The Ministry of Culture’s ‘Financial Assistance for Promotion of Art and Culture’ scheme is designed to provide direct financial support to cultural organizations working across India. The scheme encompasses eight sub-components, aimed at enhancing art and culture in the country. The objective of the initiative is to encourage cultural preservation, promotion, and innovation through strategic funding.
To be eligible for financial assistance, cultural organizations must meet the following broad criteria:
- Registered Organization: Must be a society, trust, or not-for-profit company, functioning for at least three years.
- NGO Darpan Registration: Must be registered on the NGO Darpan Portal of NITI Aayog.
- Cultural Focus: The organization must have a predominant cultural profile.
- Financial Transparency: Must submit audit statements for the last three years.
- Tax Compliance: Must have filed Income Tax returns for the past three years.
Once applications are complete, they are reviewed by an Expert/Steering Committee for evaluation. The proposal’s merit is assessed based on the scheme’s guidelines. In the financial year 2023-2024, a total of Rs. 78.30 Cr. was allocated to 2760 organizations under this scheme, fostering a vibrant cultural landscape across India.
To ensure the proper utilization of financial assistance, the Ministry of Culture has established a robust monitoring system. This includes checking utilization certificates, bill vouchers, photos/videos, and completion certificates. Additionally, on-site inspections are conducted to track progress and ensure that the funds are being utilized effectively.
The Ministry of Culture is dedicated to expanding the reach of this scheme, continually striving to support more cultural organizations and individual artists. To facilitate this, the scheme’s guidelines and application forms are available on the Ministry’s official website, and widespread publicity is given through newspapers, social media platforms, and other communication channels.
This ongoing effort ensures that more cultural entities can access the resources needed to contribute to the preservation and promotion of India’s rich cultural heritage.
