Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Culture implements the "Financial Assistance for Promotion of Art and Culture" scheme, providing financial aid to cultural organizations across India. The scheme supports various activities through eight sub-components, including grants for national organizations, cultural productions, Himalayan and Buddhist/Tibetan heritage preservation, building grants, allied cultural activities, intangible heritage, and domestic festivals. Individuals, including Members of Parliament, are ineligible to apply. State-wise details of organizations supported and amounts disbursed over the last three years are available in Annexure II.
Key Points / Main Content:
Scheme Overview:
• The scheme provides financial assistance to cultural organizations for promoting art and culture.
• It is a Central Sector Scheme implemented by the Ministry of Culture.
• The scheme has eight sub-components (detailed in Annexure I).
Eligibility:
• Eligible applicants include Not-for-Profit Organizations, Societies, Trusts, Universities, State Governments/Union Territories, and District Authorities.
• Individuals, including Members of Parliament, are not eligible.
Sub-Components (Annexure I):
• Financial Assistance to Cultural Organizations with National Presence:
• Supports organizations with a pan-India character and significant cultural expenditure.
• Grants range from Rs. 1.00 crore to Rs. 5.00 crore in exceptional cases.
• Cultural Function Production Grant (CFPG):
• Supports NGOs, Societies, Trusts, and Universities for cultural events and productions.
• Grants range from Rs. 5 Lakh to Rs. 20.00 lakhs in exceptional cases.
• Financial Assistance for the Preservation & Development of Cultural Heritage of the Himalayas:
• Supports organizations in the Himalayan region for research, training, and dissemination.
• Grants range from Rs. 10.00 lakh to Rs. 30.00 lakh in exceptional cases.
• Financial Assistance for the Preservation & Development of Buddhist/Tibetan Organizations:
• Supports Buddhist/Tibetan organizations involved in cultural preservation and research.
• Funding ranges from Rs. 30.00 lakhs to Rs. 1.00 crore in exceptional cases.
• Financial Assistance for Building Grants including Studio Theatres:
• Supports the creation of cultural infrastructure like theaters and rehearsal halls.
• Maximum grant is Rs.50 Lakh in metro cities and Rs.25 Lakh in non-metro cities.
• Financial Assistance for Allied Cultural Activities:
• Supports creation of assets for enhancing audio-visual spectacle for cultural activities.
• Maximum assistance is Rs.1.00 crore for audio and Rs. 1.50 crore for audio-video.
• Intangible Cultural Heritage:
• Supports institutions and NGOs involved in preserving and promoting India's intangible cultural heritage.
• Domestic Festivals and Fairs:
• Provides assistance for holding Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsavs organized by the Ministry of Culture through Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs).
Disbursement Details:
• State-wise and year-wise details of organizations supported and amounts disbursed over the last three years are provided in Annexure II.
Impact Analysis:
Cultural Organizations:
Impact: Can receive financial assistance for various cultural activities and infrastructure development, promoting art and culture.
Action Required: Review the scheme guidelines and sub-component criteria to determine eligibility and submit applications.
State Governments/Union Territories/District Authorities:
Impact: Can apply for financial assistance to support cultural initiatives and infrastructure within their jurisdiction.
Action Required: Identify relevant cultural projects and organizations within their area and facilitate the application process.
Ministry of Culture:
Impact: Responsible for implementing and monitoring the scheme, disbursing funds, and ensuring the preservation and promotion of Indian art and culture.
Action Required: Continue to scrutinize applications, disburse funds effectively, and organize Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsavs.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Culture: The Indian government ministry responsible for the promotion of art and culture in the country, implementing schemes like 'Financial Assistance for Promotion of Art and Culture'.
Financial Assistance for Promotion of Art and Culture Scheme: A Central Sector Scheme implemented by the Ministry of Culture to provide financial assistance to cultural organizations for the promotion of art and culture across the country.
Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat: The Minister for Culture and Tourism mentioned in the document, responsible for answering questions related to the Ministry's activities.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the unstarred question related to financial assistance to cultural organizations was raised.
Tripura: A state in India, specifically mentioned in the context of the number of cultural organizations receiving assistance under the scheme.
Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsavs (RSMs): Festivals organized by the Ministry of Culture through Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) to showcase the talents of artists from all over the country.
Himalayan Region: A geographical area comprising of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh that is targeted by a subcomponent of the financial assistance scheme which focuses on cultural heritage.
