Kala Utsav 2025: Guidelines and Schedule

Kala Utsav 2025: Guidelines and Schedule for District, State Level Competitions Guidelines, Action Plan, Entry Form, Awards Proforma for submitting entries SCERT- AP- Organizing of District level and State level Kala Utsav - 2025 competitions to select the best participants for the National level competitions

 

Samagra Shiksha, A.P., - Quality Initiatives - Celebrations of Kala Utsav 2025-26 - Guidelines issued to conduct at school, DIETs (Erstwhile districts) & State level Kala Utsav competitions - Orders - Issued - Reg  Rc.No:2575674/ESE02-11021/179/2024-SS, Dt:16-08-2025

Read:

1. Instructions of NCERT on 18.06.2025 and 25.07.2025.

2. Guidelines of Kala Utsav 2025-26.

 

The attention of all the Regional Joint Directors, District Educational Officers & Ex- Officio District Project Coordinators and Additional Project Coordinators of Samagra Shiksha in the state are informed that Kala Utsav-2025 is to promote aesthetic and artistic talents of the students at the secondary stage. This annual event provides a platform for the secondary students from IX, X, XI to XII classes boys and girls to explore and to celebrate arts and cultural diversity at various levels Schools, Districts, State and National levels. The NCERT has issued certain guidelines (annexed) to celebrate Kala Utsav competitions for the year 2025-26.

 

Accordingly, they are informed that the winners of State Level competitions will be sent to National level, which will be held on second week of November 2025 in offline mode. In this regard, the principals of all Government DIETs in the State are instructed to organize Kala Utsav­2025 competitions at the District level from 11.09.2025 and 12.09.2025. The district Nodal officers should submit the required data forms to the State Utsav Nodal officer on or before 13^th September in the given proforma. The State Level competitions will be conducted during 23.10.2025 and 24.10.2025 (for 2days) for the final selections of the National level competitions as per the Guidelines enclosed. Tshe venue for the State Level competitions will be intimated due course. Every competition must follow the stipulated guidelines issued by Kala Utsav, NCERT, Delhi. Finally, the State Level First Prize winners will get the opportunity to participate in the National Level competitions during the second week of November 2025.

 

Operational Plan of Kala Utsav -2025:

1. The district level competitions should be conducted in 13 DIETs (erstwhile districts) by following NCERT guidelines.
2. The winners of DIET level 1st prize of each event, i.e., six art forms in 12 Categories will be participating in state level competition.
3. Divyang students & all social community groups also must be encouraged and to be included.
4. To escort the students from their places to the venue should be accompanied by male & female (only two) escort teachers are allowed from each DIET.
5. The CWSN child may get 1 escort teacher/parent along with him/her.
6. Food and accommodation will be provided for the students and for the escort teachers.
7. Every student must submit a certified copy from the DIET principal, as proof to participate along with Aadhar card in the state level The performance of the individual/group photos, videos (5minutes) with the writeup related to the performance.
8. All Participants of state level competitions will be honored with a participation certificate.
9. TA/DA to the participants will be paid as per the APTA norms.
10. The District level competitions should be conducted on 11^th and 12th of September 2025, and State Level Competitions will be conducted on 23^rd and 24^th of September 2025 to submit the Reports in each proforma to the NCERT before 03.11.2025.

Kala Utsav - Budget Details at District Level:

 

S. No	Details of Expenditure	No. of Days	Amount
1	Chairs & Tents	2500X2	5000/-
2	Food /Water/ Snacks/Tea	2 Days	12000/-
3	Honorarium For Judges	12X 500	6000/-
4	Certificates /Banners	100~ 30/- & Banners 1000/-	4000/-
5	Mike /Lighting	~ 500	1000/-
6	Stationary	1000	1000/-
7	Miscellaneous	1000	1000/-
8	Mementoes		6000/-
9	TA (actual)		8000/-
10	Stage arrangements, Decoration, Art needs		3000/-
11	Documentation,         photos and video clippings.		3000/-
	TOTAL AMOUNT		50,000/-

 

In of the above, the Principals of DIETs are permitted to spend an amount of Rs.50,000/- for the said purpose and submitting the utilization certificates along with original bills/vouchers after actual expenditure incurred after completion of the said programme.

 

Therefore, all the District Educational officers and the principals of Government DIETs (13) are requested to conduct District Kala Utsav competitions duly following the instructions/ guidelines scrupulously without fail. Any deviations occurred action will be viewed seriously.

 

Guidelines of the Kala Utsav-2025

Kala Utsav is a flagship program of the Ministry of Education that aims to foster and showcase artistic talent among secondary stage students. Launched in 2015, it provides a platform for students to explore and celebrate arts and cultural diversity, promoting cultural understanding and heritage. The program contributes to the vision of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat and nurtures artistic talent, cultural understanding, and community development.

