Parliament Question: Advanced training for young artists

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.676 TO BE ANSWERED ON 5th FEBRUARY, 2026 ADVANCED TRAINING FOR YOUNG ARTISTS 676. DR. DHARMASTHALA VEERENDRA HEGGADE: Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state: (a) whether any advanced training or performance platform has been set up for young artists at the national level; (b) if so, the number of artists benefited therefrom during the last three years; and (c) whether any steps have been taken to preserve, promote and nurture India's cultural heritage by supporting young artists through training and financial assistance and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a): Ministry of Culture operates a scheme namely “Award of Scholarships to Young Artists in Different Cultural Fields” under which scholarship is provided to young artists for advanced training. The scheme offers scholarship to young artists in the age group of 18 to 25 years in the fields of Indian Classical Music, Classical Dance, Light Classical Music, Theatre, Visual Arts, and Folk/Traditional/Indigenous Arts. In addition, Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT), New Delhi, an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Culture, also provides several training, exposure, and performance platforms at national level cultural events, national cultural festivals and residential camps for scholars covered under the scheme. (b): During the last three years, a total of 400 artists have been awarded scholarships under the aforementioned scheme. (c): Yes, steps have been taken by the Ministry to preserve, promote and nurture India's cultural heritage by implementing scholarship schemes. The CCRT is implementing the Cultural Talent Search Scholarship Scheme (CTSSS) for children in the age group of 10 to 14 years to enable specialized training under recognized gurus in traditional music, dance, drama, visual arts, crafts and literary activities. The Sangeet Natak Akademi, an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Culture, is also implementing the scheme of Financial Assistance to Cultural Institutions to support institutions engaged in training and promotion of music, dance and drama, thereby strengthening India’s cultural heritage ecosystem. *****