Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 30, 2026

Sikkim University's Bachelor of Performing Arts [BPA] {Hons.} (Music) is the Honours track of the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUGP) under NEP 2020, spanning 8 semesters (4 years). The programme is offered by the Department of Music under the School of Professional Studies and covers both theory and practical aspects of Indian classical and folk music, including vocal and instrumental music, music history, and research methodology, with a mandatory research dissertation in the final year. The total intake is 20 seats, offered in full-time, on-campus mode at Gangtok. Tuition fee per semester is Rs. 1,240. Admission is based on CUET UG scores followed by a practical/viva test, making it a unique programme that combines performing arts training with academic research. The Honours track is particularly suited for students aspiring to pursue MPA (Music) or academic careers in music.

Admissions for the 2026-27 session are expected to open tentatively in May 2026, based on the 2025-26 admission calendar. For 2025-26, the last date for online application was June 15, 2025, with a practical/viva test conducted on June 25-26, 2025, and classes commencing from August 1, 2025. The CUET UG 2026 exam is scheduled from May 11 to May 31, 2026, with results expected by July 4, 2026.

Key Points

The BPA {Hons.} (Music) is the 4-year Honours track of the FYUGP under NEP 2020
Requires completion of a minimum of 160 credits including a research project/dissertation (12 credits) in the final year
Admission involves a practical/viva test after CUET UG, making it a two-stage selection process
Students who do not wish to complete the Honours track can exit after 3 years with a BPA degree (120 credits)
20 seats available with 20% reserved as State Seats for Sikkim domicile students
Minimum eligibility is Class XII passed with 40% marks in any discipline
Graduates with BPA {Hons.} (160 credits) are eligible for 1-year MPA (Music) programme as per NEP 2020

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

Sikkim University Gangtok Latest Updates and News

18 Apr, 2026 CUET UG 2026 subject selection edit window is open till April 19, 2026, @cuet.nta.nic.in. The Exam will be held from May 11 to 31, 2026.

Sikkim University BPA {Hons.} (Music) Fees

The BPA {Hons.} (Music) programme at Sikkim University is highly affordable as a centrally funded institution. The total programme fee for the 8-semester Honours programme is approximately Rs. 15,352, which includes one-time charges at admission of Rs. 5,432 and tuition fees of Rs. 1,240 per semester across 8 semesters. Hostel accommodation is available separately on merit basis and is not mandatory.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (Rs.)
Tuition Fee (per semester)	1,240
Registration Fee (one-time)	248
Enrollment Fee (one-time)	372
Library Fee (one-time)	2,480
Sports Fee (one-time)	620
Student Welfare Fund (one-time)	372
Examination Fee (one-time)	248
Student Union Fee (one-time)	124
University Development Fee (one-time)	100
Alumni Fee (one-time)	248
Laboratory/Practical Fee (one-time)	1,240
Total at Admission (1st Semester)	6,672
Tuition Fee - Semesters 2 to 8 (7 x Rs. 1,240)	8,680
Total Fees (8 Semesters)	15,352

Tuition fee is paid semester-wise; a late fine of Rs. 25 per day is charged after 15 days from semester commencement.
Tuition fee is relaxed by 50% for SU employees, their wards, and Yangang villagers.
Tuition fee is waived 100% for Differently Abled students, people of Yangang who sold land to the State Government, and those belonging to the Primitive Tribe of Sikkim.
Hostel seat rent is relaxed by 100% for SC and ST students.
Fee refund on withdrawal is as per UGC norms.
All payments are online only (Debit Card / Credit Card / Net Banking).
Hostel fees (optional): Admission Rs. 620 (one-time); Seat Rent Rs. 622-1,130 per semester; Caution Deposit Rs. 3,000 (refundable).

Sikkim University BPA {Hons.} (Music) Admission 2026

Admissions to BPA {Hons.} (Music) at Sikkim University are based on CUET UG scores followed by a practical/viva test. The 2025-26 admission cycle has been completed. For 2026-27, the process is expected to follow a similar timeline, with online registration opening around May 2026. The application fee is Rs. 1,000 for General category, Rs. 750 for OBC/EWS, and Rs. 500 for SC/ST/PWD/DA candidates.

