Free Practice Questions for Karnataka II PUC Hindustani Music (KSEAB)

Exam-style questions and explanations by OpenExamPrep.

✓ No registration✓ No credit card

100+ Questions

100% Free

Loading practice questions...

Same family resources

Explore More Karnataka KSEAB II PUC Subjects

Continue into nearby exams from the same family. Each card keeps practice questions, study guides, flashcards, videos, and articles in one place.

Exam Review

Key Facts: Karnataka II PUC Hindustani Music (KSEAB) Exam

Code 26

Official subject code for II PUC Hindustani Music

KSEAB / DPUE Hindustani Music blueprint & MQP hub

Theory + practical

Official assessment includes written theory and essential performance evidence

KSEAB II PUC Music assessment pattern

~35%

Commonly reported overall pass threshold (confirm circular)

KSEAB II PUC pass criteria reporting

Mixed + performance

Official format is mixed written theory plus practical/performance, not pure MCQ

KSEAB II PUC Hindustani Music assessment pattern

Ten thaats

Bhatkhande parent-scale system taught in PUC Hindustani theory

Standard Hindustani school pedagogy / KSEAB theory materials

English MCQ adaptation

This free local bank is theory revision only — not a performance substitute

OpenExamPrep practice policy

KSEAB II PUC Hindustani Music (code 26) is a Class 12 board subject with written theory plus essential practical/performance. Pass is commonly ~35% overall (careful wording) as notified. Fees are paid through colleges. This free 2026 bank is an English MCQ theory adaptation — not an official paper or performance exam.

Sample Karnataka II PUC Hindustani Music (KSEAB) Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Karnataka II PUC Hindustani Music (KSEAB) exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1In Hindustani music theory, the complete set of seven basic swaras (Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni) is called a:

A.Bandish

B.Theka

C.Saptak

D.Tala

Explanation: Saptak literally means a group of seven and names the octave-like span of the seven basic swaras taught throughout secondary and PUC Hindustani theory.

2Which pair of swaras is traditionally treated as achal (fixed) relative to the tonic in school-level Hindustani teaching?

A.Re and Ga

B.Sa and Pa

C.Ma and Ni

D.Dha and Ni

Explanation: Shadja (Sa) and Pancham (Pa) are the classic achal swaras; Re, Ga, Ma, Dha, and Ni take variable (komal/teevra) forms in common PUC pedagogy.

3In standard Hindustani terminology, a komal swara is:

A.Lowered (flattened) relative to its shuddha form

B.Raised a full tone above teevra Ma by definition only

C.Always identical to Western sharp notation only

D.A percussion stroke name on the tabla

Explanation: Komal means flattened relative to the natural (shuddha) form—applied to Re, Ga, Dha, and Ni in common Class 12 teaching.

4Teevra Ma refers to which alteration?

A.The flattened form of shadja

B.A type of drone string only

C.The raised (sharpened) form of madhyam

D.A 16-matra tala

Explanation: Teevra Ma is the raised (sharpened) madhyam—central to ragas such as Yaman that use Kalyan-type scales.

5The three common saptak registers in Hindustani theory, from low to high pitch, are:

A.Vilambit, madhya, drut

B.Mandara, madhya, taar

C.Sthayi, antara, sanchari

D.Audav, shadav, sampurna

Explanation: Mandara (lower), madhya (middle), and taar (upper) name the three common pitch registers of the saptak in school and PUC teaching.

6Shuddha swaras are best described as:

A.Only percussion bols of Teental

B.The natural (unaltered) forms of the seven basic notes relative to the tonic system taught in class

C.Any note played only on the shehnai

D.Notes that can never appear in a raga pakad

Explanation: Shuddha denotes the natural forms of the swaras against which komal and teevra variants are defined in school pedagogy.

7Vikrit swaras in common PUC teaching refer to:

A.Only Sa and Pa when they are held longer

B.Swara forms altered from shuddha—typically komal Re/Ga/Dha/Ni and teevra Ma

C.Any note written only in Western staff notation

D.Tabla strokes on the bayan only

Explanation: Vikrit (altered) swaras are the non-shuddha variants: komal Re, Ga, Dha, Ni and teevra Ma in standard secondary/PUC frameworks.

8In classical Indian music theory as taught at PUC level, a shruti is best understood as:

A.A 16-matra tala cycle

B.A microtonal pitch interval finer than the common swara step used in traditional pitch theory

C.A type of bandish section only

D.A gharana’s exclusive percussion bol set

Explanation: Shruti denotes subtle pitch gradations (classically counted as 22 in traditional theory) finer than the seven named swaras—an aesthetics/theory concept, not a tala or form name.

9Alankar in Hindustani practice primarily means:

A.A fixed raga pakad only

B.Ornamental/patterned note exercises that train voice or instrument technique and swara fluency

C.The drone-only part of a concert

D.A tala with seven matras only

Explanation: Alankar are patterned swara exercises (and ornamental training patterns) used in riyaaz to build accuracy, speed, and phrase fluency.

