CUET Performing Arts Syllabus 2026 – Check Detailed Guide, Best Books & Preparation Tips Here
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Are you passionate about dance, music, or theatre? If yes, then try the CUET Performing Arts exam to exhibit your creativity and to enroll in the top universities in India. The CUET Performing Arts exam is conducted by NTA and is geared toward allowing students to advance their careers in performing arts.
The CUET Performing Arts syllabus can test more than knowledge; it allows for artistic expression and analytical skills testing for students. Every section of the CUET syllabus is designed to include classical dance forms, theatre elements, and different forms of music traditions. Let's take a look at the CUET syllabus for all performing arts, the CUET exam pattern, preparation suggestions, as well as the best materials for success.
CUET Performing Arts Syllabus - Overview
The syllabus is designed to check both your theoretical knowledge and artistic understanding of performing arts. It includes:
- Indian Classical Music (Vocal & Instrumental): Focuses on ragas, talas, and the evolution of classical music.
- Dance Forms – Classical & Folk: Covers Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Odissi, and folk traditions from different states.
- Theatre & Drama Basics: Understanding stagecraft, acting, playwriting, and theatre traditions.
- Music & Performing Arts Theory: History, aesthetics, and cultural impact of performing arts.
- Contemporary Arts & Culture: Modern art movements, fusion performances, and cross-cultural influences.
Why Choose CUET Performing Arts?
The CUET UG 2026 Performing Arts exam is more than an entrance exam – it is an opportunity to transform your joy for dance, music, and even theatre, into a profession. You will be able to gain admission to some of the most prestigious central universities in the country.
The CUET Performing Arts pathway also allows you to creatively explore this career path while academically engaged in the performance course study. Creativity and knowledge can be cultivated through both performance and academic engagement! To practice as a musician, or dancer, or theatre artist, or as cultural researcher or theorist, you can choose a pathway within the CUET Performing Arts.
CUET UG Performing Arts Detailed Syllabus 2026
The CUET UG Performing Arts syllabus 2026 is designed for students who want to pursue their passion in dance, music, and theatre at top central universities. CUET UG has a total of 37 domain subjects, and Performing Arts is one of the most creative and skill-oriented subjects students can choose from.
According to NTA, the detailed CUET Performing Arts syllabus will automatically follow with the information brochure for CUET 2026; it is expected to remain unchanged from previous years. Candidates can refer to the complete, detailed CUET Performing Arts syllabus 2026 in the following official subject-wise table below.
CUET UG Performing Arts Detailed Syllabus 2026 | ||
| Divisions | Sub-Divisions | Detailed Syllabus |
| Section A | ||
| DANCE | A1: Kathak | Brief history of other dance styles in India, Acquaintance of the Gharana of Kathak dance, Rasa, Knowledge of the relevant terms, Technical terminology of the dance form. |
| A2: Bharatanatyam Dance | History of the chief contributors of the past Dance form, Traditional costumes, make-up, and the Dance style opted. | |
| A3: Kuchipudi Dance | Traditional dance forms of the region, Chief exponents of the dance form, Formats used in Kuchipudi | |
| A4: Odissi Dance | Three styles of Chhau, Lives and contributions of the three Gurus, Natya Shastra, Abhinaya Darpana, and Abhinaya Chandrika, ABHINAYA, Rasa | |
| A5: Manipuri Dance | Past and present exponents of the dance form, Contents of Abhinaya Darpana. | |
| A6: Kathakali Dance | Life history of masters of the dance form, Hastha Lakshana Deepika and Natyasasthra. | |
| Section B | ||
| DRAMA-THEATRE | Modern And Contemporary Indian Theater | Modern and contemporary styles and works in Hindi/English |
| Modern And Western Theater | Survey of major contemporary styles and works in English or English translation | |
| Theatre Production – Management And Performance | Readings on Theatre management and marketing | |
| Survey Of Acting Theory And Practice | Reading Stanislavsky, Strasberg, and Readings on play production | |
