CUET UG 2027 / Performing Arts syllabus
CUET UG 2027 · Paper 320
CUET Performing Arts Syllabus 2027: Units, Chapters and Books
The official CUET UG Performing Arts (Dance, Drama, Music) syllabus (paper 320), unit by unit, with the book chapter each unit comes from, what changed from 2025 to 2026, and where to practise.
2027 status: NTA has not released the CUET UG 2027 syllabus. This page shows the official CUET UG 2026 Performing Arts syllabus, the latest available, and will be updated when NTA publishes the 2027 version.
CUET Performing Arts at a glance
- Paper code
- 320 (Performing Arts (Dance, Drama, Music))
- Questions
- 50 multiple-choice questions, all compulsory
- Time
- 60 minutes
- Marking
- +5 for a correct answer, minus 1 for a wrong answer; 250 maximum
- Syllabus
- 26 units, 25 chapters in our chapter map
How the CUET Performing Arts paper is structured
CUET Performing Arts (paper 320) has four sections in one syllabus: A vocal and instrumental (melodic) music covering Hindustani and Karnatak traditions, B dance, C percussion music, and D drama and theatre.
Neither the syllabus nor the 2026 bulletin says whether you answer one section or a mixed paper, so check the instructions in the 2027 bulletin. There is no NCERT textbook; NIOS music and Natyakala courses and the CBSE KTPI dance and theatre modules are the closest official material.
CUET Performing Arts syllabus, unit by unit
Unit titles and topics as printed in NTA’s CUET UG 2026 syllabus PDF.
Section A: Vocal and instrumental (melodic) music
Unit 1
Definitions
- Sangeet, Nad, Shruti, Swara - Shuddha, Komal, Teevra, Pitch - Intensity - Timbre, Gram - Murcchana, Varna, Alankar, Raga, Alap, Tana, Gamak, Meend, Kan.
Unit 2
Basic concepts
- Vadi, Samvadi, Anuvadi, Vivadi, Uttarang, Purvang, Aroh, Avroh, Pakad, Thata (Mela), Jati - Audav, Shadav, Sampurna and its varieties.
Unit 3
Laya & Tala
- Laya - Vilambit, Madhya, Drut
- Layakari - Dugun, Tigun, Chaugun, Chhegun; Tala, Matra, Tali, Khali, Sam, Vibhag, Avartan
- Prominent Talas: Teental, Ektala, Dadra, Keharwa, Jhaptala, Rupak, Adi, Saptala, Chaputala, Rupakam.
Unit 4
Knowledge of Musical Forms
- Prabandh, Drupad, Khayal, Thumri, Tarana, Maseet Khani - Razakhani Gat, Kriti, Pallavi, Padam, Tillana
Unit 5
Contribution of musicians & composers
- V.N. Bhatkhande, Omkar Nath Thakur, Allaudin Khan, Mushtaq Ali Khan, Tyagaraja, Purandardas, Rabindra Nath Tagore, Kazi Nazrul Islam.
Unit 6
Musical Instruments & their Classification
- String (Tata) - Sitar, Tanpura, Saraswati Veena, Sarod, Sarangi, Violin
- Percussion (Avanaddha) - Tabla, Pakhawaj, Mridangam, Ghatam, Khanjira, Dholak
- Wind (Sushir) - Flute, Shehnai, Nagaswaram, Harmonium
- Metallic (Ghan) - Chimta, Cymbal, Ghungaroo, Khadtala, Chipla, Morchung
Unit 7
Salient features of ragas
- Yaman/Kalyani
- Bhairav/Mayamalavagaula
- Alhaiya Bilawal/Shankarabharanam
- Malkauns/Hindolam
- Bageshree/Shri Ranjani
- Bhupali/Mohanam
Section B: Dance
Unit 1
Brief knowledge of classical dances of India (Kathak, Bharatanatyam, Manipuri, Kathakali, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Mohiniattam, Sattriya)
- History
- Dance repertoire
- Music both vocal and instrumental
- Costume and makeup
Unit 2
Life sketches
- Life sketches of chief exponents and contributors of different dance forms, past and present.
