Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana 2026

This fellowship aims to boost research and knowledge at cultural institutions across India by supporting academicians working Read More... on projects of mutual interest. Read less

Details

The Tagore National Fellowship for Cultural Research is a unique initiative by the Ministry of Culture. It's designed to bring fresh perspectives and expertise into various cultural organisations across India.

What Is This Scheme?

The core idea is to connect talented academicians and researchers with our nation's cultural institutions. These institutions, managed by the Ministry of Culture or other identified bodies, hold valuable resources like manuscripts, artifacts, and historical records. The fellowship encourages experts to dive deep into these resources, work on specific research projects, and add to the institution's academic richness.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

This fellowship is for scholars and researchers who have proven academic or professional achievements. If you've made significant contributions to your field, have substantial research experience (at least 5 years), and a strong publication record, this could be for you. The scheme is open to both Indian and international researchers, though foreign nationals will be a minority.

Why This Scheme Is Important

By fostering collaboration between researchers and cultural institutions, the scheme aims to uncover unexplored aspects of our cultural heritage. It helps these institutions stay relevant and vibrant, while also providing fellows with unique opportunities to conduct groundbreaking research using rare materials and facilities.

Objective

This fellowship aims to boost research and knowledge at cultural institutions across India by supporting academicians working on projects of mutual interest.

Benefits

ActivitiesThe elements of an Adarsh Gram would be contexted specific. However, it is still possible to broadly identify the essential activities. They would include:1. Personal Development2. Social Development3. Human Development4. Economic Development5. Environmental Development6. Social Security7. Basic amenities & services8. Good GovernancePersonal development:1. Inculcating hygienic behavior and practices2. Fostering healthy habits including daily exercise and games3. Reducing risk behavior- alcoholism, smoking, substance abuse, etc.Human Development:1. Universal access to basic health facilities consisting of health-card, medical examination2. Total immunization3. Balancing the sex-ratio4. 100% institutional delivery5. Improving nutrition status for all, with special focus on children, adolescent girls, pregnant women, and lactating mothers6. Strong focus on the special needs of Persons with Disability (PWD), especially children and women7. Universal access to education facilities up to Class X and retention8. Conversion of schools into ‘smart schools'. Smart schools will have IT-enabled classrooms, e-libraries, and web-based teaching and will make all students e-literate required for providing quality education9. Adult literacy10. E-literacy11. Village libraries including e-librariesSocial development:1. Activities for the promotion of voluntarism like Bharat Nirman Volunteers2. Building the capacity of the people to fully participate and contribute to local development3. Activities for honoring village elders, and local role models especially women, freedom fighters, and martyrs4. Activities for violence and crime-free villages such as:4.1 Setting up Citizen Committees4.2 Sensitization, especially in youth5. Village sports and folk arts festivals6. Having a village song to instill a sense of pride among the people7. Celebrating ‘Village Day’8. Proactive steps for inclusion and integration of socially excluded groups, especially Scheduled Castes and Scheduled TribesEconomic Development:Promoting diversified agricultural and allied livelihoods, including livestock and horticulture, through-1. Organic farming2. Soil health cards3. Crop intensification such as SRI4. Setting up of seed banks5. Collection and value addition to Non-Timber Forest Produce, Livestock development including Gobar Bank, cattle hostel6. Livestock development including Gobar Bank, cattle hostel7. Micro-irrigation8. Agro-service centersRural industrialization:1. Post-harvest technology applications2. Micro-enterprises3. Dairy development and processing4. Food processing5. Traditional Industries6. Skill Development of all eligible youth for self-employment and placement7. Village Tourism including eco-tourismAll the above activities should focus particularly on lifting households out of poverty, for which organizing and federating women SHGs, providing employment to all workers, and bringing about financial inclusion are very important.Environmental Development:1. Activities for a clean and green village consist of:1.1 Providing toilets in each household and in all public institutions and ensuring their proper use1.2 Appropriate solid and liquid waste management2. Roadside plantations3. Tree plantation in accordance with local preferences in homesteads, schools, and public institutions – including green walkways4. Social forestry5. Watershed management especially renovation and revival of traditional water bodies6. Rainwater harvesting- rooftop as well as others7. Reducing local pollution of air, water, and landBasic amenities and services:1. Pucca houses for all houseless poor/poor living in kutcha houses2. Drinking water, preferably treated piped water with household taps3. Internal all-weather roads with covered drains4. All weather road connectivity to the main road network5. Electricity connection to all households and street lights including from alternative sources of energy, especially solar6. Pucca infrastructure for public institutions- Anganwadis, schools, health institutions, 7. Gram Panchayat Office, and libraries8. Civic infrastructure including community halls, buildings for SHG federations, playgrounds, and burial grounds/ crematoria9. Village markets10. Infrastructure for PDS outlets11. Micro mini banks /post offices/ATMs12. Broadband connectivity and Common Service Centres13. Telecom connectivity14. CCTVs in public placesSocial Security:1. Pensions for all eligible families- old age, disability, and widow2. Insurance schemes like Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana3. Health insurance- RSBY4. PDS- universal access to all eligible householdsGood Governance:1. Strengthening of local democracy through strong and accountable Gram Panchayats and active Gram Sabhas2. e-Governance results in better service delivery3. Provision of UIDAI cards to all4. Ensuring regular and punctual attendance of government and panchayat staff5. Time-bound service delivery in line with Department’s Citizens Charter6. Holding of Mahila Gram Sabhas before every Gram Sabha7. Holding a Gram Sabha at least 4 times a year8. Holding of Bal Sabhas every quarter9. Proactive disclosure of all information pertaining to the implementation of the program in the public domain and through wall-writing, and notice boards in the local language. This should necessarily include the list of beneficiaries, item-wise budgets, and expenditures.9. Gram Panchayat acting as an information facilitation center10. Timely redressal of grievances filed by people, such that:10.1 Grievances of all nature to be submitted to the Gram Panchayat / Charge Officer and dated receipt to be given10.2 Grievances are to be redressed within three weeks along with a written replyInstitutionalization of regular open platforms for the airing of grievances and their redressal, coordinated by the Gram PanchayatUse of Technology and Innovation In SAGYAdopting and adapting technology and introducing innovation is critical to this program. These would work broadly in the following areas:1. Space application and remote sensing2. Mobile-based technology3. Agriculture-related technology and innovations4. Livelihood-related technologies and innovations5. Appropriate building construction technologies6. Road construction technologies7. Water supply and sanitation-related technologies

