Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)
ICCR Lata Mangeshkar Dance & Music Scholarship Scheme
Edit ScholarshipICCR scholarship for foreign nationals worldwide to study Indian dance, music, theatre and fine arts in India, supporting cultural and performing-arts education.
Overview
The ICCR Lata Mangeshkar Dance & Music Scholarship Scheme is the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) track for foreign nationals who want to study Indian performing and cultural arts in India. Named after the legendary Indian singer, the scheme supports study in fields such as Indian classical and folk dance, vocal and instrumental music, theatre, and related cultural disciplines including fine arts and sculpture. If you are drawn to learning these art forms in the country where they originated, this is the dedicated ICCR route for you.
Unlike country-specific or treaty-based ICCR schemes, this one is open to foreign nationals worldwide. The common thread is the subject: your study must centre on Indian arts and culture rather than a conventional academic degree in an unrelated field. ICCR places selected students at recognised Indian institutions, which can include specialist arts academies, universities and cultural training centres, depending on the discipline you choose.
The scheme carries the Government of India's standard fully funded terms, so the financial side mirrors other ICCR scholarships: tuition, a monthly stipend, accommodation support, a contingency grant and medical cover. Because performing-arts training often depends on the right teacher or institution, your stated discipline and the availability of a suitable training place both shape where you end up. The sections below cover eligibility, benefits and how to apply.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Funding Body | Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Government of India |
| Host Country | India |
| Degree Levels | Bachelor's and arts-training courses in Indian dance, music, theatre and fine arts |
| Value | Full tuition plus monthly stipend, accommodation/house rent allowance, contingency grant and medical benefits on the standard ICCR scale |
| Deadline | Annual application window via the ICCR A2A portal and Indian Missions abroad |
| Eligible Nationalities | Foreign nationals worldwide |
| Official Website | https://a2ascholarships.iccr.gov.in/ |
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
The scheme is open to foreign nationals from any country. You apply through the Indian Mission (embassy or high commission) in your country, which forwards eligible applications to ICCR.
Field of study
Your proposed course must be in Indian performing or cultural arts, such as classical or folk dance, Hindustani or Carnatic music, instrumental music, theatre, fine arts or sculpture. A background or demonstrated interest in your chosen art form strengthens your case, since the scheme is built around cultural and performing-arts education.
Academic and age requirements
You should have completed the schooling or prior training that the course expects, and you must meet ICCR's standard age limits, which vary by level. Some arts courses weigh demonstrated talent and prior training alongside formal academic results. Confirm the exact age band for your cycle on the A2A portal.
Language and health
You should be able to follow instruction, which for many courses is in English or in the language of the art form's tradition. You must also be medically fit and able to provide a fitness certificate.
What the Scholarship Covers
- Full tuition and course fees at your assigned Indian institution or arts academy
- A monthly living stipend on the standard ICCR scale
- House rent allowance or hostel accommodation support at city-band rates
- An annual contingency grant toward materials, instruments and essential study costs
- Medical cover for ordinary treatment during your studies
- Support tied to your training programme, as the institution and discipline require
Stipend and allowances are paid into an Indian bank account through the Government of India's direct transfer system. The exact rates are revised periodically, so confirm the current figures in the financial terms notification on the A2A portal.
How to Apply
- Register on the A2A portal. Create an account on the ICCR A2A scholarship portal and start an application for the current academic year.
- Select the scheme and discipline. Choose the Lata Mangeshkar Dance & Music scheme and specify your art form and preferred institutions.
- Complete the form. Enter your personal, academic and artistic details accurately, matching your passport and certificates.
- Document your talent. Attach evidence of training or performance experience where you have it, since this supports an arts application.
- Upload required documents. Add all documents in the formats the portal specifies.
- Apply through the Indian Mission. Your application is routed through the Indian embassy or high commission in your country for forwarding to ICCR.
