MINISTRY OF CULTURE
CITIZEN’S CHARTER

To protect, conserve and propagate the tangible and untangible cultural heritage of India by supporting and sustaining cultural creativity and expressions, as a unifying factor within our rich diversity.

2) OUR MISSION

• To preserve our cultural heritage by protecting the monuments, preserving the archival materials and safeguarding the classical, folk and tribal traditions.

• To promote the diversity of cultural expressions by providing support and creating a conducive environment.

• To disseminate the creative expression of our artists through exhibitions, performances, publications and by supporting institutions and individuals engaged in the furtherance of these activities.

3) OUR ACTIVITIES

• Maintenance and conservation of the monuments and sites of archaeological and historical importance.

• Promotion of literary, visual and performing arts.

• Promotion of libraries and assistance to public libraries.

• Promotion of museums and art exhibitions.

• Maintenance, preservation and conservation of archival records and archival libraries.

• Research and development in the conservation of cultural property.

• Observation of centenaries and anniversaries of important national personalities and events.

• Promotion of institutions and organizations of Buddhist and Tibetan Studies.

• Promotion of institutional and individual initiatives in the field of art and culture.

• Safeguarding the tangible and intangible cultural heritage of the country.

• Fostering cultural relations with foreign countries.

• Promotion of institutions of anthropological studies.

• Cataloguing and conservation of ancient manuscripts.

• Documentation & revitalisation of endangered art forms.

4) OUR CLIENTS

• Citizens, particularly the creative community and Non-Governmental Organizations.

• Central Government Ministries/Departments and Organizations.

• State Governments/ UT Administration

5) OUR SERVICES

Preservation, Promotion, Dissemination of Art and Culture by grant-in-aid through the schemes for: -

1. Conservation of monuments and preservation of sites and structures of archaeological and heritage value.
    

2. Preservation and Development of Cultural Heritage of the Himalayas.
    

3. Promotion and Dissemination of Tribal/Folk Art and Culture.
    

4. Preservation and Development of Buddhist/Tibetan Culture and Art.
    

5. Building Grant to Cultural Organizations.
    

6. Financial Assistance to Professional Groups and Individuals for Specified Performing Art Projects.
    

7. Financial Assistance to Voluntary Organizations for Celebration of Centenaries/Anniversaries.
    

8. Development and Maintenance of National Memorials.
    

9. Akademy Fellowships to artists of eminence and awards to artists and writers.
    

10. Scholarships to Young Workers in different Cultural Fields.
     

11. Senior/Junior Fellowships to Outstanding Artists in the field of Performing, Literary and Plastic Arts.
     

12. Senior/Junior Fellowships to Outstanding Artists in New Areas.
     

13. Financial Assistance to persons distinguished in Letters, Arts and such other walks of life who may be in indigent circumstances and their dependents.
     

14. Research Support to Voluntary Organizations engaged in Cultural Activities.
     

15. Promotion and Strengthening of Regional and Local Museums.
     

16. Setting up of Multipurpose Cultural Complexes including those for Children.
     

17. Conservation of manuscripts and assistance to agencies in the field of manuscripts collection and preservation.
     

18. Co-ordination of all matters relating to International Cultural Relations.
     

19. Provides Library Services through Central Secretariat Library, National Library  and Raja Ram Mohan Roy Library Foundation.

6) SCHEMES OF ASSISTANCE ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT

The Ministry of Culture operates the following schemes intended to provide monetary assistance to individuals, groups and voluntary organizations engaged in promoting a particular art form and/or to sustain cultural activities in the country:-

(a)    FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR PROMOTION AND STRENGTHENING OF REGIONAL AND LOCAL MUSEUMS

(b)     SCHEME FOR DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF NATIONAL MEMORIALS

(c)      SCHEME FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR CENTENARY/ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS BY VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS

(d)     SCHOLARSHIPS TO YOUNG ARTISTS IN DIFFERENCE CULTURAL FIELDS

(e)     SENIOR/JUNIOR FELLOWSHIP TO OUTSTANDING ARTISTS IN THE FIELD OF PERFORMING, LITERARY AND PLASTIC ARTS

(f)      SCHEME FOR AWARD OF SENIOR/JUNIOR FELLOWSHIPS TO OUTSTANDING ARTISTS IN NEW AREAS

(g)     SCHEME FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TOWARDS BUILDING AND EQUIPMENT GRANTS TO VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS

