Lok Sabha Question No. 2341 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-04
Subject: Promotion of Indian Classical Dances amongst School Students
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Rajeev Rai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2341

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025

## PROMOTION OF INDIAN CLASSICAL DANCES AMONGST SCHOOL STUDENTS

## 2341. SHRI RAJEEV RAI:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  issued  any  directions  to  include  various  forms  of  Indian classical dances in the school curriculum;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  established/considering  to  establish  any  scholarship  to meritorious school students in Indian Classical dances;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) the  details  of  funds  utilised  by  the  Government  in  promoting  Indian  classical  dances amongst school students during the last five years?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a)  &  (b)  Yes,  the  Government  of  India  has  taken  steps  to  integrate  various  forms  of  Indian traditional dances into the school education framework, in alignment with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

NEP  2020  advocates  art-integrated  education  as  a  cross-curricular  pedagogical  approach, encouraging  the  incorporation  of  Indian  art  forms  such  as  traditional  dance  into  mainstream classroom  learning.  It  emphasizes  the  significance  of  Indian  arts  at  all  levels  of  education  to foster creativity, cultural rootedness, and holistic development in students.

To  this  end,  the  Ministry  of  Culture,  through  its  autonomous  organization  Sangeet  Natak Akademi,  has  launched  the  Kala  Dharohar  Series,  which  is  specifically  designed  to  promote awareness and appreciation of Indian performing arts-including classical dance-among school students.

In furtherance of these goals, other bodies under the Ministry of Culture, such as the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT), also conduct workshops, orientation programmes, and cultural activities in schools across the country, contributing to the promotion of Indian arts and culture.

- (c) & (d) The Government of India thorough its autonomous body Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) provide scholarship for preservation and promotion of diverse, varied and rich Indian cultural heritage.
- CCRT through Cultural  Talent  Search  Scholarship  Scheme,  CTSSS  (10-14 Years)  since  1982 provide specialized training in various cultural fields such as traditional forms of music, dance, drama as well as painting, sculpture, crafts and literary activities.
- (e) CCRT is implementing Cultural Talent Search Scholarship Scheme (CTSSS), in this scheme the  value  of  scholarship  is  Rs.3600/-  per  year  for  the  scholarship  holder  in  addition  to reimbursement of actual tuition fee paid to the Guru/Teacher, up to a ceiling of Rs.9000/- per year.

The number of scholarships awarded across the country under the above-mentioned scheme for the field of Indian Classical Dances during the last five years is as follows:

| Year    |   Cultural Talent SearchScholarship Scheme |
|---------|--------------------------------------------|
| 2020-21 |                                        213 |
| 2021-22 |                                        224 |
| 2022-23 |                                        154 |
| 2023-24 |                                        242 |
| 2024-25 |                                        269 |

## Extension Services Community Feedback Program:

| Program                                                                         | Years    | No. of student Trained/teachers/CCRT officials   | Actual Budget (in Rs.)   |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------|--------------------------------------------------|--------------------------|
| (a) Summer Camp: Indradhanush (b) Extension Services Community Feedback Program | 2022- 23 | 14,326                                           | 14,71,885/-              |
| (a) Summer Camp: Indradhanush (b) Extension Services Community Feedback Program | 2023- 24 | 31,520                                           | 28,60,926/-              |
| (a) Summer Camp: Indradhanush (b) Extension Services Community Feedback Program | 2024- 25 | 45,248                                           | 51,73,354/-              |

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