- Why in news
- On 10 August 2026, the Culture Minister told Parliament that cultural diplomacy runs through the Global Engagement Scheme. The reply came to a question on a proposed National Framework for Cultural Diplomacy, and it did not announce one.
- What it is
- The Global Engagement Scheme (GES) is an umbrella scheme of the Ministry of Culture for India's international cultural engagement. It bundles cultural exchange, heritage outreach and safeguarding of intangible heritage under one scheme. It works through bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
- Four components
- GES has four components: ICEP, Project Mausam, Brihattar Bharat and the Scheme for Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage and Diverse Cultural Traditions of India.
- ICEP activities
- ICEP covers Festivals of India, exchange of artists and troupes, and Cultural Exchange Programmes and MoUs.
- CEP coverage
- The Ministry has valid Cultural Exchange Programmes with 98 countries.
- Multilateral forums
- The scheme facilitates India's participation in BRICS, G20, SCO and BIMSTEC cultural forums.
- Role of ICCR
- ICCR is an autonomous body under the Ministry of External Affairs. It complements GES through Indian Cultural Centres abroad and festivals.
- Outlay and period
- The revised scheme runs from FY 2026-27 to 2030-31 with an outlay of Rs 299.94 crore.
- Sub-schemes
- Four sub-schemes: International Cultural Exchange Programme, Project Mausam, Brihattar Bharat, and Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage and Diverse Cultural Traditions of India.
- Festivals of India
- Under GES, Festivals of India are organised abroad to showcase India's cultural traditions.
- Grants-in-aid
- The scheme gives grants-in-aid to Indo-Foreign Friendship Cultural Societies through Indian Missions abroad.
- ICCR
- ICCR is under the Ministry of External Affairs and runs cultural centres abroad, teaching yoga, dance, music and languages.
Don’t confuse with GES vs ICCR: GES is a Ministry of Culture scheme. ICCR is an autonomous body under the Ministry of External Affairs.
Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.
Why it matters
- Cultural diplomacy builds soft power and people-to-people ties alongside formal diplomacy.
- One umbrella scheme links heritage, exchange and multilateral work.
- Strengthens India's soft power and cultural ties through festivals, exchanges and heritage outreach.
Problems
- Work is split between the Culture and External Affairs ministries, risking overlap.
- A national framework was asked about, but the reply announced none.
- Actual spending has often lagged budget provisions, for example Rs 12.96 crore against Rs 16.25 crore in 2022-23.
Way forward
- Create a coordinated national framework with clear roles for both ministries and measurable outcomes.
- Improve coordination between the Ministry of Culture, ICCR and Indian Missions, and improve fund utilisation.
Put in your answer
CEP network: Valid Cultural Exchange Programmes with 98 countries show the institutional reach of cultural diplomacy.
Yoga Day abroad: ICCR marks the International Day of Yoga abroad, an example of soft power.
- 2015Mains GS2 · Q19Does Project Mausam have a strategic dimension in foreign policy? Discuss.
- 2026Mains GS2 · Q19Critically examine diaspora as a bridge turning cultural heritage into geopolitical influence.
- 2015Mains GS2 · Q20How far can sports and cultural exchanges generate India-Pakistan goodwill? Discuss.
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
Prelims practice · Single answer
Ours, not from a UPSC paper
Consider the following statements about the Global Engagement Scheme (GES): 1. It is administered by the Ministry of Culture. 2. Project Mausam and Brihattar Bharat are among its sub-schemes. 3. Grants-in-aid to Indo-Foreign Friendship Cultural Societies under it are routed through Indian Missions abroad. 4. The Indian Council for Cultural Relations, which also promotes Indian culture abroad, functions under the Ministry of Culture. How many of the above statements are correct?
How many of the above statements are correct?
True or false?
1 of 6
Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.
1.The Global Engagement Scheme is administered by the Ministry of Culture.
True. The Ministry of Culture administers GES.
2.The revised Global Engagement Scheme has been continued for FY 2026-27 to 2030-31.
True. The period is FY 2026-27 to 2030-31.
3.Project Mausam is a sub-scheme of the Global Engagement Scheme.
True. Project Mausam is one of the four sub-schemes.
4.Brihattar Bharat is a sub-scheme under the Ministry of External Affairs, outside the Global Engagement Scheme.
False. Brihattar Bharat is a sub-scheme of GES under the Ministry of Culture.
5.Under the scheme, grants-in-aid go to Indo-Foreign Friendship Cultural Societies through Indian Missions abroad.
True. Grants are routed through Indian Missions abroad.
6.The Indian Council for Cultural Relations functions under the Ministry of Culture.
False. ICCR is an organisation under the Ministry of External Affairs.
Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.
Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.