Best Acting Institutes in Delhi 2026: Course Options and Entry
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Top acting institutes in Delhi include National School of Drama (NSD), AAFT, Barry John Acting Studio (BJAS), CRAFT, and RK Films & Media Academy, with course fees ranging from INR 10,000 for certificate programs up to INR 6,12,000 for degree courses. At least 86 colleges offer acting programs across India, with Delhi NCR accounting for 10 colleges offering various diplomas and degrees.
Below is a detailed guide to top government and private acting colleges in Delhi, course options, fee structures, admission criteria, selection steps, and career scope in film and drama.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Course Fee Range in Delhi | INR 10,000 – INR 6,12,000 |
| Top Government Institute | National School of Drama (NSD), New Delhi |
| Average Starting Salary | INR 2 LPA – 6 LPA |
| Popular Course Levels | Certificate, UG Diploma, BA/BSc Cinema, PG Diploma |
| BJAS Delhi Course Fee & Duration | INR 2.65 Lakhs for 4 Months |
Top Acting Colleges
Delhi NCR hosts several leading institutions offering undergraduate, postgraduate, and diploma programs in dramatic arts and cinema. Candidates can choose between university-affiliated degree courses, standalone diplomas, and intensive professional certificate workshops based on their specific training goals.
| College / Institute | Course Level | Course Name | Average Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asian Academy of Film and Television (AAFT) | Undergraduate | BSc in Cinema (Acting) | INR 6,12,000 |
| Bennett University | Undergraduate | BA in Film TV | INR 9,75,000 |
| SGT University | Undergraduate | BA in Acting | INR 4,50,000 |
| Asian Academy of Film and Television (AAFT) | Postgraduate | MSc in Cinema (Acting) | INR 4,80,000 |
| Amity School of Film and Drama | Postgraduate | PG Diploma in Acting | INR 1,70,000 |
| A.J.K Mass Communication Research Centre | Postgraduate | PG Diploma in Acting | INR 60,800 |
| College | City | Ownership | Total course fee | NIRF rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamia Millia Islamia University | Delhi | Government | ₹60,820 | 4 (Overall, 2025) |
| Amity University Noida | Noida | — | ₹1.70 lakh | 22 (Overall, 2025) |
| Mumbai University | Mumbai | Government | ₹30,680 | 54 (Overall, 2025) |
| St. Teresa’s College (Autonomous) | Ernakulam | Private (aided) | — | 60 (Overall, 2025) |
Government Acting Colleges
Government acting colleges in Delhi offer structured, subsidized training in theatre and performing media. The National School of Drama (NSD) in New Delhi was established by Sangeet Natak Akademi in 1959 and became an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Culture in 1975. NSD offers a Diploma in Dramatic Arts covering Modern Indian Drama, Classical Indian Drama, World Drama, Voice & Speech, Yoga, Theatre Music, Mime, and Movement. Famous alumni of NSD include Anupam Kher, Irrfan Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Pankaj Tripathi, Om Puri, Ashutosh Rana, Neena Gupta, and Ratna Pathak Shah.
Another prominent public institution in Delhi is A.J.K Mass Communication Research Centre at Jamia Millia Islamia, which offers a PG Diploma in Acting for INR 60,800. Across India, at least 3 government colleges provide professional acting programs.
| College | City | Ownership | Total course fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mumbai University | Mumbai | Government | ₹30,680 |
| Jamia Millia Islamia University | Delhi | Government | ₹60,820 |
| Film and Television Institute of India | Pune | Government | ₹2.79 lakh |
| City | Colleges | Fee range | Well-known options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mumbai | 13 | ₹30,680 – ₹1.80 lakh | Mumbai University, Ramesh Sippy Academy of Cinema and Entertainment |
| Delhi | 10 | ₹60,520 – ₹60,820 | Jamia Millia Islamia University, Institute of Creative Excellence |
| Kolkata | 7 | ₹74,000 – ₹74,000 | Sister Nivedita University, National Academy of Media & Events |
| Bangalore | 6 | ₹7.98 lakh – ₹7.98 lakh | RV University, CREO Valley School of Film and Television |
| Hyderabad | 4 | ₹2.50 lakh – ₹2.50 lakh | Annapurna International School of Film and Media, Ramanaidu Film School |
| Noida | 4 | ₹54,000 – ₹1.70 lakh | Amity University Noida, Gulshan Kumar Film & Television Institute of India |
| Chennai | 2 | ₹2.50 lakh – ₹2.50 lakh | Bridge Academy for Media Studies, LV Prasad Filmand TV Academy |
| Indore | 2 | ₹1.00 lakh – ₹1.00 lakh | Renaissance University, Virtual Voyage College of Design, Media, Art and Management |
Acting Fees
| Institute / College | Course Type | Average Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Lakshmibai College | Certificate Course in Acting | INR 10,000 |
| RK Films and Media Academy | Certificate in Script Writing / News Media | INR 20,700 – INR 30,700 |
| Institute of Media Studies & Info Tech | Certificate Acting Course | INR 64,900 |
| Moving Images Film Academy (MIFA) | Certificate in Photography/RJ/Modeling | INR 80,000 |
Acting Admission Process
- Asian Academy of Film and Television (AAFT): Admission to acting courses is entrance-based via the AAFT Global Entrance Exam (AAFT GEE).
