Content Curator | Updated on - Apr 8, 2026

The Master of Performing Arts [MPA] in Drama and Theatre Arts at Pondicherry University is a 2-year full-time postgraduate programme offered under the School of Performing Arts. It is a uniquely practice-oriented programme with 45% theory and 55% practical components, covering all elements of theatre arts including acting, direction, stagecraft (make-up, costume, set design, lighting, and theatre music), history of world theatre, and Indian classical and modern drama. With an intake of 20 seats and a total fee of Rs. 43,472 for the entire programme, it is one of the few Central University MPA programmes in India that combines rigorous academic training with hands-on production experience. Admission is based on CUET (PG) scores, and the programme is popular among students passionate about theatre, performance, and the performing arts as a profession.

Admissions for the 2026-27 academic year are based on CUET (PG) 2026, which was conducted from March 6 to March 27, 2026, with results expected in May 2026. The university's PG admission process including provisional rank lists, select lists, and fee payment is expected to commence from June-July 2026 onwards, following the pattern of the 2025-26 cycle. Students are advised to monitor the official admissions portal at admissions.pondiuni.edu.in for updated schedules.

Key Points

The programme has a unique 45% theory and 55% practical structure, making it one of the most hands-on MPA programmes offered by a Central University in India.
In the third semester, an invited theatre expert directs a play for students, providing exposure to professional theatre direction.
The programme includes a study tour to witness traditional theatre performances in villages of Tamil Nadu or Puducherry, offering direct exposure to folk and classical performance traditions.
Special workshops are conducted with invited Indian and foreign theatre experts on traditional acting, mime, folk dance, and various acting methods.
The final semester focuses on dissertation and individual student play production, where each student integrates all elements of drama and theatre arts learnt during the programme.
A Theatre in Education component in the final semester involves interaction sessions with school children, preparing students for applied theatre roles.
The syllabus was revised in 2022, and the programme is offered under the School of Performing Arts, which also offers BPA (Hons.) and PhD programmes in Drama and Theatre Arts.
CUET (PG) test paper code for this programme is HUQP24.

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Pondicherry University Latest Updates and News

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03 Feb, 2026 Pondicherry University Fee Structure 2026 is out for M.P.A Drama programs. The total academic fee is ₹ 50,347 . Read more.

PU MPA Fees

The MPA Drama and Theatre Arts programme at Pondicherry University has a slightly higher fee structure compared to standard MA programmes, owing to the Play Production Fund charged every semester to support practical theatre productions. The total programme fee is Rs. 43,472 across four semesters. The first semester fee of Rs. 22,872 is the highest, including one-time charges. A Play Production Fund of Rs. 2,000 is charged every semester, reflecting the practical and production-intensive nature of the programme.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Semester I (Rs.)	Semester II (Rs.)	Semester III (Rs.)	Semester IV (Rs.)
Tuition Fee	3,000	3,000	3,000	3,000
Registration Fee	300	-	-	-
Matriculation Fee	100	-	-	-
Recognition Fee	400	-	-	-
Sports Fund	500	-	500	-
Medical Examination / Facilities Fund	600	-	600	-
Library Fund	1,500	-	1,500	-
Computer Lab Fund	2,000	-	2,000	-
Amenities Development Fund	6,000	-	-	-
Students' Welfare Fund	400	-	400	-
Play Production Fund	2,000	2,000	2,000	2,000
Alumni Association Fund	200	-	-	-
Caution Deposit (Refundable)	1,000	-	-	-
Placement Activity Fund	200	200	200	200
Academic Activity Fund	1,000	-	1,000	-
Digital Activity Fund	2,000	-	2,000	-
Group Medical Insurance	472	-	-	-
University Development Fund	1,200	-	-	-
Total Fees	22,872	5,200	10,200	5,200

Grand Total (All 4 Semesters): Rs. 43,472

Caution Deposit of Rs. 1,000 is refundable upon leaving the university, after deducting any dues.
The Play Production Fund of Rs. 2,000 per semester is charged across all four semesters to support practical theatre productions.
Differently abled students are fully exempt from all fees except the refundable caution deposit and Group Medical Insurance premium.
SC/ST students eligible for post-matric scholarships may pay fees after receiving the scholarship amount, subject to submission of an undertaking at the time of admission.
Fees must be paid within 90 days of admission.
Late payment fine: Rs. 10 per day for the first 15 days; Rs. 25 per day thereafter.
Hostel fees are separate and will be notified by the university for 2026-27.
Hostel accommodation is not mandatory.
Fees for subsequent semesters are to be paid within 10 days from the beginning of each semester.

PU MPA Admission 2026

Admission to the MPA Drama and Theatre Arts programme at Pondicherry University is merit-based through CUET (PG) 2026 scores. With only 20 seats, competition is keen. The university releases a Provisional Rank List and Select Lists based on CUET PG scores, followed by online fee payment and physical reporting for document verification. For 2026-27, the CUET PG exam was conducted in March 2026, and the university's admission process is expected to follow from June 2026 onwards. Candidates must apply separately on the PU admissions portal after CUET PG results are declared.