Unit 3
Terms
- Sangeet, Natan Bheda (Natya, Nritta, Nritya)
- Tandav, Lasya
- Lokdharmi, Natyadharmi
Unit 4
Texts and folk dances
- Texts: Abhinaya Darpan, Natya Shastra, Abhinaya Chandrika, Hasta Lakshana Deepika.
- Major folk dances of India.
Unit 5
Abhinaya and Rasa theory
- Aangika, Vachika, Aaharya, Satwika
- Nav rasa and sthayi bhaav.
- Bhaav, Vibhaav, Anubhaav, Sanchari.
Unit 6
Survey of classical dance practice
- Premier classical dance gharanas/ organisations/ institutions/ University-departments.
- Major dance festivals.
Section C: Percussion music
Unit 1
Structure of instruments
- Basic knowledge of structure of Tabla, Pakhawaj & Mridangam
Unit 2
Varnas
- Varnas of Tabla, Pakhawaj and Mridangam.
Unit 3
Terms
- Tala, Matra, Tali, Khali, Vibhag, Tihai, Sam
- Theka, Kayada, Rela, Tukda, Paran, Peshkar, Uthan, Chakradar & Farmaishi chakradar.
- Sarvalaghu, Gati, Koraipu, Korvai, Pharan, Mohra, Chapu, Muktayipu
- Study of Laya, Layakari & Jati
Unit 4
Notation systems
- Elementary knowledge of Bhatkhande Tala Notation system & Karnatak Tala Notation System.
Unit 5
Origin and gharanas
- Brief study of origin of Tabla, Pakhawaj and Mridangam.
- Brief study of Gharana of Tabla and Pakhawaj.
Unit 6
Prescribed Talas
- Teentala, Jhaptala, Ektala, Rupak, Keharwa & Dadra
- Chautala, Sooltala, Khemta, Dhamar
- Dhruva, Matya, Rupaka, Jhampa, Triputa, Ata, Eka.
Unit 7
Biographies
- Pt. Kishan Maharaj, Ustad Zakir Hussain.
- Raja Chatrapati Singh, Guru Purushottam Das.
- Palani Subramania Pillai, Palghat Mani Iyer.
Section D: Drama and theatre
Unit 1
Introduction to Indian Classical and Traditional Theatre
- Leading Sanskrit Playwrights: Bhasa, Kalidasa, Sudraka, Bhavabhuti [study one play of these playwrights]
- Major Traditional Theatre forms
Unit 2
Modern/Contemporary Indian Theatre
- Survey of major modern and contemporary styles and works in Hindi/English
- Playwrights: Rabindranath Tagore, Bhartendu Harishchandra, Vijay Tendulkar, Mohan Rakesh, Dharamveer Bharti, Badal Sircar, Shankar Shesh, Girish Karnad, Chandrasekhar Kambar, Madhu Rye [study one play]
- Practitioners of modern Indian Theatre: Shambhu Mitra, B.V. Karanth, Habib Tanvir, K.N. Panikkar, Ratan Thiyam, Utpal Dutt, Rajender Nath, Jabbar Patel, Vijaya Mehta, Satyadev Dubey, E. Alkazi, Pravin Joshi.
Unit 3
Introduction to western classical and Medieval Drama
- Leading Greek Playwrights: Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides [study one play]
- Shakespearean Dramas [study one play of Shakespeare]
Unit 4
Modern/Contemporary Western Theatre
- Survey of major contemporary styles and works in English or English Translation
- Playwrights: Chekhov, Ibsen, Strindberg, Shaw, O'Neill, Miller, Ionesco, Beckett, Pinter, Stoppard, Pirandello [study one play]
- Practitioners of Modern Western Drama: Stanislavsky, Lee Strasberg, Bertolt Brecht, Meyerhold, Peter Brook; Marlon Brando, Laurence Olivier, John Gielgud
Unit 5
Theatre Production/Architecture/Design
- Types of Theatres: Proscenium, Arena, Theatre in Round, Thrust.
