The CUET PG 2026 Performing Arts syllabus includes Indian classical dances like Kathak and Bharatanatyam, their history and key figures, music theory covering Hindustani and Carnatic styles with concepts such as Rasa, Tala, and Swar, and drama and theatre from Sanskrit classics to modern forms.
Prepare for the CUET PG 2026 Performing Arts syllabus by mastering its key topics across specialised papers. NTA offers separate syllabi under Humanities codes like HUQP05 for Dance, HUQP24 for Theatre, HUQP14 for Hindustani Music (Vocal-Instrumental), HUQP12 for Karnatak Music, and HUQP25 for Percussion Music. These cover classical Indian dances such as Kathak, Bharatanatyam, and Odissi, including their historical evolution, performance repertoires, accompanying music, traditional attire, and renowned artists. Expect questions on theatre traditions from classical Sanskrit plays to modern Indian and Western productions, alongside core concepts like Rasa theory, Abhinaya expressions, and texts such as Natya Shastra. The exam consists of 75 multiple-choice questions in a 90-minute computer-based test, awarding 4 marks per correct answer and deducting 1 for incorrect ones, totalling 300 marks. Download detailed PDFs from the official NTA CUET PG 2026 website to align your studies with regional variations and prominent figures.
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CUET PG 2026 Performing Arts Syllabus
CUET 2026 is a single entrance exam through which students can apply to several CUET PG 2026 participating universities . The CUET 2026 performing arts exam consists of three parts. Section A is for dance, Section B is for drama and theatre, and Section C is for music. Students will be able to choose any section they want.
CUET PG Performing Arts Syllabus 2026 PDF
To help you prepare, download the official CUET Performing Arts syllabus. CUET Performing Arts Syllabus PDF is available for download. You can download the official CUET Performing Arts syllabus PDF from the link provided below.
Overview of CUET 2026 Performing Arts Syllabus
Before going through the overview of the CUET PG 2026 Performing Arts syllabus, it is crucial to understand the CUET structure. Section A (Dance) and Section B (Music) are subdivided into sections. Students need to attempt any one of the following:
Section A (Dance) | |
|---|---|
A1: Kathak | A2: Bharatnatyam |
A3: Odissi | A4: Kuchipudi |
A5: Manipuri | A6: Kathakali |
Section B (Drama-Theatre) | |
Section C (Music) | |
Carnatic | Hindustani |
Percussion | Rabindra Sangeet |
CUET PG 2026 Performing Arts syllabus is divided into three broad topic units. Each of these three sections has a number of sub-sections that are roughly equal in importance throughout the paper. These topics must be thoroughly studied before a student can properly appreciate and apply them. Students must be fully conversant with the topics and syllabus that may be covered in the CUET 2026 exam. The units are also interconnected. Music, dance, and theatre are examples of performing arts that are performed for an audience. The use of paint, canvas, or other materials to create physical or static art objects is required for visual arts. Students can review the CUET 2026 PG exam pattern for a better understanding of the exam pattern.
The outline of the CUET 2026 PG Performing Arts Syllabus is as follows:
Section A1 (Kathak Dance) | |
|---|---|
A brief history of other dance styles of India | Ability to notate a Tukraa/Toda and Paran |
Knowledge of the various Kathak terms | Rasa: definition and explanation of the nine rasas. |
Section A2 (Bharatnatyam Dance) | |
Acquaintance with traditional costumes | Acquaintance with the contents of the Abhinaya Darpana |
Knowledge of the various Bharatnatyam terms | Acquaintance with the life history of the chief exponents & contributors of the past Dance form. |
Section A3 (Kuchipudi Dance) | |
Knowledge of the various Kuchipudi terms | A brief history and acquaintance with some traditional dance forms |
Section A4 (Odissi Dance) | |
A Basic understanding of the term Abhinaya | Brief notes on the contributions and lives of the three Gurus |
Knowledge of the various Odissi terms | Folk Dances of Odisha |
Section A5 (Manipuri Dance) | |
Acquaintance with the make-up & traditional costumes | Acquaintance with the contents of Abhinaya Darpana |
Knowledge of the various Manipuri terms | Acquaintance with the life history of chief exponents, past & present, of the danceform. |
Section A6 (Kathakali Dance) | |
Knowledge of Kathakali music (percussion & vocal) | Acquaintance with the life history of the masters of the dance |
Knowledge of the various Kathakali terms | Acquaintance with the make-up & traditional costumes |
Section B (Drama Theatre) | |
Modern and Contemporary Indian Theatre | Theatre Production – Theatre Architectures and Production Design |
Developing and Documenting the Research Project | Survey of Acting Theory and Practice |
Theatre Production – Management and Performance | Modern and Western Theatre |
Section C1 (Hindustani) | |
Hindustani Melodic | Hindustani Vocal |
Section C2 (Carnatic) | |
Carnatic Music (Melodic Instrumental) | Carnatic Music (Vocal) |
Section C3 (Rabindra Sangeet) | |
Rabindra Sangeet | Other Types of Music |
Section C4 (Percussion) | |
Hindustani Percussion | Layakari and its varieties |
Brief history of the Medieval & Modern period of Hindustani Music | Gharanas of Tabla or Pakhawaj |
History of Tabla or Pakhawaj | Writing notation of the prescribed compositions and Talas |
CUET PG 2026 Detailed Exam Pattern
The complete CUET PG 2026 Exam Pattern, which includes all paper codes, question patterns, and so on, is as follows:
Paper Code | Pattern of Question |
|---|---|
COQP03 | Part A: This section will consist of 25 questions prepared on Language Comprehension/ Verbal Ability. |
Part B: It will consist of 75 domain knowledge questions on Social Sciences and Science, Teaching Aptitude and Mathematics. | |
COQP01, COQP02
