The Grand Finale of the National School Band Competition (NSBC) 7.0, 2025–26 was inaugurated at National Bal Bhavan, New Delhi, as part of the Republic Day Celebrations (RDC) 2026. The event was inaugurated by Shri Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education, and Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Defence, marking a significant step towards promoting discipline, teamwork, leadership and musical excellence among school students across the country.
18 School Bands Showcase Talent on a National मंच
The National School Band Competition this year has brought together 18 shortlisted school bands from 11 States and Union Territories, selected through a rigorous multi-level process:
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State-level competitions:
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763 teams participated
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18,013 students took part
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Zonal-level competitions:
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94 teams shortlisted
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Grand Finale:
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18 teams competing at the national stage
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This competition continues to serve as a unique national platform for fostering:
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Unity in diversity
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Discipline and teamwork
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Cultural pride
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Artistic expression among youth
Aligned with NEP 2020 and Holistic Education Vision
The Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSEL) promotes holistic student development in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 through initiatives supported under Samagra Shiksha and the PM SHRI Schools scheme.
Shri Sanjay Kumar emphasised that platforms such as the National School Band Competition represent art-integrated education in action, nurturing:
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Leadership qualities
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Discipline
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Team spirit
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Creativity beyond classroom learning
He reiterated the Ministry of Education’s commitment to encouraging diverse talents and co-curricular excellence alongside academic growth.
School Band Tradition Inspired by Armed Forces
Highlighting the deeper significance of the competition, Shri Sanjay Kumar noted that the tradition of school bands is deeply inspired by the Indian Armed Forces, where music has long symbolised:
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Valour
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Unity
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Morale
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Collective spirit
He added that even under the most challenging wartime conditions, military bands have historically played a key role in motivating troops and strengthening camaraderie. Participation at the national level itself, he said, reflects months of dedication, discipline and rigorous practice by students.
Growing Participation Appreciated by Ministry of Defence
Addressing the gathering, Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Defence, appreciated the strong collaboration between the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Education in institutionalising the competition as part of the Republic Day celebrations.
He expressed satisfaction over the steady increase in participation by schools and students over the years and praised the young performers for their:
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Dedication
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Precision
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Musical excellence
He noted that such initiatives nurture a deep sense of patriotism and national service among young learners.
Gratitude Extended to Schools, Mentors and Organisers
Dr Amarpreet Duggal, Joint Secretary, DoSEL, presented the Vote of Thanks, expressing appreciation to:
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Participating schools and students
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Teachers and mentors
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Organising teams
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Supporting institutions and dignitaries
for their collective efforts in making the event a success.
National Representation: 18 Teams from 11 States and UTs
The Grand Finale features bands representing diverse regions of India, reflecting the country’s cultural and educational diversity. Participating states include:
Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.
Teams include a healthy mix of:
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Boys’ bands
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Girls’ bands
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Pipe bands
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Brass bands
This inclusive representation reinforces the spirit of national unity through music and youth participation.
Conclusion: NSBC 2025-26
The National School Band Competition 2025–26 stands as a powerful symbol of how education, culture and national values can blend to shape well-rounded citizens. By promoting discipline, teamwork, leadership and artistic excellence, the initiative strengthens the holistic development of students in line with NEP 2020. As these young performers take the national stage during Republic Day celebrations, they represent not just musical talent, but the future of a confident, united and culturally rich India.
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Source: PIB
