The Ministry of Culture is taking significant strides in fostering the talents of young artists across diverse cultural fields through its ‘Scholarships to Young Artists (SYA)’ scheme. This initiative aims to support and encourage young talents, including those involved in traditional art forms, by providing them with a platform for advanced training in their respective fields.
Scheme Overview:
Under the SYA scheme component, selected scholars receive a monthly scholarship of Rs. 5,000 for two years. This financial support is distributed in four equal six-monthly instalments. To be eligible for this scholarship, young artists must be between 18 to 25 years old and have undergone training for a minimum of 5 years under a Guru or an Institution.
Selection Process:
The selection of scholars is based on their performance in a personal interview/interaction conducted by an Expert Committee for Scholarship constituted by the Ministry. This rigorous process ensures that the most deserving and promising talents are identified and supported.
Impactful Expenditure:
Over the last five years, the SYA scheme has made a substantial impact on the lives of young artists. The table below provides details of the number of beneficiaries and the corresponding expenditure on scholarships awarded during this period:
| Financial Year | Total No. of Young Artists Benefited | Expenditure (Rs. in lakhs) |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | 1151 | 345.30 |
| 2019-20 | 1086 | 325.80 |
| 2020-21 | 1265 | 379.50 |
| 2021-22 | 1293 | 390.30 |
| 2022-23 | 396 | 118.80 |
Continuous Support:
The disbursement of scholarships is contingent on the timely submission of six-monthly reports by the scholars/artists. This ensures a continuous process of support, monitoring, and encouragement for the recipients.
The ‘Scholarships to Young Artists in Different Cultural Fields’ initiative stands as a testament to the government’s commitment to nurturing and preserving India’s rich cultural heritage by empowering the next generation of artistic talents. As young artists continue to benefit from this scheme, it becomes a beacon of hope for those who aspire to make significant contributions to the cultural landscape of the nation.
