![National School of Drama - [NSD]](https://image-static.collegedunia.com/public/college_data/images/logos/1589113084Logo.jpg?h=71.7&w=71.7&mode=stretch)
National School of Drama is popularly known as NSD, is a training institute established in 1959. The institute is fully financed by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. It is the only one of its kind in India that offers a professional Diploma course in the field of drama. It is an autonomous organization situated in New Delhi.
- It is one of the prominent institutions in the field of theater arts.
- NSD offers only one course, which is the Diploma in Dramatic Arts.
- The minimum eligibility criteria for the course are a graduation from a recognized university.
- The first-year fee for the Diploma in Dramatic Arts is INR 1800.
- NSD offers admission through a written institute entrance exam conducted by the institute, followed by a workshop round.
- There are a total of 32 seats for the course, out of which 3 are reserved for foreign nationals.
![NSD Highlight]()
NSD Courses and Fees
NSD offers a full-time 3-year residential diploma program in dramatics. This course trains students to become professionals in the areas of acting, direction, and theater. Here are the details of NSD Courses and fees:
| Course | Total Fees | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Diploma | INR 5400 | Graduation + Institute Entrance Exam, and Workshop |
How is the course designed at NSD?
- The curriculum is designed to develop practical and professional knowledge in the students.
- It provides holistic education in the field of acting, direction, stage craft, voice, and movement.
According to Shivani Reddy, the course is affordable and gives quality training and exposure, with hostel facilities available at a reasonable price, providing ample opportunities for students to participate in national and International theatre festivals. Read more.
NSD Admission
NSD offers admission to the 3-year Diploma in Dramatic Arts program. For admission to the Diploma in Dramatic Arts, candidates must have completed a graduation in any discipline from a recognised university in India or abroad. The application fee for the course is INR 50. Here is the step-by-step NSD admission process:
Eligibility Criteria
- The candidate must have a graduation degree in any stream from a recognized university.
- Must have participated in at least 6 different theater productions.
- Must have proof of theater experience, such as a certificate of participation, brochure, leaflet, or newspaper clipping.
Selection Process
The selection process for NSD Courses takes place in two phases:
Phase 1 - This is the first round, where a written exam is conducted by the institute.
Phase 2 - This is the final round, where students who qualified in phase 1 will have to attend a 5-day workshop where an expert committee will assess the aptitude and talent of the candidate.
The selected candidate from the final round will have to undergo a medical test for fitness before joining the campus for classes and activities.
Admission Process
The infographic below shows the step-by-step process for admission to NSD:
NSD Regional Resource Centers
NSD has opened regional resource centres across India. These centres offer 1-year certificate programs for different courses. Here is the list of NSD regional centres:
| Center Name | Course offered | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Gangtok | 1-Year Certificate Course in Dramatic Arts | Graduation + Participated in 4 plays |
| Bengaluru | 1-Year Certificate Course in Acting | Graduation + Participated in 4 plays |
| Varanasi | 1-Year Certificate Course in Indian Classical Theatre | Graduation + Participated in 4 plays |
| Agartala | 1-Year Certificate Course in Theatre in Education | Graduation + Participated in 4 plays |
| Mumbai | 1-Year Acting Course | 10+2 |
NSD Scholarship
NSD offers scholarships to all the students selected for the course to aid their academics and other expenses. The scholarship is provided every month. Check the details of the NSD scholarship in the table below:
| Course | Scholarship Amount | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Diploma | INR 9,500 | All the candidates selected for the program |
NSD Hostel
NSD grants a hostel to every selected candidate, and the candidate must opt for the hostel facility. The hostel provides all the basic utilities, such as electricity and a mess. Below are the details of the NSD hostel.
NSD Hostel Fees
NSD provides hostels to both boys and girls. The hostel is available with options for room sharing and a dormitory style. The hostel fees per month are INR 3,500.
