Turning arts training into recognized qualifications
ABSKM is a dedicated examination and certification board for music, dance and fine arts. We give academies the structure to assess students and award nationally standardized, government-registered certificates — without changing how or where they teach.
A certification board built for the arts
Many academies deliver excellent training but have no formal way to prove it. ABSKM brings academic structure, standardized assessment and recognized credentials to arts education across the country.
Collaborate
We partner with dance, music and fine-arts academies nationwide as Authorized ABSKM Centres.
Certify
Academies can award nationally standardized certificates backed by a documented examination framework.
Empower
Institutes keep teaching at their own centres — no relocation, no disruption to ongoing classes.
Cultivated · Celebrated · Certified
From the stage to the studio, ABSKM certification spans the full spectrum of the performing and fine arts.
Music
Guitar · Tabla · Vocal · Sitar
Dance
Classical · Folk · Western · Contemporary
Fine Arts
Drawing · Painting · Craft · Digital Art
Certification across every art form
ABSKM certifies students across performing arts, fine arts and skill-based disciplines — not just the classical ones.
Music
- Hindustani Vocal
- Carnatic Music
- Semi-classical forms
- Instrumental music
- All other forms
Dance
- Classical dance forms
- Folk & regional dance
- Western dance
- Contemporary dance
- All forms of dance
Fine Arts
- Painting: oil, watercolour, acrylic, charcoal
- Traditional: Madhubani, Warli, Tanjore, miniature
- Craft & clay: terracotta, pottery, ceramics
- Calligraphy, resin art, block printing
Other Skills
- Theatre & drama
- Yoga & wellness arts
- Recitation & poetry
- Photography & media
- & more disciplines
Why certification matters
🔍 The current gap
Many arts academies deliver quality training but lack a formal examination framework, leading to:
- No documented record of academic progression
- No standardized, level-based assessments
- Limited recognition for teaching and professional roles
🎗 The ABSKM solution
ABSKM provides a centralized system that:
- Validates skills through a structured framework
- Creates long-term academic value for every student
- Issues nationally recognized, standardized credentials
How ABSKM works
A seamless integration model for existing academies — no disruption to ongoing teaching.
Authorize
Academy becomes an Authorized ABSKM Centre.
Train
Students continue regular training at the academy.
Register
Eligible students are registered for examinations.
Examine
Exams are conducted at the academy's premises.
Evaluate
Work is assessed per ABSKM guidelines.
Certify
Official certificates are issued by ABSKM.
A clear division of work
You handle the students. We handle the academics, the standard and the paperwork.
🏫 Academy responsibilities
- Student training and day-to-day development
- Examination coordination at the centre level
- Student communication and administration
- Collection of student examination fees
- Maintaining student records and attendance
🏛 ABSKM responsibilities
- Syllabus design and academic framework
- Examination structure and evaluation guidelines
- Issuance of certificates and marksheets
- Academic and operational support to centres
- Quality assurance and standards maintenance
Nine progressive levels
From first principles to professional mastery — a documented journey for every student.
Foundation
Basic skill development, fundamental concepts, theory and a practical skill exam.
Academy AssessedIntermediate
Technical proficiency and performance skills.
ABSKM ExaminedAdvanced
Internship / practical exposure and applied assessment.
ABSKM ExaminedProfessional
Mastery-level performance, internship and professional credentials.
ABSKM ExaminedHow students are assessed
Standardized, scheduled and documented — so a grade means the same thing at every centre.
Frequency
- Examinations held twice every year
- Students appear once per examination cycle
- Structured schedule announced in advance
Assessment components
- Practical / performance assessment
- Viva voce (oral examination)
- Internship component at advanced levels
Advanced levels (6 & 7)
- Internship exposure component
- Opens professional job opportunities
- Evaluated learning outcomes
Value for students and academies alike
For students
- A nationally recognized certificate proving your skill level
- A clear 9-level pathway — always know where you stand
- Standardized assessment that benchmarks strengths and gaps
- Recognition useful for teaching jobs, auditions and further study
- Formal exams that build discipline, focus and performance confidence
- A convocation ceremony to celebrate the milestone
For academies
- Board affiliation that signals credibility to parents
- A ready-made syllabus framework — no course design from scratch
- Formal exams that improve student retention and progression
- Authorized Centre status that sets you apart locally
- "ABSKM Authorized" as a trust signal in your marketing
- Onboarding, exam guidelines and ongoing operational support
Certification & convocation
🎓 Student certificate
Specifies subject, level attained and grade awarded.
