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NSD Course Admission 2026: Dates, Fees, Eligibility, Application Process, Selection Criteria

Connaught Place, New DelhiEstd 1959

4.5

(28 Reviews)

Swamini Kushwaha

Content Writer | Updated on - Oct 10, 2025

National School of Drama, popularly known as NSD, offers one full-time diploma course in dramatic arts. The course provides education in the field of acting, design, and direction. Students can apply for the course online only. It is committed to developing talent in the field of dramatic arts and accepts only a limited number of students every year.

The minimum age limit to apply for the NSD program is 30 years.
To apply, candidates must have completed their graduation from a recognised University and have participated in 6 theatre plays.
The duration of the diploma course is 3 years.
The selected Candidates after the entrance exam will have to endure a 5-day workshop, and after which an audition and an interview will be held.
The specifications in design and direction are available for only 5 students
There are a total of 32 seats for the course, out of which 3 are reserved for foreign nationals.

Table of Contents

NSD Diploma Admission
NSD Application Process
Conclusion
NSD Admission FAQs

NSD Diploma Admission

NSD offers 1 full-time residential course in Diploma. The eligibility criteria for the course are that the candidate must have completed their graduation and have participated in at least 6 theoretical productions. The 3-year course is divided into 6 semesters of 20 weeks each.

The course of study for 3 years is that in the first 3 semesters, the student will have to study in an integrated course, and in the next 3 semesters, the student will study about specifications in either acting or design and direction. Check the details of the diploma course:

Course	Specification	Eligibility
Diploma	Dramatic Arts	Graduation + appeared in the entrance exam + audition + interview

NSD Application Process

The application form for admission in NSD is available through online mode, and the admission procedure takes place in two phases. The minimum age limit to apply for the program is 18 to 30 years. However, as per the government norms, age relaxation of 5 years is provided to ST and SC category students and 3 years for OBC category students.

NSD Selection Process

The selection procedure comprises two phases:

Phase I

Eligible candidates are required to appear for the Preliminary Round conducted by NSD in different metropolises such as Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, etc. The syllabus for the same is available on NSD's website.

Phase II

Candidates who have qualified in Phase I are required to attend a five-day interview cum workshop conducted in the NSD premises in New Delhi. The final selection takes place based on the candidate’s performance in the workshop as well as aptitude and overall conduct. For the final selection, the student has to audition, followed by the interview.

Note: Only 32 candidates ( 3 from foreign nationals) are selected per year from all over the country. Selected candidates are required to pass the medical test conducted in the NSD, New Delhi campus.

Here is the step-by-step admission process for the NSD program:

Conclusion

Admission to NSD is given based on experience and a recommendation letter from a theatre expert. To apply for NSD, a candidate must have participated in at least 6 theoretical productions. The duration of the course is 3 years, which is divided into 3 semesters. The selection process for NSD is divided into two phases. Phase 1 consists of a written test, and Phase 2 consists of a workshop audition and interviews

NSD Admission FAQs

Ques. How can foreign students apply to NSD?

Ans. Students interested in applying to NSD can apply directly to the institute through its website or through their respective embassy or the Indian Council for Cultural Relations. If the foreign candidate avails themselves of any scholarship, it will be provided by the University; otherwise, they will have to pay the full course fee at the institute.

Ques. What are the topics to be covered for the NSD written examination?

Ans. The written examination for NSD typically covers general knowledge, theoretical knowledge, literature, art and culture, English language proficiency, critical thinking and analytical skill, and personality. However, the details of the syllabus are available on the website of the institute.

Ques. What are the documents required while filling up the NSD application form?

Ans. The application form for admission at NSD is filled out through online mode, and the application form is available on its website. The candidate applying for the course must have the following documents, a photograph, signature, age proof, education qualification, recommendation from a theatre expert, category certificate, theatre experience certificate, and proof of theatre experience.

COURSE	ADMISSION LINK
Graduate Diploma in Arts,	Admission Link

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Shivani Reddy

4.5Helpful

Diploma, Dramatic Arts

Reviewed on Nov 11, 2021(Enrolled 2019)

DDA @NDS

Admission:

In the admission process of NDS for Diploma in Drama, students first have to meet the eligibility criteria mentioned by the school. The graduate students who are interested in Drama and theater can submit their application process. Further, they are selected based on their eligibility and performances in the audition and workshop.