| Theatre Production | History of theatre architecture, and Readings on production design-colour theory. | |
| Developing And Documenting The Research Project | Research projects in different aspects of theater. | |
| Section C | ||
| MUSIC | C1: Hindustani Melodic | Brief study of Gram, Murchhana, Varna, Alankar, Alap, Tana, Gamak, Meend, Kan, Khatka, Murki, Krintan, Zamzama, Ghaseet, Sut, Classification of Ragas, Development of the Time Theory of Ragas, Detailed study of Sangeet Ratnakar and Sangeet Parijat, and Life Sketch and Contribution of Abdul Halim Zafa, Inayat Khan, Mushtaq Ali Khan, Alauddin Khan |
| C1: Hindustani Vocal | Detailed study and life sketches of some of the masters of this field. | |
| C2: Carnatic Music (Melodic Instrumental) | Detailed study and life sketches of some of the masters of this field. | |
| C2: Carnatic Music (Vocal) | Contributions of Kshetrajna, Annamacharya, Gopalakrishna Bharati, Swati Tirunal, Maha Vaidyanatha Iyer, Patanam Subramanya Aiyar. Study of musical forms and Manodharma Sangita. Definition of Prabandham, Janaka-Janya ragas, Upanga, Bhashanga Varja, Vakra ragas, Gamakas, Arudi, Eduppu. | |
| C3: Rabindra Sangeet | Knowledge of the Akar Matrik Notation System, and Life Sketch of Rabindranath Tagore, Girish Chandra Ghosh, Kaji Nazrul Islam, and Atul Prasad Sen | |
| C4: Percussion | Hindustani Percussion and Notes on Chakradar, Uthan, Peskhar, and Baant | |
| C4: Percussion Instrumental (Mridangam) | Granthas with reference to Tala and percussion in Sangita Ratnakara, Chaturdandi Prakashika, and Ragavibhodha, Svaramela Kalanidhi. | |
CUET UG Performing Arts Exam Pattern
The exam is structured in a way that balances theoretical concepts and applied knowledge. The CUET UG Performing Arts question paper consists of Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) based on the syllabus. Questions test conceptual clarity, history, and application of the performing arts. As per NTA guidelines, with negative marking for wrong answers. This exam format ensures students are evaluated fairly on both their subject knowledge and analytical skills.
CUET UG Performing Arts Exam Pattern 2026 | |
| Number of Questions | Types of Questions |
| Section IA (Language) | |
| 50 questions, out of which only 40 are to be answered | Reading Comprehension based on different types of passages–Factual, Literary, and Narrative (Literary Aptitude and Vocabulary) |
| Section II (Domain Subject) | |
| 35/40 Questions to be attempted out of 45/50 |
|
| Section III (General Test) | |
| 60 questions, out of which only 50 are to be answered |
|
Best Preparation Tips for CUET Performing Arts
To excel in this subject, students need a mix of conceptual learning and practical exposure:
- Revise NCERT Fine Arts Syllabus: This forms the foundation for CUET questions.
- Connect with Practical Examples: Relate theories with real performances, cultural festivals, and stage practices.
- Take Mock Tests: Regular practice with the CUET Mock Test will help in time management and improving accuracy.
- Stay Updated with Cultural Trends: Keep an eye on current developments in music, theatre, and dance to answer contemporary-based questions.
Best Books for CUET Performing Arts Syllabus
All the students willing to take the upcoming CUET UG Performing Arts Exam 2026 must be confused about which book is best for their preparation. No worries! We have got you covered with the Best CUET Preparation Books for Performing Arts. For strong preparation, you need the right study material:
CUET Performing Arts (Domain Subject) Guide – Arihant
- Covers: Music (Hindustani & Carnatic), Dance, Theatre
- Features: NCERT-based theory, MCQs, and sample papers
- Best for: Students who want a complete one-book solution
Oswaal CUET UG Performing Arts Question Bank
- Includes: Chapter-wise MCQs, revision notes, and mock tests
- Based on: Latest CUET exam pattern
- Useful for: Daily practice and CUET mock tests
NCERT Books (Class 11 & 12 Performing Arts)
- Subjects: Dance (Kathak, Bharatanatyam), Music (Vocal, Instrumental)
- Importance: The CUET syllabus is mostly NCERT-based
- Tip: Read theory, basic terms, and cultural context carefully
"A Textbook of Performing Arts" by Rachna Sagar
- Good for: Concept clarity and theoretical background
- Includes: Easy explanations of Indian classical forms
CUET Performing Arts Practice Papers by MTG
- Contains: Sample papers and practice sets
- Best for: Final revision and exam-like preparation