Kathak Kendra Recruitment 2026

Kathak Kendra, New Delhi, the National Institute of Kathak Dance and a constituent unit of Sangeet Natak Akademi under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, has invited applications for regular teaching and performing artist positions. Candidates with the relevant dance or music training and the required teaching or stage experience should review the post-specific conditions before applying.

The recruitment offers 15 vacancies across seven posts, and applications must be submitted offline to the Kathak Kendra office by 7 December 2026. The advertisement does not specify an application start date or a detailed selection procedure, so applicants should consult the official notification and website for any additional instructions or updates.

Important Dates

Vacancy Details

The 15 positions are distributed across seven teaching and performing artist categories. The pay levels and scales vary by post, as shown below.

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

Kathak Guru: Applicants must have completed the Post Diploma Course from Kathak Kendra and have at least seven years of teaching experience, or hold a Diploma (Hons.) with ten years of experience. An equivalent qualification may be accepted if approved by the Advisory Committee on the recommendation of a duly constituted Selection Committee. The committee may also waive the prescribed qualification for a candidate with at least ten years of performance or teaching experience strictly in conformity with the tradition. Passing the Senior Secondary Examination (Class XII) is desirable.

Varistha Kathak Prashikshak: The essential requirement is a Kathak Kendra Post Diploma with at least five years of teaching experience, or a Diploma (Hons.) with eight years of experience. An equivalent qualification may be considered with the approval of the Advisory Committee on the recommendation of a duly constituted Selection Committee. The qualification requirement may be waived for a candidate who has performed or taught strictly in conformity with the tradition for at least eight years. Passing SSLC (Class X) is desirable.

Kathak Prashikshak: Candidates must have a Kathak Kendra Post Diploma and at least three years of teaching experience, or a Diploma (Hons.) with five years of experience. An equivalent qualification may be approved by the Advisory Committee on the recommendation of a duly constituted Selection Committee. The qualification requirement may be waived for candidates with at least five years of performance or teaching strictly in conformity with the tradition. Passing SSLC (Class X) is desirable.

Tabla Prashikshak and Pakhawaj Prashikshak: Applicants need a graduate degree in Tabla or Pakhawaj from a recognised university and at least five years of teaching experience. An equivalent qualification may be considered by the Advisory Committee on the recommendation of a duly constituted Selection Committee for candidates who have performed or taught strictly in conformity with the tradition for at least eight years. Passing Senior Secondary (Class XII) is desirable.

Tabla Vadak Grade-III and Sarangi Vadak Grade-III: Candidates must have training in Tabla or Sarangi playing from a recognised institution or university, as relevant to the post, and five years of stage experience accompanying eminent performing artists. An equivalent qualification may be considered by the Advisory Committee on the recommendation of a duly constituted Selection Committee where the candidate has ten years of stage experience. Passing SSLC (Class X) is desirable.

Age Limit

The prescribed age range is 35–50 years for Kathak Guru, 35–45 years for Varistha Kathak Prashikshak, 30–40 years for Kathak Prashikshak, 35–45 years for Tabla Prashikshak and Pakhawaj Prashikshak, and 25–35 years for Tabla Vadak Grade-III and Sarangi Vadak Grade-III.

The notification provides five years of age relaxation for SC/ST/OBC candidates and candidates already working under the Central Government, State Government, public sector undertakings or autonomous organisations for posts where the relaxation is specified. The Kathak Guru eligibility section does not separately state this five-year relaxation; candidates should check the relevant conditions in the official advertisement.

Application Fee

The supplied recruitment advertisement does not specify an application fee or payment method. Candidates should check the official website and prescribed application instructions for confirmation before sending their forms.

How to Apply

1. Visit the official Kathak Kendra website and review the recruitment notification and application instructions.
2. Download or obtain the prescribed application format and confirm that you meet the eligibility requirements for the post you intend to apply for.
3. Complete the form with the requested personal, educational, professional and experience details, and prepare a detailed bio-data or CV.
4. Attach attested photocopies of relevant educational and professional certificates, mark sheets and experience documents. Include a recent photograph, performance-related information such as a pendrive or performance link, and an applicable SC/ST/OBC certificate where relevant.
5. Include any other supporting material requested by the application format, including performance links or website details, and complete the declaration.
6. Place the completed application and supporting documents in a sealed envelope. Clearly write the name of the post applied for on the envelope.
7. Send or deliver the application so that it reaches: The Director, Kathak Kendra, 2, San Martin Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi – 110021, on or before 7 December 2026.

Applications should contain complete and accurate information, as incomplete or incorrect details may affect candidature. The advertisement also states that unemployed outstation SC/ST candidates called for an interview will be paid second-class train or bus fare for the shortest route, as per rules.

Salary & Pay Scale

Selected candidates will be placed in the pay level and scale assigned to their post. The advertised figures are pay scales; the notification does not provide a separate in-hand salary calculation.

Selection Process

The advertisement does not set out a detailed selection process or confirm a written examination, interview schedule or assessment format. It refers to a duly constituted Selection Committee in relation to consideration of equivalent qualifications, and candidates should check Kathak Kendra’s official channels for selection-related updates. Kathak Kendra reserves the right to reject applications or cancel the recruitment process at any stage without assigning a reason.

Eligible applicants should check the official notification and submit a complete offline application early enough for it to reach the Kathak Kendra office by 7 December 2026.