 

ART FORMS:

 

Art forms included for the competitions this year are:

1. Vocal Music
2. Instrumental music
3. Dance
4. Theatre
5. Visual Arts
6. Traditional story telling

ELIGIBILITY:

• Students of Secondary Stage (Class IX-XII):
• All Government, Government aided and Private schools of States and UTs; Schools of all central government organizations/ local bodies located in the State/ Union Territory
• Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS)
• Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS)
• Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)
• Number of Teams– 39 (28 States + 8 UTs + KVS + NVS + EMRS)

Note: Winners (1st, 2nd and 3rd position) of the previous years of Kala Utsav are not allowed to participate in Kala Utsav (2023-24).

Criteria for Participation:

• First prize winners from the District level will participate at the State Level Competition.
• Students winning first prize at the State level will participate at the National Level.
• Winners (1st, 2nd and 3rd position) of National Kala Utsav Competitions (2023 & 2024) are not allowed to participate in National Kala Utsav 2025, henceforth in any art form.
• Schools of National Winners (Kala Utsav 2023 & 2024) will not be allowed to participate in the National Kala Utsav 2025

Broad Categories of Competition

1. Vocal Music: Solo
2. Vocal Music: Group
3. Instrumental Music Melodic: Solo
4. Instrumental Music Percussion: Solo
5. Instrumental Music Orchestra Ensemble: Group
6. Dance Classical: Solo
7. Dance Folk/ Contemporary Choreography: Group
8. Theater: Group
9. Visual Arts (2D): Solo
10. Visual Arts (3D): Solo
11. Visual Arts: Group (Indigenous Toys and Games/ Local Crafts)
12. Traditional Storytelling: Group

One entry each in the following categories:

1. Vocal Music: Solo (Classical or Semi-Classical) Time Duration: 4-6 Min
2. Vocal Music: Group (maximum 4 participants) (Light Music / Regional (Folk/Tribal)/ Devotional/Patriotic) Time Duration: 4-6 Min
3. Instrumental Music Solo Percussion (Classical or Semi-Classical) Time Duration: 4-6 Min
4. Instrumental Music Solo- Melodic (String/ Wind) (Classical or Semi-Classical) Time Duration: 4-6 Min
5. Instrumental Music: Group (4 Participants) Orchestra Ensemble (Regional (Tribal/Folk) or Classical) Time Duration: 4-6 Min
6. Dance Solo: (Classical) Time Duration: 4-6 Min
7. Dance Group (4 Participants) (Regional (Folk/Tribal) / Contemporary Choreography) Time Duration: 4-6 Min
8. Theater: Group (4 Participants) (Short play/ role play/ mimicry/ mime) Time Duration: 6-8 Min
9. Visual Arts (2D): Solo (Drawing/ Painting/ Printing/ Caricature)
10. Visual Arts (3D): Solo (Sculpture)
11. Visual Arts: Group (2D/3D) (2 Participants) Indigenous Toys and Games/ Local Crafts
12. Traditional Storytelling

• The storytelling has to be from any traditional form practiced in your State or region
• If there is no traditional storytelling in your region/ State then you can select any other form of traditional storytelling from any other region or State
• Participants can incorporate one or more art forms like Music, Dance, Theater, Visual Arts in their performance
• Two (2) students will tell the story within a time limit of 5 minutes

Timeline to be observed by the NCERT:

• Google Form for District Level Data- 11th August 2025
• Competitions to be concluded - District Level – 31st August 2025
• Submission of District Level Data – 5th September 2025
• Google Form for State Level Data - 13th October
• Competitions to be concluded - State Level – 31st October 2025
• Submission of State Level Data – 3rd November

S. No.	Art Form	Category	Participation Type
1	Vocal Music	Classical/Semi-Classical	Solo
2	Vocal Music	Folk/Devotional/Patriotic	Group (Max 4)
3	Instrumental Music (Melodic)	Classical/Semi-Classical	Solo
4	Instrumental Music (Rhythmic)	Classical/Semi-Classical	Solo
5	Instrumental Music	Orchestra Ensemble	Group (Max 4).
6	Dance	Classical	Solo
7	Dance	Folk/Contemporary (Non-film)	Group (Max 4)
8	Theatre	Short Play/Role Play/Mimicry/Mime	Group (Max 4)
9	Visual Arts	Drawing, Painting, Caricature	Solo
10	Visual Arts	Sculpture	Solo
11	Visual Arts	Indigenous Toys &    games / Local Crafts	Group (Max 2)
12	Traditional Storytelling	Traditional                          Storytelling incorporating  Dance, Drama, Multi-art form narrative	Group (2)
		Total	26

 

Thus, every team of the state, UT, KVS, NVS and EMRS will submit entries, as per the sub-category specified above, they can choose any one sub-category from each of the categories to participate in group or solo as per their choice. In the group categories the number of students will differ as per participation. Please read the relevant points of the guidelines carefully to avoid confusion. Make sure whether equal opportunities are provided to boys and girls to avoid bias.

