MEDIA, COMMUNICATION AND THE ARTS
Actor
Performs roles on stage, in films, TV, web series and ads.
Any stream; a graduation is needed for the NSD and FTII diplomas After Class 10 Self-employed
Facts checked 29/10/2026
Is this for me?
People in this work enjoy
- Stepping into different characters and stories
- Working with directors, crew and fellow actors as a team
- Live audiences and the rush of a good performance
It may not suit you if you dislike
- Long gaps between jobs and uncertain income
- Irregular hours, early calls, travel and waiting on set
- Frequent rejection at auditions, where looks, height and connections can count
- Class 11–12 subjects
- No set school subjects. Short acting workshops at FTII ask for Class 12 pass (10th pass may be considered in exceptional cases). The NSD three-year diploma and the FTII two-year MFA in Screen Acting ask for a bachelor's degree in any subject (reported).
- First degree
- No fixed degree. The top government institutes (NSD, FTII) take graduates. Private acting academies may take students after Class 12 or Class 10.
- Entrance exams
- NSD runs its own entrance: a preliminary audition, then a five-day final workshop in Delhi (reported). FTII runs an entrance test (ET) for its film-wing courses (reported). No single exam is needed to get film, TV or ad work.
- Licence or registration
- None needed to start working.
Open to every streamAny stream; a graduation is needed for the NSD and FTII diplomas.Check your subjects against every career
What the work is like
Learning a script and a character, rehearsing, and then performing on stage or in front of a camera. Auditions, shoot days, dubbing, promotions and long waiting hours on set are part of the job.
A day in the work
A typical day for a working actor starts with a call sheet or a script, followed by time on set or in rehearsal, where you repeat the same scene many times. In a quieter phase, the day goes to auditions, voice practice, meeting casting people and learning new lines. Many actors also spend time waiting, travelling and keeping up their social media presence.
The path, step by step
- Step 1 · Class 7–12Join school plays, elocution, debates and annual functions. Keep a simple list of every production you act in, with dates and the director's name. You will need this proof later.
- Step 2 · Class 12Finish Class 12 in any stream. FTII's short acting courses ask for a Class 12 pass. Private acting academies may take Class 10 pupils, so check their fee pages before you join.
- Step 3 · 3 yearsComplete a bachelor's degree in any subject. NSD's diploma and FTII's MFA in Screen Acting both ask for it. Keep acting in theatre groups while you study, because NSD asks for at least six productions with proof. (reported — check with the official body)
- Step 4 · EntranceNSD: a preliminary audition, then a five-day final workshop in New Delhi. FTII: the entrance test (ET), followed by later selection stages. Check the official notice each year for dates and seats. (reported — check with the official body)
- Step 5 · 2–3 yearsDiploma training: NSD's three-year Diploma in Dramatic Arts or FTII's two-year MFA in Screen Acting. NSD gives a monthly stipend to selected students, but the amount differs between sources. (reported — check with the official body)
- Step 6 · After trainingWork through auditions for theatre, films, TV serials, web series and ads. There is no licence or fixed exam. Agents, referrals and steady auditioning matter a lot, and gaps between jobs are common.
Ways in
- Institute routea graduation, then NSD's diploma or FTII's screen-acting MFA. Both are government institutes with entrance tests.
- Academy and workshop routeshort paid courses at private academies or FTII's short courses. No degree is needed, but quality varies, so check faculty and fees first.
- Direct routetheatre groups, student films and open auditions. Many actors begin this way, with no formal training.
Time and money
| Stage | Time | Government college or body | Private college | Help available |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 11–12 (short acting courses optional) | 2 years | Your school's fees | — | — |
| Institute route: FTII short screen-acting workshop (optional) | 1 week | FTII Basic Course, New Delhi: ₹7,000–9,900 for a week (fee non-refundable once selected) | Check the college's fee page | Refunded if the course is cancelled; no stipend stated |
| Bachelor's degree (any subject, required for NSD and FTII MFA) | 3 years | Check the college's fee page | Check the college's fee page | — |
| NSD entrance (preliminary audition, then five-day final workshop) | 5 days final workshop (reported) | Check the notice | — | — |
| NSD three-year Diploma in Dramatic Arts | 3 years | Low tuition fee; check the college's fee page | — | Monthly stipend to selected students; amount differs between sources (reported) |
| Private academy route: Anupam Kher's Actor Prepares, Diploma in Acting | 3 months | — | ₹2,50,000 total including taxes; registration fee ₹1,000 (year not stated) | — |
Total timeAbout 3–6 years after Class 12, with work after training often irregular
Total costDepends mostly on the college you choose — compare fee pages.
Good to knowWork after training is not guaranteed; gaps between jobs are common, so keep a Plan B.
Fees from: FTII: Basic Course in Screen Acting, New Delhi (fee) · FTII: Basic Course in Screen Acting, Lucknow (fee) · Anupam Kher's Actor Prepares, Diploma in Acting fee page. Fees change every year — check the college's own fee page before you pay.
What people earn
Earnings swing widely: a newcomer may wait a long time for paid work, while a few established actors earn very well, and most fall somewhere in between. Pay depends on the medium, the role size, the city and how much work you can get.
Myth and fact
Myth: You can join a top acting school straight after Class 10.
Fact: NSD's diploma and FTII's MFA in Screen Acting ask for a graduation. Class 12 or Class 10 is enough only for short workshops and some private courses.
For girls and students with disabilities
NSD gives an upper age-limit relaxation of 5 years for SC/ST candidates and 3 years for OBC (non-creamy layer) candidates (reported). No separate rule for girls or students with disabilities was found in official sources.
Try it now
- Class 7–9Join your school's drama or elocution club, or act in one annual play. Ask a teacher to help you find a short role.
- Class 10–12Join or start a community theatre group. Keep a written record of each production you take part in, with dates, role and director, because NSD asks for proof of experience.
- College or afterRead the official NSD admission portal to see the eligibility and documents asked for. Start building your production record now.Open link ↗
Good to know
- Despite the 'after Class 10' start in our list, NSD and FTII diploma courses need a graduation. Class 10 or 12 is enough only for short workshops and some private courses.
- A short FTII workshop costs a few thousand rupees and is not a degree. Fees are non-refundable once you are selected.
- Theatre experience and a recommendation letter from a theatre expert are needed for NSD, so start documenting your work early (reported).
- Keep a Plan B. Most actors earn from a mix of acting, voice work, teaching or other work for years before steady income.