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

DOWNLOAD ‘HANDBOOK OF CARNATIC MUSIC’

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

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)