The definitive guide to every showdown at Rhythm’26.

Curated straight from the official rule book, explore the complete lineup - from ragas and rap battles to nukkad nataks, live installations, and spot art sprints. Drill into participation limits, timing windows, and the must-know judging cues for a winning set.

Events Curated

Special events, music, dance, theatre, literary, fine arts, and fashion showcases across 2 packed days

Grace Windows

15s / 30s

Starred classical items enjoy 15 s grace; other sets allow 30 s spillover

Entry Policy

1/team

Affiliated colleges send 1 entry per event · UTDs may field multiple crews

Participation essentials

Read these before you lock your slot.

A distilled brief from the rule book covering eligibility, reporting cadence, stage etiquette, and the live-versus-recorded distinctions that judges emphasise across categories.

Eligibility & Caps

Open to bonafide students aged up to 25. Each performer may enter up to four events; podium finishers progress to North Zone selections.

Reporting Discipline

Reach the venue at least 30 minutes before stage call (two hours for nukkad teams). Adhere to code identifiers and the official timekeeper’s watch.

Content Standards

Keep performances respectful—vulgar lyrics, gestures, or revealing identities on stage can trigger instant disqualification by the jury.

Live Performance Norms

Classical music and dance demand live accompaniments. Recorded tracks are allowed only where explicitly stated (select folk/western and theatre acts).

Official reference

Rhythm’26 Rule Book

Browse the sanctioned guidelines straight from the organising committee. This living document covers adjudication criteria, stage logistics, scoring keys, and code-of-conduct directives for every participating contingent.

Open full PDF Download copy

PDF Preview

Updated for 2026 edition

Page/ 21

100%

Official 2026 Edition • Use ◀ and ▶ to turn pages

Special Events

Personality, talent, and showcases of India's diverse cultural traditions.

Individual

Mr. & Ms. Rhythm

Individual participant

Multiple rounds; overall duration not specified

Rounds: Introduction, Knowledge/Question, Talent, and Attire.
Participants must be students of a recognised college or university, register once, and participate in at least one Rhythm’26 event.
Bring required costumes, props, and music; organisers' schedule and judges' decisions are final.

Note:

Refer to rulebook for rules & schedule for timings.

Group cultural presentation

Rang-e-Bharat (Folk Culture of India)

6–10 participants + up to 3 accompanists

Performance 5–10 min · Setup up to 5 min

Showcase the culture of an Indian state or region through rituals, festivals, marriage ceremonies, customs, spiritual practices, narration, acting, or folk dance.
Recorded music is allowed; perform only to the approved track.
Arrange and remove your own props; report at least 30 minutes early.
Judged on cultural authenticity, concept, creativity, presentation, costumes, music, coordination, and overall impact. Disrespectful representation may lead to disqualification.

Note:

Refer to rulebook for rules & schedule for timings.

Music

Classical, light, western, folk, and contemporary musical performances.

Solo · Indian Classical

Classical Vocal Solo

1 participant + up to 2 accompanists

Performance 3–8 min · Setup 5 min

Only one entry per institution; cinema songs are not allowed.
Live accompaniment only; harmonium is for tonal support, not playing the tune.
Judged on swara, taal, raga selection, composition, and general impression.

Note:

Refer to rulebook for rules & schedule for timings.

Solo · Percussion / Non-Percussion

Classical Instrumental Solo

1 participant + up to 2 accompanists

See official rulebook for applicable time limit

Bring your own instrument; harmonium is allowed.
Live accompaniment only; recorded accompaniment is not allowed.
Judged on taal, composition, and general impression. Note: the rulebook's summary table and detailed section give different durations; confirm with organisers.

Note:

Refer to rulebook for rules & schedule for timings.

Solo

Light Music Vocal (Ghazal)

1 participant + up to 2 accompanists

Performance 4–6 min · Setup 2 min

Non-vulgar content only.
Live accompaniment only; no recorded accompaniment.
Judged on voice, swara, taal, composition, and general impression.

Note:

Refer to rulebook for rules & schedule for timings.

Solo

Light Music Vocal (Geet / Bhajan)

1 participant + up to 2 accompanists

Performance 4–6 min · Setup 2 min

Only non-filmy compositions are allowed.
Live accompaniment only; no recorded accompaniment.
Judged on voice, swara, taal, composition, and general impression.

Note:

Refer to rulebook for rules & schedule for timings.

