Indian Music (Carnatic) — Syllabus & Chapters

The complete syllabus for Indian Music (Carnatic) — 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 Notation and Common Symbols
Chapter 3: Raga Classification and the 72 Melakarta Scheme
Chapter 4: Katapayadi Formula and the 12 Chakras
Chapter 5: Lakshanas of the Prescribed 24 Ragas
Chapter 6: Raga Alapana Development
Chapter 7: Kalpana Swaras and Manodharma Forms
Chapter 8: Dasavida Gamakas
Chapter 9: Scheme of the 35 Talas
Chapter 10: Chapu Tala, Desadi Tala and Madyadi Tala
Chapter 11: Kriya, Anga, Laya, Gati, Matra and Shadangas
Chapter 12: Gita, Tana Varna, Padavarna and Kriti
Chapter 13: Ragamalika, Padam, Javali and Tillana
Chapter 14: Composers and Theorists of Carnatic Music
Chapter 15: Classification of Musical Instruments
Chapter 16: Structure and Tuning of Vina, Violin, Tampura, Gottuvadyam and Flute
Chapter 17: Musical Sound, Voice, Intervals and Grahabhedam
Chapter 18: Prescribed Compositions in Carnatic Ragas
Chapter 19: Padas, Ragamalika, Tillanas and Javalis
Chapter 20: Alapana of Prescribed Ragas
Chapter 21: Kalpana Swara, Notation, Swara Recognition and Raga Recognition
Chapter 22: Tala Recognition, Ear Tests, Sight-Singing and Musical Dictation
Chapter 23: Vocal and Instrumental Practical Presentation

Frequently asked questions

How many chapters are there in Indian Music (Carnatic)?

The Indian Music (Carnatic) syllabus has 23 chapters, listed in full above. Cover the high-weightage chapters first using the exam pattern as a guide.

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