NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Culture has placed more than 300 cultural organisations, those that have received financial assistance under the Guru-Shishya Parampara (Repertory Grant) scheme for five years, under a “cooling-off” category. As a result, they will not receive any grant for 2024–25 and 2025–26.
For the 2025–26 grant cycle, the ministry received nearly 2,300 proposals, including 296 fresh applications. The committee approved 41 fresh applications and 554 renewal requests.
For 2024–25, a total of 2,371 applications were submitted - 1,750 for renewal and 621 fresh requests.
“The Competent Authority has approved the implementation of a two-year cooling-off period for organisations that have received financial assistance under the scheme for five years. However, this provision shall not apply to organisations associated with Padma awardees or those engaged in the promotion and preservation of folk, traditional, and rare art forms,” read the minutes of the Evaluation Committee, which examined the applications.
Organisations not recommended by the committee may apply as ‘fresh’ applicants from the 2026–27 grant year onwards.
Under the scheme, financial assistance is provided to eligible cultural organisations engaged in performing arts such as music, dance, theatre, and folk art, for imparting training to artists or shishyas (disciples) under their respective gurus (mentors) regularly.
As per guidelines, organisations must apply annually for both renewal and fresh selection. Their proposals are reviewed by an Expert Committee constituted by the ministry.
The implementation of the two-year cooling-off period has upset artists and cultural groups across the country.
Expressing concern, they said the scheme has been a vital support system for over two decades, covering diverse art forms including dance, theatre, and intangible cultural heritage.
“At present, more than 300 repertory groups are under the ‘cooling-off’ category, with many others rejected, while only a limited number of group, primarily select awardees and organisations, have received payments. This has created a strong sense of uncertainty and distress within the artistic community,” an artist said.