1.Definitions

In these Terms, unless the context requires otherwise:

• “ABSKM”, “the Board”, “we”, “us”, “our” means Akhil Bhartiya Sangeet Kala Mahavidhyalay, a unit of Balaji Educational & Social Trust, registered with NITI Aayog, Government of India (Darpan ID: RJ/2022/0309701).
• “Website” means www.abskm.in and all its sub-domains and pages.
• “Academy” or “Centre” means an institution, academy, school, trust, society or individual teacher affiliated with or applying for affiliation with ABSKM as an Authorized ABSKM Centre.
• “Student” or “Candidate” means a person registered through an Academy to appear for an ABSKM examination.
• “You” or “User” means any person accessing the Website or availing ABSKM services, including Students, Academies, parents and guardians.
• “Services” means examinations, evaluation, certification, affiliation and any related services offered by ABSKM.

2.Acceptance of terms

By accessing the Website, submitting a registration or affiliation application, paying any fee, or appearing for an ABSKM examination, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to these Terms and to our Privacy Policy and Refund Policy, which form part of these Terms.

If you do not agree with any part of these Terms, you must not use the Website or avail our Services.

Where a Student is below eighteen (18) years of age, these Terms are accepted on their behalf by a parent or lawful guardian, who accepts responsibility for the Student’s compliance with them.

3.About ABSKM

ABSKM is an examination and certification board for performing and fine arts. It provides a syllabus framework, conducts examinations and issues certificates and marksheets to Students trained at Authorized ABSKM Centres.

ABSKM is not a university and does not claim to be one. It does not grant degrees, diplomas or academic awards of the kind conferred by universities under the University Grants Commission Act, 1956. Certificates issued by ABSKM are certificates of proficiency in the relevant art form, assessed against the Board’s own published standards.

Recognition of ABSKM certificates by any third party — including schools, colleges, universities, employers, audition panels or government bodies — is at the sole discretion of that third party. ABSKM makes no representation that any particular institution or employer will accept its certificates.

4.Eligibility & registration

4.1 Student registration

Students are registered for examinations by their Academy. ABSKM does not ordinarily accept direct registrations from individual Students who are not enrolled at an Authorized ABSKM Centre.

4.2 Accuracy of information

You are responsible for ensuring that all information submitted — including name, date of birth, discipline, level and contact details — is accurate and complete. Certificates are issued strictly as per the details submitted at the time of registration.

4.3 Corrections

Requests to correct details after a certificate has been issued must be made in writing and may attract a re-issuance charge. ABSKM reserves the right to decline corrections that would materially alter the record of assessment.

4.4 Level eligibility

A Student may only be registered for a level for which they are academically eligible, as determined by the Academy in accordance with ABSKM guidelines. ABSKM may cancel a registration made in breach of this requirement.

5.Academy affiliation

5.1 Application and approval

Submission of an affiliation or franchise registration form is an expression of interest only. Affiliation takes effect only upon written approval by ABSKM, payment of the applicable fee and issuance of a centre code.

5.2 Nature of the relationship

Affiliation creates a non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable authorisation to conduct ABSKM examinations at the approved premises. It does not create a partnership, joint venture, agency or employment relationship between ABSKM and the Academy. An Academy may not represent itself as ABSKM or hold itself out as authorised to act on the Board’s behalf beyond the scope expressly granted.

5.3 Academy obligations

An Authorized ABSKM Centre shall:

• conduct student training and day-to-day development;
• coordinate examinations at the centre level in accordance with ABSKM guidelines;
• handle student communication and administration;
• collect and remit student examination fees as prescribed;
• maintain accurate student records and attendance;
• provide suitable, safe premises for the conduct of examinations;
• use ABSKM’s name and marks only in the manner permitted under clause 12;
• comply with all applicable laws, including those relating to child safety and protection.

5.4 ABSKM obligations

ABSKM shall provide syllabus design and the academic framework, examination structure and evaluation guidelines, issuance of certificates and marksheets, academic and operational support to centres, and quality assurance of standards.

5.5 Territory

Unless expressly agreed in writing, affiliation does not confer territorial exclusivity. ABSKM may authorise other centres in the same city or locality.

5.6 Term and renewal

Affiliation is granted for the period stated in the authorisation letter and is subject to periodic renewal, payment of renewal fees and continued compliance with these Terms and ABSKM standards.

6.Examinations

6.1 Schedule

Examinations are ordinarily conducted twice each year. A Student may appear once per examination cycle. The schedule is announced in advance and is subject to change at ABSKM’s discretion.

6.2 Venue

Examinations are conducted at the premises of the Authorized ABSKM Centre at which the Student is enrolled, or at such other venue or online mode as ABSKM may notify.

