National School of Drama (NSD) provides only one diploma course in the field of Dramatic Arts. Admission to the school is done on the basis of the entrance examination conducted by the school itself. It has produced a number of famous actors, directors, producers, politicians, etc. 

National School of Drama Highlights

Official Website https://nsd.gov.in/delhi/
Type of Program Diploma
Admission Criteria Entrance Test
Application Mode Online and Offline

NSD Courses

The school provides a diploma course for candidates interested in making theatre their profession. Given below are the details for the same:

Course Name: Diploma Course in Dramatic Arts

  • Duration: 3-years | Full-time
  • Total Seats: 26
  • Eligibility: Graduation in any discipline with participation in at least 6 theatre different productions
  • Medium of instruction: Hindi/ English
NSD also provides a 3-year full-time PG Diploma course in Dramatic Arts. 

Know more: National School of Drama Course and Fee

National School of Drama Admission

The admission process for the diploma course usually begins from the 1st week of May. Interested candidates can apply through both online and offline mode. Following are the desirable points for taking admission in the course:

  • 3 recommendations from theatre experts
  • Documentary proof of the theatre experience
  • Age limit as on July 1, 2019 – Minimum 18 years and Maximum 30 years

Selection Procedure:

The selection in the diploma course consists of a 2 phase process.

Phase 1: Eligible candidates will require to appear in a preliminary examination conducted by NSD. The test will take place in various parts of the country such as Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai, etc. Syllabus for the test can be found on the official website of the school.

Phase 2: Candidates qualifying the test will need to attend a workshop of 5 days in New Delhi in the school premises. Final selection will take place on the basis of performance and aptitude of the candidate. 

Note: The school can shortlist the number of candidates for audition/ preliminary tests on the basis of experience in theatre arts. Also, the students selected for admission will be required to undergo a medical test for physical fitness at NDS Delhi. 

Reservations

Following are the criteria for reservation policy followed by the school:

  • 4 seats – Scheduled Caste
  • 2 seats – Scheduled Tribe
  • 7 seats – OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)

Check: National School of Drama Admission

National School of Drama Scholarships

The school offers a scholarship for all the selected candidates to the diploma course. They will be awarded an amount of INR 8000 per month to meet their academic and other expenses. The awardee of this scholarship will be required to follow the listed items:

  • They will be required to furnish a surety of INR 1,08,000 duly attested by District Magistrate/ Collector/ Deputy Commissioner
  • They will also be required to execute a bond of INR 1,08,00 if s/he decides to discontinue training before 3 years. 

The selected candidates will be covered by Risk Insurance Policy and are requires to pay an amount of INR 150 to 200 annually.

National School of Drama Facilities

The following are some of the facilities provided by the school to cater to the needs of theatre artists. 

  1. Library: The school has an extensive collection of 26,665 books, 4000 volumes of periodicals, 1064 gramophone, and about 200 journals. It covers subjects related to play direction, theatre architecture, stage design, history and criticism of theatre in India. 
  2. Hostels: There are separate hostel facilities for boys and girls. It is compulsory for all students to join the hostel since the course is fully-residential. Hostel rent per seat is INR 110 per month and INR 40 per month for Electricity & water charges.
  3. Performing Spaces: There are 4 performing spaces available on campus for staging productions. 
  4. Study Material: The students are provided with free study material which includes a mount board, drawing paper, and wood for classroom purposes only. Each student will be allotted a locker for his/her material and personal belongings.

National School of Drama Faculty

Given below is the list of faculty members at the drama school:

Prof. Ashok Sagar Bhagat

  • Qualifications: Graduated from NSD
  • Awards: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2002)
  • Contributions: Art Film Director for films like Bandit Queen and Hazaron Khwahishen Aisi

Prof. Hema Singh

  • Qualifications: B.A (Hons) Political Science and Graduated from NSD
  • Awards: Manohar Singh Smriti Award (2008)
  • Contributions: Conducted workshops in India and abroad; translated books on theatre, developed scripts for NCERT, etc.

Prof. Dinesh Khanna

  • Qualifications: Graduate from Lucknow University and PG Diploma from NSD
  • Awards: Bhartendu Natya Academy
  • Contributions: Written several articles on theatre and has involved in acting and directing for 20 years

Prof. Abhilash Pillai

  • Qualifications: Diploma in theatre production from London and PG Diploma from NSD
  • Awards: Sanskriti Award and Kerala Sangeet Natak Award
  • Contributions: Initiated 1st collaboration between NSD and Grand Circus, Kerala

Prof. Amitesh Grover

  • Qualifications: MA (Performative Arts) and Graduate from NSD
  • Awards: KMAT Residency; SNA Bismillah Khan Award; BC Theatre Sutra Award; and YCE Award nomination.
  • Contributions: Performance maker for more than 15 performance & Mixed-Media Installations with 110 shows across 9 countries.

Click here: NSD Faculty

NSD Alumni

The school has produced a number of prominent celebrities, politicians, business people, athletes, etc. The list includes Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, Piyush Mishra, Anupam Kher, Meghna Malik, Ratna Pathak, Shahrukh Khan, Pankaj Tripathi, Irfan Khan, etc. 

National School of Drama FAQs

Ques. I have no previous experience in theatre or acting, am I eligible for admission in NSD?

Ans. No. For admission in the school, one must have performed in at least 6 theatre productions. In addition, you must also have recommendations from 3 theatre experts.

Ques. Which is a better Institute NSD or FTII?

Ans. National School of Drama (NSD) is meant for candidates who wish to pursue theatre in the future, whereas, FTII is meant for those if you are headed for films. Film Acting is very much different from Theatre Acting. When it comes to ‘specialisation’ in acting NSD should be your choice.

Ques. What kind of questions do you get asked at the National School of Drama Entrance Exam?

Ans. A candidate will only be invited for an interview if s/he have passed the entrance exam conducted by the school itself. Once you are selected, you are sent a few speeches/monologues that you need to choose from and prepare two or more. On the day of the interview, you would first be required to clear a written examination, post which you shall be called for the interview. You will find five to six senior theatre faculty & reputable practitioners who might ask you to perform your prepared piece first.

Ques. What are the facilities provided at NSD, Delhi?

Ans. NSD, Delhi has a library which has an extensive collection of books, separate hostel facilities for boys and girls, 4 performing spaces available on campus for staging productions, and free study material for the students.

Ques. What is the total intake of the Diploma Program offered at NSD, Delhi?

Ans. The total intake of the Diploma Program offered at NSD, Delhi is 26 Seats. Out of this 26 seats available, 50% seats are reserved for category students.

Ques. Are there any performing wings of NSD, Delhi?

Ans. Yes, NSD, Delhi has two performing wings - The Repertory Company, Theatre- In-Education Company a.k.a Sanakaar Rang Toli.

Ques. Who are the notable alumnus of NSD, Delhi?

Ans. NSD, Delhi has produced some notable alumnus like Pankaj Tripathi, Anoop Soni, Zakir Hussain, and Late Irrfan Khan and many more such notable people who are the established names in the field of ART.