The Melakarta system uses a 12 note scheme similar to the western music system (as seen above).

There were some

traditions before in the Carnatic/Hindustani music in which more than 12 notes were used. But that system is no longer
followed in the mainstream Carnatic/Hindustani music.

As we know, all Melakarta ragas should have all the seven swaras in their scale. Also, Sa and Pa are always fixed. Some
Ri’s and Ga’s are equivalent (see table below). Similarly, some Dha’s and Ni’s are also equivalent.

Position Swaram Short name Notation Western

1 Ṣhaḍja Sa S C
2 Shuddha Rishabha Ri R1 C#
Chatushruti Rishabha Ri R2
3 D
Shuddha Gandhara Ga G1
Shatshruti Rishabha Ri R3
4 D#
Sadharana Gandhara Ga G2
5 Antara Gandhara Ga G3 E
6 Shuddha Madhyama Ma M1 F
7 Prati Madhyama Ma M2 F#
8 Pancham Pa P G
9 Shuddha Dhaivata Dha D1 G#
Chatushruti Dhaivata Dha D2
10 A
Shuddha Nishada Ni N1
Shatshruti Dhaivata Dha D3
11 A#
Kaisiki Nishada Ni N2
12 Kakali Nishada Ni N3 B

This is how we end up with 72 permutations:

Swaram(s) Possibilities Count

Sa S 1
(R1, G1) (R1, G2) (R1, G3)
Ri, Ga 6
(R2, G2) (R2, G3) (R3, G3)
Ma M1, M2 2
Pa P 1
(D1, N1) (D1, N2) (D1, N3)
Dha, Ni 6
(D2, N2) (D2, N3) (D3, N3)
Total 1x6x2x1x6 = 72

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melakarta