About
To strengthen cultural relations and mutual understanding between India and other countries through cultural exchange.
The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) is India's principal instrument of cultural diplomacy. Founded in 1950, it runs a worldwide network of Indian Cultural Centres, awards scholarships to thousands of foreign students, organises Festivals of India and cultural exchanges abroad, establishes chairs of Indian studies in foreign universities, confers awards such as the Tagore Award for Cultural Harmony, and maintains a substantial publication programme.
Conceived by Maulana Azad as independent India found its cultural voice in the world, ICCR built the infrastructure of Indian soft power: a global network of cultural centres teaching Indian music, dance, yoga and languages; scholarship programmes that have educated generations of foreign students in India; and large-scale Festivals of India that have showcased Indian culture across continents.
Through its chairs of Indian studies, sponsored tours of Indian artists abroad, and awards recognising those who build cultural bridges, ICCR remains the Government's main vehicle for projecting Indian culture internationally.
Founding & Leadership
The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) was founded on 9 April 1950 by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, independent India's first Education Minister, to foster India's external cultural relations. It is an autonomous body affiliated to the Ministry of External Affairs, with its headquarters at Azad Bhawan, New Delhi.
An autonomous body affiliated to the Ministry of External Affairs, governed by a Governing Body, with a President and a Director General.
Leadership & Trustees
Initiatives & Portfolio
A worldwide network of cultural centres teaching and presenting Indian arts, yoga and languages.
Scholarship schemes bringing thousands of international students to study in India.
Large-scale Festivals of India and artist exchanges showcasing Indian culture abroad.
Endowed chairs and Indology positions in foreign universities.
The Tagore Award for Cultural Harmony, the Distinguished Indologist award, and a wide publication programme.
Impact & Metrics
Partnerships & Network
Government partners
Funders & patrons
Credentials & Compliance
CSR-eligible · Not applicable (government body)
A fully government-funded autonomous body; not a CSR recipient.
Recognition
India's principal cultural-diplomacy institution; one of the oldest such bodies in the world.
[Atlas Assessment] ICCR is the institutional engine of Indian cultural diplomacy and soft power. For over seventy years it has carried Indian music, dance, yoga, languages and scholarship to the world, educated generations of foreign students, and built lasting cultural bridges through Festivals of India and chairs of Indian studies. It is how Indian culture has been formally represented to the world.
ICCR scores high on reach (a genuinely global footprint) and longevity, and solidly on ecosystem influence. As a government diplomacy body its programming can be uneven and politically inflected, and its effectiveness varies by post and period. Its distinctive value is international: it is the principal channel by which Indian artists and culture reach foreign audiences and institutions - a relevant partner for any organisation working on India's global cultural presence.