Promotion of Indian Classical Dances in Education
The Ministry of Culture, through parliamentary questions answered by Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, detailed its initiatives to promote Indian classical dances among students. The government promotes the inclusion of Indian classical dances in school education in alignment with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes art-integrated, experiential and multidisciplinary learning.
The Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT), an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Culture, conducts training programs for teachers and students of Government and Government-aided schools incorporating Indian classical and folk-dance traditions. Specifically in Madhya Pradesh, these programs include dance forms such as Kathak, Rai, Matki, Karma and Grida. CCRT maintains a Regional Centre at Damoh, Madhya Pradesh for promoting local and regional art forms. Additionally, the Sangeet Natak Akademi organizes the Kala Dharohar series comprising lectures, workshops and performances to promote Indian performing arts among school children.
Scholarship Programs for Dance Students
The CCRT implements the Cultural Talent Search Scholarship Scheme (CTSS) for meritorious students in the age group of 10-14 years studying in recognized schools and children belonging to families practicing traditional performing arts. The Scheme provides specialized training in Indian classical dance and other cultural disciplines, with each scholarship holder receiving ₹3,600 per annum along with reimbursement of tuition fees paid to the Guru/Teacher up to ₹9,000 per annum, subject to Scheme guidelines. The scholarship is initially awarded for two years and renewable based on satisfactory progress.
Under the CTSS Scheme, the number of scholarships awarded in Indian Classical Dance during the last five years across the country shows significant variation: 225 in 2021-22, 178 in 2022-23, 289 in 2023-24, 269 in 2024-25, and 313 in 2025-26.
The Ministry of Culture also implements the Scholarships to Young Artists in Different Cultural Fields (SYA) Scheme which provides scholarships of ₹5,000 per month to young artists in the 18-25 years age group, including those specializing in Indian classical dance, for undergoing advanced training for a period of two years.
Funding Allocation for Cultural Promotion
The Ministry of Culture promotes Indian classical dances among school students through its autonomous organizations including CCRT, Sangeet Natak Akademi and Kalakshetra Foundation. The year-wise grants released to these organizations during the last five years total ₹665.53 crore: ₹106.94 crore in 2021-22, ₹114.81 crore in 2022-23, ₹123.62 crore in 2023-24, ₹169.55 crore in 2024-25, and ₹150.61 crore in 2025-26.
Additionally, funds released under the Scholarships to Young Artists (SYA) Scheme during the last five years show fluctuating allocations: ₹3.90 crore in 2021-22, ₹1.19 crore in 2022-23, ₹4.52 crore in 2023-24, ₹3.26 crore in 2024-25, and ₹5.38 crore in 2025-26.