LUCKNOW, Nov. 7 -- The academic council at Bhartendu Natya Academy recently approved an increase of two seats in the Master of Dramatic Arts programme from the upcoming session. The decision comes in response to a steady rise in applications from across the country over the past two years. BNA director Bipin Kumar said the academy is the only institute in North India offering a master's degree in theatre. "Admissions are held annually for 20 seats, but with the addition of two more, 22 students will now be admitted. The council also decided to award four fellowships to BNA graduates to promote theatre development in their respective regions," he added. He added that the committee also approved an increase in student scholarships from Rs.6,000 to Rs.10,000. "Proposals to include topics on international theatre in the curriculum, digitise the library, and add new books were also approved," he said. The finance committee of Bharatendu Natya Akademi (BNA) met on Thursday to discuss a special budget proposal for the academy's 50th anniversary celebrations in 2026-27. The council decided to organise a series of theatrical and cultural events to commemorate the milestone in a grand manner. The committee also reviewed expenditures for the 2025-26 financial year and discussed upcoming initiatives. "To enhance student engagement, proposals were made to organise educational tours, introduce activities linking students with various theatre forms, and increase budget allocations for such programmes. The academy is committed to offering students practical exposure and training in diverse theatre traditions to deepen their understanding of the art," said Kumar....