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.
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.
Commonly asked questions
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 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.
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.
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.
- 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 |
CUET Performing Arts Pattern
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
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 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:
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Student Forum
Answered Yesterday
Yes, CUET is mandatory for Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies CUET admission. The college offers the programme in full-time mode and seats are allocated through CUET + CSAS process only.
M
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
No, candidates who wish to apply for BTech admissions at UIT, Karnavati University cannot do so with CUET-UG scores. Only JEE Mains or GUJCET scores are considered for UIT, Karnavati University BTech admissions for eligible candidates.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
No, Mahant Bachittar Singh College of Engineering and Technology has not mentioned accepting CUET-UG scores to select candidates for BTech courses. However, University of Jammu who this institute is affiliated to does accept CUET-UG scores for BTech admission.
Thus, candidates should confirm the same
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
No, CUET is not required for admission in UG courses at Acharya School of Design. Admission is available through a merit-based process. Students can apply through the official website or offline. Candidates are selected based on their performance in Class 12 and personal interview.
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
No, CUET is not required for Savita Devi Jaiswal College admissions. The college offers merit-based admissions. No entrance exam is required. However, students can call the college to know more about the admission process and accepted tests.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
You can refer to NCERT subject books for basic concepts. For course based best books list, check this link.
https://www.shiksha.com/science/articles/cuet-ug-books-and-study-materials-blogId-122251
P
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 3 days ago
School of Computing Sciences, VELS Institute admission is merit-based. However, the institute consideres VELS entrance exam for MCA admission. CUET is not required/ accepted for admission in courses offered by School of Computing Sciences, VELS Institute.
G
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
Yes, admission into JD Institute of Fashion Technology, Vishakhapatnam does not require CUET. Candidates wishing to take admission in JD Institute of Fashion Technology, Vishakhapatnam should have passed Class 12 and appear in GAT exam to take admission.
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
SRM IST Kattankulathur does mention that its school of Science & Humanities accepts CUET-UG scores for admissions. However, that school has not mentioned anything regarding CUET-UG accepted for any BSc course admissions. Thus, candidates should ask this question from the admission desk.
S
Contributor-Level 10

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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