National Culture Fund

Source- This post on the National Culture Fund has been created based on the article “NATIONAL CULTURE FUND” published in “PIB” on 30 July 2024.

The Union Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Development recently informed the Lok Sabha that the National Culture Fund (NCF) has received ₹3.70 crore from non-government sources over the past five years.

About the National Culture Fund

1. The National Culture Fund was established by the Government of India as a Trust under the Charitable Endowment Act of 1890 and was officially set up through a Gazette Notification in 1996.

2. It was created to provide a new funding mechanism for the arts and culture in India, distinct from traditional funding sources. This allows institutions and individuals to directly support arts and culture projects in partnership with the government.

3. The primary aim of the NCF is to mobilize additional resources through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to promote, protect, and preserve India’s cultural heritage, both tangible (physical artifacts) and intangible (cultural practices and traditions).

4. Donations made to the National Culture Fund are eligible for tax benefits under the Income Tax Act.

5. Management and Administration:

i) The NCF is managed by a Council and an Executive Committee to implement its policies.

ii)  The Council is chaired by the Union Minister of Culture and includes up to 24 members, including the Chairperson and Member Secretary.

iii) This Council has representatives from the corporate sector, public sector, private foundations, and non-profit organizations to ensure diverse input in decision-making.

iv)  The Executive Committee, chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, oversees the administration of the NCF.

UPSC Syllabus: Polity & Governance