Here are details of the fee:
| Hostel Fees | INR 250 per month |
|---|---|
| Electricity and Water Charges | INR 150 per month |
| Medical Charge | INR 100 per month |
| Mess Charge | INR 3000 per month |
Key Takeaway from the video:
- The above video game is a virtual tour of the NSD campus showing its architecture, rehearsal spaces, and student life.
- The above video gives a glimpse of classroom activities, stage setup, and behind-the-scenes moments.
- The video highlights how classes of NSD are conducted.
- The atmosphere at the campus is artistic and is deeply rooted in Indian theatre tradition.
NSD Campus Facilities
NSD campus is vibrant and presents an artistic view. The campus is covered with posters of dramas and different arts. It has multiple auditoriums, rehearsal spaces, and a video & audio library.
Auditorium - the campus has an indoor and open Auditorium where students practice and deliver performances.
Library - Apart from books, NSD also has a video and audio library where more than 3000 videos and 700 CDs are available for the students to practice.
Performing Spaces - the campus has a performance space available where students cannot only practice but also organize many events.
Entrance
Main Building and Reception area
Book Shop
NSD vs FTII vs Delhi School of Music
National School of Drama (NSD), Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), and Delhi School of Music are institutions for acting, direction, and the creative arts field. Each institution provides varied courses in performing arts and media education. Where NSD is in theatre, FTII is in cinematic art, and Delhi School of Music is in western classical music and instrumental mastery. Here are some of the points for comparison for NSD, FTII, and Delhi School of Music across different parameters:
| Parameter | NSD | FTII | Delhi School of Music |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | New Delhi | Pune, Maharashtra | New Delhi |
| Established | 1959 | 1960 | 1966 |
| Type | Public | Public | Public |
| Government Affiliation | Ministry of Culture | Ministry of I&B | Independent (Trinity-linked) |
| Focus area | Theatre and Performing Arts | Film, TV, Acting, Direction, Cinematography | Piano, violin, cello, voice, music theory |
| Course Type | Diploma in Dramatic Arts | Diploma and Certificates | Certificate / Diploma |
| Duration | 3 Years | 1 - 3 Years | 1 - 3 Years |
| Eligibility | Graduation + Theatre Experience | Graduation + JET + Interview | Open enrollment, audition for advanced levels |
| Admission Process | Written Test + Audition (Workshop) | JET + Orientation + Interview | Audition (for advanced levels) |
| Hostel Facilities | Yes, for both boys and girls | Yes, for both boys and girls | Does not provide a hostel |
| Alumni Support | Strong Alumni Network | Industry Exposure | Classical Musicians & Teachers |
| Notable Alumni | Irrfan Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Neena Gupta, Anupam Kher | Rajkumar Rao, Jaya Bachchan, Sanjay Leela Bhansali | - |
| Campus | Performance Driven, Cultural Events | Cinematic and experimental learning | Small urban campus |
NSD Notable Alumni
NSD has produced great actors in the past years. Some of the famous and Notable Alumni of NSD are:
| Image | Name | Designation |
|---|---|---|
|
|
Anupam Kher | Actor, Director |
|
|
Neena Gupta | Actor |
|
|
Satish Kaushik | Actor, Director, Comedian |
|
|
Irrfan Khan | Actor |
Conclusion
NSD is one of the prominent institutions in the field of performing arts. It provides a full-time 3-year diploma course in dramatic art where the students are introduced to various fields of theatre. The admission course is based on graduation, and students are selected based on a written entrance exam, followed by an audition and interview.
To apply at NSD, the interested candidate must have performed in at least 6 theatre plays. The institute has produced various prominent figures in the field of performing arts, such as Anupam Kher, Irrfan Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Neena Gupta, and many more.
NSD FAQs
Ques. How to reach NSD through the Metro?
Ans. Metro is a convenient way to reach NSD. NSD is within walking distance of the metro station. There are 3 metro stations through which you can reach NSD:
Mandi House - 33 meters (1 min. walking distance)
Barakhamba Road - 42 meters (1 min. walking distance)
Tilak Road - 669 meters (9 min. walking distance)
Ques. If a candidate has more theatre experience, can they get admission in NSD?
