NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court has stayed the admission criteria of the National School of Drama (NSD) that barred applicants above the age of 30 from applying to its flagship diploma course in dramatic arts, observing that acting is an art that can be developed at any age.
Justice Jasmeet Singh said that fixing an upper age limit was prima facie “arbitrary” and “unreasonable”, and violative of Articles 14 (equality before law), 19(1)(g) (right to practise any profession), and 21 (right to life) of the Constitution.
“I am of the view that fixing of the upper age limit for a diploma has no reasonable nexus with the objective it seeks to achieve. Acting is an art that can be developed and refined at any stage of life; it is not bound by any such criteria,” the judge said in an order dated April 7.
The court added, “For the said reasons, the effect and operation of the condition prescribing an upper age limit of 30 years in the admission notification dated March 17, 2026, issued by respondent No. 1 shall remain stayed. Needless to add that the petitioners will be entitled to apply for the diploma notwithstanding their age.”
The court was hearing two petitions filed by freelance theatre practitioners Mayank and Vishal Gohar, challenging the March 17 notification that prescribed an upper age limit of 30 years for admission to the diploma course for the 2026–27 academic session. In its order, the court noted that the petitioners had earlier written to the NSD regarding the issue but had received no response.
The petitioners, aged 34 and 42, argued that they were unfairly excluded from applying due to the age restriction. They stated that while the notification prescribes an age limit of 18 to 30 years as of July 1, 2026, both candidates meet all other eligibility criteria and are barred solely on account of age. The plea contended that the restriction was arbitrary and violated fundamental rights under Articles 14, 19(1)(g), and 21 of the Constitution.
It was further argued that theatre and dramatic arts are talent-driven disciplines where ability is not inherently age-dependent, making the upper age cap unreasonable and disproportionate.
The petitioners also highlighted NSD’s rigorous selection process as evidence that merit, not age, determines suitability, adding that similar performing arts programmes in India and abroad do not impose such restrictive age limits.
Relaxations
Ruling flags violation of fundamental rights
Direction suspends March 17 notification clause
Observation says diploma cannot have strict age cap
Emphasis placed on merit over age criterion
Justice terms cap arbitrary