ISC Music 2026
ISC Music 2026
Aims:
One of the three following syllabuses may be
offered:
1. To encourage creative expression in music.
2. To develop the powers of musical appreciation. (A) Indian Music (Hindustani) (872).
(B) Indian Music (Carnatic) (873).
(C) Western Music (874).
The Syllabus is divided into three parts: PAPER 2: PRACTICAL (30 Marks)
Part 1 (Vocal), The practical work is to be evaluated by the teacher
and a Visiting Practical Examiner appointed locally
Part 2 (Instrumental) and
and approved by CISCE.
Part 3 (Tabla)
EVALUATION:
Candidates will be required to offer one of the parts
Marks will be distributed as follows:
of the syllabus.
• Practical Examination: 20 Marks
There will be two papers:
• Evaluation by Visiting Practical 5 Marks
Paper 1: Theory 3 hours ….. 70 marks
Examiner:
Paper 2: Practical ….. 30 marks.
(General impression of total
Candidates will be required to appear for both the performance in the Practical
papers from one part only. Examination: accuracy of Shruti
and Laya, confidence, posture,
PAPER 1: THEORY (70 Marks)
tonal quality and expression)
Candidates will be required to attempt questions on • Evaluation by the Teacher: 5 Marks
either Part 1: Vocal Music or Part 2: Instrumental (of work done by the candidate
Music or Part 3: Instrumental Music Percussion during the year).
(Tabla).
NOTE: Evaluation of Practical Work for Class XI
is to be done by the Internal Examiner.
297
CLASS XI
PART 1: VOCAL MUSIC
PAPER 1: THEORY (70 Marks) The above Ragas with special reference to their
notes Thaat, Jaati, Aaroh, Avaroh, Pakad, Vadi,
1. Introduction to Musical Terms Samvadi, Anuvadi, Vivadi, Varjya, Vikrit,
(i) Dhwani Singing/Playing Time with examples.
Meaning, origin, types (Naad and
Kolahal/noise). 4. Taal and Taal-lipi
(ii) Shruti Notation of the following ‘Talas’: Teentaal,
Dadra, Kaharwa, Jhaptaal.
Meaning and origin.
The above Talas with their Thekas, Tali, Khali,
(iii) Swar
Vibhag in Thah, dugun and chaugun laya.
Meaning of Swar and types {Shudha,
Vikrit (Tivra, Komal) Vadi, Samvadi, 5. Swarlipi of Chota Khayal
Anuvadi, Vivadi, Varjya, Vakra, Grah, Ansh,
Nyas: Meaning with examples}. Notation of the following Ragas: Yaman,
Bhupali, Khamaj, Bhairav, Desh
(iv) Saptak
Sthai and antara with the mention of the name of
Meaning and types (Mandra, Madhya and
the Raga (with its Aaroh, Avaroh) and Taal with
Taar) with symbol.
clear indication of Swar and Taal signs.
(v) Thaat
Meaning, types, rules, number and names 6. Eminent Musicians of Hindustani Music
with examples in Bhatkhande system. The following musicians to be studied: Vishnu
(vi) Raga Narayan Bhatkhande, Vishnu Digambar
(a) Meaning of Raga; Types (Janak, Janya- Paluskar.
Meaning with examples). Life sketch, work and achievements.
(b) Jati of Raga (Odava, Shadava and
Sampoorna -Meaning and their nine 7. Topics of general interest related to Music
Upjatis).
Essay type questions of about 200 words will be
(vii) Varna asked on the above.
Meaning and types with examples (Sthayi,
Aarohi, Avarohi and Sanchari).
PAPER 2: PRACTICAL (30 Marks)
1. Demonstration of the following Ragas by singing
(viii) Alankar
Chota Khayal with five Taans:
Meaning and example in Shudh Swar.
(i)Yaman (ii) Bhupali (iii) Khamaj (iv) Bhairav
(ix) Taal (v) Desh
Meaning and examples of Matra, Tali, Khali,
Vibhag, Sam, Theka, Aavartan, Thah 2. Recitation of the following Talas in Thah, Dugun
(Ekgun), Dugun and Chaugun. and Chaugun. Laya showing various divisions by
Tali and Khali with hand gestures (Padhant):
2. Forms of Composition (i) Teentaal
(ii) Dadra
Khayal (Bada Khayal and Chhota Khayal)
(iii) Kaharwa
Origin, meaning, characteristics and (iv) Jhaptaal
comparative study.
