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Key Facts: PSEB SS Music Instrumental Exam

45 + 50 + 5

Theory + Practical + Internal Assessment marks (total 100)

PSEB Scheme of Studies Class XII — Music (Instrumental) code 037

Code 037

Subject code for Music (Instrumental) Senior Secondary

PSEB Scheme of Studies Class XII

33%

Minimum separately in theory, practical, and INA (and aggregate)

PSEB Scheme of Studies Class XII

4 ragas

Bhairav, Malkauns, Bhimpalasi, and Khamaj in the Class 12 instrumental syllabus

PSEB Class 12 Instrumental Syllabus 2025–26

6 talas

Rupak, Ek Taal, Tilwada, Dhamar, Sultal, and Jhap Taal with ekgun/dugun

PSEB Class 12 Instrumental Syllabus 2025–26

MCQ study aid

This bank adapts theory to four-option MCQs; official assessment is mixed theory plus practical (not a performance substitute)

OpenExamPrep assessment-format policy for non-pure-MCQ boards

PSEB Senior Secondary Music Instrumental (code 037) is Punjab’s Class 12 instrumental music subject: Theory 45 + Practical 50 + INA 05 = 100 marks. Pass at least 33% in theory, practical, and INA separately and in aggregate (confirm circular). Fee as per PSEB notification. This site offers free English MCQ theory practice with explanations—not a full mixed-paper or performance simulation.

Sample PSEB SS Music Instrumental Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the PSEB SS Music Instrumental exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1In PSEB Class 12 Music Instrumental theory, a mizrab is best described as:
A.A wire plectrum worn on the right-hand finger to pluck sitar strings
B.A wooden bridge under the tabla bayan only
C.A type of slow tala with 7 matras only
D.The lower gourd resonator of the tanpura only
Explanation: A mizrab is the metal/wire plectrum used on sitar (and similar plucked instruments) to strike the main strings. Syllabus lists mizrab among core instrumental technique terms.
2Meend (meend) in Hindustani instrumental technique primarily means:
A.A continuous gliding transition between notes without discrete breaks
B.Playing only open strings with no left-hand fretting
C.Striking the tabla with the elbow only
D.Writing tala bols in Western staff notation only
Explanation: Meend is a smooth portamento-like slide connecting pitches—central to expressive sitar and bowed playing. Syllabus lists meend among required definitions.
3Kan (kan-swar) in instrumental ornamentation typically refers to:
A.A brief grace or touch-note that ornaments a principal swara
B.A full 16-matra Teental cycle only
C.The metal frets of a sitar only
D.A type of double-reed wind instrument only
Explanation: Kan denotes a short grace note or momentary touch of a neighbouring pitch that colours the main note—listed in the Class 12 instrumental terms.
4Jhalla (jhala) in sitar performance is best characterised as:
A.A fast, rhythmic closing phase using chikari/drone strings with dense plucking
B.Only the very first unmetered alap phrase of a raga
C.A tala with exactly 10 matras and 2 khalis only
D.The written biography of a gharana founder only
Explanation: Jhalla is the brilliant, high-speed rhythmic climax of many instrumental presentations, featuring chikari interplay. Syllabus lists jhalla among technique terms.
5Chikari strings on a sitar are primarily used to:
A.Provide high-pitched rhythmic drone accents, especially in jhalla
B.Replace the tabla entirely in every performance
C.Carry only the melody of the national anthem
D.Tune the tabla bayan with a hammer
Explanation: Chikari are high drone strings plucked for rhythmic sparkle, most prominently in jhalla. Syllabus lists chikari among key terms.
6Gamak in Hindustani instrumental usage most nearly means:
A.A forceful, oscillating ornament shaking a note with controlled intensity
B.A silent rest equal to one full avartan only
C.The name of a morning-only thaat scale
D.A type of clay percussion from Kerala only
Explanation: Gamak is a vigorous shake/oscillation of a swara—an important expressive ornament in both vocal and instrumental Hindustani music.
7Krintan (krintan) on fretted string instruments typically involves:
A.Plucking and left-hand pull-off/hammer patterns that articulate successive notes crisply
B.Blowing across a bamboo edge without any fingering
C.Only singing solfa syllables without instrument
D.Writing Western dynamics symbols above every matra
Explanation: Krintan is a left-hand pluck/pull technique producing clear successive notes on sitar-type instruments—listed in the Class 12 terms.
8Soot (sut) as an instrumental ornament generally denotes:
A.A quick gliding connection or slide linking notes (related to meend family ideas)
B.A 14-matra dhrupad tala only
C.The wooden body of a tabla only
D.A complete ban on komal swaras in every raga
Explanation: Soot refers to a sliding connection between notes on string instruments, often discussed alongside meend-type ornaments in school theory.
9Zamjama (zamzama) in instrumental/vocal ornament vocabulary is best described as:
A.A rapid, clustered series of successive notes or shakes around a pitch
B.A single long silence lasting one entire concert half
C.The name of Bhatkhande's first thaat only
D.A type of large barrel drum used only in Western orchestras
Explanation: Zamjama denotes a fast ornamental cluster of notes/shakes—part of the advanced ornament list in the Class 12 instrumental syllabus.
10In raga classification terms used in school theory, a shuddha raga (shudh rag) typically means a raga that:
A.Is considered relatively pure/independent in form, not a mixed chhayalag type
B.Uses only teevra Ma and never Sa
C.Can only be performed on tabla solo
D.Has exactly 5 matras in every tala used with it
Explanation: Shuddha (shudh) ragas are treated as pure/independent forms, contrasted with chhayalag and sankeerna (mixed) types in traditional classification.

