Jaagruk Bharat is a private organization offering support for documentation and government scheme access. We are not affiliated with any government body. Official services are available on respective government portals. Our goal is to make processes easier and more accessible for citizens.

Home

Blogs

About Us

Schemes

Services

Don’t Miss! Top 10 Best Govt Schemes Supporting Artists In India

Pragya Pathak

Author

Updated: 07-10-2025 at 3:30 PM

India is one of those nations that is popular across the globe for its richness in culture, traditions, and diversity, and that same culture is represented through various forms of art made by the artists of the nation. It would be safe to say that countries like India are home to all the colours that the human eye can see. There are innumerable forms of art in India, from handcrafting to sculpting, which require not only an artisan’s skills but also passion, dedication, and care.

Overview

The table below summarises some key details about the government schemes for artists in India.

Name of the scheme	Description
Award of Scholarships to Young Artists in Different Cultural Fields	To provide financial aid to artists between the ages of 18 to 25 years who have undergone formal training of 5 years
Award of Senior/Junior Fellowships to Outstanding Persons in Different Cultural Fields	A government scheme was launched to provide financial fellowships to exceptional artists
Tagore National Fellowship for Cultural Research	A govt scheme launched to grant fellowships for pursuing research in cultural fields
Scheme for Financial Assistance for Veteran Artists	A govt scheme designed to provide financial aid to senior artists from low-income groups
Vishwakarma scheme	To provide loans of around 1- 2 lakh to artisans at a lower rate of interest
Artists Pension Scheme and Welfare Fund	A government pension scheme launched to provide financial aid to senior artists above the age of 60 years.
Museum Grant Scheme	Provides financial aid to establish and set up museums in different parts of the country
Swarojgar Credit Card Scheme	A govt scheme designed to provide financial assistance to small artisans, self-employed individuals, and micro-entrepreneurs
National Handicrafts Development Programme	A government initiative designed to improve the lives of Indian artisans by giving them access to quality tools at affordable prices, loans, etc.

Importance And Need Of Schemes For Artists

Artists face a wide variety of problems when it comes to their professional lives, such as limited opportunities, unpredictable and inadequate income, inadequate tools, and the list goes on. All of these problems make it difficult for the artists to remain artists and make a living in what they do best.

To reduce these challenges and provide a helping hand to the artists of the nation, the government of India curated and launched several govt schemes, govt initiatives, and govt programs that aim to provide a range of services to improve their lives so that they can pursue their professions and make a healthy living out of it.

This article is curated for the artists of the nation as it compiles the top 10 government schemes for artists so that they can pursue careers using their precious talents and skills.

What Are The Top 10 Government Schemes For Artists?

The government of India has launched several government schemes for artists. Here is a list of the top 10 govt schemes for artists. All the major schemes are mentioned below in detail.

1. Award Of Scholarships To Young Artists In Different Cultural Fields (SYA)

The Award of Scholarships to Young Artists in Different Cultural Fields (SYA) is a govt scheme launched under the Ministry of Culture. The primary aim of the scheme is to provide financial aid to artists between the ages of 18-25 years who have gone under formal training of 5 years in any recognised institute to help them in building careers in their chosen fields such as music, arts, dance, etc. Individuals selected for the scholarship are entitled to receive monthly stipends worth Rs 5000 for 2 years to lead a fulfilling life without any financial issues.

2. Award Of Senior/Junior Fellowships To Outstanding Persons In Different Cultural Fields

The Award of Senior/Junior Fellowships to Outstanding Persons in Different Cultural Fields is a government scheme launched to provide financial fellowships to exceptional artists. In a year, around 400 total individuals are selected for the Senior/Junior Fellowships. Senior Fellowships are given to individuals above the age of 40 years with a monthly stipend of Rs. 20,000 for 2 years for cultural research, while Junior Fellowships are given to individuals between the ages of 25-40 years with a monthly stipend of Rs. 10,000 for 2 years.

3. Award Of Tagore National Fellowship For Cultural Research (TNFCR)

The Tagore National Fellowship for Cultural Research (TNFCR) is a govt scheme launched to grant fellowships for pursuing research in cultural fields. Individuals are selected in 2 categories. i.e. Tagore National Fellowship and Tagore Research Scholarship are awarded with a monthly fellowship worth Rs. 80,000 in addition to Rs. 50,000 as contingency allowance for 2 years.

4. Scheme For Financial Assistance For Veteran Artists

The Scheme for Financial Assistance for Veteran Artists is a govt scheme designed to provide financial aid to senior artists from low-income groups. Under the govt scheme, two types of cases/requests are covered:-

Existing beneficiaries getting monthly artists' pensions under the 1961 Scheme of Financial Assistance to Persons Distinguished in Letters, Arts, and such.
Fresh cases of artists, writers, etc., who are eligible for a grant/monthly financial assistance under the extant guidelines of the Scheme.

Individuals above the age of 60 years whose annual income doesn’t go beyond Rs, 48000 can apply for the scheme and be entitled to a monthly assistance worth Rs. 6000.

5. Performing Arts Grants Scheme

The Performing Arts Grants Scheme is a government scheme launched under the Ministry of Culture to provide monetary support to individuals involved in dramatic groups, theatre groups, music ensembles, children's theatre, solo artists, and other genres of performing arts. Artists in the performing arts can apply for this government scheme through an NGO or on their own through the Ministry’s official website.

6. Vishwakarma Scheme

The Vishwakarma scheme is a govt scheme designed to provide loans of around 1- 2 lakh to artisans at a lower rate of interest so that they aren’t financially burdened or in the cycle of debt because of taking loans from informal sources with higher rates of interest and inflexible terms of repayment. The govt scheme also provides artisans with training programs wherein, at the end, they receive Rs 15,000 for the purchase of tools and other necessary items.

7. Artists' Pension Scheme And Welfare Fund

The Artists Pension Scheme and Welfare Fund is a government pension scheme launched under the Ministry of Culture to provide financial aid to senior artists above the age of 60 years. Individuals registered and approved under the scheme are eligible to receive a monthly pension of Rs. 500. This pension allows them to lead a fulfilling life by granting them access to a monthly guaranteed income.

8. Museum Grant Scheme

The Museum Grant Scheme is a government scheme that provides financial aid to establish and set up museums in different parts of the country. The scheme aims to improve the existing museums, incorporate technological measures, and train the professionals working in the museum so that they can share their knowledge with the visitors.

9. National Handicrafts Development Programme (NHDP)

The National Handicrafts Development Programme (NHDP) is a government initiative designed to improve the lives of Indian artisans by giving them access to quality tools at affordable prices, loan facilities, proper infrastructure, and skill development programmes. The NHDP program aims to help artisans shape their careers by enabling them to access fair marketplaces.

10. Swarojgar Credit Card Scheme

The Swarojgar Credit Card Scheme is a govt scheme designed to provide financial assistance to small artisans, self-employed individuals, and micro-entrepreneurs. The Swarojgar Credit Card offers composite loans with competitive interest rates, including cash credit and term loans. It also provides flexible repayment options and is valid for five years, with an annual renewal process.

Conclusion

The top 10 government schemes for artists and other schemes are designed with just one primary objective: to provide a support system to the artists of the nation so that they can lead fulfilling lives by pursuing a career in what they love.

Stay updated with Jaagruk Bharat to get the latest information on government schemes and more, and reach out to us via our community page if you have any questions.