The Ministry of Culture has revised and continued its Global Engagement Scheme (GES) with an outlay of ₹299.94 crore for the period FY 2026-27 to 2030-31 to promote Indian culture abroad. The scheme aims to strengthen cultural relations with foreign countries through Cultural Agreements, Cultural Exchange Programmes, Memoranda of Understanding on Cultural Cooperation, and other bilateral cultural instruments.
The revised scheme comprises four sub-schemes: International Cultural Exchange Programme, Project Mausam, Brihattar Bharat, and Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) and Diverse Cultural Traditions of India. The GES facilitates Festivals of India abroad to showcase India's diverse cultural traditions and provides Grants-in-Aid to Indo-Foreign Friendship Cultural Societies through Indian Missions abroad.
Budgetary data shows fluctuating allocations and expenditures over the past five years: ₹10.50 crore allocated and ₹9.86 crore spent in 2021-22; ₹16.25 crore allocated and ₹12.96 crore spent in 2022-23; ₹25.72 crore allocated and ₹24.92 crore spent in 2023-24; ₹10.50 crore allocated and ₹9.08 crore spent in 2024-25; and ₹4.65 crore allocated and ₹2.60 crore spent in 2025-26.
The Ministry also coordinates India's participation in multilateral cultural forums including G20, BRICS, SCO, SAARC, and other international platforms to enhance cultural cooperation. Additionally, the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) under the Ministry of External Affairs plays a significant complementary role in promoting Indian culture worldwide through Indian Missions/Posts and its network of Cultural Centres abroad, undertaking activities including teaching Yoga, Indian classical and folk dance, vocal and instrumental music, Indian languages, and other cultural disciplines.
This information was provided by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Rajya Sabha on July 23, 2026.