The State-Level National School Band Competition 2025–26, organised as part of the Republic Day Celebrations (RDC) 2026, has successfully concluded across the country, witnessing enthusiastic participation from school children nationwide. The competition aims to instil a sense of oneness, belonging, discipline, and national pride among students, nurturing patriotism through music and collective performance.
A Multi-Tiered National Competition
The National School Band Competition is conducted in three stages—State Level, Zonal Level, and National Level (Final)—across four categories:
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Boys Brass Band
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Girls Brass Band
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Boys Pipe Band
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Girls Pipe Band
Guidelines for the 2025–26 edition were issued by the Ministry of Education in October 2025, ensuring uniform standards and nationwide participation.
Robust Participation Across States and UTs
At the State Level, 824 school band teams from 33 States and Union Territories registered for the competition. Out of these, 763 teams, comprising 18,013 school children, actively participated—reflecting the growing enthusiasm for the initiative.
Following rigorous evaluation, 94 teams have been shortlisted to advance to the Zonal Level competitions.
Road to the Grand Finale in New Delhi
The Zonal competitions will identify four winning band teams from each zone—Eastern, Western, Northern, and Southern—resulting in a total of 16 finalist teams. These teams will compete in the National Finale scheduled to be held in New Delhi on January 24, 2026.
The finalists’ performances will be evaluated by a jury appointed by the Ministry of Defence, including representatives from all three wings of the Defence Forces—Army, Navy, and Air Force—adding prestige and rigour to the assessment process.
Inter-Ministerial Collaboration for Youth Engagement
Since RDC 2023, the National School Band Competition has been jointly conducted by the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Education, reflecting a strong inter-ministerial commitment to holistic education and youth engagement.
The rhythmic precision and coordinated performances of school bands play a vital role in rousing passion, courage, and collective spirit, inspiring students and audiences alike while reinforcing values of unity and discipline.
Growing Footprint Compared to Previous Editions
The expanding scale of the competition highlights its increasing impact. During RDC 2025, 709 school band teams registered at the State Level, with 568 teams and 13,999 children participating. The higher participation figures in the 2025–26 edition underline the programme’s growing popularity and success.
Conclusion
The successful completion of the State-Level National School Band Competition 2025–26 marks an important milestone in the run-up to Republic Day Celebrations 2026. By blending music, discipline, and patriotism, the competition continues to nurture young minds, strengthen national unity, and promote holistic education—setting the stage for a vibrant and inspiring national finale in New Delhi.
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Source: PIB