Ans. To apply for NSD, a candidate is required to have a theatre experience, as the selection is based on the entrance test, audition, and interview. Having a theatre certificate or experience can be beneficial for the audition round, as the candidate will be acquainted with dialogue delivery and facial expression.
Ques. What is the stipend system of NSD?
Ans. NSD comes under the Ministry of Culture, so the education and residence are free of cost. As there is a limited number of students who are selected for NSD, this stipend is given to all the admitted students. The scholarship that the institute provides is called a stipend, as it is given every month.
Ques. What is the medium of instruction at NSD?
Ans. At NSD, students from diverse cultures and backgrounds are selected. The medium of instruction for all the centers, including Delhi, is English and Hindi, except for that of the Bengaluru center, where the medium of instruction is English, Hindi, and Kannada.
Comments
Found 18 Comments
National School of Drama (NSD) does offer scholarships (monthly stipends of INR 6,000–INR 9,500 to admitted students in diploma/certificate courses), helping meet training and academic costs under conditions like bonds or surety.
However, distance learning is not a standard or effective option at NSD, as its programs are full-time, practical, and theatre-based, requiring in-person training, workshops, rehearsals, and performance practice for real skill development.
To join acting classes at the National School of Drama (NSD), candidates must be graduates from a recognized university, aged between 18 and 30 years. Admission is competitive and based on a multi-stage selection process including auditions, practical tests, and interviews conducted by NSD.
NSD Diploma in Dramatic Arts is offered as 3 Years full-time program, with a total intake of 30 seats. The minimum eligibility criteria for a Diploma are Graduation. The total fees for the NSD Diploma in Dramatic Arts are INR 5,400 for the complete course duration.
At the National School of Drama (NSD), New Delhi, a regular B.A. Acting course is not offered. The main full-time residential programme is a Three-Year Diploma in Dramatic Arts, which trains students in acting, design, and related theatre disciplines, and requires graduation (a bachelor’s degree) for eligibility, so just passing 10+2 alone is not sufficient for that diploma course.
To pursue diploma in acting course to learn acting, you need to apply for the application form at www.onlineadmission.nsd.gov.in.
The basic eligibility criteria for admission to the Diploma program is a Graduation in any subject from a recognized University in India or Abroad. The candidate seeking admission should have participated in at least 6 different theatre productions.
There are no details available for the filmmaking courses. You can visit the campus for the queries about the different courses.
You will be notified on you registered mail ID provided by your at the time of registration and application.
You can check here for the academic requirements for the Diploma in Dramatic Arts From NSD.
To apply to NSD, candidates can submit their application online, or offline by post. The basic eligibility criteria for admission to the Diploma program is a Graduation in any subject from a recognized University in India or Abroad.
Kitne duration ka course hoga?
The duration varies from course to course of NSD New Delhi. Click on the below link to duration course wise.
Link: NSD New Delhi Courses
You can check the official website of the National School of Drama to get the admission notification.
You can check here to see the courses offered along with their fees at NSD. NSD Courses and Fees You can also check the official webite for more information.
This is the address of NSD- Bahawalpur House, 1, Bhagwandas Road, New Delhi – 110 001. Email: nationalschoolofdrama@gmail.com
There is no age criteria prescribed by NSD Delhi for admissions to the courses.
The total fee of NSD, Diploma [Dramatic Arts] is INR 50280 for 3 years. For more details, visit NSD- admissions, eligibility, courses
Eligibility to pursue NSD is graduation. Meanwhile, At least 6 different theatre production experience and a Letter of Recommendation from the expert are the criteria of selection. This is all that is needed to do NSD.
what's the fee structure of btech in nsd delhi ??
The National School of Drama (NSD) does not offer B.tech courses. This institute provides admission to the Diploma Course in Dramatic Arts. To be eligible for the course you must have passed your graduation in any stream with participation in at least 6 theatre different productions. Also, the total number of seats is 26 for this course.