Chhattisgarh Mukhyamantri Lok Kalakar Protsahan Yojana

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

The Chhattisgarh Mukhyamantri Lok Kalakar Protsahan Yojana 2026 (Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Folk Artist Encouragement Scheme 2026) is a welfare initiative of the Culture and Official Language Department (संस्कृति एवं राजभाषा संचालनालय), Government of Chhattisgarh, launched to protect the state's rich folk-art heritage and to provide economic support to the artists who keep these traditions alive. Chhattisgarh has an exceptionally deep well of folk traditions - Panthi, Raut Nacha, Karma, Pandwani, Suar, Chandaini, Bhojli and dozens of tribal and regional art forms. Many of the artists who practise these arts do so with little financial security. This scheme was designed as a direct intervention: honouring folk artists, empowering them economically, and preserving Chhattisgarh's cultural identity for future generations.

The scheme was first opened in April 2026 (with an initial deadline of 15 May 2026) and has now been re-invited/extended with a fresh deadline of 31 August 2026, so eligible artists who missed the earlier window can apply now.

As circulated by the Culture Department in its official government post, folk art is to receive honour and artists are to gain financial support: under the Chief Minister Folk Artist Encouragement Scheme-2026, eligible folk artists will be provided an incentive amount ranging from ₹12,000 to ₹24,000 annually, and anyone involved in dance, music, folk theatre, folk tales, instruments, crafts, Chhattisgarhi cuisine, or visual arts is invited to apply by 31 August 2026. The government has reiterated that it remains continuously committed to honouring folk artists, to their economic empowerment, and to the preservation of Chhattisgarh's rich cultural heritage.

Scheme Benefits

• Direct financial incentive to selected folk artists every year, credited straight to their bank account.
• Recognition and honour for practising traditional and endangered folk-art forms.
• Economic empowerment of grassroots artists, many of whom earn irregular income from performances.
• Preservation of cultural heritage - by incentivising active practice, the scheme keeps traditional dance, music, theatre, crafts, cuisine and folk narratives alive.
• Transparent, cashless disbursement via e-payment (no middlemen).
• Wide coverage of art forms - from performing arts to craft, cuisine and beauty/visual arts, so a broad range of traditional practitioners qualify.

Financial Assistance

Note: The exact amount within the ₹12,000–₹24,000 range is determined by the departmental expert/selection committee after evaluating each application. The committee's decision is final.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the scheme, an applicant must meet all of the following:

• Domicile / practising artist of Chhattisgarh engaged in a recognised folk-art discipline.
• Total income from all sources must not exceed ₹96,000 per year. An income certificate from a competent authority is mandatory.
• The applicant must already be registered as an artist on the state's Chinhari portal and quote their registration number.
• An artist selected under the scheme cannot re-apply for the next two years (to allow more artists to benefit).

Required Documents

• Bank account details
• Income Proof
• Identity Registration Information
• Documents or Certificates Related to the Artist's Art Form (Report)
• Point-by-point/year-wise details of awards/honors and achievements, certificates/newspaper clippings/commendations
• Two recent passport-sized photographs

Steps to Apply

Online Registration on the state's Chinhari Portal is compulsory, and the artist's Chinhari registration number is required on the application form. The registration is completed as follows:

• Visit the official website of the Culture Department, Chhattisgarh.
• On the home page, click on "Chinhari Portal."
• You will be redirected to a new page; here, click on "Chinhari Registration Form."
• In the "Type of Artist" section, select the category that applies to you (for example, folk dance, folk music, folk theatre, craft, or another eligible discipline).
• Fill in all the details carefully and upload all the required documents.
• Review your entries and submit the form to complete your registration.
• Note down the Chinhari registration number generated, as it must be quoted in your scheme application.
• Obtain the prescribed application form - download it from the official website www.cgculture.in or collect it in person from the Culture and Official Language Directorate office.
• Fill the form completely with your name, art form, address, district, mobile number, Chinhari registration number, years of experience, and details of your achievements.
• Attach all required documents
• Dispatch the application by registered post to the departmental address: Director, Culture and Official Language Directorate, Chhattisgarh Housing Board Commercial Complex, 2nd Floor, Sector-27, Naya Raipur, Atal Nagar (Chhattisgarh) – 492018, with the envelope clearly marked: "मुख्यमंत्री लोक कलाकार प्रोत्साहन योजना-2026"

Selection: An expert committee scrutinises all applications and finalises the beneficiaries. The committee's decision is final. Selected artists receive the incentive amount via e-payment.

Relevant Links

• Chhattisgarh Chinhari Portal - mandatory artist registration
• Chhattisgarh Mukhyamantri Lok Kalakar Protsahan Yojana Application form Link
• CG Mukhyamantri Lok Kalakar Protsahan Yojana 2026 Notification Link
• Chhattisgarh Official Culture Department website

Contact Information

• Official Culture Department website contact number: 0771-2537404