Auditions

Each year's competition begins with a set of audition stages, the first being the "Producers' Auditions", is conducted across various cities in the India. This stage is open to all forms of acts and judged by an independent group, and thus determines who will take part in the next stage of auditions titled "Judges' Auditions". These are held in Mumbai in studios.

• Film City, Mumbai (season 1-8)
• Yash Raj Studios, Mumbai (season 9)
• Filmistan Studio, Goregaon, Mumbai (season 10-)

Each participant reaching this stage of auditions is held offstage from the main performing area in a waiting room, and given a number that denotes when they will perform. Upon being called before the judges, the participant is given 2–3 minutes to demonstrate their act, with a live audience present for all performances. Each judge is given a buzzer, and may use it during a performance if they are unimpressed, dislike what is being performed, or feel the act is a waste of their time. If a participant is buzzed by all judges, their performance is automatically over. At the end of a performance, the judges give constructive criticism and feedback about what they saw, whereupon they are each given a vote. A participant requires a majority vote approving their performance to proceed to the next stage, otherwise they are eliminated from the program at that stage. Many acts that move on may be cut or forfeit their place, due to the limited slots available for the next stage. Filming for each season begins when the Judges' Auditions are taking place, with the show's host standing in the wings of each venue's stage to interview, and give personal commentary on a participant's performance.

From ninth season onwards, acts who did not attend live auditions could instead submit a taped audition online via SonyLIV.

In the fifth season, the show added a new format to the auditions in the form of the "Golden Buzzer", which began to make appearances within the Got Talent franchise, since it was first introduced on Germany's Got Talent. During auditions, each judge is allowed to use the Golden Buzzer to send an act automatically into the semi-finals, regardless of the opinion of the other judges. Number of golden buzzer usage per judge varies each season, mostly two. In season 8, the host duo were allowed to use the golden buzzer separately and in season 10 the host could press it again.

Second Round

After auditions are completed, the judges conduct a special session (or second "audition" round) to determine which participants will secure a place in the semi-finals of the competition, though the format for this stage has been change several times over the course of the program's history.

Between the first and fifth season, the format was changed to match that used in Britain's Got Talent. Participants who made it through the preliminary auditions had their audition footage reviewed by the judges, who set each one into a specific group, and were not required to perform again (unless the judges requested this). Acts which they liked would be allocated spaces in the semi/quarter finals, with the remainder eliminated from that season's competition. All acts were brought back to learn of the results of the judges' deliberations.

Between sixth and eight season, the format was changed and it was different from any Got Talent franchise. Second round was divided into two parts- 'Hunar War' and 'Spotlight'. The participants were divided into groups according to genre of their acts and judges can choose on the basis of second performance whether they will advance or not.

From season nine onwards, the format was again matched to as of Britain's Got Talent and America's Got Talent.

Semi-finals and Quarter-finals

Between first and third season, participants who pass their auditions and secure a place in the live quarter-finals of the competitions, are divided into groups and compete against each other to secure a place within the live final of the competition. Live episodes of the competition are held within a set venue (the location has varied). The results were announced the next day of the performance episode.

From season four onwards, pre-recorded and edited episodes were telecasted where they compete in the semi-final. The results were either announced on the next semi final or on the pre-finale with one performer advancing from public votes and one or two performers advancing from judges' choice. The judges can still use their buzzers to terminate an act.

From season nine onwards when the telecasting network was changed from Colors to SET, the show's format after auditions was reimagined and reworked on. Only 14 contestants, including golden buzzer acts advance to quarter-finals¹ to compete in a weekly competition. All the contestants from in a quarter-final. The results of a quarter-final are announced in the next quarter-final after all the performances. The bottom-most contestants from public votes and judge's scores (not revealed) are called upon, and judges can save two of them (number may vary). The final Top-7 move on to the grand-finale which is also pre-recorded.

India's Got Talent becomes first in the Got Talent franchise to have a complete different format and the usage of golden buzzer in quarter-finals to highly appreciate an act.

