ALL INDIA TALENT SEARCH EXAMINATION 2026
The All India Talent Search Examination 2026 is a national-level examination for students in Indian classical arts and creative skills. This exam gives students a wonderful opportunity to show their talent, gain recognition, and build confidence on an all-India platform.
Exam Subjects:
CARNATIC MUSIC VOCAL | INDIAN CLASSICAL MUSIC | BHARATANATYAM | ART & CRAFT | INSTRUMENTAL : VEENA
Carnatic Music Vocal
Carnatic Music Vocal — Exam Syllabus
Age Categories:
Group A: 4–7 years
Group B: 8–11 years
Group C: 12–15 years
Group D: 16–19 years
Group E: 20 years & above
Practical – Portion & Duration:
Group A: 10 shlokams OR 1 devotional song with thalam for 2–3 mins
Group B: 1 devotional song with thalam for 3–4 mins (2–3 mins also acceptable)
Group C & D: 1 devotional song with thalam for 4–5 mins
Group E: 1 Varnam OR 1 Kriti (from any of these Composers: Trinities, Annamayya, Dikshithar, Bharathiyar) for 5–6 mins
Kindly Avoid: Manodarmam and Kalpana swaram
Evaluation focus: Shruti, Raga, Laya, Thalam accuracy, Pronunciation, Bhava, Basic gamaka
Theory:
Group A – Adi Talam basics (thaalam on thighs)
– Name 7 swaras
– Name 5–10 composers
– Trinity of Carnatic Music, Father of Carnatic Music
Group B, C – Adi Talam basics (thaalam on thighs)
– Name 7 swaras
– Name 5–10 composers
– Trinity of Carnatic Music, Father of Carnatic Music
Group D & E – 12 Swarasthanam names
– Explain Saptha Thaala Alankaarams
– Explain Tala angas (Laghu, Dhrutam, Anudhrutam)- Questions from Handbook of ‘Swaraa and Thaalaa Cultural Academy’ will be asked.
– Name 5–10 composers
– Trinity of Carnatic Music, Father of Carnatic Music
PLEASE NOTE: NO INSTRUMENTALS
NO KARAOKE
Indian Classical Music
Indian Classical Music — Exam Syllabus
Age Categories:
Group A: 4–7 years
Group B: 8–11 years
Group C: 12–15 years
Group D: 16–19 years
Group E: 20+ years
Practical – Portion & Duration:
Group A & B: 1 Bhajan OR Naama Sangeethanam OR Devotional song with beats/talam 3–5 mins
Group C & D: 1 Devotional song OR Folk song with beats/talam 4–5 mins
Group E: 1 Nottu swaram OR Naama Sangeethanam with talam/beats 4–5 mins
Theory:
Group A, B, C, D, E
Define: Swaram, Shruti, Thaalam
– Name the 7 Swaras
– Importance of Shruti alignment
– Adi Talam 8-beat cycle explanation
Bharatanatyam
Bharatanatyam — Exam Syllabus
Age Categories:
Group A: 4–7 years
Group B: 8–11 years
Group C: 12–15 years
Group D: 16–19 years
Group E: 20+ years
Practical – Portion & Duration:
Group A: 1 – 3 Adavus, Asamyukta & Samyukta Hasthas, Aangikam, Guru, Saraswathi shlokam for 2 – 3 mins
Group B: 1 Devotional song OR 1-3 Adavus combined (Students’ choice), Asamyukta & Samyukta Hasthas, Aangikam, Guru, Saraswathi shlokam for 3 – 5 mins
Group C & D: 1 Devotional song OR 1 Folk song OR 1 Geetham/dance piece for 4 – 5 mins
Group E: 1 Syllabus item: Alarippu / Jathi / Shabdam / Varnam / Thillana / Bhakti song (Students’ choice) for 5 – 6 mins
Evaluation Focus:
Group A & B: Posture, Rhythm accuracy, Mudra clarity, Coordination, Confidence
Group C, D & E: Posture, Rhythm/Talam accuracy, Mudra clarity, Coordination, Confidence, Expression (Bhava), Stage presence
Theory:
Group A, B, C – Asamyukta & Samyukta Hasthas, Aangikam, Guru, Saraswathi shlokams.
– What are 3 positions?
– Name the basic Adavus (Tatta, Natta, Paraval Adavu, Kuditta Mettu, etc.)