3. Singing five Alankars.
3. Introduction to Ragas 4. Singing of a devotional or folk song of the
Yaman, Bhupali, Khamaj, Bhairav, Desh. candidate’s choice.
298
PART 2: INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
299
PART 3: INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC-PERCUSSION (TABLA)
1. Eminent Musicians of Hindustani Music 1. Playing the following Talas on Tabla in Thah
Dugun and Chaugun Layakari:
The following musicians to be studied: Vishnu
Narayan Bhatkhande, Vishnu Digambar (i) Teentaal
Paluskar. (ii) Ektaal
Life sketch, work and achievements of the above. (iii) Chaartaal
(iv) Rupak
2. Terms related to Tabla
(v) Tivra
Theka, Avartan, Kism, Tukda, Mukhda, Mohra,
Uthaan, Paran, Peshkara. 2. Keeping the Wazan of the Taal intact,
Meaning and examples of the above. demonstration of the following:
3. Taal and Taal-lipi (i) One Peshkara, One Uthaan, One Kayada with
four Paltas and Tihai in Teentaal.
Teentaal, Ektaal, Chaartaal, Rupak, Tivra.
Complete notation of the above Talas with their (ii) One Tihai in Teentaal.
Thekas, Tali, Khali, Vibhag in Thah, Dugun and (iii) One Paran in Chaartaal
Chaugun Laya and their characteristics.
(iv) One Tukda in Ektaal
4. Five Pranas of Taal
Kaal, Marg, Kriya, Ang, Kala. (v) One Kism each in Rupak and Tivra
300
CLASS XII
PART I: VOCAL MUSIC
Definition of Laya and its types: Vilambit, 13. Brief History and knowledge of Tanpura
Madhya and Drut.
Drawing and labelling with description and
tuning.
301
PAPER 2: PRACTICAL (30 Marks) 2. Singing of one Vilambit Khayal in any of the
The practical work is to be assessed by the teacher Ragas in Point 1.
and a Visiting Examiner appointed locally and 3. Identification of all the Ragas by listening to their
approved by CISCE. Alaap.
1. Demonstration of the following Raga by singing 4. Singing of Ten Alankars in Shudh Swar.
"Chota Khayal" with Alap, and five Taans:
5. Recitation of the following Talas in Dugun and
(i) Bihag (ii) Bageshwari (iii) Kafi (iv) Bhairvi. Chaugun Laya:
(v) Malkauns (i) Chaartaal (ii) Dhamar (iii) Ektaal (iv) Roopak
302
8. Notation of Talas 12. Topics of general interest related to Music.
Dhamar, Ektaal, Roopak, Chartaal Essay type questions of about 200 words will be
The above Taal with their Thekas, Tali, Khali, asked on the above.
Vibhag in Thah, Dugun, Tigun and Chaugun
Laya. 13. Brief History and knowledge of your
instrument
9. Notation of Bandish (Maseetkhani and Drawing and labelling with description and
Razakhani) tuning.
Sthai and antara with the mention of the name of
the raga (with its aaroh, avaroh) and taal with PAPER 2: PRACTICAL (30 Marks)
clear indication of Swar and Taal signs and bols The practical work is to be assessed by the teacher
of Gat. and a Visiting Examiner appointed locally and
Note: Razakhani in all Raga and One approved by CISCE.
Maseetkhani of the candidate’s choice from the
1. Demonstration of the following Ragas by playing
Raga: Bihag, Bageshwari, Kafi, Bhairavi,
Razakhani/Drut Gat with five Todas and Jhala:
Malkauns.
(i) Bihag (ii) Bageshwari (iii) Kafi (iv) Bhairavi
10. Classification of Indian Musical Instruments (v) Malkauns
Tat -Vitat, Sushir, Avnada, Ghan. 2. Playing of one Maseetkhani Gat in any of the
Ragas in point 1.
Explanation of the above with examples.
3. Identification of all the Ragas by listening to their
11. Eminent Musicians of Hindustani Music Alaap.
The following musicians to be studied: 4. Playing of ten Alankars in Shudh Swar.
