The CUET PG Karnatak Music (Vocal / Instrumental) question paper (code HUQP12) has 75 multiple-choice questions in 90 minutes, +4 for a right answer, -1 for a wrong one, 0 if left out. NTA sets it on the graduation-level syllabus of the subject, as NTA published it. Every unit of the official syllabus PDF is below with its topics (12 units, 11 topics).
CUET PG Karnatak Music (Vocal / Instrumental) at a glance
| Paper code | HUQP12 |
|---|---|
| Group | Humanities and arts (HUQP) |
| Questions | 75, all compulsory |
| Marks | 300 (4 per question) |
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Marking | +4 for a right answer, -1 for a wrong one, 0 if left out |
| Medium | English and Hindi (bilingual) |
| Based on | The graduation-level syllabus of the subject, as NTA published it |
| Official syllabus PDF | Download the official PDFPDF |
CUET PG Karnatak Music (Vocal / Instrumental) syllabus: units and topics
Unit 1 Prescribed Ragas
Shankarabharanam, Mohanam, Bilahari, Kharaharapriya, Pantuvarali, Kalyani, Kedaragowla, Keeravani, Anandabhairavi. Arabhi, Vasantha, Abhogi, Hamsadhvani, Shanmukhapriya, Purvikalyani, Simhendra madhyamam, Kanada, Sudha Saveri, Bhairavi, Saveri, Kambhoji, Madhyamavati, Suddhadhanyasi, Purvikalyani, Todi, Dhanyasi, Goula, Varali, Natakuranji, Hindolam, Darbar, Chenjurutti, Malayamarutam, Atana, Sourashtram, Devagandhari, Surati, Sahana, Nilambari, Asaveri, Nadanamakriya, Mayamalavagoula, Valaji, Poornachandrika, Yadukulakamboji, Revagupti
Definition and brief explanation of a) Nada – Ahata and Anahata Nada, Varieties in Ahata Nada b) Sruti – Nyuna, Pramana & Purnasruti c) Swara – Prakriti and Vikriti swaras, swarasthanas, d) Vadi, Samvadi, Anuvadi, Vivadi e) Tala, Laya, Kalapramana
Theoretical and comparative knowledge of prescribed ragas and talas a) Raga classification – Janaka, Janya system, scheme of 72 melakarta, Varja & Vakra, Bhashanga, Upanga, Panchamantya, Daivatantya, Nishadantya b) Scheme of 35 talas, Suladi Sapta Talas, Chaputala and its varieties, Shadangas, Desadi and
Madhyadi talas
Unit 2 Knowledge of Notation
- Classification of musical instruments in general and Construction, tuning and playing techniques of Tambura, Vina, Violin and Mridangam
- Gamakas:– Panchadasa and Dasavidha gamakas, Alankaras and its varieties, Kaku and its varieties
Unit 3 Physics of Sound:- Explanation of Melody, Polyphony, Harmony, Acoustics, Pitch, Intensity,
- Timbre
Unit 4 Patronage of Music:- Kings, Chieftains, Zamindars, Sabhas, Mass media, Govt. & Corporate
Unit 5 Raga Classification from Ancient, medieval to modern times
Unit 6 Musical forms figuring in Abhyasa gana and Sabha gana:- Geetam, Swarajati, Varnam,
- Kriti, Kirtana, Padam, Javali, Tillana, Ragam-Tanam-Pallavi
Unit 7 Detailed study of Kalpita Sangeeta and branches of Manodharma Sangita, Folk music
Unit 8 Knowledge of ancient Tamil Music:- Paalai, Pann, Instruments
Unit 9 Lakshana Granthas:- Natyasastra, Brihaddesi, Sangita Ratnakara, Swaramela Kalanidhi,
- Chaturdandi Prakasika, Sangita Sampradaya Pradarshini, Chilappadhikaram
Unit 10 Life and contribution of the following Musicians of Karnatak Music
Tyagaraja, Muthuswamy Dikshitar, Shyama Shastri Annamacharya, Kshetrajna, Narayanatirthar, Patnam SubramanyaIyer, Poochi Srinivasa Iyengar, Arunachala Kavirayar, Gopala Krishna Bharati, Jayadeva, Purandara Dasa, Annamacharya, Bhadrachala Ramadasa, NarayanaTirtha, Swati Thirunal, Paidala Gurumurty Shastri, Pachimirium Adiyappaiah, Arunachala Kavirayar, Mahavaidyanatha Iyer, Malaikkottai Govindaswamy Pillai, Tirukkodi Kaval Krishna Iyer, Mysore Doraiswamy Iyengar, S Balachander, Gopala Naik, Vina Dhanamal, Mysore Vasudevachar, Karaikkudi Sambasiva Iyer, Vina Kuppayar, Chengalvaraya Sastri, Kavi Kunjarabharati, Ghanam Krishna Iyer, Subbaraya Shastri, Papanasam Sivan, Parur Sundaram Iyer, Mysore Chowdiah, Emani Shankar Shastri, Atoor Krishna Pisharoti, Tirupathy Narayana Swamy, Pattabhiramayya, Mysore Sadasiva Rao
Unit 11 Life and contribution of the following Musicians of Hindustani Music: Swami Haridas,
- Tansen, Amir Khusrau, Bhatkhande, Vishnu Digambar Paluskar
Unit 12 Life and contribution of Musicians of Western Music: Bach, Beethoven, Mozart
Read from the official PDF on 9 November 2026 · Official syllabus PDF · NTA
CUET PG Karnatak Music (Vocal / Instrumental): Previous year question papers
NTA has not published a CUET PG question paper of Karnatak Music (Vocal / Instrumental) as a PDF yet. The final answer keys of every year, and the papers of the subjects NTA did publish, are on the CUET PG question papers page.
See the colleges your score reaches: CUET college predictor (DU CSAS 2026 data)
