Ministry of Culture’s Global Engagement Scheme (GES) promotes Indian culture abroad

The Ministry of Culture promotes India's art and culture abroad with a view to strengthening cultural relations with foreign countries through the conclusion and implementation of Cultural Agreements, Cultural Exchange Programmes, Memoranda of Understanding on Cultural Cooperation, and other bilateral cultural instruments.

Purpose
- Strengthens cultural ties abroad through Cultural Agreements, Exchange Programmes, MoUs, and other bilateral instruments.
- Coordinates India’s participation in multilateral forums like G20, BRICS, SCO, SAARC to enhance soft power.

Global Engagement Scheme (GES)
- Organises Festivals of India abroad to showcase India’s diverse traditions.
- Provides Grants‑in‑Aid to Indo‑Foreign Friendship Cultural Societies via Indian Missions.
- Revised and extended for FY 2026‑27 to 2030‑31 with an outlay of ₹299.94 crore.

Sub‑Schemes
- International Cultural Exchange Programme
- Project Mausam (civilizational maritime linkages)
- Brihattar Bharat (expanding India’s cultural footprint)
- Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH)

Role of ICCR
- Operates under the Ministry of External Affairs.
- Runs Cultural Centres abroad and supports Indian Missions.
- Promotes Yoga, classical/folk dance, music, languages, and other disciplines globally.

Budget Trends (Last 5 Years)


📌 Observation: Spending peaked in 2023‑24, aligning with expanded cultural outreach, but dipped sharply in 2025‑26—likely due to scheme restructuring before its major relaunch in 2026‑27.