus CUET Biology Question Paper
Accountancy/ Book Keeping CUET Accountancy Syllabus CUET Accountancy Question Paper
Business Studies CUET Business Studies Syllabus CUET Business Studies Question Paper
Chemistry CUET Chemistry Syllabus CUET Chemistry Question Paper
Computer Science/ Informatics Practices CUET Computer Science Syllabus CUET Computer Science Question Paper
Economics/ Business Economics CUET Economics Syllabus CUET Economics Question Paper
Geography/Geology CUET Geography Syllabus CUET Geography Question Paper 
Home Science CUET Home Science Syllabus CUET Home Science Question Paper 
Knowledge Tradition and Practices of India CUET Knowledge Tradition and Practices of India Syllabus CUET Knowledge Tradition and Practices of India Question Paper
Environmental Science CUET Environmental Science Syllabus CUET Environmental Science Question Paper
Mathematics CUET Mathematics Syllabus  CUET Mathematics Question Paper
Physical Education/ NCC /Yoga CUET Physical Education Syllabus CUET Physical Education Paper
Physics CUET Physics Syllabus  CUET Physics Question Paper
Political Science CUET Political Science Syllabus CUET Political Science Question Paper
Psychology CUET Psychology Syllabus CUET Psychology Question Paper 
Sociology CUET Sociology Syllabus  CUET Sociology Question Paper 
Agriculture CUET Agriculture Syllabus  CUET Agriculture Question Paper 
Mass Media/ Mass Communication CUET Mass Media/ Mass Communication Syllabus  CUET Mass Media/ Mass Communication Question Paper
Anthropology CUET Anthropology Syllabus  CUET Anthropology Question Paper
Fine Arts/ Visual Arts (Sculpture/ Painting)/Commercial Arts CUET Fine Arts Syllabus CUET Fine Arts Question Paper 
Performing Arts CUET Performing Arts Syllabus  CUET Performing Arts Question Paper 
Sanskrit CUET Sanskrit Syllabus CUET Sanskrit Question Paper 
History CUET History Syllabus  CUET History Question Paper
Section - III (General Test)
General Test CUET General Test Syllabus 

CUET General Test Question Paper

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Nupur Jain started with a passion for educational content writing, which soon grew into a meaningful journey of helping students through reliable guidance. A commerce graduate from Delhi University, she has spent ov

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