Solo

Western Vocal Solo

1 participant + up to 2 accompanists

Performance 4–6 min · Setup 2 min

Song language must be English.
Accompanists or karaoke track are allowed.
Avoid vulgar content; judged on voice, composition, rhythm, coordination, and general impression.

Note:

Refer to rulebook for rules & schedule for timings.

Solo

Light Music Vocal (Folk)

1 participant + up to 2 accompanists

Performance 4–6 min · Setup 2 min

Only non-filmy compositions are allowed.
Live accompaniment only; recorded accompaniment is not allowed.
Judged on voice, swara, taal, composition, and general impression.

Note:

Refer to rulebook for rules & schedule for timings.

Solo · Percussion / Non-Percussion

Western Instrumental Solo

1 participant + up to 2 accompanists

Performance 6–8 min · Setup 3 min

Participant may play a western piece on a percussion or non-percussion instrument.
Accompanists or karaoke track are allowed.
Judged on composition, rhythm, coordination, and general impression.

Note:

Refer to rulebook for rules & schedule for timings.

Solo

Light Music Vocal (General)

1 participant + up to 2 accompanists

Performance 3–5 min · Setup 2 min

Live accompanists and karaoke/backing tracks are allowed.
Content must not be cheap or vulgar.
Judged on voice, swara, taal, composition, and general impression.

Note:

Refer to rulebook for rules & schedule for timings.

Duet

Duet Music (Classical / Light)

2 participants + up to 2 accompanists

Performance 4–6 min · Setup 5 min

One team of two participants per institution.
Live instrumental accompaniment; maximum two accompanists.
Judged on synchronisation, composition, coordination, selection, and overall impression.

Note:

Refer to rulebook for rules & schedule for timings.

Solo

Rap Battle

1 participant + up to 1 accompanist

Performance 3–5 min

Karaoke track is allowed; Hindi, English, Punjabi, and Haryanvi are permitted.
Rapping should be approximately 90% and singing approximately 10%.
Vulgar words are not allowed.

Note:

Refer to rulebook for rules & schedule for timings.

Band

Battle of Bands

5–12 students; no outside members

Performance 15–20 min · Pre-soundcheck 15 min · On-clock soundcheck 7 min

At least two instruments must remain active on stage.
No audio or recorded tracks; a standard drum kit is provided, other instruments must be brought by the team.
Judged on improvisation, technical brilliance, setlist, and synchronisation; instrument damage can result in disqualification and a fine.

Note:

Refer to rulebook for rules & schedule for timings.

Dance

Classical, folk, and western dance performances.

Solo · Indian Classical

Classical Dance Solo

1 dancer + up to 3 accompanists

Performance 8–10 min

Styles include Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Manipuri, Kuchipudi, and Kathakali.
The rulebook permits recorded music but also says accompaniment should be live and not recorded; confirm the permitted format with organisers.
Judged on taal, technique, rhythm, abhinaya, costume, footwork, and general impression.

Note:

Refer to rulebook for rules & schedule for timings.

Solo · Folk

General Dance Solo (Folk)

1 dancer + up to 3 accompanists

Performance 4–6 min

Recorded music is allowed.
Judged on formation, music, singing, costume, make-up, coordination, and overall impact.

Note:

Refer to rulebook for rules & schedule for timings.

Solo · Western

General Dance Solo (Western)

1 dancer + up to 3 accompanists

Performance 5–7 min

Recorded music is allowed.
Judged on formation, music, costume, make-up, coordination, and overall impact.

Note:

Refer to rulebook for rules & schedule for timings.

Duet

Duet Dance (Folk / Western)

2 dancers + up to 3 accompanists

Performance 5–7 min · Setup 4 min

Recorded music is allowed.
Judged on formation, music, costume, make-up, coordination, and overall impact.

Note:

Refer to rulebook for rules & schedule for timings.

Group

Group Dance (Western / General)

6–18 dancers + up to 3 accompanists

Performance 8–10 min · Setup 5 min

Shufflers, puppet dances, and ballet dances are not allowed.
Accompanists must be distinguishable from dancers and must not lead.
Report to the Stage Secretary at least 30 minutes before the event; teams must clear their props after performing.

Note:

Refer to rulebook for rules & schedule for timings.

Group

Group Dance (Folk / Tribal / Classical)

6–20 dancers + up to 5 accompanists

Performance 8–10 min · Setup 5 min

The detailed rules describe folk forms such as Haryanvi, Punjabi, Rajasthani, Gujarati, Dhap, Ghoomar, Khoria, Bhangra, Gidda, and Phag; they also state 'but not classical' despite the event heading.
Accompanists must be distinguishable from dancers and must not lead.
Report at least 30 minutes early; performance time starts when the music starts. Confirm the category scope with organisers.

