Kala Utsav - National Vocal Music Competition

Kala Utsav is a national programme initiated by the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, to promote arts education in schools. The Vocal Music competition gives students at the secondary stage a platform to showcase classical, semi-classical, folk, devotional, patriotic and light music traditions across India.

The Vocal Music category runs as two parallel streams. The Solo stream is open to a single performer presenting classical or semi-classical music, while the Group stream allows a team of up to four participants performing folk, devotional, patriotic or light music. Students from Classes IX to XII of government, government-aided and private schools affiliated to any state or central board are eligible to participate. Each student may enter only one art form category at Kala Utsav.

The competition progresses through Mandal, district and state-level rounds before culminating in the national finale coordinated by NCERT. Authorities are required to ensure equal representation of girls and boys and the participation of students from socio-economically disadvantaged groups including children with special needs at all levels. Performances are evaluated on artistic merit, technical command and authenticity of the chosen tradition.