About the PSEB SS Music Instrumental Exam

The Punjab PSEB Senior Secondary Music (Instrumental) examination is the Class 12 Music Instrumental subject (code 037) under the Punjab School Education Board. Full marks are 100: Theory 45 + Practical 50 + Internal Assessment (INA) 05. Theory covers modern Hindustani music history, sitar and tabla knowledge, technique definitions, Bhatkhande's thaat system, vadak gun–dosh, solo instruments, contributions of major musicians, and classical introduction to Raag Bhairav, Malkauns, Bhimpalasi, and Khamaj plus Rupak, Ek Taal, Tilwada, Dhamar, Sultal, and Jhap Taal with layakari. Practical weight is high (50 marks). The official theory paper is mixed written format, not pure multiple-choice. The 100 questions on this page are an English-language MCQ theory study adaptation for concept drills and self-assessment; they do not replace riyaaz or practical credit.

Exam sponsor: Punjab School Education Board (PSEB). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Official: Theory 45 + Practical 50 + INA 05 = 100 marks (subject code 037). Theory Part A: modern-period Hindustani music history; detailed sitar and tabla knowledge; raga time theory; definitions (varna, kan, meend, mizrab, jhalla, chikari, gamak, soot, krintan, zamjama, shuddha/chhayalag/sankeerna); vadak gun–dosh; Bhatkhande ten thaats and thaat–raga comparison; importance of taal; music and other fine arts; contributions of Allauddin Khan, Nikhil Banerjee, Harwinder Kumar Sharma, Vilayat Khan; development of vadan styles; solo instruments (sitar, sarod, sarangi, dilruba, shehnai, flute, jaltarang, harmonium, tabla, dhol). Theory Part B: ten alankars; Razakhani gat notation in Bhairav, Malkauns, Bhimpalasi, Khamaj; slow gat; composition in Ek Taal or Jhap Taal; dhun; Rupak, Ek Taal, Tilwada, Dhamar, Sultal, Jhap Taal with ekgun/dugun; instrument structure. Practical: drut gat with short alap, toras, jhalla in four ragas; slow gat; talas on hand; alankars; dhun; recognition and variety items. Local bank: English MCQ theory study adaptation with explanations — not a performance substitute.

Time Limit

As per PSEB Senior Secondary timetable for theory; practical per Board/school practical schedule (syllabus describes timed demonstration slots, typically about 4 minutes each for listed practical tasks).

Passing Score

33% separately in Theory, Practical, and INA, and 33% in aggregate

Exam / Certification Fees

As notified by PSEB and paid through affiliated schools for regular and compartment/improvement sittings (no single fixed public subject fee for all categories).

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: Overall Senior Secondary pass percentages are published with each PSEB result; no fixed standing subject-wise Music Instrumental pass-rate figure is used here.. Exam sponsor website

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

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.

Theory Part A

History, Instruments, Terms, Thaat & Culture

Modern-period Hindustani music; sitar and tabla detail; time theory; ornament and raga-class terms; vadak gun–dosh; ten thaats; taal importance; fine arts link; musician contributions; vadan styles; solo instrument list.

Theory Part B

Alankars, Gats, Prescribed Ragas & Talas

Ten alankars; Razakhani gats in Bhairav, Malkauns, Bhimpalasi, Khamaj; slow gat; Ek Taal/Jhap Taal compositions; dhun; Rupak, Ek Taal, Tilwada, Dhamar, Sultal, Jhap Taal with ekgun/dugun; instrument structure.

50 marks practical + 5 INA

Practical & Internal Assessment

Drut gat with short alap, toras, and jhalla in four ragas; slow gat; tala bols on hand in ekgun/dugun; alankars; dhun; recognition and tarana/tappa/lokgeet/patriotic items; school INA. Not simulated by this MCQ bank and not a performance substitute.

