Hindustani Music — Syllabus & Chapters

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

What you will study (chapters)

Chapter 1: Music Theory Terms and Concepts
Chapter 2: Swara, Jati, Laya, Varna and Forms of Geet
Chapter 3: Raga Description and Identification
Chapter 4: Taal Description and Notation
Chapter 5: Bhatkhande Notation for Vocal Forms
Chapter 6: Tansen and Pt. V.N. Bhatkhande
Chapter 7: Instrumental Music Theory Terms and Concepts
Chapter 8: Swara, Jati, Laya, Varna and Forms of Gat
Chapter 9: Raga Description and Identification
Chapter 10: Taal Description and Notation
Chapter 11: Bhatkhande Notation for Razakhani Gat
Chapter 12: Tansen and Pt. V.N. Bhatkhande
Chapter 13: Tabla Terms and Concepts
Chapter 14: Laya, Layakari and Development of Tabla
Chapter 15: Taal Notation and Theka Development
Chapter 16: Basic Knowledge of Sangeet, Swara and Saptak

Frequently asked questions

How many chapters are there in Hindustani Music?

The Hindustani Music syllabus has 16 chapters, listed in full above. Cover the high-weightage chapters first using the exam pattern as a guide.

How do I know which Hindustani 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 Hindustani 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 Hindustani 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 Hindustani Music — practise past-paper questions and get instant feedback — or a focused Hindustani Music study guide that condenses the syllabus into the topics that matter most — both are free to start.