6.3 Assessment structure

Assessment may comprise a practical or performance assessment, a viva voce, and — at advanced levels — an internship component. Levels 1 to 3 are assessed internally by the affiliated Academy. Levels 4 and above are assessed through formal ABSKM examinations.

6.4 Absence

A Student who fails to appear on the scheduled date and time shall be marked absent. Fees paid are not refundable or transferable on account of absence, except as expressly provided in the Refund Policy.

6.5 Recording and documentation

ABSKM may require examinations to be recorded (audio or video) for evaluation, moderation and quality-assurance purposes. Such recordings are handled in accordance with the Privacy Policy.

7.Evaluation & results

Examinations are assessed in accordance with ABSKM’s published evaluation guidelines and not at the individual discretion of any examiner. The decision of the Board on evaluation and results is final.

Results are declared through the Website and through the Academy. ABSKM does not disclose individual examiner identities, internal marking notes or moderation records.

A Student who is dissatisfied with a result may apply for re-evaluation within fifteen (15) days of declaration of results, on payment of the prescribed re-evaluation fee. Re-evaluation is a review of the assessment already conducted; it does not entitle a Student to a fresh examination. The revised result — whether higher, lower or unchanged — is final.

A Student who does not meet the required standard may re-appear at a subsequent examination cycle on payment of the applicable fee.

8.Certification

On successfully passing, a Student receives a Student Certificate specifying the subject, level attained and grade awarded, together with a detailed marksheet. The Academy receives recognition as an Authorized ABSKM Centre.

Certificates remain the intellectual property of ABSKM. They may not be altered, forged, defaced or reproduced in any manner that misrepresents the qualification held.

ABSKM may verify the authenticity of any certificate on request and may cancel or revoke a certificate obtained through misrepresentation, malpractice or error, after giving the holder an opportunity to be heard.

Duplicate certificates may be issued on written application, subject to the prescribed fee and verification of records.

Certificates may be presented at a convocation ceremony organised by ABSKM. Attendance at convocation is optional and does not affect the validity of the certificate.

9.Fees & payments

All fees — including affiliation fees, renewal fees, examination fees, re-evaluation fees and re-issuance charges — are as notified by ABSKM from time to time and are payable in Indian Rupees (INR).

Fees are exclusive of applicable taxes unless stated otherwise. Any bank charges, payment gateway charges or currency conversion costs are borne by the payer.

ABSKM reserves the right to revise its fee structure at any time. Revised fees apply prospectively and do not affect registrations already confirmed for the current cycle.

A registration is confirmed only on receipt of full payment. ABSKM is not responsible for fees collected by an Academy from a Student but not remitted to the Board; in such cases the Student’s recourse is against the Academy.

Refunds are governed exclusively by the Refund Policy.

10.Code of conduct

Students, Academies and their representatives shall:

• conduct themselves respectfully and professionally at all examinations, ceremonies and interactions with the Board;
• not engage in any form of harassment, discrimination or abusive behaviour;
• not misrepresent their affiliation, level, grade or credentials;
• not use ABSKM’s name, logo or marks in a misleading manner;
• comply with all reasonable instructions issued by ABSKM or its examiners.

11.Malpractice & disciplinary action

The following constitute malpractice: impersonation; submission of false documents or false information; unauthorised assistance during an examination; tampering with records, marksheets or certificates; attempting to influence an examiner; and any other conduct intended to obtain an unfair advantage.

Where malpractice is established after due enquiry, ABSKM may cancel the examination or result, debar the Student from future examinations for a stated period, revoke certificates already issued, suspend or terminate the affiliation of the Academy concerned, and take such further action as may be available in law.

Fees paid are not refundable in any case involving established malpractice.

12.Intellectual property

All content on the Website and in ABSKM materials — including the name “Akhil Bhartiya Sangeet Kala Mahavidhyalay”, the abbreviation “ABSKM”, the logo, syllabus documents, question papers, evaluation frameworks, certificate designs, text, graphics, photographs and layout — is the property of ABSKM or its licensors and is protected under applicable intellectual property law.

You may not republish, reproduce, redistribute, sell, rent, sub-licence or commercially exploit any such material without prior written permission from ABSKM.

An Authorized ABSKM Centre is granted a limited, revocable, non-exclusive licence to use the “ABSKM Authorized Centre” designation and the ABSKM logo solely to identify itself as an affiliated centre, strictly in the form and manner approved by ABSKM, and only for the duration of its affiliation. This licence ends immediately on expiry, suspension or termination of affiliation, and all use of the marks must then cease.

Syllabus material and examination papers are confidential and must not be circulated, published or shared outside the purpose for which they are provided.

