Financial Assistance for Development of Buddhist-Tibetan Arts and Culture

Financial Assistance for Development of Buddhist-Tibetan Arts and Culture gives money help to voluntary Buddhist and Tibetan organisations, including monasteries, to preserve, grow and research their traditional culture and arts. Ministry of Culture, Government of India runs this scheme, and it remains open for eligible organisations across the country.

The scheme backs research, documentation, teaching and building work connected with Buddhist and Tibetan traditions. Assistance is awarded after an Expert Advisory Committee review and the needed administrative approvals. Applications for the financial years 2024-25 and 2025-26 have been invited through the Central Nodal Agency (CNA), Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies (CIHTS), Sarnath, Varanasi.

Financial Assistance for Development of Buddhist-Tibetan Arts and Culture - Introduction

The grant is given based on a detailed review by an Expert Advisory Committee followed by administrative approval and financial clearance from the Ministry of Culture. Fund release works in a clear way as given below.

Fund release process:

• The Joint Secretary releases funds up to ₹30.00 lakhs after the committee recommends the proposal and the Ministry signs off on it.
• Grant is paid in two equal parts. The first part is released once the project is approved.
• For the second part, the organisation has to submit a duly audited statement of accounts showing full use of the first grant along with the required share from the organisation or the state or U.T. government.
• Any grant for repair or renovation of heritage buildings needs a formal certificate from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). An ASI officer works closely with the organisation during this work.

Special provision

The Expert Advisory Committee can suggest funds above the normal limit, up to ₹1.00 crore, for projects of special merit with the approval of the Minister of Culture. In each such case the committee gives detailed reasons for going above the ₹30.00 lakhs limit.

Inspection and monitoring

Ministry officials inspect at least 5% of projects every year. The work is also monitored with the help of bodies such as Central University of Tibetan Studies, Sarnath, Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, Nalanda, Central Institute of Buddhist Studies, Leh and Zonal Cultural Centres.

Penalty for misuse

Organisation members are responsible for use of these funds. In case of misuse, grants are recovered and the organisation is blacklisted. All assets built with government money are taken over by the local administration.

Benefits

Financial assistance covers many development activities, with a main cap of ₹30.00 lakhs per organisation per year. Break-up of the maximum amount allowed per item is given below.

Funding ratio note

Normally the government bears 75% of total project cost, and the organisation meets the remaining 25% from its own resources or through the state government. For organisations in North-Eastern States and Sikkim, the funding is shared between Central and State governments in a 90:10 ratio.

Eligibility

Organisations willing to apply for Financial Assistance for Development of Buddhist-Tibetan Arts and Culture need to meet the following criteria.

• Must be registered as a Society under the Societies Registration Act (XXI of 1860) or a similar law.
• Must have been mainly working in Buddhist or Tibetan studies for at least the last three years.
• Must have a regional or all-India character.
• Must not be getting grants from any other source for similar work.
• Must register on the NITI Aayog NGO Darpan portal to get a Unique ID and also register on PFMS before applying.

For example, if a monastery school in Sikkim has run since 2020, is registered as a society and meets the document rules, it can apply for this support.

Application Process

Applications for the financial years 2024-25 and 2025-26 are being invited by the Central Nodal Agency. Follow the steps below to apply.

STEP 1 - Download the application form and guidelines from the official Ministry of Culture website at culture.gov.in or from CIHTS official website.

STEP 2 - Fill the form fully and attach the checklist with all required documents. The application must be complete in every respect, and incomplete files are rejected outright.

STEP 3 - Get the application recommended by the state government or U.T. administration. Organisations in North-Eastern States, Sikkim, Leh and Kargil can send the file directly to the Ministry with the recommendation of the District Collector or Deputy Commissioner. Central Institute of Buddhist Studies, Leh acts as a help window for Leh and Kargil.

STEP 4 - Submit the file to the Coordinator, Central Nodal Agency (CNA), Office of Registrar, Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies (CIHTS), Sarnath, Varanasi - 221007, Uttar Pradesh. Attach the Bond, Resolution, Bank Authorization Letter and Agency Registration form along with the filled form. The last date for submission was extended to 31.05.2026 as per the addendum dated 14.05.2026.

STEP 5 - Make sure the society is registered on the NGO Darpan portal to get a Unique ID, and that the bank account is linked to the PAN card.

Documents

Applications should be supported by the following documents to judge the eligibility of the organisation.

• Valid registration certificate, confirmed by a Gazetted Officer, clearly showing the validity of registration.
• Copy of the Memorandum of Association.
• Audited accounts and annual reports for the last three years.
• Item-wise project write-up with detailed cost, target beneficiaries and time schedule.
• Proof of land or building ownership for civil construction projects.
• Detailed Project Report (DPR) for civil works with state PWD approved estimates.
• Details of teachers with name, age, qualifications and salary structure.
• PAN card information and official bank details, with PFMS details.

References

• Official Website - Ministry of Culture
• Download Application Form
• Advertisement - Applications 2024-25 and 2025-26 (CIHTS)
• Addendum - Last Date Extended to 31.05.2026

FAQ's

What is the objective of Financial Assistance for Development of Buddhist-Tibetan Arts and Culture?

The objective is to give financial support to voluntary organisations and monasteries working on research, preservation and scientific development of Buddhist and Tibetan cultural traditions.

Which ministry manages this scheme?

The Ministry of Culture, Government of India, manages this scheme, with CIHTS, Sarnath working as the Central Nodal Agency for receiving applications.

How much funding is provided to North-Eastern States and Sikkim?

For these regions the funding is shared between the Central Government and the State Government in a 90:10 ratio.

What is the eligibility requirement for the organisation?

The organisation must be registered as a society and must have been working in the field of Buddhist/Tibetan studies for at least three years.

What is the last date for applying in 2026?

For the 2024-25 and 2025-26 financial years, the last date for submission was extended to 31.05.2026 through the addendum dated 14.05.2026.

Are there penalties for misusing the grant?

Yes. Misused grants are recovered, the organisation is blacklisted, and all assets created with the grant are taken over by the local administration.