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ISC Open Youth Fest 2025-2026

ISC OPEN YOUTH FEST 2025–2026
RULES & REGULATIONS

Organized by:

Literary Section

India Social & Cultural Centre (ISC), Abu Dhabi

Last Date for Registration: 20 January 2026

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1. GENERAL INFORMATION

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ISC UAE Open Youth Fest 2025–2026 is organized by the Literary Section of India Social & Cultural Centre (ISC), Abu Dhabi. 

The competition is open to all Indians residing in the UAE.

Note: Registrations will be accepted strictly on a First-Come, First-Served basis. ISC reserves the right to close registrations earlier than the notified date if the number of entries exceeds venue capacity.

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2. AGE CATEGORIES

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Age will be considered as completed on 20 January 2026 and verified strictly as per Emirates ID.

Kids: 21 Jan 2020 – 20 Jan 2023 (Above 3 years & below 6 years)

Sub-Junior: 21 Jan 2017 – 20 Jan 2020 (Above 6 years & below 9 years)

Junior: 21 Jan 2014 – 20 Jan 2017 (Above 9 years & below 12 years)

Senior: 21 Jan 2011 – 20 Jan 2014 (Above 12 years & below 15 years)

Super-Senior: 21 Jan 2008 – 20 Jan 2011 (Above 15 years & below 18 years) * 

Students currently studying Plus Two are eligible to participate in the Super Senior Category, provided they submit a valid School ID at the time of registration or verification.

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3. REGISTRATION & DOCUMENTS

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Participants must upload:

• Emirates ID

• Online payment proof (online payment is mandatory)

Incomplete registrations will be rejected. 

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4. MINIMUM PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS

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• Individual events with less than four (4) entries may be cancelled.

• Group events with less than three (3) teams may be cancelled.

• Minimum 5 and maximum 10 participants per group.

• Exceeding permitted time limits will lead to disqualification. (refer Section 12 for event duration) 

If conducted with fewer participants, such events will not be considered for ISC Pratibha / ISC Thilak awards. Participants in such cases will be provided with participation certificate.

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5. PERFORMANCE GUIDELINES

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Light Music:

Only Non-Film Folk Songs, Geet, Ghazal, Bhajan and Abhanga permitted.

No background music allowed.

Classical Music:

Only Sruthi Box or Tanpura allowed. Instruments must be brought by participants.

Karaoke:

MP3 files must be submitted at the venue with chest number before event start.

Media quality responsibility lies with participants.

Western Percussion instruments may include Drum kit, Jazz etc

FANCY DRESS:

• Only handheld props allowed.

• No background music.

• No stage or backdrop modifications permitted.

• Use of fire, sharp objects, liquids, powders or hazardous materials is strictly prohibited.

DRAWING, PAINTING & COLOURING:

Themes will be announced at the venue.

Paper will be provided by ISC.

Materials:

• Kids & Sub-Junior: Crayons / Colour Pencils

• Junior, Senior & Super-Senior: Water Colour / Poster Colour / Oil Pastel

• Pencil Drawing: Pencils and charcoal (black only)

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6. ENTRY FEES

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Dance Forms – Individual:

ISC Member: AED 125 | Non-ISC Member: AED 150

Additional Event: AED 20

Dance Forms – Group:

ISC Member: AED 200 | Non-ISC Member: AED 250

Non-Dance Forms – Individual:

ISC Member: AED 75 | Non-ISC Member: AED 100

Additional Event: AED 20

N= Total Number of events selected for participation under Individual type 

Y= Total Number of events selected for participation under Group type

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7. MAXIMUM EVENTS

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Each participant may participate in a maximum of seven (7) events:

• Maximum four (4) Dance events

• Maximum Three (3) non-dance events

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8. REPORTING & DISCIPLINE

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Participants must report 60 minutes prior to scheduled time.

Proper conduct within ISC premises is mandatory.

ISC Management is not responsible for misconduct consequences.

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9. REFUND POLICY

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Entry fees once paid are strictly non-refundable.

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10. CERTIFICATES & AWARDS

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• Participation certificates for all.

• Winner, First Runner-Up & Second Runner-Up certificates.

• Best Art & Cultural School Award.

• ISC Pratibha (Male Champion) & ISC Thilak (Female Champion) based on points.

Points:

First – 5 | Second – 3 | Third – 1

Note: Group Dance performance will not be considered for the above and non-performing arts (e.g. Painting and Drawing) are not considered for ISC Pratibha and ISC Thilak. If there are 2 or more participants who score the same points, Pratibha & Thilak will be decided upon number of first/ second/ third positions secured by individuals

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11. JUDGING

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Judging will be conducted by eminent professionals.

Judge’s decision will be final and binding on all participants without any option for contestation or dispute. ISC managing committee reserves the right to make any changes or modification in the event schedule. In case of any disputes, the decision of the ISC Managing Committee shall be final.

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12. EVENT DURATIONS

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Dance:

Bharatanatyam / Mohiniyattam / Kuchipudi / Odissi / Kathak: 8–10 min

Folk / Semi-Classical: 5–7 min

Cinematic Dance Individual/ Group: 4–8 min

Music:

Carnatic / Hindustani: 9–12 min

Western: 3–6 min

Light Music (Non-Film Songs) without background music / Film songs with Karaoke: 4–7 min

Music (Instrument) without prerecorded accompanied track:

Strings Eastern, Western/ Percussion Tabala, Western, Mridangam: 7-10 minutes)

Electronic Keyboard:(5-7 minutes)

Others:

Mono Acting: 5 min

Fancy Dress: 2 min

Extempore: 2-3 min

Colouring / Drawing: 45 min

Painting: 120 min

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13. PHOTOGRAPHY OR VIDEOGRAPHY

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* ISC reserves the right to use photographs and video recordings of participants taken during the event for official publications, publicity, and promotional purposes.

* Any photography or videography by parents or guardians is permitted only with prior approval from the respective Hall Official/Captain and must not disrupt the event proceedings.

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14. DECLARATION

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All information submitted is true and correct.

ISC reserves the right to deny participation if any information is found incorrect.

Issued by:

Literary Section

India Social & Cultural Centre, Abu Dhabi