The Financial Assistance Packet For Veteran Artists is formerly known as “The Scheme for Pension and Medical Aid for Artists.” The Ministry of Culture’s program helps elderly artists who majorly contributed to their field. This program helps eligible artists by providing monthly financial assistance when they face financial distress due to old age.
Financial assistance is provided in the form of a monthly allowance, which is shared between the central government and the state government or the urban territory administration.
Types of Beneficiaries Covered
- Existing beneficiaries receiving a pension under the 1961 Scheme of Financial Assistance to Persons Distinguished in Letters, Arts, etc.
- New applicants who meet the eligibility criteria under the scheme.
Administration of the Scheme
- The Ministry of Culture will implement the scheme with support from Zonal Cultural Centres.
- South Central Zonal Cultural Centre (SCZCC), Nagpur, will act as the main coordinator.
- The Ministry has the authority to modify the scheme as needed.
Benefits
- ₹ 6000 per month is provided to eligible beneficiaries.
- In the event of the beneficiary’s death, financial assistance may be transferred to the spouse upon submission of relevant documents within one year.
Contribution of Government in Monthly Allowance
- State Government/UT Administration: Minimum ₹ 500 per month.
- Central Government: Up to ₹ 5500 per month.
- If the State Government provides ₹ 1000 per month, the Central Government will contribute ₹ 5000 per month.
- If no pension is provided by the State Government, the Central Government will provide ₹ 6000 per month.
Eligibility
- The applicant must have made a significant contribution in arts, culture, or literature.
- Traditional scholars are eligible, even if they do not have published works.
- Personal income (including spouse’s income) should not exceed ₹ 4000 per month or ₹ 48,000 per year.
- The applicant must be at least 60 years old (except for the spouse of a deceased beneficiary).
- The applicant must either:
- Be receiving at least ₹ 500 per month from the State Government/UT Administration.
- Be recommended by Zonal Cultural Centres where State Pension is not available.
- The applicant must not be receiving financial assistance under other Ministry of Culture schemes, such as Repertory Grant.
Exclusions
- Individuals receiving financial assistance from other schemes of the Ministry of Culture.
Application Process
Online Application
- Applications must be submitted through the Culture Scheme Monitoring System (CSMS) on the Ministry of Culture website under “MOC Schemes Application”.
Selection Process
- Applications are verified and physically inspected by officers of the Ministry or its organizations.
- The Expert Committee reviews applications and recommends eligible candidates based on merit and financial need.
- The Administration Division examines recommendations against scheme guidelines and fund availability.
- Final approval is granted by the Competent Authority after Internal Finance Division concurrence.
Disbursement of Financial Assistance
- Monthly pension is directly transferred to the beneficiary’s bank account via Public Financial Management System (PFMS)/Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
- Beneficiaries must submit:
- Annual Digital Life Certificate (DLC) via the Jeevan Pramaan Portal (https://jeevanpramaan.gov.in).
- Income Certificate (every five years) from the Competent Authority.
- If documents are not submitted on time, pension payments will be stopped.
Renewal of Financial Assistance
- Monthly assistance continues annually based on submission of Digital Life Certificate and Income Certificate.
Discontinuation of Allowance
- If the recipient’s financial condition improves beyond ₹ 4000 per month or ₹ 48,000 per year, financial assistance will be discontinued.
- The Government can terminate the allowance with three months’ notice.
- Beneficiaries may also voluntarily relinquish the allowance by submitting a written request.
Contact Details
- Section Officer
Ministry of Culture
Address: 210, IInd Floor, ‘D’ Block, Puratatva Bhawan, G.P.O. Complex, I.N.A. New Delhi – 110023
Phone: (011)-24642165 - Manager (P & GS), Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC)
Address: 6th & 7th Floor, Jeevan Parkash, 25, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi – 110001
Phone: 23708275, 23705953
Email: bo_g103[at]licindia[dot]com
Documents Required
- Recent passport-size photograph (not older than six months).
- Address proof (Aadhaar Card, Passport, Driving License, Voter ID, etc.).
- Date of Birth proof (Aadhaar, PAN Card, Birth Certificate, Matriculation Certificate, etc.).
- Aadhaar Card copy (Self-attested).
- Original Income Certificate issued by the State/UT Competent Authority.
- Proof of contribution in arts, culture, or literature (certificates, awards, or government recognitions).
- Duly filled Bank Authorization Letter, signed by the Bank Manager.
- Recommendation Letter from the Culture Department of the concerned State Government/UT Administration.
Additional Documents for Spouse Pension
- Death Certificate of the beneficiary (original or self-attested copy).
- Proof that the deceased beneficiary was receiving artist pension.
- SDM or 1st Class Magistrate affidavit and legal heir certificate.
- DLC self-attestation via Jeevan Pramaan Portal.
- Spouse’s prescribed income certificate.
- Aadhaar Card and Address Proof of spouse.
- Undertaking that the spouse is not receiving financial assistance from other government schemes.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Veteran Artist Financial Assistance Program?
It helps experienced artists in financial trouble who have contributed to arts, culture, and literature.
2. Is it centrally sponsored?
Yes, State/UT Administrations and the Central Government finance the initiative.
3. Which ministry initiated this program?
Indian Ministry of Culture.
4. Who qualifies for plan benefits?
Artists, intellectuals, and traditional performers over 60 with substantial contributions and monthly income under ₹ 4000 are eligible.
5. What is the income requirement for the scheme?
Applicants’ personal income (including spouse) should not exceed ₹ 4000 per month or ₹ 48,000 annually.
6. Are artist pension benefits included in yearly income?
The applicant’s personal income will not include this pension.
7. Are applicants eligible if they get additional Ministry of Culture assistance?
No, artists receiving Ministry of Culture grants like Repertory Grant are ineligible.
8. Who gets the pension if a beneficiary dies?
Married to the dead artist, with application and paperwork due within one year.
9. How do I apply for the scheme?
Applications are due online via the Ministry of Culture’s CSMS site.