(h)     SCHEME FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO PERSONS DISTINGUIHSED IN LETTERS AND ART AND SUCH OTHER WALKS OF LIFE AND THEIR DEPENDENTS WHO MAY BE INDIGENT CIRCUMSTANCES

(i)      SCHEME FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR RESEARCH FOR PRESERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF BUDDHIST/TIBETAN CULTURE AND ART

(j)     SCHEME FOR DEVELOPMENT OF THE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF THE HIMALAYAS

(k)     SCHEME FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR PROMOTION AND DISSEMINATION OF TRIBAL/FOLK ART AND CULTURE
 
(l)      SCHEME FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO PROFESSIONAL GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS FOR SPECIFIED PERFORMING ART PROJECTS

(m)     SCHEME  FOR  FINANCIAL  ASSISTANCE   FOR    RESEARCH
SUPPORT TO VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS ENGAGED IN CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

(n)     SCHEME FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR SETTING  UP  OF
MULTIPURPOSE CULTURAL COMPLEXES INCLUDING THOSE FOR CHILDREN

Applications for financial assistance under various schemes are invited through advertisements. A time period of 60 days is allowed to submit their proposals. The applications are scrutinised by Expert Committee who recommend the eligible cases. A decision is communicated within 90 days of the last date of application.
The details of schemes and the applications forms are also available in the booklet “Samarthan” which is available freely.

7) ORGANISATIONAL SETUP

In addition to the services provided by the Ministry as mentioned in Paragraph 5 above, a wide range of services are provided through Two Attached Offices, Six Subordinate Offices and Twenty Five Autonomous Bodies spread all over the country.

ATTACHED OFFICES

i)   Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi

Aims to maintain, conserve & preserve Centrally Protected Monuments/Sites & Remains. Also conducts archaeological exploration and excavations, architectural survey of monuments & training in archaeology

ii)  National Archives of India, New Delhi

Houses Central Government records of enduring value for permanent preservation and use by administrative scholars. It also assists Government Departments in their record management programmes.

SUBORDINATE OFFICES

1. National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi .

Creates an understanding and sensitivity among the India Public towards visual and plastic arts and promotes the development of contemporary Indian Art.

2. National Museum, New Delhi .

Main activities are in the areas of exhibitions, education, public relations, publications and conservation. It undertakes numerous activities in improving the displays and strengthening conservation activities.

3. National Research Laboratory for Conservation of Cultural Property, Lucknow .

Aims to develop conservation capabilities of different cultural institutions in the country and provides services to museums, archives, archaeology departments in conservation of cultural property.

4. Central Reference Library, Kolkatta .

Responsible for Compilation and Publication of Indian National Bibliography and Index Indiana.

5. National Library, Kolkatta .

It is an Institute of National Importance, which acts as a reference centre for research scholars. It Co-ordinates and determines standards in the fields of library services in the country.

6. Anthropological Survey of India, Kolkatta

A scientific organization for research in the field of anthropology engaged in activities like collection, preservation, maintenance, documentation & study of ethnographic materials as well as of ancient human skeletal remains.

AUTONOMOUS BODIES

1.   Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manva Sangrahalaya, Bhopal

Houses a collection and display of antiquated objects and endeavours to record and revitilise both traditional and contemporary community knowledge.

2.   National Council of Science Museums, Kolkatta

Engaged in popularising science and technology amongst students in particular through a wide range of activities and interactive programmes.

3.   Nehru Memorial Museum & Library, New Delhi

Maintains a personalia museum which portrays the life & times of Jawahar Lal Nehru, a library of printed materials, books ,periodicals and photographs with special emphasis on history of modern India.

4.   Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi

The Akademi is devoted to furtherance of performing arts of India, bestows honours annually on outstanding artists in the field of Performing Arts and also arranges performances by renowned veterans as well as by talented artists of younger generation through training programmes, award of scholarships, documents etc.

5.    Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi

The Akademi promotes the cause of Indian Literature and National Integration by way of publications, translations, seminars workshops, cultural exchange programmes and literary meets organized all over the country.

6.    Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi

The Akademi aims to promote and propogate an understanding of India Art both within the country and abroad.

7.    National School of Drama, New Delhi

Aims to train students in all aspects of theatre, including theatre history, production, scene-design, costume design etc.

8.   Centre for Cultural Resources & Training, New Delhi

Aims to revitalize the education systems by creating an understanding/awareness among students about the cultural plurality of India.

