Deadline: 30-Sep-2025
The 2026 TOTO Awards for Music invite young Indian artists to submit their original music for recognition, celebrating creativity, innovation, and excellence across all genres and languages.
The award celebrates original, independent music by young artists, recognising excellence in the field and rewarding music that innovates and explores new thought and intention in the Indian music scene. It welcomes all contemporary original music entries in any genre or language—including rock, hip-hop, jazz, folk, heavy metal, electronic, instrumental, and more—composed and written by an individual artist or a band/project/collective. The jury looks for fresh sound, artistic honesty, and a willingness to innovate, assessing both the musical content and the growth potential of the artist.
Organised by Toto Funds the Arts (TFA) and supported by Badri Vishal, the award offers two winners a prize of ₹60,000 each. It is open to Indian citizens currently living in India, with all band or project members between the ages of 18 and 29, born between 1 January 1996 and 1 January 2008. Overseas Citizens of India are not eligible. Applicants may submit again if they have not won previously, provided they present new work.
Submissions must include three original music tracks, which may be released or unreleased, in any style or language. All lyrics and compositions must be entirely original, owned by the applicant, and performed under their artist or band name. Entries must be provided as YouTube audio links, accompanied by English translations of lyrics where applicable, and three high-quality photographs of the artist or band. Recording quality should meet a basic standard, with an emphasis on clarity and thoughtful arrangement, even if home-recorded.
The jury, comprising music critics, producers, and leading practitioners, changes annually and represents diverse expertise and an openness to new sounds. Their decisions are final, and shortlisted artists may be contacted for additional details or asked to provide downloadable versions of their tracks.
The submission deadline is 30 September 2025, and entries must be submitted via the official online form in English, Hindi, or Kannada. Physical or email submissions will not be accepted. Winning entries may be featured on the TFA website, blog, and promotional materials with full credit to the creators, while copyright remains with the artist.
For more information, visit Toto Funds the Arts.
