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.
Commonly asked questions
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 the candidate desires to pursue and CUET subjects that have been opted. Candidates can download the CUET UG 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.
Since the CUET UG syllabus is in line with the Class 12 Board exam syllabus, it can be safely assumed that the NCERT books are enough to clear the exam. Candidates must note that the 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.
- 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
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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
Commonly asked questions
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.
No, class 11th subject syllabus is not included in CUET UG exam. Students who are preparing for CUET 2027 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 concept clarity, candidates may refer to the class 11th resources.
NTA CUET 2027 exam will be scheduled in May/June 2027, tentatively. Candidates preparing for board examinations must prepare well for the CUET exam along.
Candidates have to appear for number of subjects chosen for CUET exam. Students can opt for maximum five CUET subjects. Candidates must have selected the CUET subjects based on the course criteria they desire to pursue. CUET UG syllabus is similar to class 12 NCERT curriculum. Candidates preparing for exam must focus on NCERT syllabus and previous year question papers to ace the examination.
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
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 22 hours ago
Yes, in many cases. University Commerce College admits students on Class 12 merit through the University of Rajasthan. Many private colleges also give admission on marks. Some, like Mahatma Jyoti Rao Phoole University, accept CUET too. Check each college's rules before you apply.
T
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
No, CUET is conducted on multiple days in more than one shift. According to last year, NTA conducts CUET exam in two shifts. Candidates get the CUET exam dates for their subjects in admit card.
N
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 3 days ago
Yes, you can take CUET UG exam again. There is no restriction on the number of attempts a candidate can take in CUET exam. As long as they meet the age limit of their target university for preferred course, students can apply for CUET exam for more than one time.
V
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 3 days ago
Yes, CUET is paid. Candidates have to pay according to the category they are applying through and number of subject they are opting.
R
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 3 days ago
Yes, you can crack CUET UG exam with self-study. As the syllabus for CUET exam is similar to that of Class 12 syllabus, candidates have already covered the basic concepts for Boards exam. For CUET preparation, they have to work on their time management skills and quick problem solving skills as the
S
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 3 days ago
No, the CUET UG exam is conducted once a year. The National Testing Agency administers the exam every year. The exam is usually held in May-June.
N
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 3 days ago
Yes, the National Testing Agency will conduct Common University Entrance Test (UG) exam in May 2027. The application window for CUET UG 2027 is expected to open in January next year.
N
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 3 days ago
No, CLAT is generally considered more difficult than CUET as CLAT exam requires more intense reading and preparation. It also involves intense time pressure as candidates are required to read around 15,000 words across 30 passages before answering the questions.
A
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 3 days ago
Students should apply for CUET 2027 exam when the window opens in January 2027. This is the tentative time as per last year's CUET registration schedule. Once opened, the registration window is expected to open for a month, till February 2027.
Y
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a week ago
For B.Tech admissions, Galgotias University primarily considers eligibility based on Class 12 qualifications and its admission process. JEE Main scores may also be considered for admission, depending on the programme and admission criteria for that year. CUET acceptance can vary by course and admiss
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