Overview
Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya (officially Rajkumari Indira Singh Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya), located in the township of Khairagarh in Rajnandgaon district, Chhattisgarh, is a government public university established in 1956. It is widely recognized as Asia's first university dedicated solely to music, dance, theatre, and visual/fine arts. The university came into being when Maharaja Birendra Bahadur Singh and Maharani Padmavati Devi of the erstwhile Khairagarh State donated their palace to found the institution, naming it after their deceased daughter, Indira Devi. Originally under the Government of Madhya Pradesh, the university was transferred to the Government of Chhattisgarh upon the state's formation in 2001. The university imparts higher education exclusively in the performing and fine arts, organized across roughly 21 departments grouped into sections covering music (vocal and instrumental), dance, visual arts, folk music, and theatre. It offers a full range of programs including Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Bachelor of Vocation (B.Voc), along with postgraduate, diploma, certificate, and doctoral courses. The Chancellor is the Governor of Chhattisgarh, and the institution is headed by a Vice-Chancellor. The campus includes a library housing over 40,000 books, a gallery of musical instruments, an archaeological museum, and separate hostel accommodation for boys and girls, including provision for international students. The university is recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and was accredited with an 'A' grade by NAAC in 2014.
Courses Offered
Courses, Fees & Rankings at a Glance
This section answers the practical question: what can you study at IKSV Khairagarh, what does it cost, and how is the university ranked? The table summarises the flagship programmes an applicant is most likely to consider, with the total indicative fee for the full programme duration, the eligibility level and the accepted entrance test, alongside the university's headline rank. All four programmes admit through the IKSV Aptitude Test. Treat these as the entry points and check the dedicated Courses and Fees tabs for the complete list of roughly 38 certificate, diploma, UG, PG and doctoral options.
The clear takeaway is affordability: even the four-year BFA totals just ₹40,060, while the two-year MA (₹19,360) and MFA (₹27,780) keep specialist arts education well within reach as a government university. Note that fees are programme-total figures, not annual, and that the university's marquee credential is its Outlook Music Universities 2025 Rank #4 rather than an NIRF position. For doctoral aspirants, the PhD fee is not publicly listed, so confirm it directly with the university.
| Programme | Duration | Indicative Fee (full programme) | Eligibility | Entrance Test |
|---|
| BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) | 4.0 years | ₹40,060 | 10+2 (Higher Secondary / Intermediate) or equivalent from a recognised board | IKSV Aptitude Test |
| MA | 2.0 years | ₹19,360 | Bachelor's degree with minimum 45% aggregate and 50% in the concerned subject | IKSV Aptitude Test |
| MFA (Master of Fine Arts) | 2.0 years | ₹27,780 | BFA/BVA (4-year degree) in Painting/Graphics/Applied Arts with 45% aggregate and 50% in the concerned subject | IKSV Aptitude Test |
| PhD | As per UGC norms | Not published (refer to official source) | Postgraduate degree in the relevant subject | IKSV Aptitude Test |
What courses are offered at Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya?
IKSV Khairagarh offers approximately 38 programmes across certificate, diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels. Flagship options include the four-year BFA, the two-year MA and the two-year MFA in Painting, Graphics or Applied Arts, along with PhD research in relevant arts subjects. Studies cover vocal and instrumental music, Kathak, Bharatanatyam and Odissi dance, theatre, and fine arts such as painting, sculpture and graphics. All flagship programmes admit through the IKSV Aptitude Test.
IKSV Courses & Fees 2026
Bachelor's degree with minimum 45% aggregate and 50% in the concerned subject
10+2 (Higher Secondary/Intermediate) or equivalent from a recognized board
BFA/BVA (4-year degree) in Painting/Graphics/Applied Arts with 45% aggregate and 50% in the concerned subject
Postgraduate degree in the relevant subject
| Course | Duration | Total Fees | Eligibility |
|---|
| MA Full Time | 2 Years | ₹19,360 | Bachelor's degree with minimum 45% aggregate and 50% in the concerned subject |
| BFA Full Time | 4 Years | ₹40,060 | 10+2 (Higher Secondary/Intermediate) or equivalent from a recognized board |
| MFA Full Time | 2 Years | ₹27,780 | BFA/BVA (4-year degree) in Painting/Graphics/Applied Arts with 45% aggregate and 50% in the concerned subject |
| PhD Full Time | 5 Years | - | Postgraduate degree in the relevant subject |
Fees
What are the total fees at Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya?