Pt. Ravi Shankar, Pt. Bhimsen Joshi. 5. Recitation of the following Taal in Dugun and
Life sketch, work and achievements of the above. Chaugun Laya:
(i) Chaartaal (ii) Dhamar (iii) Ektaal
(iv) Roopak
303
7. Method of presentation PAPER 2: PRACTICAL (30 Marks)
Solo (Ekal) and accompaniment (Sangat). 1. The practical work is to be assessed by the
teacher and a Visiting Examiner appointed
Meaning, Solo presentation (order of
locally and approved by CISCE.
performance); Playing technique while
accompanying with vocal and instrumental Playing of the following Talas on Tabla in Thah,
music. Dugun and Chaugun Layakari:
8. Eminent Musicians of Hindustani Music (i) Jhaptaal (ii) Dadra (iii)Teentaal (iv) Dhamar
(v) Jhoomra (vi) Kaharwa
The following musicians to be studied:
Pt. Kishan Maharaj, Ustad Ahmad Jaan Thirakwa 2. Keeping the Wazan of the Taal intact
Life sketch, work and achievements demonstration of the following:
(i) Four Kism in Kaharwa.
9. Topics of general interest related to Music (ii) Four Kism in Dadra.
Essay type question of about 200 words will be (iii) One Tukada, two Kism and one Kayada with
asked on the above. two paltas and Tihai in Jhaptal.
(iv) One Gat, One Laggi, One Ladi, one
Chakkardar Tukda and Paran, one Kayada
with two paltas and Tihai in Teentaal.
3. Accompaniment of Tabla (only Thekas) with
music played or sung.
305
2. Alapana of the following ragas Vina, Gottuvadyam, Violin, Balakokil, Flute or
1. Todi 2. Saveri Nagasvaram. A vocal candidate shall sing to the
sruti accompaniment of Tambura. A vocal
3. Bhairavi 4. Anandha Bhairavi candidate may sing playing the Tambura
5. Mohana 6. Kedaragoula himself/herself or he/she may utilise the services
of another person to provide the Tambura
7. Kambhoji 8. Yadukula Kambhoji accompaniment for him/her, provided this other
person is not a candidate for this same
9. Sankarabharana 10. Begada
examination.
11. Kalyani
3. Ability EVALUATION:
(i) to sing Kalpada swara for the songs learnt in The practical work is to be evaluated by the teacher
Todi, Bhairavi, Kambhoji, Sankarabharana and a Visiting Practical Examiner appointed locally
and Kalyani ragas and in Adi and Rupaka and approved by CISCE.
talas; (Note: For Class XI, Evaluation of Practical is to be
(ii) to sing or play a given musical passage in sa, done by the Internal Examiner.)
re, ga, ma notation in any of the prescribed
Marks will be distributed as follows:
24 ragas.
• Practical Examination: 20 Marks
(iii) to give swaras for musical phrases sung or
played; • Evaluation by Visiting Practical 5 Marks
(iv) to recognise ragas from alpanas heard or Examiner:
played; and (of candidate’s overall performance
(v) to recognise the talas of unfamiliar songs in the Practical Examination, based
heard or played. on sruthy, laya, tonal quality,
expression and music performance)
4. In addition to the individual tests there will also
be common ear tests, sight-singing tests and • Evaluation by the Teacher: 5 Marks
musical dictation at the practical examination. (of work done by the candidate
In the practical examination, candidates may throughout the year.)
offer vocal music or one of the following:
306
(C) WESTERN MUSIC (874)
(May not be taken with Hindustani Music or Carnatic Music)
CLASSES XI & XII
307
key. Three examples will be given, each starting EVALUATION:
from the same tonic key, and containing one The practical work is to be evaluated by the teacher
modulation only. Modulations will be limited to and a Visiting Practical Examiner appointed locally
the dominant, sub-dominant, and relative major and approved by CISCE.
or minor keys. After the key has been named and (Note: For Class XI, Evaluation of Practical is to be
the tonic chord has been sounded, each of the done by the Internal Examiner.)
three examples will be played through twice.
Marks will be distributed as follows:
The test will not necessarily contain examples of • Practical Examination: 20 Marks
modulations of three different keys; the same
keys recur. • Evaluation by Visiting Practical 5 Marks
Examiner:
A candidate will be at liberty to write down his (of candidate’s Aural skills,
answers to a particular test at any stage. presentation of written work and
overall confidence of the
candidate in the Practical
Examination)
• Evaluation by the Teacher: 5 Marks
(of work done by the candidate
during the year)
308