About Museum Grant Scheme:
- It is a Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
- It was launched in 2013.
- It provides financial assistance for setting up new museums and strengthening and modernizing existing ones at regional, state, and district levels.
- The scheme also promotes digitization of museum collections to make images and catalogues accessible online and focuses on capacity building of museum professionals.
- It supports institutions such as Central and State Governments, Public Sector Undertakings, Societies, Autonomous Bodies, Local Bodies, Academic Institutions, and Trusts registered under the Societies Act.
- The scheme also aims to develop at least 1 Central/State Government Museum located in the State Capital each year.
- Museums are categorised into three groups under the scheme, with distinct funding norms according to ownership and status.
- Category I: Existing renowned museums of the Central or State Governments located in the state capitals.
- Category II: Central or State Govt. owned museums, including museums of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs)
- Category III: Projects of Societies, Autonomous bodies, local bodies, Public Sector Undertaking, Academic Institutions and Trusts registered as a society under the Indian Societies Act of 1860 (XXI) or a similar legislation of the state governments or as a Public Trust under any law.
- Funding Pattern:
- The scheme allocates up to Rs 15 crore for Category I museums, up to Rs 10 crore for establishing new Category II museums, and up to Rs 8 crore for the development of existing Category II
- For Category III museums, funding of up to Rs 5 crore is available to set up new museums, and up to Rs 4 crore for improvement of existing ones.
- Dedicated financial assistance is available for digitisation of museum collections and for training museum professionals.
- Category I museums can receive up to Rs 50 lakh, while Category II museums are eligible for assistance up to Rs 25 lakh for these purposes.
