ICCR Yuva Mitra Prize

ICCR Yuva Mitra Prize

The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) is proud to introduce the ICCR Yuva Mitra Prize, recognizing outstanding ICCR scholars who actively promote Indian culture on social media. Twelve foreign students studying in India on ICCR scholarships will be awarded the ICCR Yuva Mitra Prize each year, on a quarterly basis, for the best social media posts promoting Indian culture and heritage.

Winners will be acknowledged for their contribution towards strengthening India’s cultural presence globally and will be featured on ICCR’s website, social media and newsletter.

Cash Prizes

12 cash prizes will be given annually, on a quarterly basis. Deadline for submissions by ICCR scholars for upcoming awards will be: 30 June 2025, 30 September 2025 and 31 December 2025.

  • 1st Prize – ₹ 30,000
  • 2nd Prize – ₹ 25,000
  • 3rd Prize – ₹ 15,000

Eligibility Criteria

  • Open to ICCR scholars engaged in Indian cultural promotion.
  • Applicants must have an active social media presence showcasing work related to Indian culture.
  • Content should be original, non-political, and focus on Indian traditions, art, architecture, literature, music, dance, language, food, movies, philosophy, history, etc.
  • Content must be in English, Hindi, or any Indian language with English subtitles/descriptions.
  • Previous winners can apply again but cannot win more than once in a calendar year.
  • The content must have been posted within the last 6 months.
  • No duplicate entries will be entertained.
  • Uploaded videos on social media, with ICCR tags and hash tags, will be considered for the entry.
  • Participants must follow all social media handles of ICCR.
  • Scholars enrolled in ICCR scholarships for Dance, Music, and Performing Arts will need to showcase content other than the Indian Art courses they are enrolled in, to be eligible for the ICCR Yuva Mitra Prize.

Submission Process

  • Participants must submit their entry via the Google Participation Form circulated by the respective ICCR Zonal Offices to ICCR scholars.
  • Scholars must fill in the form with the following details:
    • Full Name
    • Email ID
    • Scholarship Scheme and ID
    • University/Institution Name
    • Course and Year of Study
    • Contact Number
    • Link to the videos/posts/content uploaded on social media in the 6 months
    • Brief description or caption of the submitted content
  • The form will remain active until the last day of the quarter. (Submission end dates: 31 March, 30 June, 30 September & 31 December)
  • Entries containing misleading content, political statements or inappropriate visuals will be disqualified, and future participation may be restricted.
  • Scholars are encouraged to maintain originality and authenticity in their submissions.
  • For any technical assistance or clarification, scholars may contact their respective Zonal Office.

Evaluation Criteria

  • Cultural Depth & Authenticity (Accuracy and depth of knowledge about Indian culture) – 30%
  • Impact & Reach (Social media engagement, outreach, and influence) – 30%
  • Creativity & Presentation (Innovation, storytelling, and artistic value) – 20%
  • Consistency & Dedication (Regular contributions and long-term engagement) – 20%

Selection Process

A two-tiered selection process will be followed:

A Screening Committee of ICCR comprising the following officials will shortlist the Top 10 Entries:

  • Program Director (Chairman)
  • Program Officer (Member)
  • Media Consultant (Member)

Jury Panel comprising the following officials will select the Final Winners:

  • DG ICCR (Chairman)
  • DDG ICCR (Member)
  • Two officials of Director Level (Members)
  • One official from Administration/Finance Section (Member)

Declaration of Winners

  • Winners will be announced on the ICCR’s website, social media handles & newsletters.
  • ICCR’s Zonal Offices will hand over the Cash Prizes in a Quarterly Ceremony.

Terms & Conditions

  • ICCR reserves the right to modify the guidelines without prior notice.
  • Entries must comply with copyright and intellectual property regulations.
  • The cost of content creation is the responsibility of the participant.
  • ICCR may use the submitted content for promotional purposes with due credit.
  • Any disputes shall be subject to the jurisdiction of Delhi, India.
  • The decision of the Jury shall be final and binding on all participants. No queries shall be entertained in this regard.

Contact Information

Email: section-media[at]iccr[dot]gov[dot]in

ICCR Yuva Mitra Prize (2025)

April - June
July - September
October - December