Central Govt Social welfare & Empowerment

Supporting Community Radio Movement in India

Financial assistance for operational community radio stations · NGOs & educational institutions · ₹50 Cr scheme

This Ministry of Information and Broadcasting scheme provides financial assistance to non-profit organisations that have already been granted a Community Radio Station (CRS) licence by the Government of India — enabling them to operate low-power local FM stations (5–10 km radius). It also offers capacity building support to help CRS operators grow and improve programming. Apply through the BroadcastSeva portal.

Ministry Of Information And Broadcasting For: Infra Official Source

About This Scheme

Full official description

Community Radio is a form of local broadcasting that focuses on the needs and interests of a community. The Community Radio is an important third tier in Radio Broadcasting, distinct from Akashwani and Private FM Radio. The Community Radio is built on the principles of access, participation and the ability to represent one’s voice. It provides a platform to communities to air their voices on issues concerning their lives. The Community Radios are essentially low power FM Radio stations (having a coverage in the range of 5- 10 Kms radius) that are meant to be owned, set up and operated by not-for profit community based organizations and its contents are produced by and for the members of the community.

The Policy In December 2002, the Government of India approved a policy for the grant of licenses for setting up of Community Radio Stations to well established educational institutions including IITs/IIMs. The matter was reconsidered in the year 2006 and the Government decided to broad base the policy by bringing ‘Non-profit’ organisations like civil society and voluntary organisations etc, under its ambit in order to allow greater participation by the civil society on issues relating to development & social change. Currently, not-for profit organizations/ institutions such as Educational Institutions, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, ICAR Institutions, NGOs, registered societies, public charitable trusts etc. are eligible to apply for setting up CRS. As on 28.05.2024 there are 495 operational CRS across the country.

The Scheme- The Government of India approved a Central Sector Scheme namely “Supporting Community Radio Movement in India” in 2012, which was lately extended for a period from 2021-22 to 2025-26 with an outlay of ₹50 Crores (₹ 50 Crores only). The mandate of the proposed scheme is to strengthen new and existing CR Stations with resources, capacity and technology, to promote growth of CRS, especially in remote and rural areas and to promote socio-economic and cultural development of communities as CRS is a powerful medium for social mobilization. Government has organized various Community Radio Workshops, Webinars and Regional and National Sammelans to promote awareness and peer learning among the CR sector stakeholders under the ambit of this Scheme.

Benefits

Financial assistance once the Community Radio Station becomes operational
Capacity building support including training and technical guidance
Access to national-level Community Radio workshops, webinars, and Sammelans
Funded under a ₹50 crore national outlay (2021–22 to 2025–26) for strengthening CRS operations

💡 Why Startups Should Care

If you're building media-tech, content, or civic-tech products for rural India, partnering with or supplying technology to the 495+ operational community radio stations (each covering a 5–10 km radius) can serve as a distribution channel — and this scheme keeps those stations funded.

Who Can Apply (Eligibility)

Organisation must already hold a Community Radio Station licence from the Government of India
Must be a non-profit entity: NGO, registered society, public charitable trust, educational institution, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, or ICAR institution
Must have at least 3 years of documented community service
NGOs and societies must be registered on NITI Aayog's NGO Darpan portal
Station programming must focus on the local community's educational, developmental, social, and cultural needs
Ownership and management must reflect the community being served
Not applicable to commercial radio stations or government-run (Akashwani) stations

Exclusions

Not available to organisations that do not already hold a CRS licence from the Government of India

How to Apply

First obtain a Community Radio Station (CRS) licence from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting — financial assistance under this scheme is available only after the station is operational.
Register on the Broadcast Seva portal at new.broadcastseva.gov.in.
Log in and follow the instructions to apply for financial assistance under the scheme.
Submit your application with all required documents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Can apply for financial assistance.

Only Operational Community Radio Stations can apply once they setup and have completed 3 months of broadcasting after obtaining license for CRS

I am and NGO. Can I apply for Financial assistance

Yes you can apply provided you have license to operate a Community Radio Station.

How to obtain License for Community Radio

If you are eligible organisation you can apply online

Ready to apply?

Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.

Apply on myScheme.gov.in

Documents Required

Copy of organisation registration certificate (with Hindi/English translation if needed)
Memorandum of association / bye-laws (with translation if needed)
Audited balance sheets with auditor's report for the past 3 years
Map of the service area
Profile of the organisation
Profile of the community within 10 km radius of the station
Geo-coordinates (latitude and longitude) of the antenna location
Details of all governing body members
Processing fee of ₹2,500