BPA is a Bachelor of Performing Arts. You train in music, dance or theatre, learning both practice and theory, and the degree leads to careers in performance, teaching and the arts.
For CUET UG 2026, 10 central universities list BPA programmes, 16 in all. The papers asked most often are Performing Arts, the General Aptitude Test, English, Sanskrit, Hindi and Accountancy. The pattern changes with the university. BHU asks for the Performing Arts paper (320), and final merit combines CUET UG with a practical examination at BHU. CSU accepts Sanskrit or Performing Arts for its Hons courses. CUK and IGNTU ask for the General Aptitude Test, and AUS asks for English, the General Test and Performing Arts. Sikkim University adds a practical or viva test after the entrance test.
Because many of these courses have a practical round, prepare your performance along with the CUET papers. Check the programme for the exact paper and test.
BPA (Performing Arts) by subject
CUET papers asked for BPA (Performing Arts)
Most common first. Practise them free:
Other CUET papers some universities ask for:
10 universities offering BPA (Performing Arts)
BPA Performing Arts
CUET: English, the General Test and Performing Arts
▸ Eligibility and selection
Pass in 10+2 or equivalent; no minimum percentage stated. Relaxation as per Government of India rules.
Selection: Merit is based on the NTA-CUET score.
BPA Dance (Kathak and Bharatnatyam)
CUET: Performing Arts (320).
▸ Eligibility and selection
10+2 with at least 50% aggregate and at least 55% in the Music/Dance practical exam as a subject; or 10+2 without it, 50% aggregate, and a listed part-time diploma (such as BHU Junior Diploma or Prayag Sangeet Samiti Senior Diploma) with 55% in practicals. Age: not more than 35 years on 1 July 2026.
Selection: Final merit combines CUET UG and a practical examination conducted at BHU.
BPA Instrumental (Sitar and Flute)
CUET: Performing Arts (320).
▸ Eligibility and selection
10+2 with at least 50% aggregate and at least 55% in the Music/Dance practical exam as a subject; or 10+2 without it, 50% aggregate, and a listed part-time diploma (such as BHU Junior Diploma or Prayag Sangeet Samiti Senior Diploma) with 55% in practicals. Age: not more than 35 years on 1 July 2026.
Selection: Final merit combines CUET UG and a practical examination conducted at BHU.
BPA Instrumental (Tabla)
CUET: Performing Arts (320).
▸ Eligibility and selection
10+2 with at least 50% aggregate and at least 55% in the Music/Dance practical exam as a subject; or 10+2 without it, 50% aggregate, and a listed part-time diploma (such as BHU Junior Diploma or Prayag Sangeet Samiti Senior Diploma) with 55% in practicals. Age: not more than 35 years on 1 July 2026.
Selection: Final merit combines CUET UG and a practical examination conducted at BHU.
BPA Vocal (North Indian Classical)
CUET: Performing Arts (320).
▸ Eligibility and selection
10+2 with at least 50% aggregate and at least 55% in the Music/Dance practical exam as a subject; or 10+2 without it, 50% aggregate, and a listed part-time diploma (such as BHU Junior Diploma or Prayag Sangeet Samiti Senior Diploma) with 55% in practicals. Age: not more than 35 years on 1 July 2026.
Selection: Final merit combines CUET UG and a practical examination conducted at BHU.
BPA (Hons) Indian Music (Vocal)
CUET: Domain paper: Sanskrit or Performing Arts (Dance, Drama and Music)
▸ Eligibility and selection
Prakshastri, Uttar Madhyama, Veda Vibhushan, Senior Secondary, Higher Secondary or 10+2 passed, or equivalent.
Selection: Four-year programme.
BPA (Hons) Instrumental Music (Flute)
CUET: Domain paper: Sanskrit or Performing Arts (Dance, Drama and Music)
▸ Eligibility and selection
Prakshastri, Uttar Madhyama, Veda Vibhushan, Senior Secondary, Higher Secondary or 10+2 passed, or equivalent.
Selection: Four-year programme.
BPA (Hons) Odissi Dance
CUET: Domain paper: Sanskrit or Performing Arts (Dance, Drama and Music)
▸ Eligibility and selection
Prakshastri, Uttar Madhyama, Veda Vibhushan, Senior Secondary, Higher Secondary or 10+2 passed, or equivalent.
Selection: Four-year programme.
BPA Hindustani Music (Vocal)
CUET: General Aptitude Test; merit list is based on the General Test score.
▸ Eligibility
Passed PU/Plus Two from a recognised Indian or foreign board with at least 50% marks (45% for OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD and Kashmiri migrant and non-migrant pandits) aggregate.
BPA (Hons) Music
CUET: English or Tamil, plus the General Aptitude Test
▸ Eligibility and selection
Pass in 10+2 or equivalent from a recognised Board or University in India with at least 50% marks (General) or 45% (OBC-NCL/EWS/SC/ST/PwD).
Selection: Offered as Honours or Honours with Research.
BPA Hindustani Vocal Music
CUET: Hindi or English (one language paper) plus the General Aptitude Test
▸ Eligibility
10+2 in any discipline with at least 45% aggregate (or equivalent CGPA) for UR, EWS and OBC-NCL candidates; 5% relaxation for SC and ST candidates.
BPA Tabla Percussion
CUET: Hindi or English (one language paper) plus the General Aptitude Test
▸ Eligibility
10+2 in any discipline with at least 45% aggregate (or equivalent CGPA) for UR, EWS and OBC-NCL candidates; 5% relaxation for SC and ST candidates.
BPA (Hons) Performing Art
CUET: General Aptitude Test (501).
▸ Eligibility
10+2 in any discipline with at least 45% aggregate for General, EWS and OBC; 40% for SC/ST.
BMus
CUET: Any one of the 26 domain papers (codes 301 to 326).
▸ Eligibility and selection
Pass in Class XII/10+2/Intermediate from any Board, Council or University in India, or a foreign qualification recognised as equivalent by the AIU.
Selection: Listed as Bachelor of Music. Offered by the university itself.
BPA Music
CUET: Performing Arts (320): Music General, covering Hindustani Classical Music Vocal, Sitar, Flute and Percussion-Tabla
▸ Eligibility and selection
Class XII passed with 40% marks or equivalent grade in any discipline.
Selection: Practical or viva test after the entrance test for the final selection.
BPA
CUET: English or Hindi, the General Aptitude Test, and any one domain subject from the full list of 23 domain papers
▸ Eligibility
Candidates with Music as a subject at Intermediate level, or an equivalent examination in Music from a recognised institution.
No course matches your search.
Frequently asked questions
▸Which CUET subjects are needed for BPA?
The Performing Arts paper is the one asked most often, but several universities ask for the General Aptitude Test, English, Sanskrit or Hindi instead. It depends on the university and the specialisation.
▸Is there a practical test for BPA?
At some universities, yes. BHU combines CUET UG with a practical examination, and Sikkim University holds a practical or viva test after the entrance test.
▸Which central universities offer BPA through CUET?
10 central universities list BPA for CUET UG 2026, including AUS, BHU, CSU, CUK, CUTN, IGNTU, RGU, Sikkim University and the University of Allahabad.
▸Can I apply for BPA with only the General Aptitude Test?
At a few universities, yes. IGNTU and CUK list the General Aptitude Test for their programmes. Others need Performing Arts or another paper, so check each one.
About this data
Taken from the official NTA list of participating central universities for CUET UG 2026 (the latest list published). Courses, CUET subjects and eligibility can change each year, so confirm with the CUET UG 2027 list and the university's admission notice when NTA publishes them.