13.Website use

You agree to use the Website only for lawful purposes. You must not:

• attempt to gain unauthorised access to the Website, its servers, centre login areas or any connected system;
• introduce viruses, malware or any other harmful code;
• use automated tools to scrape, harvest or extract data from the Website;
• interfere with or disrupt the operation of the Website;
• post or transmit unlawful, defamatory, obscene or infringing content through any form or feature on the Website.

ABSKM may restrict or withdraw access to the Website, in whole or in part, at any time and without notice.

13.1 Cookies

The Website uses cookies. Details of how cookies are used and how you may control them are set out in the Privacy Policy.

13.2 Linking to our content

Government agencies, search engines, news organisations and educational institutions may link to the Website without prior written approval, provided the link is not misleading, does not falsely imply sponsorship or endorsement, and fits within the context of the linking party’s site. Any other party wishing to link to the Website should write to us at info@abskm.in.

13.3 Framing

You may not create frames around the Website’s pages, or use any other technique that alters the visual presentation or appearance of the Website, without prior written permission.

14.Third-party links

The Website may contain links to third-party websites, including those of affiliated Academies, payment gateways and social media platforms. ABSKM does not control and is not responsible for the content, accuracy, availability or privacy practices of any third-party site. Access to such sites is at your own risk and subject to their own terms.

ABSKM will consider written requests to remove links to third-party sites but is under no obligation to do so or to respond directly to any such request.

15.Disclaimers

The Website and its content are provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis. While ABSKM takes reasonable care to keep information current and accurate, it does not warrant that the Website will be uninterrupted, error-free, secure or free of viruses.

Information on the Website — including schedules, fees, syllabus outlines and centre listings — is provided for general guidance and may change without notice. In case of any inconsistency, the position formally communicated by ABSKM in writing shall prevail.

ABSKM does not guarantee any particular result, grade, admission, employment, income or career outcome arising from its examinations or certificates.

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits any liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited, including liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, or for fraud.

16.Limitation of liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, ABSKM shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential or punitive loss, or for loss of profits, opportunity, goodwill, data or anticipated savings, arising out of or in connection with the Website, the Services or these Terms.

ABSKM’s aggregate liability to any Student, Academy or other User in respect of all claims arising in any twelve-month period shall not exceed the total fees actually received by ABSKM from that person during that period.

ABSKM is not responsible for the acts, omissions, teaching quality, safety practices, conduct, representations or financial dealings of any affiliated Academy. Each Academy is an independent institution responsible for its own operations.

17.Indemnity

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless ABSKM, Balaji Educational & Social Trust, and their trustees, board members, officers, examiners and employees against any claim, demand, loss, liability, cost or expense (including reasonable legal fees) arising out of your breach of these Terms, your misuse of the Website or the Services, your infringement of any third-party right, or — in the case of an Academy — any claim brought by a Student, parent or third party in relation to that Academy’s own operations.

18.Suspension & termination

ABSKM may suspend or terminate a User’s access to the Website, a Student’s registration, or an Academy’s affiliation, with immediate effect, where there is a material breach of these Terms, established malpractice, non-payment of fees, conduct damaging to the reputation or standards of the Board, or a legal or regulatory requirement to do so.

An Academy may withdraw from affiliation by giving ABSKM thirty (30) days’ written notice. Withdrawal does not entitle the Academy to any refund of affiliation or renewal fees already paid.

On termination, the Academy shall immediately cease all use of ABSKM’s name, logo and marks, remove all references to affiliation from its premises and marketing material, and return or destroy confidential materials. Certificates already validly issued to Students remain valid.

19.Force majeure

ABSKM shall not be liable for any delay or failure in performing its obligations where such delay or failure results from causes beyond its reasonable control, including natural disasters, epidemics or pandemics, fire, flood, civil unrest, strikes, war, terrorism, government action or restriction, failure of public infrastructure, or interruption of internet or telecommunication services. Where an examination is affected by such an event, ABSKM may reschedule it or conduct it in an alternative mode.

20.Amendments

ABSKM may amend these Terms at any time. The amended Terms take effect from the date of publication on the Website, and the “Last updated” date above will be revised accordingly. Your continued use of the Website or the Services after publication constitutes acceptance of the amended Terms. You are advised to review this page periodically.

21.Governing law & jurisdiction

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of India. Subject to clause 22, the courts at Delhi shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute arising out of or in connection with these Terms, the Website or the Services.

The parties shall first attempt to resolve any dispute amicably through discussion. Failing resolution within thirty (30) days, the dispute may be referred to arbitration by a sole arbitrator appointed by ABSKM in accordance with the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. The seat and venue of arbitration shall be Delhi, India, and the proceedings shall be conducted in English or Hindi.

22.Grievance redressal

Any grievance relating to examinations, results, certification, affiliation, the Website or these Terms may be addressed to:

Grievances are ordinarily acknowledged within seven (7) working days and resolved within thirty (30) days of receipt.