What is Sangeet Natak Akademi and what does a Programme Officer do?

Sangeet Natak Akademi (National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama) is India's national apex body for the performing arts, established in 1953. It promotes and preserves classical, folk, and tribal performing arts across India. The Academy gives the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (the highest national recognition in performing arts), Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship, and Amrit Award for senior Padma Awardees. Programme Officers manage performing arts events and festivals, fellowships and grants to artists, documentation and archiving of intangible cultural heritage, and coordination with regional centres and affiliated institutions.

What is the syllabus for the Sangeet Natak Akademi Programme Officer exam?

The exam covers Performing Arts — Music, Dance, and Drama (Hindustani and Carnatic classical music traditions, gharanas and styles; classical dance forms — Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Manipuri, Kuchipudi, Mohiniyattam, Sattriya, Kathakali; folk and tribal performing arts; Sanskrit and regional theatre traditions; modern theatre; music instruments and their classifications), Indian Cultural Heritage and Traditions, General Studies (Indian history, current affairs, cultural policies), and Arts Administration and language (programme management, grant administration, documentation, Hindi or English proficiency).

What are the eight classical dance forms recognised by Sangeet Natak Akademi?

The eight classical dance forms recognised by Sangeet Natak Akademi are Bharatanatyam (Tamil Nadu), Kathak (North India), Odissi (Odisha), Manipuri (Manipur), Kuchipudi (Andhra Pradesh), Mohiniyattam (Kerala), Sattriya (Assam), and Kathakali (Kerala). Each form has distinct characteristics, costume traditions, musical accompaniment, technique vocabulary, and regional origins. The Akademi also recognises Chhau as a semi-classical form. Candidates should know the key exponents, gharanas or styles within each form, major festivals associated with each tradition, and the Akademi artists who have received awards in these forms.

What Hindustani and Carnatic music knowledge is needed for this exam?

Hindustani music knowledge should cover the major gharanas (Gwalior, Agra, Kirana, Jaipur-Atrauli, Bhindibazaar, Patiala), principal ragas and their time and season associations, major compositions forms (khayal, thumri, dhrupad, dhamar, tarana), prominent vocalists and instrumentalists, and major festivals. Carnatic music topics include the Trinity (Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar, Syama Sastri), major ragas, kriti compositions, prominent vocalists and veena/violin players. For both traditions, knowledge of prominent Sangeet Natak Akademi award recipients and their contributions is important.

What is the significance of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship?

The Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (Akademi Ratna) is the highest honour conferred by the Akademi, reserved for the most exceptional practitioners of the performing arts who have made outstanding lifetime contributions. Only a small number of fellowships are awarded, making it the most prestigious performing arts recognition in India. The Sangeet Natak Akademi Award is given annually to selected performing arts practitioners in music, dance, drama, folk and tribal arts, puppetry, and related fields. Programme Officers assist in the award selection, documentation of awardees' contributions, and organisation of award ceremonies and related events.

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Sangeet Natak Akademi Officer Preparation Guide

Sangeet Natak Akademi – National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama, Government of India

Your Complete Preparation Guide for Sangeet Natak Akademi Officer 2027 — strategy, study plan, tips & more.

DifficultyHard

Total Marks100

Duration90 min

Start Practising Now →Free Mock Tests

Exam Overview

Mode

Written test and interview

Frequency

As and when vacancies arise

Next Exam Date

To be announced

EEligibility Criteria

Post-graduate degree in Music, Dance, Drama, Performing Arts, or related discipline; practical knowledge of at least one classical performing art form preferred; age 21–35 years

ANumber of Attempts

As per recruitment notification

Study Plan by Subject

Performing Arts – Music, Dance & Drama

Week 1-4: Foundation

Core concepts & basics

Week 5-8: Deep Practice

Advanced problems & revision

Week 9-12: Mock Tests + Revision

Full-length tests & weak-area focus

Refer to official syllabus for complete topic list

Indian Cultural Heritage & Traditions

Week 1-4: Foundation

Core concepts & basics

Week 5-8: Deep Practice

Advanced problems & revision

Week 9-12: Mock Tests + Revision

Full-length tests & weak-area focus

Refer to official syllabus for complete topic list

General Studies

Week 1-4: Foundation

Core concepts & basics

Week 5-8: Deep Practice

Advanced problems & revision

Week 9-12: Mock Tests + Revision

Full-length tests & weak-area focus

Refer to official syllabus for complete topic list

Arts Administration & Hindi / English

Week 1-4: Foundation

Core concepts & basics

Week 5-8: Deep Practice

Advanced problems & revision

Week 9-12: Mock Tests + Revision

Full-length tests & weak-area focus

Refer to official syllabus for complete topic list

Expert Preparation Tips

Create comprehensive notes on all eight classical dance forms including their origins, key stylistic features, main exponents, and recent Sangeet Natak Akademi award recipients in each form.

Study Hindustani and Carnatic music traditions systematically — cover gharanas, raga classifications, major composers and performers, and the institutional history of music education in India.

Follow performing arts news, Sangeet Natak Akademi award announcements, and major performing arts festival programmes to stay current for interview and current affairs questions.

Study all three national academies comparatively for arts administration sections; understanding common governance structures, grant mechanisms, and cultural policy frameworks will aid in answering administrative questions efficiently.

Exam Pattern at a Glance

Section	Questions	Marks	Duration (est.)
Performing Arts – Music, Dance & Drama	25	25	23 min
Indian Cultural Heritage & Traditions	25	25	23 min
General Studies	25	25	23 min
Arts Administration & Hindi / English	25	25	23 min
Total	100	100	90 min

Important Dates

Registration Opens

To be announced

Next Exam Date

To be announced

Conducted By

Sangeet Natak Akademi – National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama, Government of India

Frequently Asked Questions

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