RBU Kolkata Admission 2026

Rabindra Bharati University
Kolkata, West Bengal · RBU Kolkata · Estd. 1962
UG Open PG Open PhD Open
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RBU 2026 entrance test schedule announced — apply at rbu.ac.in for arts, music, dance, drama and fine arts programmes Updated: 2026-05-11

About Rabindra Bharati University

Rabindra Bharati University (RBU), Kolkata was established on 8 May 1962 by an Act of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly to commemorate the birth centenary of Rabindranath Tagore. The university is recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) under Section 12(B) of the UGC Act, 1956 and is one of India's premier universities for performing arts, fine arts, music and Tagore studies. RBU operates from three campuses — Jorasanko (the ancestral home of the Tagore family on Chitpur Road, North Kolkata — now a heritage Tagore Museum), the Salt Lake campus (BT Road), and Salt Lake Sector III campus.

RBU is structured into four faculties — Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Visual Arts, Faculty of Fine Arts, and Faculty of Performing Arts. Programmes include BA/MA in Bengali, English, Sanskrit, Hindi, History, Geography, Political Science, Education, Sociology, Philosophy, Economics, Tagore Studies, and the Department of Rabindra Sangeet, Dance & Drama; BFA/MFA in Painting, Graphics, Sculpture, Applied Arts, Art History, Pottery & Ceramics; B.Mus/M.Mus in Vocal (Rabindra Sangeet/Hindustani/Light), Instrumental (Sitar/Sarod/Tabla/Esraj), Western Vocal & Instrumental; Bachelor & Master of Performing Arts in Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Manipuri, Odissi, Rabindra Nritya, and Drama; M.Phil and PhD across performing arts, fine arts and humanities. Admissions are via the university's own entrance tests including practical/audition for performing arts and portfolio submission for fine arts.

Rabindra Bharati University is NAAC accredited and is globally recognised for its scholarship and performance tradition in Tagore studies, Bengali music, classical dance and fine arts. The Jorasanko Tagore House campus, where Rabindranath Tagore was born in 1861, is itself a major cultural heritage site visited by scholars worldwide. RBU has the Tagore Research Centre, the Centre for Rabindra Studies, regular cultural festivals including Pous-Mela and Rabindra Jayanti productions, and academic exchanges with universities in Japan, Hungary, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and the UK. Notable alumni and faculty include legendary classical musicians, dancers and painters of contemporary Bengal.

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NIRF Rank

Application fee: ₹250 (General) / ₹125 (Reserved) · Official site ↗

Entrance Exams

University-conducted entrance exam

RBU Entrance Test
Conducted by Rabindra Bharati University

RBU conducts its own entrance tests for all UG and PG programmes. Music, dance and drama programmes require practical/audition; fine arts programmes require portfolio submission and aptitude test. CUET UG/PG accepted for select arts/social science programmes. PhD via RBU Research Eligibility Test (RET).

Eligibility

10+2 for UG arts/music/dance programmes; Bachelor's with 50% for PG; mandatory practical/audition for music/dance/drama; portfolio for visual arts.

Important Dates

Event Date Stage Portal Status
RBU Entrance Application Release 15 Apr 2026 rbu.ac.in Closed
RBU Entrance Test + Audition 20 Jun 2026 rbu.ac.in Upcoming
RBU Counselling and Admission 25 Jul 2026 rbu.ac.in Upcoming

How to Apply

Process will be updated when admissions open.

Previous Year Cutoffs

Cutoffs will be published here once last year's data is verified.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available for eligible candidates at this university.

RBU Merit Scholarships, WB Swami Vivekananda Merit-cum-Means, Kanyashree, Oasis (SC/ST/OBC/Minority), CSSS, AICTE Pragati/Saksham; departmental scholarships for outstanding performance.

Reservations

Reservation as per WB state policy: SC 22%, ST 6%, OBC-A 10%, OBC-B 7%, EWS 10%, PwD 5%, women horizontal 30% (where applicable).

Results & Merit Lists

No result links published yet for this academic year. Subscribe below to be notified.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the admission process at Rabindra Bharati University?
Rabindra Bharati University admits students primarily through RBU Entrance Test. After the entrance exam result, candidates register on the university's CSAS (or equivalent) portal, fill college and programme preferences, and accept seats round-by-round.
What is the application fee at Rabindra Bharati University?
For 2026, the application fee is ₹250 for General/OBC/EWS candidates and ₹125 for SC/ST/PwBD candidates.
When does Rabindra Bharati University declare its cutoff?
Cutoffs at Rabindra Bharati University are released after each round of seat allotment. CSAS/portal-based universities typically publish round-wise allocation lists; merit-based universities release a single merit list. Watch the Important Dates section above for exact dates.
Does Rabindra Bharati University accept RBU Entrance Test scores?
RBU Entrance Test is the primary basis for admission at Rabindra Bharati University. See the Entrance Exams section for details on accepted exams.