10Singing or playing a melody using note names Sa, Re, Ga… rather than lyrics is called:

A.Tarana

B.Sargam

C.Theka

D.Nom-tom

Explanation: Sargam is the solmization practice of rendering music with swara syllables (Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni).

About the Karnataka II PUC Hindustani Music (KSEAB) Exam

Karnataka II PUC Hindustani Music is the Class 12 Pre-University public examination Hindustani Music paper under the Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB), subject code 26. It assesses DPUE/KSEAB II PUC Hindustani Music theory and essential practical/performance: swara, saptak, and alankar; Bhatkhande thaat system and raga grammar; major Class 12 ragas (including Yaman, Bhairav, Bhairavi, Kafi, Bihag, Malkauns, Bageshri, Desh); tala and laya; bandish presentation with aalap and taan; forms such as dhrupad, khyal, thumri, and tarana; instrument classification and landmark artists/gharanas; and notation, history, and aesthetics. Official assessment is mixed written theory plus practical/performance. Fees and exact blueprints are notified by KSEAB / DPUE (kseab.karnataka.gov.in; dpue-exam.karnataka.gov.in). Pass marks are commonly described near ~35% overall with separate floors as notified. The 100 questions on this page are a free English-language multiple-choice theory study adaptation with explanations; they are not a full simulation of the official mixed theory paper or a substitute for riyaaz and practical/performance evidence.

Exam sponsor: Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Official KSEAB II PUC Hindustani Music (subject code 26) is assessed as written theory plus essential practical/performance under the Karnataka Pre-University public examination. Theory is a mixed written paper (not pure MCQ) with item types and marks per the KSEAB/DPUE Hindustani Music blueprint and model question paper hub for the year. English and Kannada media may be available as notified. Exact theory–practical splits and attempt rules are as published for the year — confirm circulars on kseab.karnataka.gov.in and dpue-exam.karnataka.gov.in. This practice bank is an English-language MCQ study adaptation covering swara–saptak–alankar, thaat–raga grammar, major PUC-level ragas (Yaman, Bhairav, Bhairavi, Kafi, Bihag, Malkauns, Bageshri, Desh, and related), tala–laya, bandish/aalap/taan and forms (dhrupad, khyal, thumri, tarana), instruments and gharana/artists, plus notation, history, and aesthetics; it does not simulate official attempt limits, long written answers, notation writing under exam conditions, or practical/performance examinations.

Time Limit

As scheduled on the official KSEAB II PUC timetable for the sitting (confirm admit card). Practical/performance follows separate college/centre schedules.

Passing Score

Commonly reported as about 35% overall in the subject, with separate theory and practical/performance minima as notified (about a 30–35% careful range depending on circular wording); verify the current pass criteria for your examination year.

Exam / Certification Fees

As notified by KSEAB and paid through PU colleges for regular II PUC sittings (no single fixed public subject fee for all categories).

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

~14% of this local bank

Swara, Saptak & Alankar

Seven swaras, achal Sa–Pa, komal/teevra, three saptak registers, sargam, shruti/nada, varna ideas, and alankar patterns used in Class 12 theory drills.

~18% of this local bank

Thaat & Raga Grammar

Ten Bhatkhande thaats, aroha–avaroha, pakad, vadi–samvadi, jaati, chalan, nyasa, poorvang–uttarang, and samay associations.

~16% of this local bank

Major Ragas (PUC Level)

Yaman, Bhairav, Bhairavi, Kafi, Bihag, Malkauns, Bageshri, Desh — notes, jaati, characteristic phrases, and performance-time ideas.

~18% of this local bank

Tala & Laya

Matra, sam, tali–khali, theka, avartan, tihai; Teental, Ektal, Dadra, Keharwa, Rupak, Jhaptal; vilambit–drut and dugun/tigun concepts.

~12% of this local bank

Bandish & Forms

Bandish sections, aalap, taan, ornaments (meend, gamak), and dhrupad/khyal/thumri/tarana presentation ideas.

~14% of this local bank

Instruments, Gharana & Artists

Fourfold instrument classification, key instruments, gharana concept, and landmark vocal/instrumental artists.

~8% of this local bank

Notation, History & Aesthetics

Notation literacy, Hindustani–Carnatic basics, nada/rasa aesthetics, major reformers, and theory-plus-practical study strategy.