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Prem Luthra

4.7

Diploma, Dramatic Arts

Reviewed on Aug 21, 2020

National School of Drama

Admission:

The admission process was not easy. I applied for the PG diploma course online. When I was selected, I appeared for an audition and I attended a five days workshop and with my continuous applauding performance, I got admission in the institution.

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PS Rawat

4.4

Diploma, Dramatic Arts

Reviewed on Aug 21, 2020

National School of Drama

Admission:

The admission process was bit complicated. I have appeared for an aptitude test. Then I was shortlisted and attended a five day workshop within the institute premises. the final selection was made on the basis of my performance in the entrance test as well as the workshop. I was also given a scholarship of INR 6,000.

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Saumya

4.3

Diploma, Dramatic Arts

Reviewed on Jun 24, 2020

Diploma (Dramatics Arts) from NSD, Delhi

Admission:

After completing my graduation I decided to follow my passion so I began to search for colleges that offer a diploma course in dramatic arts and came across National School of Drama - [NSD], New Delhi. The admission procedure in this college was quite simple.

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Mausam

4.5

Diploma, Dramatic Arts

Reviewed on Jun 24, 2020

Diploma in Dramatic Art from NSD, New Delhi

Admission:

I've always had a knack for dramatic arts so when I found out about the diploma in dramatic art offered at National School of Drama - [NSD], New Delhi it felt like a dream come true. I have to say that the admission procedure was simple and based on the merit of a student.

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Rahul

3.7

Diploma, Dramatic Arts

Reviewed on Jun 24, 2020

A dedicated research college for art form

Admission:

The college conducts its own audition or NSD entrance exam to select the students based on their basic natural art skills and other talents. The student after selection will be intimated by call about the further selection process.

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Chirag

4.2

Diploma, Dramatic Arts

Reviewed on Jun 24, 2020

Drama school

Admission:

The admission in the college involves an audition of your skills, along with a minimum schooling education. They also sometimes conduct the NSD entrance exam to screen students. The students are selected solely on the basis of merit.

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Sayak

4.8

Dramatic Arts

Reviewed on Jun 17, 2020

Experience at NSD

Admission:

The theater has always appealed to me and performing arts was my dream. I enrolled myself in NSD after I had performed in 6 theater productions which is the minimum eligibility criteria. I gave a preliminary audition test with a workshop and a final fitness test which I qualified.

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Kaustubh

4.0

Diploma, Dramatic Arts

Reviewed on Jun 10, 2020

my journey

Admission:

Graduation in any subject from a recognized university in india or abroad. Participation in at least six theatre productions. Working knowledge of hindi and English.

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ABHISHEK

4.8

Diploma, Dramatic Arts

Reviewed on Jun 8, 2020

Best College of the field India

Admission:

Candidates applying to this course must have had undergone a bachelor? degree in any field before this. There are total of 26 seats which are available under this course, in which, reservation for special category candidates is available.

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NSD: 3 Answered Questions

How to prepare yourself to get admissions into NSD?

Gargi GhosePG Diploma Theatre Directing & Stage Design, National School of Drama, India

Join some local theatre club and do amateur theatre for a year or more. Try to work with different directors during your amateur theatre period. You can ask them for recommendations for admission.

Also, check the NSD website and stay updated. They usually release admission forms around the month of April-May.

If candidates have no theater certificate, then how it get admission in NSD?

Archit GuptaNational School of Drama, India

The admission procedure at NSD is quite unpredictable. If you have done 6 plays it will help but it doesn’t necessarily mean that you will get selected.

Let’s say a person has 8 years of stage experience and has done over 20 plays. But there is no diversity. Also, he/she does not have much direction or backstage experience. It’s not likely that he/she will be selected.

However, if you have done 5 plays and have good technical knowledge of theater, then you can get admission easily.

How can I get admission in NSD?

Minakshi RoychowdhuriNational School of Drama, India

In order to be eligible for admission at NSD, you will have to be a graduate and you must have at least 6 months of theatre experience. Also, you will need recommendation letters from at least two well-known directors.

You will get the application form online. You can also get it from the campus directly. For selection, there are different rounds like interviews, workshops, written, etc.

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