Group D & E – Asamyukta & Samyukta Hasthas, Aangikam, Guru, Saraswathi
– What are 3 positions?
– Name the basic Adavus (Tatta, Natta, Paraval Adavu, Kuditta Mettu, etc.)
– Difference between Nritta, Nritya & Natya
– Structure basics of Alarippu / Jathi / Varnam
Art & Craft
Art & Craft — Exam Syllabus
Age Categories:
Group A: 4–7 years
Group B: 8–11 years
Group C: 12–15 years
Group D: 16–19 years
Group E: 20+ years
Practical – Portion & Duration:
Group A: See & Draw (Sun, Flower, House, Fish, Kite) OR Colouring sheet — 20–30 mins
Group B: Drawing (Nature/Objects) OR Easy craft (Paper flower, Bookmark, Simple collage) — 30 mins
Group C: Theme drawing (Festival/Nature/Village/Animals) OR Simple craft (Mask, Wall hanging, Collage) — 30–40 mins
Group D: Creative art or craft with neat finishing (Mandala, Scenery, Clay, Fabric, Paper craft) — 40–60 mins
Group E: Original artwork or craft (Painting, Digital art, Clay modeling, Recycled craft, Detailed collage) — 60–90 mins
Evaluation Focus (Practical – for all groups):
– Neatness & finishing
– Creativity
– Clarity of theme
– Colour sense
– Presentation confidence (optional for Group D & E)
Theory (Simple Q&A – Online Oral/Written):
Group A: Identify colours and shapes
Group B: Name colours, materials used, explain theme (1–2 lines)
Group C: Explain theme, materials, and steps briefly
Group D: Creativity explanation, material knowledge, neat finishing tips
Group E: Originality explanation, process clarity, material knowledge
Basic Theory Questions for all groups:
– What is Art?
– What is Craft?
– Name 3–5 materials used
– Why did you choose this theme?
Instrumental: Veena
Veena – Exam Syllabus:
Age Categories:
Group A: 4–7 yrs
Group B: 8–11 yrs
Group C: 12–15 yrs
Group D: 16–19 yrs
Group E: 20+ yrs
Practical – Portion & Duration:
Group A (4–7 yrs) : Play basic swara exercises (Sarali or Jantai – any 1 speed) OR 1 short devotional tune with beats (jalra/metronome app) 2–3 mins
Group B (8–11 yrs): 1 devotional song or simple geetham/nottuswaram with (jalra/metronome app) talam/beats 3–4 mins
Group C (12–15 yrs): 1 devotional song OR Geetham with talam (jalra/metronome app) 4–5 mins
Group D (16–19 yrs): 1 Kriti OR Geetham (beginner/intermediate level) with talam (jalra/metronome app) 5 mins
Group E (20+ yrs): 1 Keerthanam by trinity of carntic music/annamayya/purandara dasa/dikshithar/bharatahiyar OR Varnam (jalra/metronome app) 5–6 mins
Theory:
Group A – Name the 7 swaras
– What is Shruti, Swaram, Talam?
– Name the parts of Veena
– Ragam and Thaalam of Basic varisais in Carnatic Music
Group B – Name the 7 swaras
– Shruti, Swaram, Talam – definitions Veena parts
– Adi Talam structure (8 beats)
– Ragam and Thaalam of Basic varisais in Carnatic Music
Basic exercises we learn:
– Sarali & Jantai Varisai (melodic)
– Adi 8-beat cycle (rhythmic)
Group C – 7 swaras naming
– Veena parts + string understanding
– Adi Talam structure (laghu dhrutham ) explanation
– Raga basics (melody concept)
– Talam basics (beat cycle concept)
Group D – 7 swaras + 12 swarasthanam names
– Adi Talam + Tala angas basics
– Veena posture & playing technique basics
– Raga & Talam deeper understanding
– Notation reading basics (geetham/varnam level)
Group E – 12 Swarasthanam names
– Adi Talam + saptha thaala alankaram names and aksharams
– Raga basics + Varnam/Swarajati structure understanding
– Notation reading for the song performed by the students (simple level)
Exam Dates
June 14, 2026 & June 21, 2026
⏰ Exam timings will be announced soon.
Exam Platform: ONLINE
USA/UK/CANADA BASED STUDENTS EXAM TIMINGS – JUNE 28TH SUNDAY & JULY 5TH SUNDAY IST 8PM TO 10PM)
REGISTRATIONS CLOSED