Indian Music (Hindustani) — Syllabus & Chapters

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

What you will study (chapters)

Chapter 1: Indian Music (Hindustani) Course Options: Vocal, Instrumental, and Tabla
Chapter 2: Theory Paper and Practical Paper Assessment
Chapter 3: Introduction to Musical Terms
Chapter 4: Forms of Composition: Khayal
Chapter 5: Introduction to Ragas: Yaman, Bhupali, Khamaj, Bhairav, and Desh
Chapter 6: Taal and Taal-lipi: Teentaal, Dadra, Kaharwa, and Jhaptaal
Chapter 7: Swarlipi of Chota Khayal
Chapter 8: Eminent Musicians of Hindustani Music
Chapter 9: Topics of General Interest Related to Music
Chapter 10: Chota Khayal Demonstration with Five Taans
Chapter 11: Taal Recitation with Padhant in Thah, Dugun, and Chaugun
Chapter 12: Five Alankars and Devotional or Folk Song
Chapter 13: Introduction to Musical Terms
Chapter 14: Types and Techniques of String Instruments
Chapter 15: Introduction to Ragas: Yaman, Bhupali, Khamaj, Bhairav, and Desh
Chapter 16: Taal and Taal-lipi: Teentaal, Dadra, Kaharwa, and Jhaptaal
Chapter 17: Swarlipi of Razakhani or Drut Gat
Chapter 18: Eminent Musicians of Hindustani Music
Chapter 19: Topics of General Interest Related to Music
Chapter 20: Razakhani or Drut Gat Demonstration with Five Todas
Chapter 21: Taal Recitation with Padhant in Thah, Dugun, and Chaugun
Chapter 22: Five Alankars and Dhun Performance
Chapter 23: Eminent Musicians of Hindustani Music
Chapter 24: Terms Related to Tabla
Chapter 25: Taal and Taal-lipi: Teentaal, Ektaal, Chaartaal, Rupak, and Tivra
Chapter 26: Five Pranas of Taal
Chapter 27: Syllables of Tabla
Chapter 28: Topics of General Interest Related to Music
Chapter 29: Tabla Talas in Thah, Dugun, and Chaugun Layakari
Chapter 30: Tabla Compositions with Wazan of Taal
Chapter 31: Identification and Production of Tabla Syllables
Chapter 32: Tabla Accompaniment and Knowledge of Lehra

Frequently asked questions

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

The Indian Music (Hindustani) syllabus has 32 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 (Hindustani) 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 (Hindustani) 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 (Hindustani) 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 (Hindustani) — practise past-paper questions and get instant feedback — or a focused Indian Music (Hindustani) study guide that condenses the syllabus into the topics that matter most — both are free to start.