Note:

Refer to rulebook for rules & schedule for timings.

Theatre

Comedy, mime, mimicry, solo acting, spoof, and street theatre.

Ensemble

Skit

8–10 performers + up to 3 accompanists

Performance 8–10 min · Setup 5 min

Use an accepted Hindi/Haryanvi dialect and a social theme.
The skit should be comic; vulgarity, obscenity, personal attacks, and distortion of Indian culture are prohibited.
Report at least 30 minutes before the performance.

Note:

Refer to rulebook for rules & schedule for timings.

Ensemble

Mime

6–8 performers + up to 2 accompanists

Performance 4–5 min

Bring required instruments/materials.
Judged on ideas, creativity, make-up, costume, music, and general impression.

Note:

Refer to rulebook for rules & schedule for timings.

Solo

Mimicry

1 participant

Performance 4–5 min

Mimic machines, sounds, speeches, or well-known personalities, including film personalities.
Judged on imitation skill, variety of sounds and voices, and presentation.

Note:

Refer to rulebook for rules & schedule for timings.

Solo

Mono Act

1 participant

Performance 4–8 min

May use a self-written or inspired script in Hindi, English, or both.
Stage damage is strictly prohibited.
Bring any required instruments/materials; judged on ideas, creativity, and vocal variety.

Note:

Refer to rulebook for rules & schedule for timings.

Ensemble

Spoof

8–10 participants + 2 shufflers

Performance 8–10 min

A moral message is required; recorded or fusion music is allowed.
Vulgarity or obscenity in lyrics, action, costumes, or gestures can lead to disqualification.
Judged on theme, acting, and presentation.

Note:

Refer to rulebook for rules & schedule for timings.

Ensemble

Bollywood in Haryana

8 performers + 2 shufflers + up to 2 accompanists

Performance 8–10 min

Present a movie scene in Haryanvi; combining scenes is allowed.
Recorded music is allowed.
Avoid vulgarity and obscenity; judged on theme, presentation, acting, scene fusion, and stage setting.

Note:

Refer to rulebook for rules & schedule for timings.

Street theatre

Nukkad Natak

12–25 participants

Performance 20–30 min; disqualification beyond 27 min per detailed rule

Daytime performance in an open ground; no microphones or musical systems are provided.
Up to four instruments are allowed; props are limited to chunni, lathi, and handmade paper props.
Only decent satire is allowed. Report to the coordinator at least two hours early. The timing/penalty wording in the rulebook is inconsistent, so confirm with organisers.

Note:

Refer to rulebook for rules & schedule for timings.

Literary Events

Poetry, quiz, elocution, and debate.

Solo

Poetic Recitation (Hindi / English)

1 participant

Performance 3–4 min

Poem must not be vulgar or cheap.
One participant per institution.

Note:

Refer to rulebook for rules & schedule for timings.

Team

Quiz

3 students

Preliminary written round + oral audio-visual final

One team per institution.
Detailed rules for evaluation, answer time, and round format will be announced before the competition.

Note:

Refer to rulebook for rules & schedule for timings.

Solo

Elocution

1 speaker

Performance 4–6 min

Topics will be shared by the Cultural Coordinator in advance.
Reading from paper is not allowed.

Note:

Refer to rulebook for rules & schedule for timings.

Team

Debate (Hindi / English)

2 speakers: one for and one against

4–5 min per speaker

Topic is announced 24 hours before the event; speaking order is decided by lots.
Inform the Stage Secretary of each speaker's stance before the competition.
Hindi or English may be used.

Note:

Bring a white T-shirt and your own fabric/acrylic paints, glitter, brushes, mixing plate, pencil, pen, and eraser.
Theme: “WOMEN UNITE”, within a 15 × 15 cm area.
Ready-made stickers, photographs, tracing, and copying for reference are prohibited; judged on creativity, uniqueness, clarity, and overall outlook.

Note:

Refer to rulebook for rules & schedule for timings.

Fashion Events

A non-competitive fashion parade celebrating style and expression.

Non-competitive

Fashion Parade

Participant details to be confirmed with organisers

Not specified in the rulebook table

Listed as a non-competitive event in the Rhythm’26 rulebook.
Check the official event coordinator for registration, participant limits, and schedule.

Note:

Refer to rulebook for rules & schedule for timings.