- Elements of play production: Set, Light, Costume, Make up, Sound - Music.
Unit 6
Theatre organisations and research
- Review of Indian Theatre Organizations - NSD, University Theatre Departments, Sangeet Natak Akademi, Zonal Cultural Centres.
- Developing and Documenting the Research project - examples of research projects in different aspects of theatre; using media and sources for the project.
Chapter map
Each row is one chapter of study, with the book it comes from. Where a syllabus topic is missing from that book, the row says so.
Melodic music
- Music Definitions: Nad, Shruti, Swara, Raga, AlankarNIOS Hindustani Music (242) Theory Book 1 (Secondary level)
- Raga Concepts: Vadi-Samvadi, Thata, JatiNIOS Hindustani Music (242) Theory Book 1 (Secondary level)
- Laya, Layakari and Prominent TalasNIOS Hindustani Music (242) Theory Book 1 (Secondary level)
- Musical Forms: Dhrupad to TillanaNIOS Hindustani Music (242) Theory Book 1 (Secondary level)Not covered in this source: Maseetkhani and Razakhani gat (only in CBSE melodic curriculum, no textbook text)
- Musicians and ComposersNIOS Hindustani Music (242) Theory Book 1 (Secondary level)Not covered in this source: Kazi Nazrul Islam; Mushtaq Ali Khan and Allauddin Khan biographies (named only in CBSE curriculum); Omkarnath Thakur (only a passing mention)
- Musical Instruments and their ClassificationNIOS Hindustani Music (242) Theory Book 1 (Secondary level)
- Salient Features of Six Ragas (Hindustani/Karnatak pairs)NIOS Hindustani Music (242) Theory Book 1 (Secondary level)Not covered in this source: Hindolam; Shri Ranjani; Bageshree (only listed in CBSE curriculum)
Dance
- Classical Dances of India: History, Repertoire, Music, CostumeCBSE KTPI Class XII - Dance: A Survey (1) Classical, chapter 3Not covered in this source: Mohiniattam (not in KTPI Dance-Classical list)
- Exponents of Indian Classical DanceCBSE KTPI Class XII - Dance: A Survey (1) Classical, chapter 3Not covered in this source: Life sketches of exponents past and present (no consolidated source)
- Dance Terms: Natya-Nritta-Nritya, Tandava-Lasya, Lokdharmi-NatyadharmiNIOS Natyakala (385) Book 1 Theory (Senior Secondary)
- Dance Texts and Folk Dances of IndiaCBSE KTPI Class XII - Dance: A Survey (1) Classical, chapter 3Not covered in this source: Hasta Lakshana Deepika; Abhinaya Chandrika (named only in CBSE curriculum)
- Abhinaya and Rasa TheoryNIOS Natyakala (385) Book 1 Theory (Senior Secondary)
- Dance Gharanas, Institutions and FestivalsCBSE curriculum 2026-27: Indian Classical DancesNot covered in this source: Named institutions/university departments; Major dance festivals (e.g. Khajuraho, Konark)
Percussion
- Tabla, Pakhawaj, Mridangam: Structure and VarnasCBSE curriculum 2026-27: Hindustani Music Percussion (036)Not covered in this source: Instrument anatomy and varna/bol charts (curriculum lists them, no prose source)
- Percussion Terms: Theka to Korvai, Laya and JatiCBSE curriculum 2026-27: Hindustani Music Percussion (036)
- Bhatkhande and Karnatak Tala NotationNIOS Hindustani Music (242) Theory Book 1 (Secondary level)
- Origin of Tabla, Pakhawaj, Mridangam and GharanasCBSE curriculum 2026-27: Hindustani Music Percussion (036)Not covered in this source: Tabla gharanas (Delhi, Ajrada, Lucknow, Farukhabad, Benaras, Punjab) and Pakhawaj gharanas
- Prescribed Talas (Hindustani and Karnatak)NIOS Hindustani Music (242) Theory Book 1 (Secondary level)
- Biographies of Percussion MaestrosCBSE curriculum 2026-27: Hindustani Music Percussion (036)Not covered in this source: All six biographies (curricula only name them)
Drama and theatre