Season 1 (2009)

Season 1 was hosted by Nikhil Chinapa and Ayushmann Khurrana^[4][5] and the special segment called "India's Got More Talent" was hosted by Roshni Chopra. The show was judged by Sonali Bendre, Kirron Kher and Shekhar Kapur.^[4][6]

The winning act of the first season was the Prince Dance Group from Berhampur, Orissa. The group of 56 people performed a dance inspired by the Lord Vishnu's Dashavatara.^{[citation needed]}

Season 2 (2010)

Season 2 was hosted by the same duo, Nikhil Chinapa and Ayushmann Khurrana, as they were selected through voting by the judges and the viewers.

Sonali Bendre and Kirron Kher continued their roles as judges, however Shekher Kapur was replaced by Sajid Khan.^[7]

The winners of season 2 were the Shillong Chamber Choir, led by Neil Nongkynrih from Shillong, Meghalaya.

Season 3 (2011)

Season 3 was hosted by singer Meiyang Chang and actor-model Gautam Rode. The judges of this season were Sonali Bendre, Kirron Kher and Dharmendra.

The second runner-up of season 2, SNV Group (named after members Suresh Mukund and Vernon Monteiro), emerged as the winner of the season. ^[8][9][10]

Season 4 (2012)

Season 4 was hosted by Manish Paul and Cyrus Sahukar. Kirron Kher, Malaika Arora Khan, and Karan Johar were judges. Farah Khan later replaced

Malaika Arora Khan.^[11][12]

Dancers Sonali Majumdar and Maraju Sumanth, who formed the duo Bad Salsa from Kolkata's Bivash Dance Academy, were crowned winners of the fourth season.^[13][14]

Season 5 (2014)

Season 5 was hosted by Mantra and Bharti Singh. Later, Mantra was replaced by VJ Andy. Malaika Arora Khan, Kirron Kher and Karan Johar reprised their roles as judges. Ragini Makkhar's Naadyog Academy won the season. Indore, Madhya Pradesh-based Ragini Makkhar's Naadyog Academy is a

25-year-old dance institution which consists of 360 students.^[15]

Season 6 (2015)

Season 6 was hosted by Bharti Singh, Nakuul Mehta and Sidharth Shukla. Malaika Arora Khan, Kirron Kher and Karan Johar reprised their roles as judges. Aerial dancer Manik Pauk won the season winning a cash prize of ₹50,00,000.

Season 7 (2016)

Season 7 was hosted by Bharti Singh and Sidharth Shukla. Malaika Arora Khan, Kirron Kher and Karan Johar reprised their roles as judges. Flautist Suleiman, a 13-year-old flute player from Amritsar, Punjab won the season, and Papai and antara bagged the runner-up positions.

Season 8 (2018)

Season 8^[16] was hosted by Bharti Singh and Rithvik Dhanjani. Malaika Arora Khan, Kirron Kher and Karan Johar reprised their roles as judges. 27-year-old close-up magician Javed Khan had a tie with Live 100 Experience Band in the final stage, but with more votes coming his way, he was awarded the trophy and prize money of Rs 25 lakh.^[17]

Season 9 (2022)

Season 9 was hosted by Arjun Bijlani. Kirron Kher continue serving as judge for the ninth season along with Shilpa Shetty Kundra, Baadshah and Manoj Muntashir. The format of the show changed was changed. Flute & beat box duo Divyansh & Manuraj won the season, whereas Ishita Vishwakarma and Bomb Fire Crew finished as runner-up and 2nd runner-up, respectively.

Season 10 (2023)

Auditions were held in various cities in May and June 2023.^[18]

Season 10 aired from 29 July 2023.^[19] It was again hosted by Arjun Bijlani and Kirron Kher, Badshah and Shilpa Shetty returned as judges. According to some reports Manoj Muntashir was dropped owing to film Adipurush's dialogues controversy but the makers said, "Given Kirron Kher's health issues last season, they had four judges as a safety option. However, this time it's just the trio that will take on the panel."^[20]

Abujmarh Mallakhamb and Sports Academy emerged as the winner of this season winning ₹ 20,00,000. Raaga Fusion and Golden Girls as 1st and 2nd runners-up respectively winning ₹ 5,00,000 each.