CBSE Class 12 Hindustani Melodic Instruments Syllabus 2026-27
The CBSE Class 12 Hindustani Melodic Instruments Syllabus for 2026-27 focuses on the holistic development of students through the study of Indian classical music. It aims to familiarize students with the rich history and diversity of Hindustani Instrumental Music, emphasizing the correct rendering of raga nuances through traditional Guru-Shishya pedagogy. The syllabus covers theoretical aspects including the study of musical terms like Gram, Murchhana, Alankar, Alap, and Tana, as well as embellishments like Gamak and Meend. It also delves into the historical development of Raga Time Theory, significant texts like Sangeet Ratnakar and Sangeet Parijat, and the contributions of renowned musicians. Students will learn prescribed Talas such as Jhaptala and Rupak, and critically study Ragas like Bhairav, Bageshri, and Malkauns. The practical component includes performing various Gats, Alaap, Jor, Jhala, and compositions, alongside tuning the instrument and reciting Talas. The assessment is divided into Theory (30 marks) and Practical (70 marks).
Quick info
| Board | CBSE |
|---|---|
| Class | 12 |
| Subject | Hindustan Melodic |
| Session | 2026-27 |
| Language | English |
| Type | Syllabus |
Syllabus PDF preview
Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.
Full document text
HINDUSTANI MUSIC – MELODIC INSTRUMENTS Subject Code - 035 Class - XII (2026-27)
Introduction
The course in Hindustani Melodic Instruments at Secondary and Senior Secondary level is being offered to students for the holistic development of their personality. Hindustani Instrumental Music, in coherence with Hindustani Music, has evolved as one of the finest and foremost solo Instrumental music around the globe today. Enriched with soulful acoustic sound and beautifully crafted features, these instruments have sound scientific background. Inheriting the concept of Ragas and Talas as the key features, Hindustani Music distinguishes itself from any other music in the world, representing India's unique and rich cultural heritage. It is one of the two major traditions of Indian Classical Music, the other being the Carnatic music. Hindustani Music developed in North India with roots tracking back to the Vedic period, and evolved significantly during the medieval era. Often known as a Raga Music, various musical forms have evolved over time in Hindustani music such as Dhrupad, Dhamar, Khayal, Tarana etc. Initially being accompanying instruments to these Vocal forms for centuries, various instruments such as Rudra, Veena, Surbahar, Sitar, Sarod, Sarangi, Santoor etc. have established themselves as solo instruments today. Under the process of refinement for decades, these instruments are fully capacitated to deliver the embellishments (meend, kan, khatka, gamak etc.) of notes, in accordance with the various moods of Indian Ragas.
Objectives
It is important to carry forward the rich heritage and tradition of Indian Classical Music to the next generation and to familiarize students with its rich history and diversity.
To ensure the correct rendering of nuances of Hindustani Ragas, pedagogical interventions involving the indigenous, traditional face-to-face Guru- Shishya (teacher – student) style are incorporated.
- Structures of various Hindustani musical forms such as Dhrupad, Dhamar, Khayal, Tarana, Razakhani and Maseetkhani gats in the raga music can be learnt properly through face to face teaching methodology.
Students not only learn a vital aspect of Indian culture, but also develop skills and qualities that benefit their overall growth and personality development.
Music is very closely associated with many Science and Arts disciplines. The aim is also to focus on making students aware of the interdisciplinary approaches in various musical concepts.
Learning Outcomes
Understanding the concepts of Indian Classical Music.
Ability to handle, and adopt the techniques of instrumental music on the instrument opted for
Proficiently performing raga delineation on the instrument opted for.
Understanding time cycles (talas), rhythmic patterns and layakaris.
Developing a scientific approach in all aspects, through the systematic training adopted during the teaching – learning process.
Understanding other disciplines and their relation to various aspects of Indian Classical Music.