Preparing for the Karnataka II PUC Hindustani Music (KSEAB) Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Commonly reported as about 35% overall in the subject, with separate theory and practical/performance minima as notified (about a 30–35% careful range depending on circular wording); verify the current pass criteria for your examination year.
Assessment: Official KSEAB II PUC Hindustani Music (subject code 26) is assessed as written theory plus essential practical/performance under the Karnataka Pre-University public examination. Theory is a mixed written paper (not pure MCQ) with item types and marks per the KSEAB/DPUE Hindustani Music blueprint and model question paper hub for the year. English and Kannada media may be available as notified. Exact theory–practical splits and attempt rules are as published for the year — confirm circulars on kseab.karnataka.gov.in and dpue-exam.karnataka.gov.in. This practice bank is an English-language MCQ study adaptation covering swara–saptak–alankar, thaat–raga grammar, major PUC-level ragas (Yaman, Bhairav, Bhairavi, Kafi, Bihag, Malkauns, Bageshri, Desh, and related), tala–laya, bandish/aalap/taan and forms (dhrupad, khyal, thumri, tarana), instruments and gharana/artists, plus notation, history, and aesthetics; it does not simulate official attempt limits, long written answers, notation writing under exam conditions, or practical/performance examinations.
Time limit: As scheduled on the official KSEAB II PUC timetable for the sitting (confirm admit card). Practical/performance follows separate college/centre schedules.
Exam / certification fees: As notified by KSEAB and paid through PU colleges for regular II PUC sittings (no single fixed public subject fee for all categories). Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

Work through all 100 available questions
Review every answer and explanation
Track weak areas and revisit them
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Karnataka II PUC Hindustani Music (KSEAB): Suggested Study Strategy

1Draw aroha–avaroha charts and mark vadi–samvadi and pakad for Yaman, Bhairav, Bhairavi, Kafi, Bihag, Malkauns, Bageshri, and Desh.

2Clap and count Teental (16), Ektal (12), Dadra (6), Keharwa (8), Rupak (7), and Jhaptal (10) until matra, vibhag, and sam are automatic.

3Memorize the ten Bhatkhande thaats and map each major PUC raga to its parent thaat and jaati.

4Use the four instrument families (Tata, Sushira, Avanaddha, Ghana) as a memory scaffold; drill artist–instrument pairs (Ravi Shankar–sitar, Bismillah Khan–shehnai, Amjad Ali Khan–sarod, Zakir Hussain–tabla).

5Practise alankar and sargam daily, then connect patterns to aalap, bandish lines, and taans; pair every MCQ set with practical riyaaz.

6Write short definitions of dhrupad, khyal, thumri, and tarana with typical tala associations for board-style 2–5 mark answers.

7After concept checks, work official KSEAB/DPUE Hindustani Music (code 26) model/blueprint materials under timed written conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the official KSEAB II PUC Hindustani Music exam pure multiple-choice?

No. Official KSEAB II PUC Hindustani Music (code 26) is a mixed written theory assessment plus essential practical/performance. This bank is an English-language multiple-choice theory study adaptation only — not an official paper, blueprint replica, or performance substitute.

What is subject code 26?

Subject code 26 is the official KSEAB/DPUE code for II PUC Hindustani Music on blueprint and model-question-paper hubs. Always confirm the year’s subject list and materials on kseab.karnataka.gov.in and dpue-exam.karnataka.gov.in.

Can MCQs replace practical/performance preparation?

No. Music requires riyaaz and practical/performance assessment. Use this bank for theory fluency only, and practise vocal or instrumental performance for college/board practical components.

What is the passing score for KSEAB II PUC Hindustani Music?

II PUC-consistent reporting commonly describes about 35% overall in the subject, with separate theory and practical/performance minima as notified (about a 30–35% careful range depending on circular wording). Always verify the current pass criteria for your examination year.

How much does the KSEAB II PUC Hindustani Music exam cost?

Hindustani Music is not sold as a separate marketplace product. Fees are notified by KSEAB and paid through PU colleges for regular candidates. Check kseab.karnataka.gov.in for the current fee circular.

What theory topics does this bank cover?

Swara–saptak–alankar; Bhatkhande thaats and raga grammar; major PUC-level ragas (Yaman, Bhairav, Bhairavi, Kafi, Bihag, Malkauns, Bageshri, Desh); tala and laya; bandish/aalap/taan and forms (dhrupad, khyal, thumri, tarana); instruments, gharana, and artists; plus notation, history, and aesthetics.

Where can I find official model papers and blueprints?

Check KSEAB at https://kseab.karnataka.gov.in and the DPUE exam portal at https://dpue-exam.karnataka.gov.in for Hindustani Music (code 26) blueprints, model papers, and schemes of evaluation.

How does this differ from SSLC Hindustani Music practice?

This bank deepens Class 12 scope: more ragas (e.g., Bihag, Malkauns, Bageshri), fuller form vocabulary (bada/chhota khyal, tarana, dhrupad), denser thaat/raga grammar, and stronger notation–history–aesthetics items, while still disclosing theory-plus-practical assessment.

Free Practice Questions for Karnataka II PUC Hindustani Music (KSEAB)

Explore More Karnataka KSEAB II PUC Subjects

Karnataka II PUC Accountancy (KSEAB)

Karnataka II PUC Arabic (KSEAB)

Karnataka II PUC Basic Mathematics (KSEAB)

Karnataka II PUC Biology (KSEAB)

Karnataka II PUC Business Studies (KSEAB)

Karnataka II PUC Chemistry (KSEAB)