- Sanskrit Playwrights and Traditional Theatre FormsNIOS Natyakala (385) Book 1 Theory (Senior Secondary)
- Modern Indian Theatre: Playwrights and PractitionersCBSE KTPI Class XI Module 10: Theatre and Drama in India, chapter 10Not covered in this source: Girish Karnad, Chandrasekhar Kambar, Madhu Rye, Shankar Shesh; Most practitioners (Shambhu Mitra, Utpal Dutt, Jabbar Patel, Vijaya Mehta, Satyadev Dubey, Pravin Joshi, Rajender Nath)
- Greek Tragedy and ShakespeareNIOS Natyakala (385) Book 1 Theory (Senior Secondary)Not covered in this source: Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and their plays; Shakespearean drama
- Modern Western Theatre: Playwrights and PractitionersNIOS Natyakala (385) Book 1 Theory (Senior Secondary)Not covered in this source: Chekhov, Ibsen, Strindberg, Shaw, O'Neill, Miller, Ionesco, Beckett, Pinter, Stoppard, Pirandello; Strasberg, Brecht, Meyerhold, Brook; Brando, Olivier, Gielgud
- Theatre Types and Elements of ProductionNIOS Natyakala (385) Book 1 Theory (Senior Secondary)
- Theatre Organisations and Research ProjectsCBSE KTPI Class XI Module 10: Theatre and Drama in India, chapter 10
What changed from 2025 to 2026
- No change in substance: all four sections are identical to 2025 (only bullet numbering style changed from I/II to i/ii).
Compared against NTA’s CUET UG 2025 syllabus PDF. When the 2027 syllabus is out, this section will compare 2027 with 2026.
Books to study from
- NIOS Hindustani Music (course 242) and Carnatic Music (course 243)
- NIOS Natyakala (course 385), theory book
- CBSE KTPI modules on classical and folk dance, music, and theatre
- CBSE curricula for Hindustani and Carnatic music and Indian classical dances
NCERT books are on ncert.nic.in; NIOS course material is on nios.ac.in.
Practise CUET Performing Arts chapter by chapter
The Study OS CUET track follows the chapter map above. Choose Performing Arts as one of your papers, revise a chapter, then test it with exam-style questions and read the explanation after every answer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the exam pattern of the CUET Performing Arts paper?
CUET UG Performing Arts (paper code 320) has 50 compulsory multiple-choice questions to be answered in 60 minutes. A correct answer earns 5 marks and a wrong answer costs 1 mark, so the paper is out of 250. This is the CUET UG 2026 pattern; NTA has not announced any change for 2027.
Has NTA released the CUET Performing Arts syllabus for 2027?
Not yet. The syllabus on this page is the official CUET UG 2026 Performing Arts syllabus, which is the latest one NTA has published. This page will be updated when the 2027 syllabus is released.
Which books should I study for CUET Performing Arts?
Study from: NIOS Hindustani Music (course 242) and Carnatic Music (course 243); NIOS Natyakala (course 385), theory book; CBSE KTPI modules on classical and folk dance, music, and theatre; CBSE curricula for Hindustani and Carnatic music and Indian classical dances.
What changed in the CUET Performing Arts syllabus?
No change in substance: all four sections are the same as 2025. This compares the 2025 and 2026 syllabi; the 2027 syllabus is not out yet.
Do I answer all four sections in CUET Performing Arts?
The syllabus lists music, dance, percussion and drama in one paper, but neither it nor the 2026 bulletin says how sections are assigned. Check the 2027 bulletin and the on-screen instructions.
Is there a practical in CUET Performing Arts?
The CUET paper is 50 multiple-choice questions in 60 minutes, taken on a computer. Any practical or audition is set separately by the university, if at all.
Other CUET UG 2027 syllabi
CUET UG 2027 overview: exam pattern, dates and how to choose subjects