Cultural Talent Search Scholarship Scheme (CTSSS) 2026-27 – Eligibility, Amount, Selection Process & How to Apply
The Cultural Talent Search Scholarship Scheme (CTSSS) is a national-level scholarship run by the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT), an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Running since 1982, CTSSS identifies and supports outstandingly talented children aged 10 to 14 years in Music, Dance, Drama, Painting, Sculpture, Crafts, and Literary Activities. Eligible children include those studying in recognized schools as well as children from families that practice traditional performing arts. Selected scholars receive ₹3,600 per year, plus reimbursement of tuition fees paid to their Guru or teacher, up to ₹9,000 per year.
CCRT Cultural Talent Search Scholarship 2026-27 – Overview
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Cultural Talent Search Scholarship Scheme (CTSSS) |
| Administered By | Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT), Ministry of Culture, Government of India |
| Running Since | 1982 |
| Eligible Age Group | 10 to 14 years |
| Fields Covered | Music, Dance, Drama, Painting, Sculpture, Crafts, Literary Activities |
| Scholarship Value | ₹3,600 per year |
| Tuition Fee Reimbursement | Up to ₹9,000 per year (actual fee paid to Guru/Teacher) |
| Total New Scholarships | 650 per year (nationwide) |
| Mode of Application | By post, in the prescribed proforma, as per newspaper/Employment News advertisement |
| Selection Process | Shortlisting followed by Interview/Test at Regional level |
| Interview/Test Period | May to August every year |
| Official Website | ccrtindia.gov.in |
CCRT Scholarship Category-Wise Breakdown (650 Scholarships Yearly)
| Category | Number of Scholarships |
|---|---|
| General Scholarships | 375 |
| Traditional Art Families | 125 |
| Tribal Culture (Scheduled Tribe) | 100 |
| Creative Writing / Literary Arts | 30 |
| Divyang (Differently Abled) | 20 |
CCRT Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
- The applicant must be between 10 and 14 years of age.
- Applicant must show outstanding talent in one of the covered fields: Music, Dance, Drama, Painting, Sculpture, Crafts, or Literary Activities.
- Applicants can be children studying in a recognized school, or children belonging to families that traditionally practice performing arts (even without formal schooling in the art form).
- A dedicated 100-scholarship quota exists for children from Scheduled Tribe/tribal culture backgrounds.
- A dedicated 20-scholarship quota exists for Divyang (differently abled) children.
- A dedicated 30-scholarship quota exists for children talented in Creative Writing/Literary Arts specifically.
How to Apply for CCRT Cultural Talent Search Scholarship 2026-27
Unlike many government scholarships that use a fully online portal, the CTSSS application process works as follows:
- CCRT publishes an advertisement inviting applications in Employment News as well as leading newspapers across States/UTs, in English, Hindi, and regional/vernacular languages.
- The application form and detailed information are also uploaded on the official CCRT website (ccrtindia.gov.in) and the Ministry of Culture website (culture.gov.in) when the advertisement is released.
- Interested applicants must fill the application in the prescribed proforma and submit it by post, as per the instructions in the advertisement.
- A Central Selection Committee reviews applications and shortlists candidates to be called for an Interview/Test.
- Only shortlisted candidates are informed by post about the date, time, and venue of their Interview/Test.
- Interviews/Tests are conducted at the Regional level, typically between May and August each year.
- The decision of the Central Selection Committee is final.
Note: The official CCRT page does not list a fixed annual application opening/closing date — applications are invited through periodic newspaper/Employment News advertisements. Aspiring applicants should regularly check ccrtindia.gov.in and culture.gov.in, or watch for the advertisement in their state/regional newspapers, rather than expecting a fixed yearly deadline.
Documents Required for CCRT Scholarship Holders
Once selected, scholarship holders are required to submit the following as part of ongoing compliance and fund disbursement:
- Annexures I to VIII (as prescribed by CCRT)
- Progress Report (Annexure VII)
- Payment Receipt via PFMS (Public Financial Management System)
About CCRT (Centre for Cultural Resources and Training)
CCRT is a Government of India autonomous organization functioning under the Ministry of Culture, established in 1979. It was conceptualized by Smt. Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay and Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan, with the objective of integrating culture with education and strengthening the country's cultural fabric. Besides the Cultural Talent Search Scholarship Scheme, CCRT also administers a Fellowship Scheme to support scholars, artists, and cultural researchers with outstanding expertise in their fields.
Important Links
- Official CCRT Scholarship Page: ccrtindia.gov.in
- Ministry of Culture Website: culture.gov.in
- Annexures I to VIII (for Scholarship Holders): Check Here
- Progress Report Format: Check Here
- Payment Receipt (PFMS) Format: Check Here