IKSV Khairagarh keeps fees low as a government university: the four-year BFA costs ₹40,060 in total, the two-year MA ₹19,360, and the two-year MFA ₹27,780 for the full programme. These are programme-total figures rather than annual charges. The PhD fee is not publicly listed, so doctoral applicants should confirm it directly with the university or refer to the official source for the latest fee structure.
IKSV Scholarships 2026
Chhattisgarh-domicile SC/ST/OBC students enrolled in a post-matric course at IKSV with a valid caste certificate. Family income up to Rs 2.5 lakh for SC/ST and Rs 1 lakh for OBC.
Students aged 18-25 with at least 5 years of training in Indian classical music, classical dance, theatre or visual/folk arts - directly relevant to IKSV's music and performing-arts programmes.
SC research scholars at IKSV who have qualified UGC-NET and are registered for M.Phil/Ph.D. in an eligible subject.
IKSV postgraduate/research students who clear the UGC-NET (JRF) examination in their subject and pursue Ph.D. research at the university.
IKSV students with an outstanding academic record and research potential in music, dance or fine arts.
| Scholarship | Type | Amount | Eligibility |
|---|
| Post-Matric Scholarship for SC/ST/OBC (Chhattisgarh) | Government | Rs 2,250-3,800 per year (SC/ST) | Chhattisgarh-domicile SC/ST/OBC students enrolled in a post-matric course at IKSV with a valid caste certificate. Family income up to Rs 2.5 lakh for SC/ST and Rs 1 lakh for OBC. |
| CCRT Scholarship to Young Artistes (Ministry of Culture) | Government | Rs 5,000 per month for two years | Students aged 18-25 with at least 5 years of training in Indian classical music, classical dance, theatre or visual/folk arts - directly relevant to IKSV's music and performing-arts programmes. |
| National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste Students (NFSC) | Government | Rs 31,000-35,000 per month (JRF/SRF) | SC research scholars at IKSV who have qualified UGC-NET and are registered for M.Phil/Ph.D. in an eligible subject. |
| Junior Research Fellowship (UGC-NET) | Government | JRF stipend as per UGC norms | IKSV postgraduate/research students who clear the UGC-NET (JRF) examination in their subject and pursue Ph.D. research at the university. |
| Merit-Based Scholarship (Institutional) | Merit | - | IKSV students with an outstanding academic record and research potential in music, dance or fine arts. |
Admission Process
Placement & Admission Snapshot
Admission to Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya is entrance and aptitude based: every flagship programme - BFA, MA, MFA and PhD - is offered through the IKSV Aptitude Test, which assesses practical skill and subject knowledge rather than relying on board marks alone. As a performing and fine arts university, IKSV's outcomes are measured differently from engineering or management institutes; verified, year-wise average and highest salary packages are not officially published, and figures circulated on third-party aggregator portals are inconsistent, so prospective students should refer to the official source for confirmed placement data. Career pathways for IKSV graduates typically run through performance, teaching, music and dance academies, theatre, studios, fine-arts practice and cultural organisations rather than conventional campus recruitment drives. The strongest signal of the university's standing remains its Outlook Music Universities 2025 Rank #4 and its NAAC 'A' grade, both of which point to recognised quality in arts training. Eligibility starts at 10+2 for the BFA and a relevant bachelor's degree (with 45% aggregate and 50% in the concerned subject) for postgraduate entry.
Is admission to Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya merit or entrance based?
