About Us

To preserve, promote and disseminate Indian cultural heritage with special focus on art forms, regions, sections of society and historical periods that have hitherto been either not focused or sustained by existing institutional mechanisms.

VISION STATEMENT

The Ministry of Culture is the apex body responsible for the preservation, promotion, and dissemination of India’s vast and diverse cultural heritage. With an unwavering commitment to safeguarding the nation’s tangible and intangible art forms, the Ministry undertakes strategic efforts to ensure that India’s rich cultural legacy is accessible, inclusive, and sustainable.

Operating through 2 attached offices, 7 subordinate offices, and 34 autonomous organizations fully funded by the Government of India, the Ministry facilitates a culture-based development model that nurtures creativity, honors tradition, and fosters innovation in the cultural space. These institutions work synergistically to implement policies and programs that empower communities, recognize artistic excellence, and connect citizens with their heritage.

Mission

The Ministry of Culture is dedicated to implementing sustainable and skill-based cultural initiatives that ensure the universal accessibility of India’s tangible, intangible, and knowledge heritage. It seeks to build strong bonds between citizens and their cultural roots by enforcing preservation laws and promoting inclusive heritage conservation.

The Ministry focuses on the protection and development of monuments, archives, libraries, and museums; the preservation of Gandhian values and commemoration of national milestones; and the promotion of Buddhist, Tibetan, folk, and traditional art forms. Through grants, awards, and institutional training, the Ministry supports artists and organizations across visual, performing, and literary arts. On the global front, it advances India's cultural diplomacy by participating in UNESCO conventions, signing cultural agreements, and organizing Festivals of India abroad to foster international peace and understanding.

Objectives

To protect and manage all centrally protected monuments of national importance through the Archaeological Survey of India.
To support and strengthen the museum movement by administering major national museums and providing grants-in-aid for regional museums.
To preserve and promote intangible cultural heritage by offering financial support to individuals, groups, and cultural organizations involved in performing, visual, and literary arts.
To recognize excellence in art and culture through awards presented by Sahitya Akademi, Sangeet Natak Akademi, and Lalit Kala Akademi.
To promote theatre movements of contemporary relevance through the National School of Drama.
To manage and support major national libraries and facilitate their development through policies and grant-in-aid mechanisms.
To maintain and preserve archival records of national importance through the National Archives of India.
To protect and promote Buddhist and Tibetan culture through institutions located in Sarnath, Varanasi, and Leh.
To build capacity in the cultural sector through institutions like the School of Archaeology, School of Archives, and National Museum Institute (now restructured as the Indian Institute of Heritage).
To offer cultural training and capacity-building courses via institutions such as the National School of Drama and Kalakshetra Foundation.
To implement international commitments under UNESCO for inscribing World Heritage Sites and Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) elements.
To foster international cultural collaboration through Cultural Agreements, Cultural Exchange Programmes, MoUs, and Festivals of India abroad.

Functions

Management and preservation of centrally protected monuments through the Archaeological Survey of India.
Administrative control and financial support for national and regional museums.
Financial assistance to individuals and cultural organizations engaged in promoting visual, performing, and literary arts.
Recognition of excellence in art and culture through national awards by Sahitya Akademi, Sangeet Natak Akademi, and Lalit Kala Akademi.
Advancement of theatre and performing arts through the National School of Drama.
Policy development and funding support for the expansion and maintenance of libraries across the country.
Archival management of important national documents through the National Archives of India.
Promotion and protection of Buddhist and Tibetan culture through specialized institutions.
Capacity-building in art and culture via educational and training institutions like the Indian Institute of Heritage, NSD, and Kalakshetra Foundation.
Implementation of UNESCO cultural conventions and international heritage protection standards.
Execution of international cultural diplomacy through cultural agreements and Festivals of India held worldwide.