CCRT Cultural Talent Search Scholarship 2023-24 for School Students in the Field of Indian Art and Culture [Ages 10-14; 650 Scholarships]: Apply by July 31

Applications are invited for CCRT Cultural Talent Search Scholarship 2023-24 for School Students in the Field of Indian Art and Culture. The last date of application is July 31, 2023.

Established in 1979, pioneered by Smt. Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay and Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan, the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) functions as an autonomous organization under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. It is one of the premier institutions working in the field of linking education with culture.

The object of the scheme is to provide facilities to outstanding talented children selected in the age group of 10 to 14 years (as per the cut off eligibility dates), studying either in recognized schools or belonging to families practicing traditional performing arts for getting specialized training in various cultural fields such as traditional forms of music, dance, drama, painting, sculpture, crafts and literary arts, laying special emphasis on rare art forms, which are in the process of becoming extinct.

Subject to availability of funds, the maximum number of fresh scholarships to be awarded every year will be 650, of which 100 scholarships are marked for Tribal Culture/Scheduled Tribe children (those who possess a valid ‘ST’ certificate issued by competent authority), 125 are reserved for children of families practicing traditional arts, etc. (TAF- which are continuously practicing art form(s) for the minimum previous 03 generations), 20 for differently abled children (having valid disability certificate) and 30 in the field of Creative Writing/Literary Arts (for those who have evidences of their original work). The remaining 375 scholarships will be treated as general scholarships.

The talented children in the age group of 10 to 14 years (as per the cut off eligibility dates), studying in the recognized schools will be eligible to apply under the Scheme.

The children whose parent’s/guardian’s total monthly income is less than 8000/- only (Eight Thousand Only) per month will be given preference for the award of scholarship. However, the criteria of talent and potential will be taken into consideration for all the candidates.

The Scholarship awarded under the scheme will be initially for two years at a time and is renewable after every two years till the completion of the first university degree stage of education or up to the age of 20 years, whichever is earlier, subject to the awardee maintaining satisfactory progress. However, if the Half-Yearly Progress Reports are not submitted in time regularly, then the decision regarding discontinuation can be taken any time without prior notice, as and when required.

The payment of scholarship will start from the date which may be specified by the CCRT or from the date on which the admission is obtained in the approved course in an Institution or with the approved Guru, whichever is later. 

Application for the scholarship should be submitted by the parents/guardians in the prescribed latest form in one art form only, after getting necessary recommendations from school/ institution and Guru/teacher, where the applicant is studying and receiving training respectively and must be received directly in the CCRT, New Delhi by the prescribed last date. The CCRT may take the help of Central Board of Secondary Education, Education Boards of State Govts. and other Non-Governmental Voluntary Organizations in identifying the talented students in various field (s). 

For recommending the candidates to be called for Interview/Test, the CCRT will constitute a Central Selection Committee, whose decision shall be final. Only the recommended candidates will be informed by post about the dates, timings and venue of the Interviews/Tests which are expected to be conducted at Regional level from the month of October, 2023 onwards. 

The children appearing for the Interviews/Tests for the award of new scholarships will be assessed/evaluated on the scale of 1 (one) to 10(ten) marks by each Expert Committee Member and children will be recommended for scholarship(s) on the basis of total marks obtained by them, strictly in order of ‘Merit’, subject to availability of number(s) of scholarships(s), for that year. 

The selected child shall be placed for training by the parent/guardian either in a suitable institution in which facilities for academic studies as well as for training in the particular cultural field for which the child is awarded the scholarship, are available or he/she shall be placed for training in the field concerned under an approved Guru/teacher/ Insttn. while being allowed to pursue the academic studies in a recognized school. The decision of the CCRT on the selection of the course of study and the Guru/teacher shall be final. 

Interested individuals can apply by filling up the application form.

The last date of application is July 31, 2023.

Email: ddsch[dot]ccrt[at]nic[dot]in