Ninasam One-Year Diploma in Theatre Arts
by Ninasam (Nilakanteshwara Natyaseva Sangha)
Karnataka-recognised theatre diploma
An intensive one-year residential diploma in theatre arts at Ninasam, Heggodu, with a government stipend for selected students and a Karnataka-recognised credential.
Mode
In-Person
Fee
₹36,500
Participation format
Individual
Duration
One year (about ten months), fully residential
Time needed
Full-time daily training, seven days a week, residential
Eligibility
For committed learners under 30 with at least an SSLC qualification and a genuine interest and some experience in theatre. The course is taught in Kannada and is fully residential at Heggodu.
- Age range
- 15 to 30 years
- Eligibility region
- Available nationwide across India
- Academic requirement
- Minimum SSLC (Class 10) preferred.
- Prerequisites
- Prior interest and some experience in theatre
- Proficiency in Kannada
See if your child qualifies.
Rewards and recognition
Award
Govt of Karnataka stipend
All admitted male and female students receive hostel and food facilities. All students receive a partial scholarship towards basic living costs. Some financially disadvantaged students may receive additional partial concessions.
Certificate
Karnataka-recognised theatre diploma
Diploma in theatre arts awarded by the Ninasam Theatre Institute and recognised by the Government of Karnataka.
Recognized by
Recognition
Diploma from a leading theatre institute
Skills your child builds
Key dates
- Registration closed
- 15 Jun 2026
- Dates
- 15 Jul 2026 to 15 May 2027
Ninasam Theatre Institute, Sagara, Karnataka
How to apply
- 1Download the prospectus and application form from the Ninasam website
- 2Complete the handwritten form and attach educational certificates and referee details
- 3Send the application by registered post and, if shortlisted, attend the two-day interview
Rules and guidelines
- The course is fully residential with mandatory hostel stay
- Attendance is required daily including weekends, with no personal leave
- Applications are accepted only by registered post, not online
Fees and financial support
Fee details
The course fee is INR 36,500 (INR 35,000 for food and hostel plus INR 1,500 exam fee), with a one-time application fee of INR 590 and a refundable health deposit of INR 3,500.
Financial support
All admitted male and female students receive hostel and food facilities. All students receive a partial scholarship towards basic living costs. Some financially disadvantaged students may receive additional partial concessions.
About this opportunity
The Ninasam Theatre Institute offers an intensive one-year residential diploma in theatre arts at Heggodu, Karnataka. Established in 1980, the institute is among India's most respected theatre schools, with a curriculum shaped along the lines of the National School of Drama but rooted in non-urban and community theatre.
The diploma runs for about ten months as a fully residential course. Students train daily across acting, direction, stagecraft, theatre history and theory, movement, and music, and take part in staging several productions each year as part of their training.
Around fifteen to twenty students are selected each year through a two-day interview that includes group exercises and an individual assessment. All admitted male and female students receive hostel and food facilities. All students receive a partial scholarship towards basic living costs. Some financially disadvantaged students may receive additional partial concessions, which cover most of the course fee.
The course is taught in Kannada and is intended for committed learners with a genuine interest in theatre. On completion, students receive a diploma recognised by the Government of Karnataka.
Course details
Trainers
Resident faculty including Dr. Ganesh M, supported by visiting theatre directors and practitioners.
Academic details
Difficulty: Intermediate
What's covered
An intensive residential curriculum modelled along the lines of the National School of Drama, covering acting, direction, stagecraft, theatre history and theory, movement and music, with several productions staged each year as part of the training.
Frequently asked questions
Is the course affordable for selected students?
The first fifteen selected students receive a Government of Karnataka stipend that covers most of the INR 36,500 fee, so their out-of-pocket cost is substantially lower. Fee concessions are also available for deserving candidates.
How are students selected for the diploma?
After an application screening, shortlisted candidates attend a two-day interview with group music and dance exercises and an individual assessment of acting, singing and movement. No written test is involved.
Can applications be submitted online?
No. Applications are accepted only by registered post and must reach the institute at Heggodu by June 15, 2026.
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