Indian Council for Cultural Relations

The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) was founded in 1950 by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad,

Objectives of ICCR

To actively participate in the formulation and implementation of policies and programmes pertaining to India’s external cultural relations
To foster and strengthen cultural relations and mutual understanding between India and other countries
To promote cultural exchanges with other countries and people; and to develop relations with nations.

Conference and Seminars of ICCR

In order to promote India’s Soft power and enhance India’s skills of cultural diplomacy and reinforce the dialogues between the civilizations, Council organizes International conferences on subjects like Indology, Buddhism, Sufism, Tagore and other subjects related to Indian culture, philosophy and society. The ICCR extends support to many academic institutions, universities and NGOs for organizing seminars and conferences on subjects such as Indian Literature, Buddhism, Languages, Indian Art & Culture.

Incoming Troupes

Since the inception of ICCR, the Incoming Cultural Delegations work has been its integral part and pertains to the promotion of foreign cultural presentations in the country --- both within the ambit of India's Cultural Exchange Programmes with different countries and outside it.

2-day Africa Festival
3-day International dance Festival by foreign Nations
International Shadow Play/Puppeteers
Foreign troupes performed in Commonwealth Games
Delhi International Arts Festival
South Asian Band Festival
Tradition of Sufism
ASEAN countries

Under the 'Horizon Series, every month ICCR organize two performances of the Indian artistes at its Azad Bhavan Auditorium, New Delhi. The Council also organizes monthly 'Horizon Series', performances in each of its Regional Offices within the country in India.

Scholarships offered by ICCR

General Scholarships Scheme—GSS

The General Scholarship Scheme (GSS) is one of the most important and popular schemes of the ICCR for foreign students. Scholarships are awarded under this scheme annually to international students belonging to certain Asian, African and Latin American countries for the undergraduate, postgraduate degrees and for pursuing research at Indian universities. However, scholarships for medical studies for MBBS, BDS or for medical research leading to a Ph.D degree are not offered under the GSS scheme.

Africa Scholarships

At the inaugural plenary of the India – Africa Forum Summit held in New Delhi in April 2008, the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India announced the Government of India’s initiative to enhance the academic opportunities for students of African countries in India by increasing the number of scholarships for them to pursue under-graduate, post-graduate and higher courses.

Commonwealth Scholarship Scheme

The Commonwealth Scholarship Scheme was instituted to implement the policy of the Commonwealth countries to contribute together in providing high-level education and training by sharing their resources and facilities. The ICCR’s Commonwealth Scholarship Scheme is for the nationals of Commonwealth countries to enable them to pursue under-graduate, post-graduate, doctoral and other research courses in Indian Universities in general courses (except medicine and dentistry).

Dance/Music Institutions

International students wishing to learn Indian music and dance have access to the best of institutions and gurus across the country.

Facilities are available to learn all types of classical and traditional forms of dance and music. The institutions and the teachers themselves, given their stature, often organize public performances in which the students, after attaining an adequate degree of expertise, can hope to participate.

Indian Gouncil For Cultural Relations

Azad Bhavan

IP Estate

New Delhi -110002

Phone: 011-23379309, 23379310, 233794511