- Await placement and offer. ICCR reviews applications, places selected students at suitable institutions and issues offer and admission letters. Complete your student visa and pre-departure steps once you accept.
Required Documents
- A valid passport (bio-data page)
- Academic transcripts and certificates for completed levels
- A recent passport-size photograph meeting portal specifications
- A medical fitness certificate
- A statement of purpose describing your interest in the art form
- Evidence of prior training, certificates or performance experience, where available
- A portfolio, audio or video sample if requested for your discipline
- Letters of recommendation, where the course requires them
- An English-language certificate, if requested
Key Dates & Deadlines
The scheme runs on an annual cycle tied to the Indian academic year, which generally starts around July or August. The application window and the Indian Mission's forwarding cutoff are published each year on the A2A portal and by the embassy or high commission in your country. Since the Mission's internal deadline usually comes before the broad portal window, contact them early and submit ahead of the closing date.
Tips for a Strong Application
What helps
- Show genuine grounding in your art form through training records, certificates or performance history
- Include a clean portfolio, audio or video sample if your discipline allows it
- Write a statement that explains why studying this art in India matters to you
- Name realistic institutions known for your discipline
- Contact the Indian Mission early to learn its forwarding deadline
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying for a general academic degree rather than an arts or cultural course
- Submitting no evidence of interest or training in the art form
- Poor-quality samples or document scans that fail review
- Missing the Indian Mission's internal cutoff
- Inconsistent names or dates across your passport, certificates and form
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the ICCR Lata Mangeshkar Dance & Music Scholarship Scheme?
Foreign nationals from any country who want to study Indian performing or cultural arts and who meet ICCR's academic, age and health requirements.
What subjects does the ICCR Lata Mangeshkar Dance & Music Scholarship Scheme cover?
Indian classical and folk dance, vocal and instrumental music, theatre, fine arts, sculpture and related cultural disciplines.
Is the ICCR Lata Mangeshkar Dance & Music Scholarship Scheme fully funded?
Yes. It covers tuition, a monthly stipend, accommodation support, a contingency grant and medical cover on the standard ICCR scale.
How do I apply for the ICCR Lata Mangeshkar Dance & Music Scholarship Scheme?
Register and apply on the ICCR A2A portal, then have your application routed through the Indian Mission in your country within the annual window.
Do I need prior training to apply for the ICCR Lata Mangeshkar Dance & Music Scholarship Scheme?
Demonstrated training or interest in your chosen art form strengthens your application, since the scheme is built around performing-arts education. Provide whatever evidence you have.
Can students from any country apply for the ICCR Lata Mangeshkar Dance & Music Scholarship Scheme?
Yes. It is open to foreign nationals worldwide, applying through the Indian embassy or high commission in their country.
Does the ICCR Lata Mangeshkar Dance & Music Scholarship Scheme pay a stipend?
Yes. It pays a monthly stipend on the standard ICCR scale. Confirm the current rate in the financial terms notification on the A2A portal.
Where will I study under the ICCR Lata Mangeshkar Dance & Music Scholarship Scheme?
ICCR places you at a recognised Indian institution or arts academy suited to your discipline. Placement depends on your art form and the availability of a suitable training place.
Do I need to submit a portfolio for the ICCR Lata Mangeshkar Dance & Music Scholarship Scheme?
Some disciplines ask for a portfolio, audio or video sample. Include one where it is requested or where it helps show your ability.
Does the ICCR Lata Mangeshkar Dance & Music Scholarship Scheme provide accommodation?
Yes. You receive hostel accommodation support or a house rent allowance at standard city-band rates.
What is the deadline for the ICCR Lata Mangeshkar Dance & Music Scholarship Scheme?
It opens once a year ahead of the Indian academic session. The Indian Mission's forwarding cutoff usually falls before the portal window, so check both early.
Does the ICCR Lata Mangeshkar Dance & Music Scholarship Scheme include medical cover?
Yes. Ordinary medical treatment is covered during your studies on the standard ICCR terms.