Sikkim University Admission Dates

Event	2025-26 (Actual)	2026-27 (Tentative)
Publication of Admission Notice	May 20, 2025	May 2026
Online Registration Opens	May 22, 2025	May 2026
Last Date for Online Application	June 15, 2025	June 2026
Practical / Viva-voce Test for BPA candidates	June 25-26, 2025	June 2026
Declaration of 1st Merit List	July 1, 2025	July 2026
Fee Payment - 1st List	July 2-3, 2025	July 2026
Declaration of 2nd Merit List	July 8, 2025	July 2026
Spot Admission / Counselling	July 15-16, 2025	July 2026
Physical Reporting and Document Verification	July 21-25, 2025	July 2026
Commencement of Classes	August 1, 2025	August 2026

CUET UG 2026 Exam Dates

Event	Date
Application Start Date	January 3, 2026
Application End Date	February 26, 2026
Admit Card Release	May 5, 2026 (Tentative)
Exam Dates	May 11 - May 31, 2026
Answer Key Release	June 17, 2026 (Tentative)
Result Declaration	July 4, 2026 (Tentative)

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Passed Class XII or equivalent examination with a minimum of 40% marks in aggregate in any discipline
Must have a valid CUET UG score at the time of registration
Practical/viva test will be conducted after CUET for final selection

Admission Process

Register online at https://cuscuet.samarth.edu.in with CUET UG score
Pay application fee online (Rs. 1,000 for General; Rs. 750 for OBC/EWS; Rs. 500 for SC/ST/PWD/DA)
Appear in the practical/viva test conducted by the Department of Music after CUET results
Merit list prepared based on CUET UG score and practical/viva performance
Selected candidates pay admission fee online within the stipulated date
Physical reporting and document verification at the university campus is mandatory
Creation of Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) ID is mandatory before admission

Sikkim University BPA {Hons.} (Music) Scholarships 2026

Sikkim University offers multiple scholarship and fellowship options for BPA {Hons.} (Music) students. The university's own Merit-cum-Means Scholarship is available for students with family income below Rs. 60,000 per annum, while several UGC and government scholarships are also accessible through national portals.

Scholarship Options

Scholarship / Fellowship	Eligibility	Amount / Benefit
SU Merit-cum-Means Fellowship	Family income below Rs. 60,000 p.a.; no other scholarship	Rs. 3,000 per month
SU Merit-cum-Means Freeship	Family income below Rs. 60,000 p.a.; no other scholarship	Full tuition and lab fee waiver
SU Merit-cum-Means Half Freeship	Family income below Rs. 60,000 p.a.; no other scholarship	50% tuition and lab fee waiver
National Fellowship for SC Students (NFSC)	SC students pursuing higher education	As per UGC norms
National Fellowship for ST Students (NFST)	ST students pursuing higher education	As per UGC norms
National Fellowship for OBC Students (NFOBC)	OBC students pursuing higher education	As per UGC norms
National Fellowship for Persons with Disabilities (NFPD)	Differently Abled students	As per UGC norms
Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF)	Minority students	As per UGC norms
Central/State Scholarships via NSP	Various categories	As per scheme

SU Merit-cum-Means Scholarship applications are submitted to the Dean of Students' Welfare (DSW) office with parent's income certificate.
Foreign students are not eligible for the SU Merit-cum-Means Scholarship.
UGC/NSP scholarships require linking/verification through the Academic Section of the university.
Tuition fee is 100% waived for Differently Abled students and certain other categories as per university norms.

Sikkim University BPA {Hons.} (Music) FAQs

Ques. What is the difference between BPA (Music) and BPA {Hons.} (Music) at Sikkim University?

Ans. Both are part of the same FYUGP Music programme. Students who complete 3 years (120 credits) receive a BPA degree, while those who complete all 4 years (160 credits) including a research dissertation receive the BPA Honours or Honours with Research degree. The Honours track is more research-intensive and is preferred by students planning to pursue MPA (Music) or academic careers.

Ques. Is there a practical test for admission to BPA {Hons.} (Music) at Sikkim University?

Ans. Yes. Admission involves two stages: first, a valid CUET UG score, and second, a practical/viva test conducted by the Department of Music. The final merit list is prepared based on both CUET score and practical/viva performance.

Ques. Does BPA {Hons.} (Music) from Sikkim University make me eligible for a 1-year MPA programme?

Ans. Yes. As per NEP 2020, graduates with a 4-year Honours degree (160 credits) are eligible for 1-year PG programmes. Sikkim University offers MPA (Music Instrumental) in 1-year or 2-year formats depending on the undergraduate qualification.

Ques. What research opportunities are available for BPA {Hons.} (Music) students?

Ans. The Honours track includes a mandatory research project/dissertation in the final year. Research areas include Indian classical music traditions, music history, ethnomusicology, and the musical traditions of the Eastern Himalayas and Northeast India. Students can access the university's central library with over 53,000 books and 7,390 e-journals.

Ques. Is hostel accommodation available for BPA {Hons.} (Music) students?

Ans. Sikkim University has 13 hostels at Gangtok and Yangang campuses. Hostel allocation is based on merit, availability, and reservation policy. Students from areas in and around Gangtok are not eligible. Hostel seat rent is fully waived for SC and ST students.

Ques. What career options are available after BPA {Hons.} (Music) from Sikkim University?

Ans. Graduates can pursue MPA (Music), music teaching, performing arts, music research, cultural organisations, and academic careers. The Honours with Research track is particularly valued for PhD admissions in Music. The university's Placement cum Career Counseling Cell assists with employment, and free NET-JRF coaching is available for those pursuing UGC NET in Music.