“MUSEUM GRANT SCHEME AND PRESERVATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE”

The Ministry of Culture’s Museum Grant Scheme provides financial assistance for establishing new museums, upgrading existing ones, digitising collections, creating virtual museums and training museum professionals. Museums are classified into three categories – Category I (central/state‑owned museums in state capitals), Category II (other central/state‑owned museums) and Category III (societies, autonomous bodies, trusts, PSUs, academic institutions). Funding limits range from Rs 15 crore for Category I (new museums) to Rs 4 crore for Category III (development), with additional component‑wise assistance of up to Rs 50 lakh. Eligibility requires a minimum three‑year existence (relaxable), a substantial collection, and the ability to bear recurring costs. The scheme also supports digitisation and virtual museum projects, and the Ministry of Tourism promotes museums as tourism attractions.