Carnatic Music — Syllabus & Chapters

The complete syllabus for Carnatic Music — every chapter you need to study, and how the exam paper is structured.

What you will study (chapters)

Chapter 1: Fundamental Technical Terms and Meanings
Chapter 2: Sa, Re, Ga, Ma Notations and Common Symbols
Chapter 3: Raga Classification and the Scheme of 72 Melakarthas
Chapter 4: The 12 Chakras and the Katapayadi Formula
Chapter 5: Janyaragas and Ragalakshana
Chapter 6: Lakshanas of the 16 Prescribed Ragas
Chapter 7: Manodharmasangita and Its Forms
Chapter 8: Raga Alapana Paddhati, Kalpanasvaras and Dasavidhagamakas
Chapter 9: Scheme of 35 Talas
Chapter 10: Chaputala, Desadi and Madhayadi Talas
Chapter 11: Kriya, Anga, Laya, Gati, Matra and Shadangas
Chapter 12: Classification of Musical Forms
Chapter 13: Gita, Tanavarna and Padavarna
Chapter 14: Kriti, Ragamalika, Padam and Javali

Frequently asked questions

How many chapters are there in Carnatic Music?

The Carnatic Music syllabus has 14 chapters, listed in full above. Cover the high-weightage chapters first using the exam pattern as a guide.

How do I know which Carnatic Music chapters carry the most marks?

Compare the chapter list above with the exam pattern and the last few years of question papers — the topics that appear most often and the units with the highest marks are where to focus first. Always confirm weightage against the official syllabus for your exam year.

Has the Carnatic Music syllabus changed this year?

Boards occasionally revise the syllabus or remove topics for a session. Always download the official syllabus for your exact exam year from the official ICSE & ISC portal rather than relying on an older copy or a social-media list.

How can I prepare for Carnatic Music faster?

Begin with the most-frequently-asked topics and the last few years of question papers, then test yourself under timed conditions. If you want guided help, you can use the free AI study tutor for Carnatic Music — practise past-paper questions and get instant feedback — or a focused Carnatic Music study guide that condenses the syllabus into the topics that matter most — both are free to start.