Preparing for the PSEB SS Music Instrumental Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 33% separately in Theory, Practical, and INA, and 33% in aggregate
  • Assessment: Official: Theory 45 + Practical 50 + INA 05 = 100 marks (subject code 037). Theory Part A: modern-period Hindustani music history; detailed sitar and tabla knowledge; raga time theory; definitions (varna, kan, meend, mizrab, jhalla, chikari, gamak, soot, krintan, zamjama, shuddha/chhayalag/sankeerna); vadak gun–dosh; Bhatkhande ten thaats and thaat–raga comparison; importance of taal; music and other fine arts; contributions of Allauddin Khan, Nikhil Banerjee, Harwinder Kumar Sharma, Vilayat Khan; development of vadan styles; solo instruments (sitar, sarod, sarangi, dilruba, shehnai, flute, jaltarang, harmonium, tabla, dhol). Theory Part B: ten alankars; Razakhani gat notation in Bhairav, Malkauns, Bhimpalasi, Khamaj; slow gat; composition in Ek Taal or Jhap Taal; dhun; Rupak, Ek Taal, Tilwada, Dhamar, Sultal, Jhap Taal with ekgun/dugun; instrument structure. Practical: drut gat with short alap, toras, jhalla in four ragas; slow gat; talas on hand; alankars; dhun; recognition and variety items. Local bank: English MCQ theory study adaptation with explanations — not a performance substitute.
  • Time limit: As per PSEB Senior Secondary timetable for theory; practical per Board/school practical schedule (syllabus describes timed demonstration slots, typically about 4 minutes each for listed practical tasks).
  • Exam / certification fees: As notified by PSEB and paid through affiliated schools for regular and compartment/improvement 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

PSEB SS Music Instrumental: Suggested Study Strategy

1Build one-page charts for Bhairav, Malkauns, Bhimpalasi, and Khamaj with thaat, jaati, vadi–samvadi, samay, aroha–avaroha, and pakad before drilling MCQs.
2Clap and count Rupak (7), Ektal (12), Jhaptal (10), Dhamar (14), Tilwada (16), and Sultal (10) until sam, taali, and khali positions are automatic in ekgun and dugun.
3Draw the sitar and label tumba, dand, pardas, tarab, chikari, jawari, and mizrab; do the same for tabla dayan/bayan and syahi.
4Contrast Razakhani (drut) vs slow/vilambit gat tasks and write short notation sketches in Ek Taal or Jhap Taal for each prescribed raga.
5Memorise Bhatkhande's ten thaat names and which prescribed raga belongs to which family (Bhairav–Bhairav, Malkauns night audav, Bhimpalasi–Kafi, Khamaj–Khamaj).
6Pair every MCQ set with riyaaz notes: short alap ideas, two toras, and jhalla outlines per raga, plus alankars and one dhun — MCQs build recognition, not the 50 practical marks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the official PSEB Senior Secondary Music Instrumental exam multiple-choice?

No. Official Music (Instrumental) is Theory 45 + Practical 50 + Internal Assessment (INA) 05 (code 037). Theory is a written paper with definitions, charts, and notation work; practical is performance and viva on the instrument. The 100 questions on this page are an English-language MCQ theory study adaptation only — not a full simulation of the official paper or practical exam, and not a performance substitute.

What is the full marks split for PSEB Class 12 Music Instrumental?

Full marks are 100: Theory 45 + Practical 50 + Internal Assessment (INA) 05 under the Scheme of Studies for Class XII (subject code 037). Confirm the exact timetable and any design updates on pseb.ac.in for your examination year.

What is the passing score for PSEB Senior Secondary Music Instrumental?

Under the PSEB Scheme of Studies, candidates must obtain at least 33% marks separately in Theory, Practical, and INA, as well as 33% marks in aggregate. Verify the latest Board regulations and circulars for your session.

Which ragas and talas are prescribed for Class 12 Music Instrumental?

Prescribed ragas are Bhairav, Malkauns, Bhimpalasi, and Khamaj (drut gat with short alap, toras, and jhalla; also slow gat and Razakhani notation work). Prescribed talas for description and ekgun/dugun include Rupak, Ek Taal, Tilwada, Dhamar, Sultal, and Jhap Taal; practical also requires ability to play a gat in Ek Taal or Jhap Taal.

How much does the PSEB Class 12 Music Instrumental exam cost?

Music Instrumental is not separately priced as a standalone fee figure on this page. Pay as per the PSEB annual Senior Secondary examination fee notification for school or private candidates through forms on pseb.ac.in. Do not rely on unofficial fixed rupee amounts.

How should I use this free MCQ bank for a theory-plus-practical subject?

Use these MCQs for daily concept drills on definitions, thaat, sitar/tabla, solo instruments, raga charts, tala structure, gat forms, alankars, and musician history. Also complete full written answers from PSEB-style model items and sustain practical riyaaz (gat with alap–toras–jhalla, tala on hand, alankars, dhun, variety items) for the 50-mark practical.

Where can I find the official syllabus?

Use the Punjab School Education Board portal at https://www.pseb.ac.in and the Class 12 Music Instrumental syllabus PDF (2025–26 Instrumental Syllabus) on static.pseb.ac.in. The prescribed book is PSEB Sangeet Vadan-12 (Instrumental). Always prefer the current year’s official PDF over third-party summaries.