Jharkhand Artist (Kalakar) Pension Scheme

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

The Jharkhand Artist (Kalakar) Pension Yojana is a welfare scheme launched by the Government of Jharkhand for elderly, seriously ill, and permanently disabled artists. The scheme provides financial support to artists who are no longer able to earn a regular livelihood due to old age, illness, or permanent disability. The scheme is also known as Jharkhand Mashik Nivrittika Yojana. Under the scheme, eligible artists receive Rs. 4,000 per month as financial assistance. The amount is credited directly to the beneficiary's Aadhaar-linked bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.  While the state already operates pension schemes for different sections of society, this initiative has been introduced exclusively for artists who have contributed to preserving Jharkhand's rich cultural heritage.

The Jharkhand Kalakaar Pension Scheme for Artists is available for artists associated with recognised cultural and traditional art forms. These include folk music, tribal music, dance, theatre, visual arts, handicrafts, and other recognised disciplines. To receive benefits under the Jharkhand Monthly Remuneration Scheme for Artists, applicants must satisfy the prescribed eligibility conditions. Their monthly income should be below Rs. 8,000. They must also have valid proof of their artistic work and complete registration on the Cultural Troupe Management System (CTMS). The minimum age is 60 years for general applicants. However, this age limit does not apply to seriously ill or permanently disabled artists.

Applications for the Jharkhand Artist Welfare Pension Scheme can be submitted through the Directorate of Cultural Affairs, Jharkhand. Eligible applicants can download the prescribed application form from the department's official website or collect it from the Directorate office. Every application is verified by the concerned district administration before approval. After approval by the competent authority, the monthly assistance is transferred directly to the beneficiary's Aadhaar-linked bank account through DBT.

To continue receiving the monthly assistance, beneficiaries must submit a Life Certificate every year during the month of November to the Deputy Commissioner or Deputy Development Commissioner. Failure to submit the Life Certificate may result in the discontinuation of the monthly assistance.

The Jharkhand Kalakar Pension Scheme provides long-term financial support instead of one-time assistance. It helps artists live with dignity after they become unable to continue their profession. Applicants who are eligible for the scheme must submit their application offline by 31 July 2026.

Scheme Benefits

• Provides a monthly financial assistance of Rs. 4,000 to eligible artists.
• Supports elderly, seriously ill, and permanently disabled artists who are unable to continue their artistic profession.
• The assistance amount is directly credited to the beneficiary's Aadhaar-linked bank account through DBT.
• There is no minimum age requirement for seriously ill or permanently disabled artists.
• Artists residing outside Jharkhand for professional or family reasons can also apply, provided they are permanent residents of the state.
• Helps artists meet their day-to-day living expenses and provides financial security during difficult times.

Eligibility Requirements

• The applicant must be a resident of Jharkhand.
• Artists originally from Jharkhand but currently living outside the state due to work or family reasons are also eligible.
• The applicant should be 60 years of age or above. However, there is no minimum age limit for seriously ill or permanently disabled artists.
• The applicant's monthly income from all sources must be less than Rs. 8,000.
• The applicant must be unable to continue performing their art due to old age, serious illness, or permanent disability.
• The applicant should have an established identity in any recognised art form.
• The applicant must fulfil any one of the following conditions:
  • Have a recognition certificate issued by the concerned Deputy Development Commissioner (DDC).
  • Be approved by All India Radio (AIR), Doordarshan, or the Song and Drama Division of the Government of India with at least 7 years of experience (5 years for seriously ill or permanently disabled artists).
  • Have participated in district, state, or national cultural programmes sponsored by the Department of Tourism, Art, Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs for at least 7 years (5 years for seriously ill or permanently disabled artists).
  • Have received a Padma Award, Lalit Kala Akademi Award, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, or a State Honour from the Government of Jharkhand.
• Registration on the Cultural Troupe Management System (CTMS) portal is mandatory before applying.

Eligible Art Forms

Artists associated with recognised traditional and cultural art forms of Jharkhand can apply for the scheme, provided they meet the prescribed eligibility conditions. The Jharkhand Elderly Artist Pension Scheme covers a wide range of performing, visual, folk, tribal, and classical art forms, including the following:

• Folk Music
• Tribal Music
• Folk Dance
• Classical Music
• Semi-Classical Music
• Classical Dance
• Semi-Classical Dance
• Theatre (Drama)
• Performing Arts
• Visual Arts
• Handicrafts and Other Traditional Art Forms

Required Documents

• Duly filled application form.
• Recent passport-size self-attested photograph.
• Residence (Domicile) Certificate of Jharkhand.
• Age proof document.
• Income Certificate.
• Aadhaar Card.
• Bank Passbook or bank account details.
• Medical Certificate issued by the District Civil Surgeon.
• CTMS (Cultural Troupe Management System) Registration Number.
• Certificates supporting artistic achievements, experience, performances, awards, or recognition.
• Proof of participation in cultural programmes, if applicable.
• Any other documents required by the Directorate of Cultural Affairs during verification.

Steps to Apply

• Download the Jharkhand Artist Pension Scheme application form from the official website of the Directorate of Cultural Affairs, Jharkhand.
• Applicants can also collect the application form from the Directorate office in Ranchi.
• Fill the Jharkhand Divyang Artist application form with all the required personal, income, bank account, and artist-related details.
• Attach self-attested copies of all the required documents along with the application form.
• Submit the completed Monthly Remuneration Scheme application form to the Directorate of Cultural Affairs, Jharkhand, Ranchi, before the prescribed deadline.
• The Directorate will prepare a district-wise list of applications and forward it to the concerned district administration for verification.
• The district-level committee will verify the applicant's eligibility, documents, and artistic credentials before recommending eligible applications.
• Based on the recommendation of the district committee and approval by the departmental executive committee, eligible artists will be selected under the scheme.
• After approval, the monthly remuneration will be credited directly to the beneficiary's Aadhaar-linked bank account through the DBT system.

Note: Applications for the financial year 2026-27 can be submitted until 31 July 2026. Eligible artists should submit their applications along with all the required documents before the last date.

Relevant Links

• Jharkhand Artist Pension Scheme Application Form.
• Jharkhand Artist Pension Scheme Yojana Notification.
• Directorate of Cultural Department, Jharkhand.
• Jharkhand Cultural Troupe Management System (CTMS) Portal.

Contact Information

• Directorate of Cultural Affairs, Jharkhand
  • Phone: 0651-2401917
  • Email: [email protected]
• Jharkhand CTMS Helpdesk:
  • Helpline Number: 8969928295
  • Email: [email protected]