9.   Gandhi Smriti & Darshan Samiti, New Delhi

Objective is to preserve, maintain and look after the upkeep of Gandhi Smriti & Gandhi Darshan Complex. Propogates the life, mission and thoughts of Mahatama Gandhi.

10.  Allahabad Museum, Allahabad

Museum organises lectures, seminars, workshops on varying issues of art and culture
 
11.  Delhi Public Library, New Delhi

It is a premier public library system of modern India in Delhi and has become the busiest public library in South East Asia. It provides services to rural, urban, folk, adults, children, students, visually handicapped etc..

12.   Raja Ram Mohan Roy Library Foundation, Kolkatta

Promotes and supports the public library movement in country by providing adequate library services and popularising reading habits.

13.   Central Institute of Buddhist Studies, Leh

Main aim is to develop the multifaceted personality of students through inculcation of wisdom of Buddhist thoughts , literature and to familiarise them with research work relevant to Buddhist studies.

14.   Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Varanasi

The main aim is restoration of ancient learning and implementation of multidimensional Tibetan Studies.

15.   Victoria Memorial Hall, Kolkatta

Objective is to conserve Memorial buildings and all artefacts, modernise galleries, digitisation of artefacts, holding exhibitions, seminars and lectures.

16.  Indian Museum, Kolkatta

Organises exhibitions, seminars, lectures and mass communication programmes. Acquires antiquities/art objects/ethnographic artefacts. Reorganises galleries.

17.  Asiatic Society, Kolkatta

It is a vast treasure house of rare books/manuscripts, journals and other printed materials on Asiatic Arts and Science. It’s Museum preserves and exhibits a large stock of manuscripts, archival materials of historical importance, coins, inscriptions and sundry other objects of academic value.

18.  Salarjung Museum, Hyderabad

It is a rich repository of global art collections. The collection of museum consists of Indian art, Middle Eastern Art, Far Eastern & European Art.

19.  Khuda Baksh Oriental Public Library, Patna

It has the richest collections of manuscripts with over 20,000 manuscripts, 2,00,000 printed books and about 230 original paintings of Mughal, Rajput, Oudh, Iranian and Turkish schools.
 

20.  Rampur Raza Library, Rampur

It is considered to be highly valued treasure house of thousands of rare manuscripts, miniature paintings, illustrated manuscripts, specimen of great calligraphers of Islamic World.

21.  Kalakshetra Foundation,Chennai

Integrates all art forms and regional variants thereof and to revive the ancient glory of Indian culture and set standards of true arts.

22.  National Museum Institute Of History of Art, Conservation and Museology, New Delhi .

Conducts M.A. and Ph.D courses in History of Arts, Conservation and restoration of works of arts and museology. It also conducts certificate courses on Indian Art & Culture, Art appreciation and Bhartiya Kala Nidhi .

23.  Nav Nalanda Mahavihara, Bihar

It is the only institution in India devoted exclusively to teaching, research and publication in Pali and Buddhist Studies.

24.  Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute Of Asian Studies, Kolkatta

It is a centre for research and learning with focus on social, cultural, economic and political/administrative developments in Asia from middle of 19th Century onwards and the life and works of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.

25.  Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts , New Delhi

It has a collection of resource materials and fundamental research in field of arts and humanities. Inter-relationship with the disciplines of science physical and material metaphysics as also anthropology and sociology.
Besides the above there is the Central Secretariat Library which is mainly responsible for providing Reference and Referral service to Registered Members, Policy Planners, Academicians, Research Scholars and to general readers etc.

• Visit our website at www.indiaculture.gov.in which gives the details about our schemes. This has hyperlinks with the websites of our Attached, Subordinate and Autonomous Institutions.

9) OUR COMMITMENT TO ARTISTS AND CULTURAL ORGANISATIONS

• We are committed to support artists and cultural organizations in their endeavours that enrich our culture and make us proud of our heritage.

10) OUR COMMITMENT TO REDRESSAL OF CITIZENS’ GRIEVANCES

• Grievances received in the Ministry will receive instant attention. Joint Secretary (Administration) is the designated officer for redressal of Public Grievances. Grievances can be addressed to: -

Joint Secretary (Administration) & Director Grievances

Ministry of Culture

Room No. 334-A, C Wing

Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi-110 115

Tel. No. 23382331 Fax No. 23384867

• The Ministry and its Attached/Subordinate Offices and Autonomous Organizations have notified their respective Grievance Officers.

• Grievances will be acknowledged and forwarded to the officer concerned within 15 days.

• Final disposal of the cases of Public Grievances will ordinarily be done within three months.