The “Financial Assistance to Cultural Organizations with National Presence” project, created by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, seeks to assist cultural groups throughout the nation in arranging cultural programs, festivals, and events. The plan encourages the preservation and development of India’s unique cultural heritage by providing financial assistance to qualifying organizations.
Objectives
- To provide financial assistance to cultural organizations with a national presence for conducting cultural programs and festivals.
- To preserve, promote, and propagate India’s rich and diverse cultural heritage.
- To support organizations in enhancing their outreach and capacity for organizing impactful cultural events.
Benefits
- Grant Amount:
- Typically, financial assistance of up to ₹1 crore.
- Exceptional cases may receive up to ₹5 crores with High Committee Management (HCM) approval.
- Utilization of Funds:
- 25% of the grant can be utilized for:
- Salaries of staff
- Office expenses
- Repairs/restoration of buildings
- 75% of the grant must be used for:
- Honorarium payments
- Production and showcasing of events
- Research projects on art and culture
- 25% of the grant can be utilized for:
- Grant Allocation:
- Assistance will cover 67% of the approved project cost, with the remaining 33% as the organization’s matching share.
Eligibility
To qualify for financial assistance, an organization must meet the following criteria:
- Constitution and Governance:
- The organization must have a properly constituted managing or governing body, with defined powers, duties, and responsibilities.
- Registration:
- Organizations must be registered in India and have a national or international presence.
- Experience:
- Organizations must demonstrate at least three years of ₹1 crore+ expenditure on cultural activities during the last five years.
- Cultural Focus:
- Activities should primarily or significantly relate to art, culture, and heritage.
- Program Capacity:
- Organizations must have the capacity to conduct at least 20 events/programs per year.
Application Process
Offline Submission
- Call for Applications:
- Advertisement for applications is published on the official Ministry of Culture website: https://indiaculture.gov.in
- Submit Application:
- Organizations must submit two copies of their application to:
- Section Officer (Performing Arts I)
Room No. 205, 2nd Floor, ‘D’ Block, Puratatva Bhawan,
GPO Complex, INA, New Delhi – 110023.
- Section Officer (Performing Arts I)
- Organizations must submit two copies of their application to:
- Application Guidelines:
- Applications must be signed on every page and stamped by the organization’s authorized signatory.
- Include a detailed index for easy navigation of documents.
- Recommendations:
- Applications must be routed through recognized cultural bodies such as:
- Zonal Cultural Centers
- National Academies (e.g., Sangeet Natak Akademi, Lalit Kala Akademi, CCRT)
- Applications must be routed through recognized cultural bodies such as:
- Disqualification:
- Canvassing or lobbying for the grant will disqualify the application.
Documents Required
- Constitution of the organization and governing body details.
- Latest annual report and financial statements of the last three years.
- Indemnity Bond in the prescribed format.
- Bank account details in the prescribed format.
- Project report with:
- Duration
- Itemized expenditure
- Sources of counterpart funding
- Audit and utilization certificates for previous grants (if applicable).
Grant Distribution and Monitoring
- Mode of Payment:
- The grant will be released in two installments:
- 75% at the project approval stage.
- 25% after submission of a Utilization Certificate and audited accounts.
- The grant will be released in two installments:
- Auditing and Inspection:
- Accounts must be maintained separately and are subject to review by:
- Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)
- Officers authorized by the Ministry of Culture.
- Accounts must be maintained separately and are subject to review by:
- Progress Reports:
- Quarterly progress reports, detailing physical achievements and expenditure, must be submitted to the Ministry.
- Special Conditions:
- At least two cultural activities must be conducted in nearby schools.
- Invitations to foreign delegations require approval from the Ministry of External Affairs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the objective of the scheme?
The scheme aims to provide financial assistance to cultural organizations for promoting and preserving India’s art and culture.
2. Who is eligible to apply under the scheme?
Registered organizations with national or international presence that primarily focus on cultural activities are eligible.
3. What is the maximum grant amount?
Organizations can receive up to ₹5 crores in exceptional cases.
4. What percentage of the total project cost is covered by the grant?
The grant covers up to 67% of the approved cost, with the organization contributing the remaining 33%.
5. How can organizations apply for the scheme?
Organizations can apply offline by submitting two copies of their application to the Ministry of Culture.
6. Is prior approval required for foreign delegations?
Yes, prior approval from the Ministry of External Affairs is mandatory.
7. Can the grant be used for purposes other than cultural programs?
No, the grant must be utilized as per the sanctioned project details.
8. How is the second installment of the grant released?
The second installment is released upon submission of a Utilization Certificate and audited accounts.
9. Is registration mandatory for organizations?
Yes, all applicant organizations must be registered in India.
10. What happens if funds are misused?
The government may stop future grants, recover previous amounts, and impose penalties.
Sources and References
- Official Website: https://indiaculture.gov.in
- Application Form: Available on the Ministry of Culture website.