The National School of Drama (NSD) in New Delhi stands as India's premier institution for theatre education, especially known for its strong training and famous alumni. Established in 1959 under the Sangeet Natak Akademi, NSD has been one of the best in shaping the landscape of Indian theatre and performing arts.Courses OfferedNSD offers a comprehensive three-year full-time Postgraduate Diploma in Dramatic Arts, designed to provide in-depth training in various aspects of theatre. The structure of the program has been divided into six semesters, with the first three focusing on foundational training and the latter three allowing students to specialize in areas such as Acting or Theatre Techniques and Design.Admission ProcessEligibility Criteria:A Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university.Participation in at least six theatre productions, with documented proof.Working knowledge of Hindi and English.Age between 18 and 30 years as of July 1 of the admission year.Three recommendations from theatre experts. Selection Procedure:Preliminary Test/Audition: Conducted in various cities across India.Workshop: Shortlisted candidates attend a five-day workshop at NSD's Delhi campus.Final Selection: Based on performance in the workshop and overall aptitude.Foreign applicants must apply through the Indian Embassy or High Commission in their respective countries, with applications forwarded to NSD via the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). Fee StructureNSD is known for its affordability, ensuring that quality theatre education is accessible:Tuition Fee: Rs 5,730 for the entire three-year course.Additional Costs: Include Rs 2,000 for a makeup kit, Rs 9,000 as caution money and library deposit, and Rs 1,650 for stationery.Hostel Fee: Approximately Rs 27,600, covering rent, utilities, medical, and mess charges.Students are advised to keep an additional provision of Rs 1,000 at the time of joining to cover any potential price hikes. ScholarshipsTo support students financially, NSD offers a monthly scholarship of Rs 8,000 to all enrolled students. Recipients are required to sign a bond of Rs 2.88 lakhs, committing to complete the course, if you’re unable to do so then repayment of the scholarship amount.Notable AlumniNSD has a many popular and recognized list of alumni who have made significant contributions to Indian theatre, cinema, and television:Naseeruddin Shah: Acclaimed film and theatre actor.Om Puri: Renowned actor known for his work in both Indian and international cinema.Irrfan Khan: Celebrated actor with a global presence.Anupam Kher: Versatile actor and former NSD chairman.Pankaj Kapur: Esteemed actor and director.Neena Gupta: Veteran actress with a rich theatre background.These alumni set an example towards the school's commitment to nurturing talent that excels across various mediums.Campus FacilitiesNSD's campus in Delhi provides you with state-of-the-art facilities to support comprehensive theatre training:Auditoriums: Multiple performance spaces for practical training.Library: A vast collection of books, periodicals, and audio-visual materials related to theatre.Workshops: Spaces for set design, costume, and makeup training.Hostel: Accommodation facilities for students.The institution also publishes journals like Theatre India and Rang Prasang, contributing to academic discourse in theatre arts. Application DetailsApplication Fee: Rs 50 for online applications; Rs 225 for offline applications (inclusive of postal charges).Application Period: Typically begins in the first week of May.Application Modes: Both online and offline submissions are accepted.Interested students are encouraged to visit SNSD's official website for detailed information and updates.
