If you’re exploring music exams in India—whether Hindustani or Carnatic music exams—you’ll find a structured pathway of singing exam levels designed to help students grow from beginner to advanced performers. These graded evaluations, each linked to a specific classical music exam name, test your vocal skills, theory knowledge, and stage readiness.
Common Singing Exam Levels in India (Hindustani & Carnatic)
- Prarambhik / Beginner Level
- Praveshika / Foundation Level
- Prathama / Level 1
- Madhyama / Level 2 (Lower)
- Madhyama Purna / Level 2 (Upper)
- Visharad Part 1 / Level 3 (Lower Diploma)
- Visharad Part 2 / Level 3 (Higher Diploma)
- Alankar / Advanced Diploma
- Sangeet Visharad (Professional Level)
- Sangeet Alankar / Post-Diploma (Expert Level)
These singing exam levels—offered by major boards like Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, Prayag Sangeet Samiti, and various Carnatic music exams—ensure steady progression in vocal technique, theory, and performance skills.
The Origins of Levels for Singing Exams
The origins of grades of singing exams can be traced back to the late 19th century UK, when Sir Alexander MacKenzie and Sir George Grove from two different Royal Music Academies expressed their wish to create a body to formalize levels for singing exams. The primary reason behind this was to curb the rampant corruption in the industry to certify singers of any caliber or no caliber at all, as long as the bribery amount was enough to fill the pockets of those in authority. The idea was to create a legitimate platform for students of music who could be graded fairly by honest examiners.
Associated Board of the Royal Schools for Music
The ABRSM is like the mother of all boards for music. You will find a lot of music schools in India with an affiliation to this board. Initially, the ABRSM only offered two certifications:
- Junior
- Senior
Gradually, it was further broken down to grades 1 to 8 to cater to the needs of younger musicians and singers. The argument was that, by the time the youngest vocalists were of sufficient age to test at those levels, they would have learned so many bad singing practices that they would fail or be disqualified from formal assessment. The ABRSM now has further divisions and has incorporated new exams. For example, the aural exam was developed more than 30 years after the initial conceptualization and the development of the testing scheme.
For Hindustani classical music, these grades are, of course, a little different based on the level of difficulty and the content of learning.
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Graded Music Exams at a Glance
The ABRSM lays down 8 different grades for assessing your singing capabilities. In India, especially in the context of Hindustani classical music, you will come across 7 different levels. There are two more advanced levels that anyone beyond the Visharad would have completed. These are discussed in the next section.
Music Examination Boards
Globally, there are three major examination boards to assess and evaluate your music skills.
- ABRSM
- Trinity College of Music
- London College of Music
All these colleges have affiliates in India, and you can take an exam right here in India and get certified from any of these colleges. You may also check out the top music schools in India for a degree or diploma in one or more forms of Eastern or Western classical music:
- Swarnabhoomi Music Academy
- Calcutta School of Music
- KM Music Conservatory
- Madras Music Academy
- Delhi School of Music
Expectations from Students
No matter which school you enroll in, as a student of music, you will be expected to,
- Perform 2 to 3 pieces or segments from approved lists with musical arrangement
- Sing at least one traditional music piece without musical arrangement
- Demonstrate sight-reading capability appropriate for their level
- Complete supplementary tests as recommended in each level
- Complete both theory and practical exams or viva voce.
Aim to get a distinction in each grade to catch the eye of suitable assessors and examiners. Your performance during the exam will be the main determinant of how many marks you score.
Here are some tips to effectively plan and prepare your singing exams.
Grades of Singing Exams in India
Music students often progress through structured singing exam levels offered by major boards conducting music exams in India, each identified by a specific classical music exam name. Whether you pursue Hindustani or Carnatic music exams, these graded levels help build technique, theory, and performance skills step by step.
Music and rhythm find their way into the secret places of the soul.
Plato
Levels for Singing Exams in India
Prarambhik / Beginner Level
Introduces students to basic swaras, simple alankars, and foundational voice training. Ideal for complete beginners to develop pitch accuracy and basic rhythm sense.
Praveshika / Foundation Level
Covers early-stage ragas, basic tala patterns, and simple compositions. Helps students build confidence in singing with correct pronunciation and clarity.
Prathama / Level 1
Introduces more structured ragas, light classical forms, and basic theory. Strengthens breath control, voice modulation, and understanding of swar placement.
Madhyama / Level 2 (Lower)
Focuses on intermediate ragas, detailed aalap, and improved tala precision. Students begin learning improvisation techniques and more complex compositions.
Madhyama Purna / Level 2 (Upper)
Adds advanced bandish, quicker taans, and deeper raga exploration. Refines vocal strength, tonal depth, and the ability to maintain long musical phrases.
Visharad Part 1 / Level 3 (Lower Diploma)
Equivalent to an undergraduate level in classical music. Emphasizes performance skills, advanced ragas, and theoretical understanding.
Visharad Part 2 / Level 3 (Higher Diploma)
Completes professional-level training with demanding ragas and improvisation. Students develop stage-ready proficiency and a strong command of vocal techniques.
Alankar / Advanced Diploma
A high-level qualification focusing on mastery of complex ragas and ornamentation. Ideal for those preparing for teaching, performing, or professional music careers.
Sangeet Visharad (Professional Level)
Recognizes deep classical training with an extensive raga repertoire. Students demonstrate polished performance ability and mature musical expression.
Sangeet Alankar / Post-Diploma (Expert Level)
The highest academic certification in most music boards. Focuses on research-level understanding, expert performance, and nuanced artistry.
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Singing Certifications in India
Now that you have a fair idea about the syllabus of classical music exams in India, you may also consider getting relevant diplomas or singing certifications in India. Such additions can add to your career options, and you can work as a piano teacher or with a theatre group, or simply teach music to help aspiring students fare well in their examinations.
Music can change the world.
Beethoven
Popular Institutes Offering Singing Certifications in India
You will be spoilt for choice when it comes to finding alternatives to or supplementing your classical musical degree of singing prowess. Here is a list of the top institutes in India that can help you with a singing certificate to further your career:
- Pandit Jasraj Institute for Music Research, Artistry, and Appreciation
- The Audiophile's School of Sound Engineering
- Urban Raaga
- Rabindra Bharati University
- Bhatkhande Sangeet Mahavidyalaya
You may wish to study sound engineering or aspire to become a vocalist, but you will have to have the basics in place and clear the different levels of singing exams and related music grades to get to where you wish to be.
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Useful information on indian classical music.