Sa Re Ga Ma Pa 2026: Zee TV Launches Auditions Across India; Here's How To Register And Participate

Sa Re Ga Ma Pa 2026 Auditions: Zee TV has begun the rollout for the new season of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, with the first audition dates now confirmed for Varanasi, Lucknow and Delhi. The singing reality show will open its search in Varanasi on 3 July, followed by Lucknow on 4 July and Delhi on 5 July. More audition cities are expected to be announced by the channel in the coming days.

The announcement comes with the first promo of the upcoming season, which positions the show around rooted, Indian musical expression rather than only high-gloss stage performances. Set during a family celebration for a newborn, the promo uses a Sohar, a traditional folk form heard in parts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, to underline the season’s focus on voices shaped by local culture, family traditions and lived experience.

Sa Re Ga Ma Pa auditions begin with North India cities

The first leg of auditions gives singers from eastern Uttar Pradesh, central Uttar Pradesh, Delhi-NCR and nearby regions an early chance to enter the competition. Varanasi, Lucknow and Delhi are significant choices for a music-led show, as all three cities have deep links with classical, semi-classical, folk, devotional and contemporary performance cultures.

For contestants, the audition window is also a reminder that reality singing shows now look beyond polished playback-style voices. Indian television audiences have increasingly responded to singers who bring regional identity, language, texture and personal storytelling to the stage. Sa Re Ga Ma Pa appears to be leaning into that shift with its first promo and city selection.

Aspiring singers can register for auditions by giving a missed call on +91 9152915218. After the missed call, participants will receive an SMS with a link to the official audition website. The channel has also opened a WhatsApp-based audition route on +91 8655780787, where applicants can share the required details along with two audio-video clips.

Entries can also be submitted through the official audition portal, saregamapaauditions.zee5.com. Contestants should keep their audition videos clear, audible and performance-focused. While the channel will specify formal requirements through its audition platforms, singers usually benefit from choosing songs that show range, sur, expression and originality without overcomplicating the presentation.

Why the new promo stands out

The use of Sohar in the promo is a notable creative choice. Sohar is traditionally sung to mark childbirth and new beginnings, often in domestic gatherings led by women. By placing this sound at the centre of the first campaign, the show is signalling that the next season may give more space to voices and styles that come from homes, communities and oral traditions.

That approach fits the wider evolution of Indian music on television. Reality shows once relied heavily on film songs as the main testing ground for contestants. While Bollywood music remains central to audience connect, viewers now also engage strongly with folk, indie, devotional, regional and fusion performances when they are presented with sincerity and strong musical craft.

Zee TV has also said the upcoming season will feature a larger production setup, including a stage supported by more than 100 live musicians, singers and instrumentalists. If used meaningfully, a live musical environment can change how contestants perform. It can test timing, adaptability and stage confidence in a way that pre-recorded tracks often cannot.

For singers, that raises both the opportunity and the challenge. A strong voice alone may not be enough. Contestants will need to show musical understanding, emotional control and the ability to hold attention in front of a full arrangement. It also gives trained and self-taught performers different ways to stand out, depending on their strengths.

A long-running platform for new singers

Sa Re Ga Ma Pa remains one of Indian television’s most recognised music reality formats. The franchise has been associated with several well-known names over the years, including Shreya Ghoshal, Kunal Ganjawala and Monali Thakur. Its long run has made it a familiar platform for singers hoping to move from local performances to national visibility.

The show’s legacy matters because music reality television continues to function as an important discovery space in India. Many contestants use such platforms not only for winning titles, but also to build recall among composers, labels, event organisers and digital audiences. Even participants who do not win often gain exposure that can help their careers.

The new season arrives at a time when the route to becoming a singer has changed sharply. Social media, short-video platforms and independent music releases have allowed performers to find listeners without waiting for film playback opportunities. Even so, a national television platform still offers scale, mentorship, production value and family viewership that digital platforms alone may not provide.

That makes the auditions relevant for a wide range of singers: classical learners, folk performers, college-stage regulars, independent artists, devotional singers and those trained mainly through listening and practice. The early audition cities may also attract contestants who sing in Hindi, Bhojpuri, Awadhi, Braj, Punjabi, Urdu and other regional or semi-classical traditions.

Zee TV has not yet announced the full city list, judges, mentors or premiere date for the new season. For now, the focus is on the audition process and the show’s stated search for authentic voices from across the country. With the first dates set for 3, 4 and 5 July, aspiring contestants in Varanasi, Lucknow and Delhi have a clear starting point.