About ICCR
Origins & History of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations
In short
- ICCR is India's cultural diplomacy body, set up in 1950 and working under the Ministry of External Affairs.
- It offers scholarships to international students, runs Indian Cultural Centres abroad, and sends and receives cultural delegations.
- It is headed by a Director General, supported by three Deputy Directors General, with offices across India and in 39 countries.
The Founding Vision
The idea to strengthen India’s ties with the outside world started taking shape in the pre-Independence era at the historic Asian Relations Conference held in New Delhi in 1946, wherein it was decided to set up an Indian Council for Cultural Relations with the objective to revive and promote closer cultural ties among India and other Asian countries. The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) was established in the year 1950, not confining its scope to the Asian region alone. Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Education Minister Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (who was the President of ICCR from 1950 till 1958) enlarged its mandate to include the task of forging closer cultural ties with the entire world.
The ICCR was established and formally inaugurated in April 1950. Its objectives, as defined in the Memorandum of Association, included the following:
- iTo establish, revive and strengthen cultural relations and mutual understanding between India and other countries.
- iiTo promote cultural exchange with other countries.
- iiiTo adopt all other measures as may be required to further its objectives.
Right from its establishment until 1958, the ICCR was under the administrative jurisdiction of the Education Ministry. This arrangement continued till 22 April 1970, when the jurisdiction of the Council was transferred to the Ministry of External Affairs following a decision of the Cabinet Committee on Foreign Affairs. The proposal for the transfer was initiated in 1967 by Shri M.C. Chagla, following his appointment as the Minister of External Affairs from his earlier charge as the Minister of Education.
The Ministry of External Affairs assumed administrative and operational control of the Council in 1970-71 with a view to making the Council an effective instrument of India's foreign policy. In 1978, in keeping with the recommendations of the Asoka Mehta Committee, the Council took over the work related to incoming and outgoing cultural delegations and delegated activities relating to the implementation of cultural exchange programmes from the Department of Culture.
Early Aims & Objectives
In the initial years, the aims and objectives of the ICCR were two-fold:
To project Indian culture and heritage on the international cultural map and to present India through Indian eyes, so as to correct various distortions about India created by established stereotypes of the colonial era.
To forge people-to-people contacts with other countries, particularly the newly emerging nations.
✦ By and large, the ICCR's activities have helped in achieving these broad objectives. ✦
Key Milestones
Asian Relations Conference, New Delhi — the idea of ICCR takes shape.
ICCR formally established and inaugurated in April, under the Education Ministry.
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad's tenure as ICCR's first President comes to an end.
Shri M.C. Chagla initiates the proposal to transfer ICCR to the Ministry of External Affairs.
Jurisdiction of the Council transferred to the Ministry of External Affairs (22 April).
MEA assumes administrative and operational control of the Council.
Following the Asoka Mehta Committee recommendations, ICCR takes over cultural delegation work and exchange programme implementation from the Department of Culture.
Mission, Vision & Core Values
To build and strengthen cultural relations and mutual understanding between India and other countries, through scholarships, cultural exchange, Indian Cultural Centres abroad and people-to-people contact.
An India connected to the world through its living culture — presented in India's own voice, and shared as a bridge between peoples rather than a display for them.
Core values
- Mutual respect. Cultural exchange is a two-way relationship; we host as readily as we present.
- Authenticity. India is presented through Indian eyes, in its own diversity of language, art and tradition.
- Openness. Programmes are open to applicants worldwide, with published guidelines and transparent selection.
- Service. Students, artists and institutions who approach ICCR are supported through the whole process, not only at the point of application.
- Accountability. As a body under the Ministry of External Affairs, ICCR publishes its annual reports, policies and contacts openly.
Leadership
ICCR functions under the Ministry of External Affairs. Day-to-day work is led by the Director General, supported by three Deputy Directors General, each responsible for a group of divisions.
K. Nandini Singla
A career diplomat of the Indian Foreign Service (1997 batch), appointed Director General on 21 November 2024. Heads the Council and its programmes worldwide.
Full profileDr. Rajesh Ranjan
Conference, Research, Special Projects & Scholarships — the division handling ICCR's scholarship schemes and academic programmes.
Shri S. Gopalakrishnan
Administration & Establishment — personnel, finance and the running of ICCR's offices in India and abroad.
Ms. Manisha Swami
Culture — cultural delegations, exhibitions, festivals and the empanelment of artists.