Admission to IKSV Khairagarh is entrance and aptitude based: BFA, MA, MFA and PhD applicants are all assessed through the IKSV Aptitude Test, which evaluates practical skill and subject knowledge. Eligibility begins at 10+2 for the BFA, while postgraduate entry requires a relevant bachelor's degree with at least 45% aggregate and 50% in the concerned subject. PhD applicants need a postgraduate degree in the relevant subject before sitting the aptitude test.
Rankings & Accreditation
What is the NIRF or NAAC status of Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya?
Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya holds a NAAC 'A' grade, awarded in 2014, and is recognised by the UGC. It does not currently hold a separate NIRF ranking, as NIRF does not maintain a dedicated music-and-arts category for it; instead, the university's headline recognition is its Outlook Music Universities 2025 Rank #4. Together these credentials confirm IKSV as a quality-accredited, top-five specialist arts university in India.
IKSV Rankings 2025
| Ranking Body | Category | Rank | Score | Year |
|---|
| Outlook | Music Universities | #4 | - | 2025 |
Location & Campus Details
Contact IKSV
Address
Indira Kala Sangit Vishwavidyalaya, Khairagarh, District Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh, India
Phone
07820-234232
Email
Website
This page is published for informational purposes only. Always verify final details on the official institution website before making academic or financial decisions.
Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya Key Facts (2026)
The table below answers the most common first question an aspirant has: what kind of institution is IKSV Khairagarh and what are its core credentials? It consolidates the establishment year, ownership type, approvals, academic spread and rough enrolment scale into a single snapshot so you can size up the university in one glance. Read the "Detail" column against each parameter; figures reflect the most recent publicly reported position for 2026 and stable institutional facts that do not change year to year.
The takeaway for 2026 applicants is that IKSV is an established, government-funded specialist university with strong accreditation (NAAC 'A') rather than a general multi-disciplinary campus. Its 1956 origin and 70-year track record in performing arts, combined with a top-five national position in music for 2025, make it one of India's most credentialed destinations specifically for music, dance and fine arts, not a place to evaluate on generic engineering or management metrics.
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|
| Established | 1956 (opened 14 October 1956) |
| Type | Government / State University, Government of Chhattisgarh |
| Affiliation / Approvals | UGC-recognised; NAAC 'A' grade (awarded 2014) |
| Campus Size | Rural campus at Khairagarh; exact acreage not officially published (refer to official source) |
| Total Courses | Approximately 38 programmes across Certificate, Diploma, UG, PG and PhD levels |
| NAAC / NIRF Status | NAAC 'A' grade; not separately ranked in NIRF; Outlook Music Universities 2025 Rank #4 |
| Student Strength | Large institution; commonly reported in the 10,000+ enrolment band across departments and affiliated colleges |
About IKSV
Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya (officially Rajkumari Indira Singh Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya), located in the township of Khairagarh in Rajnandgaon district, Chhattisgarh, is a government public university established in 1956. It is widely recognized as Asia's first university dedicated solely to music, dance, theatre, and visual/fine arts. The university came into being when Maharaja Birendra Bahadur Singh and Maharani Padmavati Devi of the erstwhile Khairagarh State donated their palace to found the institution, naming it after their deceased daughter, Indira Devi. Originally under the Government of Madhya Pradesh, the university was transferred to the Government of Chhattisgarh upon the state's formation in 2001. The university imparts higher education exclusively in the performing and fine arts, organized across roughly 21 departments grouped into sections covering music (vocal and instrumental), dance, visual arts, folk music, and theatre. It offers a full range of programs including Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Bachelor of Vocation (B.Voc), along with postgraduate, diploma, certificate, and doctoral courses. The Chancellor is the Governor of Chhattisgarh, and the institution is headed by a Vice-Chancellor. The campus includes a library housing over 40,000 books, a gallery of musical instruments, an archaeological museum, and separate hostel accommodation for boys and girls, including provision for international students. The university is recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and was accredited with an 'A' grade by NAAC in 2014.
Sources and Verification
Information last reviewed on 25 Jun 2026.
Fees, cutoffs, admission steps, placements, and programme details can change. Always cross-check the latest institutional or authority notice before acting.