| Part A: This section will have 25 MCQs on Language Comprehension/ Verbal Ability/ Analytical Skills/ Mathematical/ Quantitative Ability/ General Awareness. |
Part B: 75 Domain Knowledge Questions | |
LAQP01 to LAQP41 | Part A: 25 MCQ-type questions on Language Comprehension/ Verbal Ability, Analytical Skills, Mathematical/ Quantitative Ability, General Awareness. |
Part B: 75 domain knowledge questions will be asked on domains like Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, etc. | |
ACQP03 to ACQP26 | Part A: 25 questions will be asked on Logical Reasoning, General Knowledge, and Mathematical Ability |
Part B: 75 language-specific questions will be asked in this part. | |
ACQP01 to ACQP02 |
100 (MCQs) divided into two parts:
|
COQP12 | 100 questions will be asked on Language Comprehension/ Verbal Ability, Mathematical/ Quantitative Ability, Logical Reasoning, Data Interpretation |
COQP11 | 100 questions will be asked on Language Comprehension/ Verbal Ability, Computer Basics and Logical Reasoning, General Knowledge |
CUET PG Marking Scheme
The CUET PG 2026 will be administered in two shifts in CBT mode for admission to the following academic session. The CUET 2026 exam will only be administered online. The exam will consist of 100 multiple-choice questions, each worth four points. The candidate must choose between English and Hindi for the General Paper. One mark is deducted for each incorrect answer.
CUET 2026 PG Preparation Tips
Here are some pointers for CUET PG 2026 preparation tips for Performing Arts papers. Students can benefit from reading them and improving their preparation.
Comprehend Your Syllabus
Students must understand the examination's official CUET PG 2026 Performing Arts syllabus. Students must be familiar with the syllabus's topics, units, and concepts. The students must prepare for the topics. It is advised that they do not skip any topics. While studying for the exam, Students should make a list of all the important points. After reviewing the entire syllabus, Students will be aware of the subject's weak and strong points. More time should be dedicated to the chapters, units, or concepts that require improvement and mastery.
Recognise Your Exam Pattern
Students for CUET PG Performing Arts 2026 must be familiar with the exam format. It provides an example of the types of questions. Knowing the exam pattern and preparing accordingly is an excellent and intellectual way to prepare for the exam. Knowing the exam pattern will assist them in improving their preparation strategy and exam performance.
Develop an Excellent Strategy
Most Students are unaware that developing an ideal strategy or study plan is critical. Students should remember that a perfect plan combined with perfect execution produces incredible results. As a result, Students should develop a perfect study plan before beginning examination preparation. Students must take short breaks while preparing the timetable to refresh and rejuvenate themselves in order for the preparation to go smoothly.
Practice
Students should practise mock tests, sample papers, and specimen papers as much as possible. Writing these tests is an efficient way to determine how much knowledge is being retained. Students will master the subject by writing and practising several mock tests and sample papers, allowing them to confidently take the main exam. Writing speed improves with practise. Students can improve their exam performance by learning from their mistakes.
Revision
Many educators and experts believe that revising is essential before taking any exam. To perform well on the exam, it is recommended that at least one revision be completed. Students should avoid learning a new topic during this time because revision is revision. Because recalling what has previously been learned is critical, the revision phase of preparation must be taken seriously.
Related Links
The students opting for CUET PG admissions for the academic session of 2026-26 can refer to this article and keep a check on this page for further updates and date releases. If you have any questions, visit our QnA section and feel free to write your queries to us. For further news/articles and updates related to CUET PG 2026 admission through CUET, stay tuned to CollegeDekho !
FAQs
You will find the CUET PG Performing Arts syllabus 2026 divided into three main sections. Section A covers Dance, including classical forms and techniques. Section B focuses on Drama and Theatre, with topics on history and production. Section C addresses Music, spanning vocal, instrumental, and percussion elements. Prepare thoroughly from the official NTA resources.
You find the CUET PG Performing Arts syllabus remains largely consistent across 2026 and prior years, covering core areas like Hindustani vocal music, dance forms such as Kathak and Bharatanatyam, drama techniques, and percussion instruments. Official NTA trends and coaching sites confirm no major revisions this year.
You will study Kathak and Bharatanatyam as core classical dance forms in CUET PG Performing Arts. Expect topics on their history, gharanas, key terms, abhinaya aspects, and rasa theory from official syllabi and past trends. Recent patterns emphasise theory alongside other dances like Odissi, with 40 to 50% weightage on these two.
You study Hindustani Music Vocal in CBSE syllabi, covering ragas like Bihag, Bhimpalasi, and Bhairavi, along with talas such as Ektala and Chautala. Practice includes Khayal, Dhrupad, Bhajans, Alaap, Taan, and Sargam for voice training. Theoretical aspects feature swaras, saptak, and raga structures from the official 2025-26 guidelines.
You face 50 compulsory multiple-choice questions in the Performing Arts exam, lasting 60 minutes, with a total of 250 marks. Each correct answer earns you 5 marks, while each wrong one deducts 1 mark; unattempted questions score zero. This CUET pattern from recent years stays consistent for 2026, stressing accuracy.
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