RK Mission: Ramakrishna Mission, also referred to as RK Mission, is an Indian religious and spiritual organisation which receives financial assistance.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CULTURE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2454
ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS
2454. Shri Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri:
Shri Biplab Kumar Deb:
Will the Minister of CULTURE be please to state:
(a) the details of the total number of cultural organizations received assistance under the
Financial Assistance for Promotion of Art and Culture Scheme across the country, State-
wise including Tripura; and
(b) whether the Government has received any proposal from Member of Parliament or any
organization for providing financial assistance under the said scheme?
ANSWER
MINISTER FOR CULTURE AND TOURISM
(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) and (b): Ministry of Culture implements a Central Sector Scheme by the name of
‘Financial Assistance for Promotion of Art and Culture’ to provide financial assistance to
cultural organizations working in the field of Promotion of Art and Culture across the
country. The scheme has eight sub-components, the brief of which is given at Annexure-I.
The State-wise, year-wise details of number of organizations supported and amount disbursed
under these schemes during the last three years is as given in Annexure-II.
Under the Promotion of Art and Culture Scheme, Not-for-Profit Organizations, Societies,
Trusts, Universities, State Governments/Union Territories/District Authorities, etc., are
eligible to apply for financial assistance. The Ministry regularly receives applications from
these and same are scrutinized on regular basis. Individuals (including Member of
Parliament) are not eligible to apply under the scheme.
*****Annexure - I
Annexure referred to in reply of part (a) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.2454
answered on 04.08.2025
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR PROMOTION OF ART AND CULTURE: This scheme
has following sub-components:
i. Financial Assistance to Cultural organizations with National Presence
The objective of this scheme component is to promote and support cultural organisations
with national presence involved in promotion of art and culture throughout the country. This
grant is given to such organisations that have a properly constituted managing body, registered
in India; having a pan-India character with national presence in its operation; adequate working
strength; and have spent 1 crore or more during 3 of the last 5 years on cultural activities. The
quantum of grant under this scheme is Rs.1.00 crore which can be increased to Rs.5.00 crore in
exceptional cases.
ii. Cultural Function & Production Grant (CFPG)
The objective of this scheme component is to provide financial support to NGOs/ Societies/
Trusts/ Universities etc. for Seminars, Conference, Research, Workshops, Festivals, Exhibitions,
Symposia, Production of Dance, Drama-Theatre, Music etc. The quantum of grant under this
scheme is Rs.5 Lakh for an organization which can be increased to Rs. 20.00 lakhs in
exceptional cases.
iii. Financial Assistance for the Preservation & Development of Cultural Heritage of
the Himalayas
The objective of this scheme component is to promote and preserve the cultural heritage of
the Himalayas through research, training and dissemination through audio visual programmes.
The financial support is provided to the organizations in the States falling under the Himalayan
Region i.e. Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
The quantum of grant is Rs.10.00 lakh per year for an organization which can be increased to
Rs. 30.00 lakh in exceptional cases.
iv. Financial Assistance for the Preservation & Development of Buddhist/Tibetan
Organization
Under this scheme component financial assistance is provided to the voluntary
Buddhist/Tibetan organizations including Monasteries engaged in the propagation and scientific
development of Buddhist/Tibetan Cultural and tradition and research in related fields. The
quantum of funding under scheme component is Rs. 30.00 lakhs per year for an organization
which can be increased to 1.00 crore in exceptional cases.v. Financial Assistance for Building Grants including Studio Theatres
The objective of this scheme component is to provide financial support to NGO, Trust,
Societies, Govt. Sponsored bodies, University, College etc. for creation of Cultural
infrastructure (i.e. studio theatre, auditorium, rehearsal hall, classroom etc.) and provision of
facilities like electrical, air conditioning, acoustics, light and sound systems etc. Under this
scheme component, the maximum amount of grant is up to Rs.50 Lakh in metro cities and up to
Rs.25 Lakh in non- metro cities.
vi. Financial Assistance for Allied Cultural Activities
The objective of this scheme component is to provide financial assistance to all eligible
organizations for creation of assets for enhancing the audio-visual spectacle for allied cultural
activities to give firsthand experience of live performances on regular basis and during
festivals in open/closed areas/spaces. Maximum assistance under the scheme component,
including applicable duties & taxes and also Operation & Maintenance (O&M) costing for
five years, will be as under:- (i) Audio: Rs.1.00 crore; (ii) Audio+Video: Rs. 1.50 crore.
vii. Intangible Cultural Heritage:
This scheme was launched by the Ministry of Culture in 2013 for safeguarding the
intangible cultural heritage and diverse cultural traditions of the country with the objective of
reinvigorating and revitalizing various institutions, groups, NGOs, etc. so that they may
engage in activities/projects for strengthening, protecting, preserving and promoting the rich
intangible cultural heritage of India.
viii. Domestic Festivals and Fairs
The objective of this scheme is to provide assistance for holding the ‘Rashtriya Sanskriti
Mahotsavs’ organized by Ministry of Culture. Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsavs (RSMs) are
conducted through Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) where a large number of artists from all over
the country are engaged to showcase their talents. From November, 2015 onwards, fourteen
(14) RSMs and four (04) Zonal Level RSMs have been organized by Ministry of Culture up till
now in the country.
