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Sports & Culture; Social welfare & Empowerment

Scheme For Financial Assistance For Veteran Artists

A pension scheme by MoC improves the financial and socio-economic status of the old artists and scholars who have contributed significantly in their specialized fields. Still, due to old age, they have to lead a miserable life or are in penury condition.

Authority

Central

Region

Central Government

Status

Verified 2026

Updated

March 2026

What you get

- Under the scheme, a total allowance of ₹6000/- per month will be given to an eligible beneficiary. | - In case of the death of a beneficiary getting an artist pension, the financial assistance may be transferred, at the discretion of the Central Government, in the name of the spouse of the beneficiary till life. | Note 01: The monthly allowance contributed by the State Government/UT Administration concerned shall be at least ₹500/- per month per beneficiary. | Note 02: The monthly allowance contributed by the Central Government shall not exceed ₹5500/- per month per beneficiary. | Note 03: Out of ₹6000/-, the monthly contribution of allowance of the Central Government will be less than the extent of the monthly contribution of allowance being provided to the applicant by the State Government/UT Administration. | Note 04: If State Government is already providing ₹1000/- per month pension to an artiste recommended to get financial assistance from the Central Government under this Scheme, in that case, the contribution of the Central Government would be only ₹5000/- per month. | Note 05: In respect of State Govt./UT Administration where there is no provision for an Artist's Pension, ₹6000/- per month will be paid as an Artist Pension by the Central Government. | Note 06: In case of the death of a beneficiary, a request application should be received in the Ministry of Culture from the spouse along with the relevant documents within the period of one year from the date of death of the beneficiary artist. After the period of one year, the claim for the transfer of pension in the name of the spouse will stand forfeited and no request in this regard shall be entertained.

Who can apply

To be eligible for assistance under the Scheme, a person's contribution to art and letters, etc. must be of significance.; Traditional scholars who have made significant contributions in their fields would also be eligible notwithstanding the absence of any published works.; The personal income of the applicant (including the income of the spouse) must not exceed ₹4,000/- per month or an annual income of ₹48,000/-. [This excludes artiste pension assistance amount already getting by a beneficiary from the Government (i.e. concerned State Govt./UT Administration and/or Ministry of Culture)]; The applicant should not be less than 60 (sixty) years of age (This does not apply in the case of a spouse).; The applicant artiste is getting a pension of at least ₹500/- per month from the concerned State Government/UT Administration or is recommended by the Zonal Cultural Centres, Ministry of Culture, for the artists of their Members State where State Pension is not there.; The applicant artists should not be getting financial assistance under other Schemes of the Ministry viz. Repertory Grant etc.

Required Paperwork

  • Aadhaar Card
  • PAN Card
  • Income Certificate
  • Residence Proof (Domicile)

Common Questions

What is the “Scheme for Financial Assistance for Veteran Artists”?

The Scheme is meant for improving the financial and socio-economic status of the old artists and scholars who have contributed significantly in their specialized fields of arts, letters, etc. in their active age or are still contributing in the field of arts, letters, etc. but due to old age, they have to lead a miserable life or are in penury condition.

Is it a Centrally Sponsored Scheme?

Yes, it is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.

Which ministry has launched this scheme?

Ministry of Culture, Government of India

Who is eligible to get the benefits under the scheme?

A person or traditional scholars who have made significant contributions in the field of arts, letters, etc. are eligible to apply under the scheme.

What is the income criterion to apply under the scheme?

The personal income of the applicant (including the income of the spouse) must not exceed [?]48,000/- per annum.

Will the artist's pension assistance be included in his/her annual income?

No, artist's pension assistance will be excluded which is getting from the Government.

What should be the age criterion to apply under the scheme?

The applicant should not be less than 60 (sixty) years of age (This does not apply in the case of a spouse).

Will an applicant be eligible to apply if he/she is getting financial assistance under other Schemes of the Ministry?

No, the applicant artist should not be getting financial assistance under other Schemes of the Ministry viz. Repertory Grant etc.

What is the benefit of the scheme?

Under the scheme, a total allowance of [?]6000/- per month will be given to an eligible beneficiary.

Who will get the pension in case of the death of a beneficiary?

In case of the death of a beneficiary getting an artist pension, the financial assistance may be transferred, at the discretion of the Central Government, in the name of the spouse of the beneficiary till life.

How much minimum monthly allowance will be contributed by the State Government/UT Administration concerned?

The monthly allowance contributed by the State Government/UT Administration concerned shall be at least [?]500/- per month per beneficiary. In respect of State Govt./UT Administration where there is no provision for an Artist's Pension, [?]6000/- per month will be paid as an Artist Pension by the Central Government.

How can I apply under the scheme?

The application may be made online by using the Registration/login Page of "Culture Scheme Monitoring System (CSMS)" on the website of the Ministry of Culture under the heading of "MOC Schemes Application".