Cultural Talent Search Scholarship Scheme 2025–26

Introduction

Overview:

The Cultural Talent Search Scholarship Scheme (CTSSS) 2025–26 is a prestigious program at the national level initiated by the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, to identify and develop exceptional young talent engaged in Indian traditional art and culture.

Objectives:

The objective of the scheme is to provide administered and integrated support to demonstrate exceptionally gifted children ages (10–14) in traditional arts and culture, including:

Music (vocals and instruments)
Dance (classical dance forms and folk dances)
Drama & Theatre
Painting and Sculpture
Handicrafts
Creative Writing in Indian languages

The Cultural Talent Search Scholarship Scheme 2025-26 - Key Features and Benefits

The CTSSS 2025-26 provides financial and educational support in structured ways to assist young artistic talent across India:

Feature	Details
Scholarship Amount	₹3,600 per year, per selected scholar.
Tuition Fee Reimbursement	Up to ₹9,000 annually for specialized training under a recognized Guru or institution.
Total Scholarships Offered	650 new scholarships awarded every year.
Reservation Categories	Scholarships reserved for ST students, children of traditional artist families, differently abled candidates, and literary arts aspirants.
Duration of Scholarship	Initially 2 years; renewable annually up to the first university degree or age 20, whichever comes first—subject to satisfactory performance and progress.

Eligibility Criteria - Cultural Talent Search Scholarship 2025-26

To apply for the CTSSS 2025-26,applicants must meet the following eligibility conditions:

Criteria	Requirement
Age Limit	Applicants must be between 10 and 14 years old as of the specified cut-off date.
Nationality	Only Indian citizens are eligible to apply.
Educational Status	Must be enrolled in a recognized school OR belong to a traditional artist family receiving informal training.
Training Background	A minimum of 5 years of prior training in the chosen art form is preferable.
Family Income	Family income should generally be below ₹8,000 per month (subject to change—verify with latest official notification).

Application Process – Cultural Talent Search Scholarship Scheme 2025–26

Application Mode: Offline (form not to be submitted online)
Download Application Form: Please refer to the official CCRT website to download the CTSSS 2025–26 application form.
Application Form Filling: Fill in the application form with personal, educational and training information accurately.
Required//Support Documents: Attach the required documents such as 1x self-attested photograph, proof of age, training information and income certificate.
Submit Your Application: Submit your application form by post to:
The Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT), Sector-7, Dwarka, New Delhi – 110075
Due Date: Your application must reach the CCRT by 30th June 2025 (for the 2025–26 session).

Selection Process – Cultural Talent Search Scholarship Scheme 2025–26

The selection process for the CTSSS will be merit-based and highly competitive, which means only the most talented and deserving young artists will receive the scholarship. The following is a detailed explanation of how the selection process will proceed:

1. Pre Screening

The Central Selection Committee will review every application received.
Applications will be reviewed according to the applicant's training history, performance of other applicants (documentation), and level of commitment towards traditional or literary art forms.
Applications lacking documents or do not fulfill eligibility criteria will be rejected.

2. Interview/Test

Candidates who are shortlisted will be invited to appear for an interview or performance test.
Interviews and tests will take place at regional centres around India from May to August 2025.
Candidates will perform or present their skill in front of subject matter experts.

3. Assessing Merit

After the test/interviews, the candidates will be assessed by a panel of experts in the field of art and culture.
All candidates will be evaluated on a 1 to 10 scale across various factors, including talent, potential, training, and originality.
The panel will assess both the candidates ability to demonstrate their skill and their future ability to progress in the chosen art form.

4. Selecting the Awardees

The Central Selection Committee will finalize the list of awardees according to Test/Interview Scores and overall profile.
The decision of the Central Selection Committee is final and is legally binding; there will be no appeals or re-assessments.

Documents Required – Cultural Talent Search Scholarship Scheme 2025–26

The applicants must submit the following documents together with their application for considering the scholarship:

Document	Purpose
Age Proof	Birth certificate or school-issued age certificate to verify eligibility (10–14 years).
Training Certificate	Issued by Guru or institution to confirm formal/informal training in the selected art form.
Income Certificate (if applicable)	Required for verifying family income eligibility (generally under ₹8,000/month).
Caste Certificate (for reserved categories)	To claim reservation under SC/ST or other applicable categories.
Progress Reports	Must be submitted every 6 months after selection to demonstrate academic/artistic progress.

Important Dates and Deadlines – CTSSS 2025–26

Application Opening Date: March 2025 (tentative as of now; expected only in an official announcement)

Application Closing Date: 30 June 2025
Interviews/Performance Tests: Timeframe between May and August 2025 on regional sites.

Conclusion

The Cultural Talent Search Scholarship Scheme 2025-26 (CTS) is a significant initiative by the Ministry of Culture and CCRT to support and promote India's unique heritage of traditional and literary arts. The scheme not only provides financial aid and organized mentoring to young and talented students across the country but also helps to foster excellence in some of our established art forms, whilst also shaping future cultural ambassadors of India. Given the opportunity to apply, important candidates who are keen on classical dance, music, drama, visual arts or crafts, should not miss out on the opportunity by applying no later than 30th June 2025 on the official CCRT website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for the Cultural Talent Search Scholarship Scheme?

Indian children aged 10–14 years, studying in recognized schools or from families practicing traditional arts, with family income generally below ₹8,000 per month

What is the scholarship amount?

Selected scholars receive ₹3,600 per year, plus reimbursement of tuition fees up to ₹9,000 per year for specialized training

How do I apply for the scholarship?

Download the application form from the CCRT website, fill it out, attach required documents, and submit by post to CCRT, New Delhi

What documents are required for the application?

Age proof, training certificate from Guru/institute, income certificate (if applicable), and caste certificate (for reserved categories)

How are candidates selected?

Candidates are shortlisted by a Central Selection Committee and called for interview/test at regional centers; selection is merit-based

Cultural Talent Search Scholarship Scheme 2025–26 | Apply Now at CCRT