Scheme For Financial Assistance For Veteran Artists
₹6,000/month pension for veteran artists & scholars · 60+ · financial hardship · apply at csms.nic.in
Veteran artists, writers, and traditional scholars aged 60 or above who are facing financial hardship can receive a monthly allowance of up to ₹6,000 under this Ministry of Culture scheme, which recognises their lifetime contribution to Indian art and culture. The allowance is shared between the Central Government (up to ₹5,500/month) and the State Government (at least ₹500/month). Apply online through the Culture Scheme Monitoring System (CSMS) at csms.nic.in.
About This Scheme
Veteran artists, writers, and traditional scholars aged 60 or above who are facing financial hardship can receive a monthly allowance of up to ₹6,000 under this Ministry of Culture scheme, which recognises their lifetime contribution to Indian art and culture. The allowance is shared between the Central Government (up to ₹5,500/month) and the State Government (at least ₹500/month). Apply online through the Culture Scheme Monitoring System (CSMS) at csms.nic.in.
Full official description
The “Scheme for Financial Assistance for Veteran Artists”, earlier known as “Scheme for Pension and Medical Aid to Artists” was launched by the Ministry of Culture. 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. Under the scheme, financial assistance from the Government may be given in the form of a monthly allowance. Such allowance given to the artists recommended under the center-state Quota will be shared by the Centre and State Government/UT Administration concerned. The following two types of cases/requests will be covered under the Scheme:
Existing beneficiaries getting monthly artistes pension under the 1961 Scheme of ‘Financial Assistance to Persons Distinguished in Letters, Arts and such other walks of life who may be in indigent circumstances’ as amended from time to time; and
Fresh cases of artists, writers, etc. who are eligible for a grant/monthly financial assistance under the extant guidelines of the Scheme.
Administration of the Scheme: The Scheme will be implemented by the Ministry with the support of all Zonal Cultural Centres and SCZCC, Nagpur will be the main coordinator. The Ministry reserves the right to modify the provisions of the Scheme at any time. In order to implement the Scheme in a better perspective, the Scheme Guidelines will be circulated widely through State Governments/UT Administrations along with sharing the data of beneficiaries of the Central Government with them.
Benefits
- Monthly financial allowance of ₹6,000 total (Central Government contributes up to ₹5,500; State contributes at least ₹500)
- In states with no artist pension scheme, the full ₹6,000/month is paid by the Central Government
- After the artist's death, the allowance may be transferred to the surviving spouse for life (at the government's discretion)
💡 Why Startups Should Care
Arttech and cultural heritage startups should know veteran artists receiving this pension are potential subject-matter experts — their domain knowledge and artistic legacy are assets for content creation, advisory roles, or documentation projects.
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Must have made a significant contribution to art, literature, or cultural/traditional fields
- Must be at least 60 years old
- Personal income (including spouse's income) must not exceed ₹4,000/month or ₹48,000/year
- Must not be receiving financial assistance under other Ministry of Culture schemes (e.g., Repertory Grant)
- Must be receiving at least ₹500/month pension from a state government, OR be recommended by a Zonal Cultural Centre (for states without an artist pension)
How to Apply
- Visit the Culture Scheme Monitoring System at csms.nic.in
- Register or log in on the Registration/Login page
- Fill out the online application form with personal and financial details
- Upload all required documents
- Submit the application
Frequently Asked 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".
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- Recent colored passport-size photograph (not older than 6 months)
- Address proof (Aadhaar, Voter ID, passport, driving license, electricity bill, or similar)
- Date of birth proof (Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID, birth certificate, or Class 10 certificate)
- Aadhaar card copy (self-attested)
- Income certificate in prescribed format (Annexure-II(A)) from State/UT government