Sources and references

Guidelines (English)

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants should possess strong academic or professional credentials and have made notable contributions in their field.
Preference will be given to candidates with at least 5 years of experience in research guidance or in performing/other arts.
A strong publication record is required, including at least two single-authored monographs.
Candidates must have a strong reputation in the field relevant to the Nodal Institution they are applying to.
Individuals who have previously worked on major projects with a Nodal Institution and meet the criteria are encouraged to apply.
Once awarded, a fellow cannot reapply for this fellowship.
The scheme is open to both Indian and foreign nationals, with foreign nationals not exceeding one-third of the total fellowships awarded annually.

Note: Applicants must submit a research proposal as per the guidelines and a brief write-up on how their proposed research will benefit the chosen Nodal Institution. Candidates should be highly respected 'legends' in their area of work.

Areas of Research and Eligible Projects:

Research projects should primarily aim to explore and benefit the Nodal Institution's resources. While fellows can use resources from other institutions, the project's core must be linked to the Nodal Institution's offerings.
If a project involves multiple institutions, a Tripartite MoU might be signed regarding intellectual property and credit sharing, with the Nodal Institution managing the accounting.
The research outcome must enhance the knowledge base of the Nodal Institution or co-institution.

How To Apply

Interested candidates should prepare their application and research proposal as per the guidelines. You can submit your application to any Nodal Institution of your choice, depending on your proposed area of research.

Official Application Link: Please refer to the detailed guidelines on the Ministry of Culture's website or contact the Nodal Institutions directly for the specific application submission process.

Documents Required

Aadhaar Card (for identity proof)
Passport-size Photograph
Certificates of Academic Qualifications
Caste Certificate (if applicable)
Disability Certificate (if applicable)
Details of Publications, presentations, performances, awards, and recognitions
A write-up/synopsis of the proposed research work
A short write-up explaining the benefit of the research project to the Nodal Institution
No Objection Certificate (NOC) if you are a regular Central/State Government employee
Any other document as specified

Official Sources

For detailed guidelines and the list of Nodal Institutions, please visit the official Ministry of Culture website.

FAQ’s

What is the main goal of the Tagore National Fellowship for Cultural Research?

The scheme aims to invigorate cultural institutions by encouraging academicians and researchers to work on projects that explore and enhance these institutions' unique resources.

Who is responsible for managing this fellowship program?

The fellowship is managed by institutions under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.

What kind of individuals are encouraged to apply for this fellowship?

Individuals with strong academic or professional backgrounds and significant contributions to their fields are eligible. Those with at least 5 years of research experience or experience in arts are particularly encouraged.

How many fellowships are offered each year?

The scheme plans to award up to 15 fellowships annually.

Can people from outside India apply for this fellowship?

Yes, both Indian and foreign nationals can apply. However, foreign nationals will not make up more than one-third of the total fellowship recipients in any given year.

Which candidates are given preference for the fellowship?

Preference is given to candidates who have a minimum of 5 years of experience in conducting or guiding research, or comparable experience in performing arts or other related fields.

If someone receives a Tagore National Fellowship, can they apply for it again later?

No, once an individual has been awarded a Tagore National Fellowship, they are not eligible to apply again for the same scheme, regardless of whether it's for the same or a different institution.

What is the monthly financial support provided to fellows?

Fellows from outside India or those not affiliated with universities, colleges, research institutes, or government services, or retired individuals, will receive a fixed monthly honorarium of ₹80,000.

How much financial aid is available for research-related expenses?

Fellows working with Non-MoC institutions can be reimbursed for expenses like academic trips and research assistants up to a maximum of ₹2.50 lakhs per year, based on actual costs and verified bills.

What is the maximum duration for which the fellowship can be availed?

The fellowship period can extend up to a maximum of two years.

Are fellows provided with financial assistance for housing?

Yes, selected fellows who need to rent accommodation will be eligible for House Rent Allowance (HRA) of up to 30% of their honorarium.

What is the procedure for applying to this fellowship program?

Applicants need to submit their application form and a research proposal, following the scheme's guidelines, to a Nodal Institution that aligns with their research interests.