**Summary:**
The Ministry of Culture is implementing an initiative to establish Intellectual Property (IP) Education Cells for Artists to strengthen India's cultural economy and empower grassroots artists. These cells will be established within the Ministry's academies, centers, and constituent units. The purpose is to educate artists about IP rights, facilitate IP registration, and support Geographical Indication (GI) registration of traditional products, including musical instruments. The Ministry is collaborating with bodies like the Cell for IPR Promotion and Management (CIPAM) under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) to strengthen cultural sector IP initiatives, with a special focus on protecting Traditional Knowledge (TK) and GIs. The Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) functions as the nodal agency for Intellectual Property Rights under the Ministry, ensuring artists' consent is obtained prior to their participation in events and activities, and provides training and performance opportunities to grassroots artists. The number of artists expected to benefit from these IP Education Cells, the number of IP Education Cells projects to be implemented, and the details of the beneficiaries, including those in Madhya Pradesh and Bhopal district, will be available at the end of the financial year. The Minister of Culture and Tourism is Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Culture: The Indian governmental ministry responsible for promoting and preserving India's cultural heritage.
IP Education Cells for Artists initiative: An initiative by the Ministry of Culture to establish Intellectual Property Education Cells for Artists.
Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat: The Minister of Culture and Tourism.
Geographical Indication: A sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
Cell for IPR Promotion and Management CIPAM: A body under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade DPIIT that promotes and manages Intellectual Property Rights.
Traditional Knowledge TK: Knowledge, skills and practices that are developed, sustained and passed on from generation to generation within a community, often forming part of its cultural or spiritual identity.
Sangeet Natak Akademi SNA: Nodal agency for Intellectual Property Rights under the Ministry of Culture.
Intellectual Property: A category of property that includes intangible creations of the human intellect.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CULTURE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 11
TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025
Establishment of IP Education Cells for Artists
✝11. Shri Suresh Kumar Kashyap:
Smt. Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah:
Shri Alok Sharma:
Shri Rajesh Naranbhai Chudasama:
Shri Janardan Mishra:
Will the Minister of Culture be pleased to state:
a) whether the establishment of Intellectual Property (IP) Education Cells for Artists initiative
strengthens the cultured economy of India and empowers the grass roots level artists;
b) if so, the details thereof;
c) the number of artists expected to be benefitted from these IP Education Cells;
d) the number of IP Education Cells projects to be implemented; and
e) the details of the beneficiaries of Madhya Pradesh including Bhopal district under this scheme?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM
(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
a) Yes.
b) The Ministry of Culture is actively engaged in promoting Intellectual Property (IP) awareness
and protection in relation to India's rich cultural heritage. To this end, the Ministry is planning to set
dedicated IP cells within its academies, centres, and constituent units to educate artists about IP rights,
facilitate IP registration, and support Geographical Indication (Gl) registration of traditional products
such as musical instruments. As part of its broader mandate to preserve and promote tangible and
intangible cultural heritage, the Ministry emphasizes the recognition and safeguarding of the IP
associated with cultural expressions.
Ministry also collaborates with bodies like the Cell for IPR Promotion and Management
(CIPAM) under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) to strengthen
cultural sector IP initiatives. Special focus is given to the protection of Traditional Knowledge (TK)
and GIs, considering their close linkage to cultural identity.
The Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) functions as the nodal agency for Intellectual Property
Rights under the Ministry, ensuring artists' consent is obtained prior to their participation in events and
activities, Through its various centres across the country, SNA also provides training and performance
opportunities to grassroots artists, contributing to the growth of India's cultural economy.
c) to (e) Number and details of beneficiaries will be known at the end of this financial year.*****