Parliament Question: Inclusion of classical dances in school curriculum

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4361 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.04.2026 INCLUSION OF CLASSICAL DANCES IN SCHOOL CURRICULUM 4361. SHRI C. VE. SHANMUGAM: Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state: (a) whether Government has issued any directions to include various forms of Indian classical dances in the school curriculum; (b) if, so the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; (c) whether Government has established any scholarship for meritorious school students in Indian classical dances; (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and (e) the details of funds utilized by Government in promoting Indian classical dances amongst school students during the last five years, year-wise? ANSWER MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a) to (b) Yes Sir. The inclusion of Indian Classical Dances in School Education is promoted through the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes art-integrated, experiential, and multidisciplinary learning. Kalakshetra Foundation, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture teaches Indian Classical Dances (Bharatnatyam) to students of Classes IV to VIII for two periods per week., and to the Fine Arts students of Classes XI and XII for about 8 periods per week in School. Part-time courses for Bharatnatyam, Carnatic Music and visual arts are also imparted by the Foundation to school children. The Sangeet Natak Akademi, another autonomous body under the Ministry organized Kala Dharohar, series of performing arts, lectures, workshops, and performances by artists, aimed at connecting with school children. The workshop has been organized in collaboration with 67 schools in the last two years, across the country.(c) & (d) Yes Sir. The Centre for Cultural Resources and Training, another Autonomous Body under the Ministry of Culture provides scholarships under Cultural Talent Search Scholarship Scheme (10-14 Years) since 1982 at National level. The Scheme is aimed at providing facilities to outstanding talented children selected in the age group of 10 to 14 years studying either in recognized schools or belonging to families practicing traditional performing arts for getting specialized training in various cultural fields such as traditional forms of music, dance, drama as well as painting, sculpture, crafts and literary activities. The Sangeet Natak Akademi has started 90 training programmes in dying traditional performing art forms under the Scheme Kala Deekhsa. Average ten shishya are enrolled in each training programmes. Under this scheme, Guru is given Rs 8000 per month, Assistant Gurus are given Rs 6000 per month, and trainees are given Rs 2500 per month. (e) The Ministry of Culture is involved in promotion and dissemination of classical performing arts to students and youth, through its autonomous bodies such as Centre for Cultural Resources & Training, Kalakshetra Foundation, and Sangeet Natak Akademi. Details of grants provided to these institutions in the last 5 years is detailed below: (Rs in Lakh) Organisation 2020-21 2021-22 2022-2023 2023-24 2024-25 Centre for Cultural Resources & Training 2072.61 3112.02 2495.00 2595.00 2366.00 Kalakshetra Foundation 1519.00 1870.00 2175.00 2662.00 2490.00 Sangeet Natak Akademi 5222.40 5711.82 6810.50 7105.00 12099.00 *****