Pondicherry University PG Admission Schedule

Event	Tentative Date (2026-27)
CUET (PG) 2026 Application Start	December 14, 2025
CUET (PG) 2026 Application End	January 25, 2026 (extended)
CUET (PG) 2026 Admit Card	March 3, 2026 onwards
CUET (PG) 2026 Exam	March 6 - March 27, 2026
CUET (PG) 2026 Result	May 2026 (tentative)
PU PG Application Portal Opens	May 2026 (tentative)
Provisional Rank List / Select List I	June 2026 (tentative)
Online Fee Payment (Select List I)	June-July 2026 (tentative)
Counselling / Admission	July 2026 (tentative)
Commencement of Classes	August 2026 (tentative)

CUET (PG) 2026 Exam Dates

Event	Date
Registration Start	December 14, 2025
Registration End	January 25, 2026
Admit Card Release	March 3, 2026
Exam Dates	March 6 - March 27, 2026
Result Declaration	May 6, 2026 (tentative)

CUET (PG) Test Paper Code for this programme: HUQP24

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree in any discipline with a minimum of 50% marks from a recognised university.
SC/ST candidates who have passed the qualifying examination are eligible to apply irrespective of the percentage of marks obtained.
Candidates awaiting their final year results are also eligible to apply, subject to producing mark sheets/degree certificates before the date notified by the university.

Admission Process

Register and appear for CUET (PG) 2026 with test paper code HUQP24.
Apply separately on the Pondicherry University admissions portal (admissions.pondiuni.edu.in) after CUET PG results are declared.
The university releases a Provisional Rank List and Provisional Select List based on CUET PG scores.
Shortlisted candidates must complete online fee payment within the stipulated deadline to confirm admission.
Physical reporting for document verification and registration at the university campus is required.
Reservation norms: SC - 15%, ST - 7.5%, OBC (NCL) - 27%, EWS - 10%, Differently Abled - 5%.

PU MPA Scholarships 2026

Pondicherry University offers a range of scholarships for PG students, applicable to MPA Drama and Theatre Arts students as well. The university's Merit Scholarship and Merit-cum-Means Scholarship are available to all PG degree programme students. National-level scholarships from UGC are also applicable. Students can avail only one scholarship at a time.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount	Offered By
Merit Scholarship (Rank 1)	Highest marks in PG entrance / previous semester (SGPA)	Rs. 2,000 per month	Pondicherry University
Merit Scholarship (Rank 2)	Second highest marks in PG entrance / previous semester (SGPA)	Rs. 1,500 per month	Pondicherry University
Merit Scholarship (Rank 3)	Third highest marks in PG entrance / previous semester (SGPA)	Rs. 1,000 per month	Pondicherry University
Merit-cum-Means (MCM) Scholarship	Top 20% students per programme; parental income below Rs. 2,50,000 p.a.; min. 70% attendance; pass in all papers	Rs. 750 per month	Pondicherry University
Indira Gandhi Scholarship for Single Girl Child	Single girl child pursuing PG programme	As per UGC norms	UGC
PG Merit Scholarship for University Rank Holders	University rank holders at UG level pursuing Master's degree	As per UGC norms	UGC
Government of India SC/ST/OBC Scholarship	SC/ST/OBC candidates	As per state/central government norms	State/Central Government
Free Education for Differently Abled Students	All differently abled students	Full fee waiver (except caution deposit and insurance)	Pondicherry University

For the Merit Scholarship, the first semester award is based on CUET PG entrance exam marks; subsequent semesters are based on SGPA.
For MCM Scholarship, students must secure at least 70% attendance every month and pass all papers registered for each semester.
Students are eligible for only one scholarship at a time.
Application for university scholarships is processed internally; external scholarships (UGC, Government) require separate applications through the respective portals.

PU MPA FAQs

Ques. Do I need a background in theatre or performing arts to apply for MPA Drama at Pondicherry University?

Ans. No prior formal training in theatre is mandatory. The eligibility criterion is simply a Bachelor's degree in any discipline with a minimum of 50% marks. However, the CUET PG test paper (HUQP24) covers topics such as history of world theatre, Indian theatre, traditional dance and art forms, great personalities in music, dance and theatre, and general knowledge. Students with a genuine interest and some exposure to performing arts will find the entrance exam more manageable.

Ques. What is the CUET PG test paper for MPA Drama at Pondicherry University, and what topics does it cover?

Ans. The CUET PG test paper code is HUQP24. The exam covers history of world theatre, Indian theatre, traditional dance and art forms of India, great personalities in music, dance and theatre, general knowledge, and environmental science. Candidates are advised to study Indian classical and folk theatre traditions, Western theatre history, and major playwrights and their works.

Ques. How practical-oriented is the MPA Drama programme at Pondicherry University?

Ans. The programme is highly practical, with 55% of the curriculum devoted to practical work. Students get hands-on training in acting, direction, make-up, costume design, set and properties design, lighting design, and theatre music. Two full play productions are conducted during the programme, including one directed by an invited professional theatre expert in the third semester. The final semester culminates in an individual student play production.

Ques. What are the career options after completing MPA Drama and Theatre Arts from Pondicherry University?

Ans. Graduates can pursue careers as theatre directors, actors, stage designers, drama teachers in schools and colleges, theatre workshop facilitators, applied theatre practitioners (Theatre in Education, Theatre for Development), content creators for OTT platforms and films, and researchers in performing arts. Some graduates also pursue PhD programmes in Drama and Theatre Arts. Around 70% of graduates from the department have been placed in schools, theatre groups, films, or have pursued higher studies.

Ques. Is the seat intake very limited for MPA Drama? How competitive is admission?

Ans. Yes, the programme has only 20 seats, making it one of the most competitive PG programmes at Pondicherry University. Admission is based purely on CUET PG scores (HUQP24), so a strong performance in the entrance exam is essential. Candidates from all disciplines are eligible, which means competition comes from a wide pool of applicants.

Ques. Does the MPA programme include any exposure to traditional Indian theatre forms?

Ans. Yes, this is a distinctive feature of the programme. Students undertake a study tour to witness traditional theatre performances in villages of Tamil Nadu or Puducherry. Workshops on traditional acting methods, mime, and folk dance are conducted with field experts. The curriculum also covers Indian classical theatre theory including Natyashastra, and various traditional acting styles, giving students a strong grounding in India's rich performance heritage.