Govt increases culture budget by Rs 100 crore, prioritises heritage and arts

The government has raised the budget allocation for the Ministry of Culture for the fiscal year 2025-26, setting a total outlay of Rs 3,360.96 crore, compared to the revised estimate of Rs 3,260.93 crore for the current fiscal.

A significant portion of this budget has been assigned to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which has received Rs 1,278.49 crore, an increase from the initial allocation of Rs 1,273.91 crore in 2024-25, which was later revised to Rs 1,191.99 crore.

While cultural development remains a priority, the government has notably cut funding for events commemorating centenaries and anniversaries. The budget for these celebrations has been reduced from Rs 110 crore in 2024-25 to Rs 35 crore in 2025-26. However, major occasions such as the 150th birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, the 75th anniversary of Constitution Day, and the 300th birth anniversary of Ahilya Bai Holkar will continue to receive government support.

Funding for international cultural collaborations has also seen a steep decline, dropping from Rs 10.50 crore in 2024-25 to Rs 4.65 crore in 2025-26.

The ASI, responsible for the conservation, preservation, and development of 3,693 centrally protected monuments, including UNESCO World Heritage sites, remains a key recipient of government funds.

Among other allocations, Rs 156.55 crore has been earmarked for national libraries and archives to maintain historical records and documents. Museums, including the National Museum and the National Gallery of Modern Art, will receive Rs 126.63 crore to strengthen cultural preservation efforts.

The Kala Sanskriti Vikas Yojana (KSVY), which promotes Indian arts and artists, has been granted Rs 198.50 crore. Additionally, the National Mission for Manuscripts will receive Rs 60 crore, marking a significant boost for the preservation of ancient scripts.

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Furthermore, Rs 22.46 crore has been allocated for the National Mission on Cultural Mapping, which aims to integrate cultural activities into a unified digital platform.

Autonomous cultural institutions, including the Sangeet Natak Akademi, Sahitya Akademi, National School of Drama, and Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, will collectively receive Rs 411.42 crore in financial aid.

In addition, museums such as the Victoria Memorial and Indian Museum have been allocated Rs 379.58 crore to enhance exhibits and expand outreach programmes.

(With inputs from PTI)