HINDUSTANI MUSIC – MELODIC INSTRUMENTS Subject Code - 035 Class XII (2026-27)
<u>Assessment Design</u>
S.No Component Marks
Α Theory 30
В Practical 70
Curriculum & Examination Structure
- Theory
Max. Marks 30
Time: 02 hours
- Questions to be set with internal choice covering the entire syllabus.
No. Units Marks
Units 1 06
1.1 Brief study of the following Gram, Murchhana, Alankar, Alap, Tana. 1.2 Brief study of the following Gamak, Meend, Kan, krintan, Zamzama, Ghaseet, Sut. Unit 2 06
2.1 Historical development of Time Theory of Ragas Unit 3 06
3.1 Detail study of the following Sangeet Ratnakar Sangeet Parijat 3.2 Life sketch and Contribution of Inayat Khan, Mushtaq Ali Khan, Alauddin Khan. Unit 4 06
4.1 Description of Prescribed Talas along with Tala Notation with Thah, Dugun, Tigun and Chaugun prescribed Talas: Jhaptala, Rupak 4.2 Tuning of the Instrument opted for. Unit 5 06
5.1 Critical study of Prescribed Ragas along with Recognizing Ragas phrases of Swaras and elaborating them 5.2 Writing in Notation the Compositions of Prescribed Ragas: Bhairav, Bageshri, Malkauns
Max. Marks 70
(B) Practical
(i)Topics
- One Razakhani Gat in prescribed Ragas Bhairav Bageshri, Malkauns with simple elaborations, Todas and Jhala.
- One Masitkhani Gat in prescribed Ragas with simple elaborations and a few Todas.
- Alaap, Jor, Jhala in any one of the prescribed ragas with Ability to produce meend of minimum two swaras
- One composition in Ektala or in Jhaptala in any one of the prescribed ragas
- Ability to recite the kas of Jhaptal, Rupak with Dugun, keeping tala with hand beats.
- Ability to recognize the swaras of the prescribed Ragas sung or played by the examiner
- Tuning of instrument opted for.
(ii) Distribution of Marks
Time: 15-20 Minutes for each candidate
- External Examiners are requested to ask questions directly related to the syllabus.
- Marks should be awarded in accordance with the marking scheme.
S.No. Value Points Marks
- 2.
prescribed Ragas: <math>10+5=15</math>
- Bhairav
- Bageshri
- Malkauns
- prescribed Ragas 15
- 5. One composition in Ektala or in Jhaptala. 05
- Identifying the prescribed Ragas. 5+5=10
- Thah, Dugun and Chaugun:
- Jhaptala
- Rupak
- Practical File 05
- External Examiner will refer to the distribution of Marks while examining the candidate for Practical Examination.
Frequently asked questions
What is the weightage of Theory and Practical in the CBSE Class 12 Hindustani Melodic Instruments exam?
The assessment is divided into Theory with 30 marks and Practical with 70 marks.
Which Ragas are prescribed for detailed study in Class 12 Hindustani Melodic Instruments?
The prescribed Ragas for detailed study are Bhairav, Bageshri, and Malkauns.
What are the key theoretical concepts covered in the syllabus?
The syllabus covers concepts like Gram, Murchhana, Alankar, Alap, Tana, and embellishments like Gamak and Meend, along with the historical development of Raga Time Theory.
Which Talas are included in the syllabus for Class 12 Hindustani Melodic Instruments?
The prescribed Talas for description and notation are Jhaptala and Rupak.
What practical skills will students develop?
Students will develop skills in performing Razakhani and Masitkhani Gats, Alaap, Jor, Jhala, compositions in prescribed Talas, tuning their instrument, and reciting Talas with hand beats.
Are there any specific musicians whose contributions are studied?
Yes, the syllabus includes the life sketch and contribution of Inayat Khan, Mushtaq Ali Khan, and Alauddin Khan.
What is the duration for the Theory paper?
The Theory paper is of 2 hours duration.
CBSE Class 12 Hindustan Melodic syllabus 2026-27. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.