[abdullahkhalids]

> Sometimes but not always. Most ragas are the same ascending and descending. They are more like the western modes system.

I in this list, http://soundofindia.com/raagas.asp I see half or more than half have different Arohana (ascending scale of notes) and Avarohana (descending)

[danans]

I stand corrected about my incorrect use of the word "most", but a great many of the popularly performed ragas are the same ascending and descending.

[harshadwaj]

To put a specific number, in Carnatic Music there are 72 of them and are called 'Melakarta' ragas - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melakarta

[crazyphoton]

Only ~15 of them are popularly performed though. And the melakartas would form the minority of the ragas in a typical concert, although they often tend to be the centerpieces.