Entries for the National level will have three components:

1. Pro forma for submitting entries: Every entry is to be supported with the duly filled and signed pro forma (given in Annexure — I and II) by the Nodal Officer of State/UT/KV0S/NVS to ensure participation at National Level.
2. Video film: Video film of the State level performance in each category is to be submitted for the National level. In the Visual Art category (2D & 3D), pictures of the artwork process should also be provided along with the video film. The Kala Utsav backdrop with the name of programme, date and venue should be displayed at all competition venues ensuring its visibility in the video. Duration of the video film can be between 3-5 minutes. The video as part of the national level entry is to be uploaded along with the pro forma and textual summary as given below.
3. Textual summary (write-up) : The textual summary of not morethan 100 words, computer typed in word document format either in Hindi or in English is to be submitted or uploaded with the entry. Image or photo of the textual summary will not be acceptable. The summary will include details about the selected art form, place of its origin, communities involved in its practice, special occasions when the art form is made or performed, costumes, accompanying instruments, props, its connect with the environment, its style, techniques, material used, etc. The textual summary can be supported with photographs (maximum 5) of the participant in making of their art piece or giving performance, etc.

 Note: Textual Summary (write-up) and Video Film carries five marks in each of the categories and will impact the final evaluation.

AWARDS:

• All the winners in each category will receive cash
• The winners of the competition in each art form category (1st, 2nd and 3rd) will receive a Certificate, Trophy and a Medal at National Level The cash awards in each art forms are as under:
• First prize : 25,000/-
• Second prize : 20,000/-
• Third prize : 15,000/-

 

Timeline by the NCERT:	AP-Kala Utsav 2025-26
Google Form for     District Level Data- 11th August 2025.	Google Form for District Level Data- 11th August 2025
Competitions to be  concluded - District Level – 31st August 2025	District Level competitions on 11.09.2025 and 12.08.2025
Submission of District Level Data – 5th September 2025	12th of September 2025
Google Form for State Level Data - 13th October 2025.	Google Form for    State Level Data - 13thOctober 2025.
Competitions to be     concluded - State Level – 31st October 2025	State Level     competitions on 23.10.2025 and 24.10.2025
Submission of State Level Data – 3rd November 2025	Submission of State Level Data – 3rd November 2025

 Categories of Art Form:

S. No.	Art Form	Category	Participation Type
			2024	2025
1	Vocal Music	Classical/Semi-Classical	1 student	Solo
2	Vocal Music	Folk/Devotional/Patriotic	Maximum 4	Group (Max 4)
3	Instrumental Music (Melodic)	Classical/Semi-Classical	1 student	Solo
4	Instrumental Music(Rhythmic)	Classical/Semi-Classical	---	Solo
5	Instrumental Music	Orchestra Ensemble	Maximum 4	Group (Max 4)
6	Dance	Classical	1 student	Solo
7	Dance	Folk/Contemporary      (Non- film)	Maximum 4	Group (Max 4)
8	Theatre	Short                          Play/Role Play/Mimicry/Mime	Maximum 4	Group (Max 4)
		Mono Act	1 student
9	Visual Arts(2D)	Drawing,                  Painting, Caricature	1 student	Solo
10	Visual Arts(3D)	Sculpture	---	Solo
11	Visual Arts (2D,3D)	Indigenous            Toys          & games/Local Crafts	---	Group (Max 2)
12	Traditional Storytelling	Traditional Storytelling incorporating               Dance, Drama,  Multi-art  form narrative	1 or 2 student	Group (2)
		Total	23	26

For National level Kala Utsav, teams need to submit:

1. Pro forma: Duly filled and signed by the Nodal
2. Video film: 3-5 minutes, showcasing state-level
3. Textual summary: 100 words or less, detailing the art form, origin, and performance.
4. Both video film and textual summary carry 5 marks each and impact the final evaluation.

AWARDS:

• All the winners in each category will receive cash
• The winners of the competition in each art form category
• (1st, 2nd and 3rd) will receive a Certificate, Trophy and a Medal at National Level Participation. The cash awards in each art forms are as under:

1. First prize : 25,000/-
2. Second prize : 20,000/-
3. Third prize : 15,000/-

All participants will be given a participation certificate.

1. The district level competitions will be conducted in 13 DIETs (erstwhile districts) by following NCERT
2. The winners of DIET level 1st prize of each event e., six art In 12 categories forms will be participated in state level competition.
3. Divyang students & all social community groups also must be encouraged and to be included.
4. To escort the students from their places to the venue may be accompanied by male & female (only two) escort teachers are allowed from each DIET.
5. The CWSN child may get 1 escort teacher/parent along with him/her.
6. Food and accommodation will be provided for the students and to the escort teachers.
7. Every student must submit a certified copy from the DIET principal, as a proof to participate along with Aadhar card in the state level competitions. The performance of the individual/group photos, videos (5minutes) with the write up related to the performance.
8. All Participants of state level competitions will be honored with a participation certificate.
9. TA/DA to the participants will be paid as per the AP TA norms (if permitted by the authorities).
10. District level should be conducted before 09.2025, and State Level Competitions will be completed before the 30th of October 2025 and to submit the Reports in a given pro forma to the NCERT before 03.11.2025.

Download SS Proceedings with Guidelines