Himalayan Cultural Heritage Grants: Statistics by Year and State 2026
· 2 min read · 1 official source
The Ministry of Culture funded 48 organisations with Rs 85.75 lakh under the Himalayan cultural heritage scheme in 2024-25, down from 199 organisations and Rs 372.55 lakh in 2023-24, according to a Lok Sabha answer of February 2026. Year-wise totals since 2020-21 and state-wise grants are below.
Scheme of Financial Assistance for the Preservation and Development of Cultural Heritage of the Himalayas: key numbers
Infographic
Himalayan heritage grants by year, 2020-21 to 2024-25
Number of organisations funded and amount released (authorised through the Central Nodal Agency from 2023-24) under the scheme, all states and UTs.
| Year | Organisations | Amount (Rs lakh) |
|---|---|---|
| 2020-21 | 128 | 336.0 |
| 2021-22 | 203 | 473.47 |
| 2022-23 | 225 | 468.73 |
| 2023-24 | 199 | 372.55 |
| 2024-25 | 48 | 85.75 |
Source: sansad.in, as on 9 February 2026
Grants by state and UT (2023-24)
Organisations funded and amount authorised in each state and UT that received a grant under the scheme in 2023-24.
| State/UT | Organisations | Amount (Rs lakh) |
|---|---|---|
| Himachal Pradesh | 51 | 126.28 |
| Arunachal Pradesh | 48 | 93.00 |
| Uttarakhand | 63 | 81.75 |
| Jammu and Kashmir | 29 | 47.52 |
| Sikkim | 4 | 16.00 |
| Ladakh | 2 | 5.50 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 2 | 2.50 |
Source: sansad.in, as on 31 March 2024
How a Himalayan heritage grant is given
What the numbers show
This Ministry of Culture scheme pays for research, documentation and folk-art training on the cultural heritage of the Himalayan states and UTs. A Lok Sabha answer of 9 February 2026 gives the full record since 2020-21. Grants went to 225 organisations in 2022-23 but only 48 in 2024-25, when the amount authorised was Rs 85.75 lakh, the lowest in the five years shown.
The trend over five years
Funding rose from Rs 336.0 lakh in 2020-21 to Rs 473.47 lakh in 2021-22 and stayed close to that level in 2022-23. It fell to Rs 372.55 lakh in 2023-24, the first year grants were paid through the Central Nodal Agency module, and then dropped sharply in 2024-25. For 2025-26, Rs 75.06 lakh had been authorised to 55 organisations by 4 February 2026, so the year was on a similar scale to 2024-25. The answer does not explain the fall.
State differences
In 2023-24, Himachal Pradesh received the largest amount, Rs 126.28 lakh for 51 organisations, followed by Arunachal Pradesh with Rs 93.00 lakh for 48. Uttarakhand had the most organisations funded, 63, but received Rs 81.75 lakh. Jammu and Kashmir, Sikkim and Ladakh received smaller amounts. The table also shows small grants to organisations in Uttar Pradesh in 2023-24 and in Delhi in 2024-25, even though the scheme is meant for heritage of the six Himalayan areas.
What the figures do not tell you
The answer counts organisations and money only. It does not say how many projects, researchers or trainees were supported, or which activity heads the money went to. From 2023-24 the figures are amounts authorised through the Central Nodal Agency, which may differ from money actually spent by the grantee organisations.
Where to check
The Ministry of Culture answers questions on its Kala Sanskriti Vikas Yojana grants in Parliament, and the answers with state-wise annexures are published on sansad.in. The Ministry's website carries scheme guidelines and calls for applications.
Frequently asked questions
How many organisations get grants under the Himalayan heritage scheme?
48 organisations received grants in 2024-25, according to a Lok Sabha answer of 9 February 2026. The number was 199 in 2023-24 and 225 in 2022-23, the highest in the five years shown.
How much money does the scheme give out?
Rs 85.75 lakh was authorised in 2024-25, against Rs 372.55 lakh in 2023-24 and Rs 473.47 lakh in 2021-22. Up to 4 February 2026, Rs 75.06 lakh had been authorised for 55 organisations in 2025-26.
Which state gets the most under this scheme?
In 2023-24, Himachal Pradesh received the most, Rs 126.28 lakh for 51 organisations, followed by Arunachal Pradesh with Rs 93.00 lakh. Uttarakhand had the most organisations funded, 63.
Why did grants fall in 2024-25?
The Lok Sabha answer does not give a reason. It notes that from 2023-24 grants were released through the Central Nodal Agency module, under revised Department of Expenditure rules for central sector schemes.
What is the maximum grant per project?
Up to Rs 10 lakh per project, covering up to 75% of project cost, with up to Rs 30 lakh possible for a project of outstanding merit, as set out in the scheme guidelines.
Eligibility, documents and how to apply: Scheme of Financial Assistance for the Preservation and Development of Cultural Heritage of the Himalayas full guide
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Sources
This guide was checked against these official pages:
- sansad.in (sansad.in/getFile/loksabhaquestions/annex/187/AU1594_SGJmON.pdf?source=pqals)