Dancer
Performs professionally, expressing stories and ideas through movement and gesture.
Overview
Dancers are performers who dance professionally. They express stories and ideas through dance performances. They use movement, gesture and body language to convey their expressions.
Where they work
- Dance colleges and institutes among others
Work environment
It is not a desk job. As a dancer, you will be required to travel from time to time. Part-time work and contractual jobs maybe available. You will have flexible working hours. Shift system maybe applicable. Entrepreneurship: you can choose to be a freelance dancer or give personal lessons.
Opportunities for work exist for differently abled in this field.
Skills and interests
This career might suit you if…
- You are a creative person
- You like to dance
- You are good at working independently
Eligibility and education roadmap
Please check the duration of the course during enrolment.
Route 1
- 1Complete 10+2 in any stream.
- 2Complete Bachelor's in Performing Arts/Dance or any related subject
Alternative route 2
- 1Complete Bachelor's and then follow it up with a Master's in the same or related field
Alternative route 3
- 1Complete Bachelor's and then follow it up with a Postgraduate Diploma in Dance and Performative Arts
Alternative route 4
- 1Complete a Diploma in Dance/Dance Education or any related subject.
Forms, exams and applications
Exam names above are as printed in the source card. Application windows, eligibility and syllabi change — always check the official notification for current dates.
Where to apply
This course is offered by the Department of Performing Arts. This list of institutes is indicative only.
Government institutes
- Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat
- Pondicherry University, Kalapet, Puducherry
- Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
- University of Mumbai, Mumbai, Maharashtra
- University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan
- Tamil Nadu Open University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Kavikulguru Kalidas Sanskrit University, Nagpur, Maharashtra
- Prof Rajendra Singh University, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh
Private institutes
Please check if the institute is affiliated and accredited before applying.
- Arunachal University of Studies, Lohit, Arunachal Pradesh
- Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar, Punjab
- CT University, Ludhiana, Punjab
- MIT Art, Design & Technology University, Pune, Maharashtra
- MIT World Peace University, Pune, Maharashtra
- REVA University, Bengaluru, Karnataka
- Regional Institute of Management and Technology University, New Delhi
- Sanjeev Agrawal Global University (SAGU), Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
These institute lists are indicative examples from the source card, not a ranked or complete directory. Always verify accreditation on the institute's official website.
Career outcomes
Growth path
- 1Dancer
- 2Choreographer/Dance Teacher/Performer
Expected income
₹15,000 – ₹40,000 per month depending on experience
These figures are taken from NCS and are indicative and subject to change.
SourceRelated careers to explore
Choreographer
Creates original dance movements and routines for performances and productions.
Theatre Artist
Enacts, rehearses, writes, directs or stages plays performed live before an audience.
Student action plan
What you can do this month
- Read this whole roadmap and note any subjects, exams or institutes you don't recognise yet.
- Talk to a teacher or school counsellor about how your current subjects connect to Any Stream, Arts.
- Look for a school club, competition or online course related to creating.
- Shortlist 2–3 institutes from the list above and check their official website for current admission details.
- Save this career and compare it with 1–2 others you're considering.
Example from the field
Rukmini Devi Arundale — One of the most famous Bharatanatyam dancers. She was a choreographer, and theosophist as well who made Bharatanatyam an acceptable art for the then British and Indian upper class and caste. She learnt Bharatanatyam from the likes of Mylapore Gauri Ammal and Meenakshisundaram Pillai. In 1956 she was awarded the Padma Bhushan and she was the first woman in India to be nominated to the Upper House or Rajya Sabha.
SourceThis profile is shared for training/educational purposes only, as printed in the source card.
Sources and update notice
- Career card source: Exploring Career Paths with Career Cards, Volume 1, printed page 97 (NCERT / UNICEF India / PSSCIVE Bhopal, First Edition, April 2025).
- Income source: https://bit.ly/3KGbVRw
- Last reviewed on this site: 2026-08-21
Eligibility, fees, exam patterns and admissions change often. Always verify current details on official institute, exam-body or government websites before making decisions.