- National School of Drama (NSD): Offers a Diploma in Dramatic Arts where students produce plays performed before the public as part of training.
- CRAFT Film School: Offers Diploma and PG Diploma programs in Acting and Modeling.
Programs like the BSc in Cinema at AAFT select candidates through the entrance-based AAFT Global Entrance Exam (AAFT GEE).
How to Choose an Acting College
- Medium Focus: Decide whether your target is stage performance and theatre (such as NSD’s Diploma in Dramatic Arts) or film and screen acting (such as BJAS, AAFT, or CRAFT).
- Faculty and Alumni Network: Examine the school’s alumni history, including famous graduates from NSD (Irrfan Khan, Pankaj Tripathi) or BJAS (Shah Rukh Khan, Manoj Bajpai).
- Admission and Duration: Check entrance requirements like the AAFT Global Entrance Exam (AAFT GEE) and course durations like BJAS’s 4-month Delhi course versus its 6-month Mumbai course.
- Budget Alignment: Compare program fees, ranging from options at A.J.K Mass Communication Research Centre (INR 60,800) to higher-cost private degrees.
Selecting an acting institute depends on your preferred medium, career goals, and budget. Evaluating alumni success, admission processes, and fee structures helps ensure you choose the right program.
Career Scope, Job Profiles, and Salary
| Job Role | Average Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Lead Actor | INR 10,000 – INR 10 Crore per movie |
| Co-Actor / Actress | INR 15,000 – INR 2 Lakhs |
| Film Director | INR 2 Lakhs – INR 20 Lakhs |
| Assistant Director | INR 1 Lakh – INR 10 Lakhs |
| Choreographer | INR 5 Lakhs – INR 30 Lakhs |
| Producer | INR 2 Lakhs – INR 20 Lakhs |
Graduates of acting courses in Delhi can earn average salaries ranging from INR 2 LPA to INR 6 LPA. Leading colleges in Delhi offer 70-90% placement assistance to help students build a career in the industry.
How to Apply for Acting Admission in 2026: Step by Step
- Check Course Eligibility: Verify entry criteria based on course type: Class 12 completion for UG diploma/degree programs (BA/BSc Cinema) or Graduation for PG diplomas and NSD dramatic arts programs.
- Select Specialization & Institute: Choose between theatre-focused programs (NSD), film acting diplomas (BJAS, CRAFT), or full degree programs (AAFT, SGT University).
- Register for Entrance Exam or Application Form: Apply directly on official institute portals or submit forms for entrance tests like the AAFT Global Entrance Exam (AAFT GEE).
- Prepare Auditions & Monologues: Develop performance pieces focusing on voice modulation, speech clarity, classical/modern drama monologues, movement, and camera presence.
- Attend Audition Round & Workshop Interview: Participate in practical audition rounds, camera tests, and multi-day theatre workshops or personal interviews conducted by the institute selection panel.
- Submit Documents & Pay Course Fees: Upon selection in the final merit list, verify academic credentials and pay the required course fees (ranging from INR 10,000 for certificates to INR 6,12,000 for degree programs) to confirm admission.
| What to do | Where | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Compare colleges, fees and cutoffs | Acting colleges in India | findmycollege.com |
FAQs
Which is better for acting, NSD or FTII?
NSD New Delhi specializes in dramatic arts and theatre training (offering a Diploma in Dramatic Arts), while FTII Pune focuses on screen acting and filmmaking (offering a 2-year Screen Acting diploma).
What are the fees for acting courses in Delhi?
Fees for acting courses in Delhi range from INR 10,000 for short certificate programs at Lakshmibai College up to INR 6,12,000 for full-length degree courses such as the BSc in Cinema program offered at AAFT.
What is the difference between Barry John Acting Studio courses in Delhi and Mumbai?
The BJAS acting course in Delhi has a duration of 4 months with a fee of around INR 2.65 lakhs, whereas the Mumbai branch course lasts 6 months with a fee of around INR 3.5 lakhs.
What are the career options and average salary after completing an acting course in Delhi?
Graduates earn starting salaries of INR 2 LPA to 6 LPA with 70-90% placement assistance. Specific roles include Lead Actor (INR 10,000 – 10 crore/movie), Co-Actor (INR 15,000 – 2 lakhs), and Assistant Director (INR 1 lakh – 10 lakhs).
Are there certificate acting courses available in Delhi?
Yes, institutes like Lakshmibai College (INR 10,000) and Institute of Media Studies & Information Technology (INR 64,900) offer certificate acting courses.
