Rules & Regulations

Age category — 15 to 25 years

Participants born on or between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2011 are eligible.

The competition is in three rounds:

1. First round (online video)
2. Second round (tentative)
3. Final round (offline in Ludhiana, mid-November)

Instructions for the first round (video)

1. Register at sangeet.sribhainisahib.com and send your video links.
2. Video length should be 8 to 10 minutes and must include alaap, vilambit, and drut.
3. Record in a single take. Editing is not allowed. Use landscape mode.
4. An electronic taanpura may be used.
5. The artist must be accompanied by a tabla player.
6. Accompanying artists must be clearly visible.
7. Professional performers will not be entertained.
8. A maximum of two accompanists.
9. The uploaded YouTube (or other) link must stay accessible. Follow the tutorial below.

YouTube video uploading tutorial

Instructions for the second round (tentative)

1. Dates and venue will be announced after the first round.
2. Duration: 10 to 12 minutes.
3. Meals will be provided. Accommodation only if the contest extends beyond one day.
4. Bring original government photo ID with address and date of birth (Aadhaar, voter ID, driving licence, or passport).
5. Maximum 5 minutes to tune instruments and set sound.
6. A warning is given at the start of the last 2 minutes.
7. A final indication is given at the end of the allotted time. Negative marks apply if the performance continues.
8. Judges may ask a participant to stop at any time.
9. A tabla accompanist is provided. If you bring your own, you bear all related costs including travel.
10. Participants must remain in the hall for the entire contest. Missing three stage calls means disqualification.
11. Indiscipline — approaching the committee or judges, disrespect, or foul language — can lead to disqualification.

Instructions for the final round

1. Finals: tentatively 14th and 15th November 2026 at Gurudwara Sri Bhaini Sahib, Ludhiana, Punjab.
2. Accommodation and meals are free for the participant’s accompanying members.
3. 3AC train tickets are provided for the participant only.
4. Duration: 12 to 15 minutes.
5. A panel of judges decides the norms. Their judgment is final.
6. A warning is given at the start of the last 2 minutes.
7. Negative marks apply if the performance continues after time.
8. Judges may ask a participant to stop at any time.
9. A tabla accompanist is provided. Own accompanists are at the participant’s cost.
10. Organisers may amend rules without prior notice.
11. Judges may ask questions to assess overall knowledge. Their evaluation is final.
12. Copyright in audio and video of all stages lies with Namdhari Darbar, which may use recordings in any media.

Prizes

₹5,000 each for all finalists.

Live telecast onwww.sribhainisahib.comandyoutube.com/sribhainisahib.

Note: judges are not obliged to award all three positions. The result depends on performance and talent.