Amid rising mental health challenges such as stress, burnout, and attention deficits, a new study by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi on Monday showed that Indian classical ragas can potentially enhance levels of attention, emotional regulation, and mental stability.  

The study, conducted in collaboration with IIT Kanpur, provides scientific validation for music as a therapeutic tool: one that is culturally resonant and non-invasive.

The research, which involved 40 participants exposed to the ragas, utilised advanced electroencephalogram (EEG) microstate analysis -- a real-time brain-mapping technique that captures momentary yet significant patterns of neural activity.