*****Annexure - II
Annexure referred to in reply of part (a) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.2454
answered on 04.08.2025
(i) Scheme of Financial Assistance to Cultural Organizations with National Presence
including RK Mission
(Rs.in lakhs)
Sl. State/UT Financial Year
No. 2022-2023 2023-24 2024-25
Nos. of Amount Nos. Amount Nos. of Amount
Orgs. of Orgs.
Orgs.
1. Andhra 1 22.5 1 7.50 - -
Pradesh
2. Assam - - 1 22.50 2 22.50
3. Chandigarh - - 1 15.00 1 22.50
4. Delhi 7 241.25 11 276.25 9 118.75
5. Haryana - - - - 1 26.25
6. Jharkhand - - - - 1 15.00
7. Karnataka 1 22.5 - - 1 4.73
8. Kerala - - 1 18.75 2 32.50
9. Maharashtra - - 1 15.00 1 18.75
10. Manipur - - - - 1 11.25
11. Madhya 1 0.59 - - - -
Pradesh
12. Odisha - - 1 8.75 1 22.50
13. Puducherry 1 3.75 - - - -
14. Rajasthan 1 37.5 1 26.25 2 27.50
15. Tamil Nadu - - - - 1 15.00
16. Uttar Pradesh 2 93.75 1 22.50 1 7.50
17. West Bengal - - 2 37.50 3 31.25
(NP)
18. RK Mission 1 738.56 1 766.50 1 807.00
Total 15 1160.4 22 1216.50 28 1182.98(ii) Cultural Function & Production Grant (CFPG)
(Rs. In lakhs)
Sl DELHI+CNA 2023-
No. 2022-23 2024 2024-25
Nos. Amount Nos. of Amount Nos. Amount
Name of State of Orgs of
Orgs Orgs
1 Andaman &Nickobar 0 0 0 0 0 0
2 Andra Pradesh 65 62.85 83 80.7 35 66.29
3 Arunachal Pradesh 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 Assam 48 96.21 68 114.11 24 34.34
5 BIHAR 123 203.2 126 161 50 99.34
6 CHANDIGARH 1 0.5 3 21.69 1 10
7 CHHATTISGARH 3 5.5 4 7.5 3 6.42
8 DELHI 167 408.06 204 370.03 90 238.6
9 GOA 1 0.625 1 1.5 1 0.62
10 GUJARAT 17 23.4 16 12.34 3 3.59
11 HARYANA 28 62.59 36 74.72 25 83.98
12 HIMACHAL 8 11 15 25.75 10 11.8
PRADESH
13 JAMMU AND 52 50.33 49 33.76 22 29.37
KASHMIR
14 Union Territory of 0 0 0 0 0 0
Ladhakh
15 JHARKHAND 11 14.26 7 8 5 8.75
16 KARNATAKA 218 349.42 221 208.22 160 397.53
17 KERALA 30 48.38 30 40.27 15 51.13
18 MADHYA PRADESH 141 264.9 161 155.17 64 148.42
19 MAHARASHTRA 56 104.12 34 29.64 16 42.13
20 MANIPUR 162 196.17 237 249.25 83 99
21 Meghalaya 0 0 0 0 0 0
22 Mizoram 0 0 0 0 0 0
23 Nagaland 5 4.62 4 1.35 1 0.25
24 ODISHA 180 296.88 168 269.71 151 437.26
25 Pondicherry 0 0 0 0 0 0
26 PUNJAB 12 23.27 11 22.65 7 17.5
27 RAJASTHAN 48 81.16 57 46.28 24 44.55
28 Sikkim 0 0 1 3.75 0 0
29 TAMIL NADU 15 18.87 11 10.73 10 26
30 TELANGANA 16 16.87 16 9.61 20 45.13
31 TRIPURA 16 16.15 23 24.94 6 4.5
33 UTTARAKHAND 24 28.11 31 21.91 12 19
32 UTTAR PRADESH 278 343.33 268 244.07 167 330.31
34 WEST BENGAL 410 544.44 357 206.86 213 360.21
Total 2616.11
2135 3275.21 2242 2455.51 1218(iii) Scheme of Financial Assistance for the Preservation and Development of Cultural
Heritage of the Himalayas.