📄 Detailed marksheet
A comprehensive breakdown of performance across all components.
🛡 Academy recognition
Recognizes the institute as an Authorized ABSKM Centre.
- A dedicated convocation ceremony adds prestige and academic significance
- A memorable milestone in every student's journey
Guided by accomplished artists & educators
Performers, scholars and teachers dedicated to elevating arts education across India.
Pandit
Rajendra Gangani Ji
✦ An Icon of the Jaipur Gharana ✦- Disciple and son of Pt. Kundanlal Gangani
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Award winner
- Guinness World Record holder
- Performed on prestigious stages worldwide
Varsha Panwar
📍 Mumbai
- Ph.D (pursuing) · UGC-NET JRF
- PG, Hindustani Vocal
- Instructor, Shankar Mahadevan Academy
Suhruth Rao
📍 Bengaluru
- Hindustani Classical Vocalist · 10+ yrs
- 100+ concerts pan-India
- Dhanvantari Prashasti 2026
@suhruth_rao
Mohit Shreedhar
📍 Delhi
- Kathak Performer · Jaipur Gharana
- Performed at the G20 Summit
- Shows across 3 continents
@kathak_shridhar
Dr. Khyati Jajoo
📍 Jodhpur
- MA English · Doctorate in Kathak
- Performer & scholar
- 3 Lakh+ YouTube subscribers
@khyati_kj
Dr. Kanchan Jajoo
📍 Jodhpur
- MA Music — Gold Medalist
- Sitar specialist & vocal artist
- Arts educator & academy head
@kanchanjajoo
Built for academic seriousness
🏛 Government registered
Registered with NITI Aayog (Government of India) — Darpan ID RJ/2022/0309701, a unit of Balaji Educational & Social Trust.
📋 Transparent process
Standardized examinations, clear evaluation criteria and documented marksheets for every candidate.
🎓 Expert evaluation
Examinations assessed per ABSKM guidelines — never left to individual judgment.
📜 Recognized credentials
Certificates usable for teaching roles, academic applications and auditions.
📈 Tracked progression
A student's documented journey is tracked and recorded across all nine levels.
🏫 Your centre, your identity
Examinations run at your own premises. No relocation, no change to how you teach.
Aligned with national skill-development frameworks
ABSKM is committed to quality education, professional training and skill-development programmes aligned with industry requirements and national frameworks.
Medhavi Skills University
Industry-oriented education and skill-development opportunities for our learners.
UGC-recognized universityNational Council for Vocational Education and Training
Our initiatives are aligned with NCVET's vocational education and training framework.
National frameworkSkill India Mission
Supporting India's vision of building a skilled, employment-ready workforce.
National missionGlobal Skill Development Mission
Supporting skill-development and vocational training initiatives.
Skill development🏛 Powered by Balaji Educational & Social Trust
ABSKM is powered by Balaji Educational & Social Trust, a registered organization with NITI Aayog (Darpan ID RJ/2022/0309701) — reflecting our commitment to structured educational and skill-development initiatives.
📚 Teacher training & professional development
Alongside skill-development programmes, ABSKM offers teacher training courses designed to strengthen teaching competencies, professional knowledge, classroom practice and career development.
- For students, teachers, trainers and working professionals
- Practical skills for today's education and employment landscape
Beyond certificates
Our students excel on every stage they step onto — from convocation halls to national festivals.
Give your students credentials that count
Join the growing network of Authorized ABSKM Centres and let arts education carry the same academic seriousness as any other subject.