(Rs.in lakhs)
2022-23 2023-24 2024-25
Sl.
State No. of Amount No. of Amount No. of Amount
No.
cases cases cases
Arunachal 41 117.95 32 77.00 7 20.01
1
Pradesh
2 Sikkim 4 10.00 3 11.00 0 0
Himachal 42 98.52 40 97.50 2 5.99
3
Pradesh
UT of Jammu 69 117.02 24 37.52 0 0
4
and Kashmir
5 UT of Ladakh 11 34.00 2 5.50 0 0
6 Uttarakhand 58 91.24 48 64.0 2 3.50
7 Delhi 0 0 0 0 1 1.75
8 Uttar Pradesh 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 225 468.73 149 292.52 12 31.25(iv) Scheme of Financial Assistance for the Development of Buddhist/Tibetan Culture
and Art
(Rs.in lakhs)
Sl. 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25
State/UT
No.
Nos. of Nos. of Nos. of
Amount Amount Amount
Org. Org. Org.
1 Arunachal Pradesh 57 518.19 50 392.31 60 416.33
2 Andhra Pradesh 2 8 10 9.18 2 7.00
3 Assam 9 30 15 72.00 6 24.36
4 Bihar 2 8.5 2 8.50 2 10.48
5 Chandigarh (UT) 7 49.5 4 40.00 13 102.16
6 NCT of Delhi 6 44.47 2 9.45 7 44.27
7 Himachal Pradesh 78 550.97 31 167.63 36 240.99
8 UT of J& K 6 23.5 4 20.00 4 28.50
9 UT of Ladakh 45 319.62 44 246.42 6 26.94
10 Karnataka 33 272.8 11 62.78 20 149.98
11 Kerala 1 13.5 0 0 0 0
12 Mizoram 0 0 0 0 0 0
13 Madhya Pradesh 5 29 4 30.00 1 5.00
14 Maharashtra 11 38.25 14 41.00 4 13.24
15 Manipur 2 5.5 3 9.50 1 3.00
16 Odissa 1 5 2 12.00 2 11.00
17 Punjab 2 8.5 2 10.00 0 0
18 Sikkim 0 0 12 89.93 2 24.70
19 Tripura 7 37.5 7 41.5 17 97.20
20 Tamil Nadu 0 0 2 10.00 0 0
21 Telangana 2 22.5 3 30.00 0 0
22 Uttarakhand 26 252.42 5 35.50 25 253.72
23 Uttar Pradesh 27 195.28 11 44.15 15 105.62
24 West Bengal 72 168.00 92 175.51 19 36.00
Total 401 2601.00 330 1557.36 242 1600.49(v) Scheme for Financial Assistance for Building Grant including Studio Theatres
(Rs.in lakhs)
2022-23 2023-24 2024-25
Sl. No. State/UT
Nos. of Nos. of Nos. of
Amount Amount Amount
Org. Org. Org.
1. Assam 1 5.4 0 0 0 0
2. Bihar 1 0.6 1 6 0 0
3. Chhattisgarh 1 7.5 0 0 0 0
4. Delhi 0 0 2 11.2 3 23.25
5. Himachal Pradesh 1 12.79 1 6 2 20
Jammu and
6. 0 0 0 0 2 10
Kashmir
7. Karnataka 3 26.4 1 25 0 0
8. Kerala 1 1.4 0 0 0 0
9. Madhya Pradesh 1 3 0 0 4 16.86
10. Maharashtra 0 0 2 8 2 25
11. Manipur 4 15.98 6 35.23 2 3.88
12. Meghalaya 0 0 0 0 1 4.5
13. Odisha 0 0 0 0 2 21.5
14. Punjab 0 0 1 2 1 0.9
15. Rajasthan 1 7.5 0 0 0 0
16. Telangana 1 4.29 0 0 0 0
17. West Bengal 5 34.61 1 15 4 24.2
TOTAL 20 119.47 15 108.43 23 150.09(vi) Allied Cultural Activities Scheme
(Rs. in lakhs)
Sl. State/UT 2024-25
No Nos. of Orgs/ State Amount
Govt.
1 Uttar Pradesh 2 120
Total 2 120