ICCR VISITORS PROGRAMMES

The ICCR administers various programmes under which it hosts eminent foreign personalities in India for specified periods. Designed to foster India's cultural relations and strengthen people-to-people ties, these programmes offer a comprehensive Indian experience. Visiting delegations engage in a wide array of activities, including lectures, roundtable discussions, high-level meetings with Ministers, senior government officials, NGOs, and intellectuals, as well as visits to sites of cultural and educational significance.

Incoming Visitors

• Distinguished Visitors Programme (DVP)

  Under this flagship programme, the ICCR hosts highly eminent international personalities for curated visits. Their itineraries feature high-level interactions, policy dialogues, and engagements with top Indian dignitaries and institutions to further mutual goodwill and understanding.




• Important Visitors Programme (IVP)

  Through this programme, the Council facilitates visits by prominent figures such as mayors, parliamentarians, industrialists, heads of cultural institutions and friendship societies, judges, artists, writers, policymakers, and senior members of think tanks. The primary objective is to promote focused interaction and institutional cooperation. Indian Missions abroad identify a principal nodal institution- along with one or two additional institutions in India- for detailed discussions on specific areas of collaboration. Visitors typically spend substantial time at these designated institutions to ensure meaningful engagement.




• Academic Visitors Programme (AVP)

  This programme facilitates visits by distinguished academics (such as Vice-Chancellors and senior professors) to experience Indian culture and engage with Indian institutions. Leading representatives of think tanks and cultural bodies are also invited to share their insights. Itineraries typically include delivering lectures, academic exchanges, and meetings with university heads, senior bureaucrats, NGOs, and intellectuals.

Outgoing Visitors

• As part of its mandate to strengthen people-to-people ties globally, the ICCR facilitates outbound visits by Indian performing and visual artists, choreographers, curators, scholars, authors, and academics. The Council supports them in representing India abroad at international festivals, seminars, conferences, and exhibitions, or to deliver expert lectures in their respective fields.

  This support primarily covers round-trip, economy-class airfare from India to the host city, provided the participant has received a formal invitation from a recognised international organisation, institution, or university.

  Interested individuals may contact the Visitors Section for more details at: spd-vp[at]iccr[dot]gov[dot]in

Special Visitors

• Gen-Next Democracy Network Programme

  Under this programme, the ICCR hosts young leaders and emerging voices from democracies around the world, providing them an opportunity to engage with India's democratic institutions, cultural heritage, and policy ecosystem. Participants interact with parliamentarians, civil society leaders, academics, and government officials. The programme aims to build long-term networks among the next generation of democratic leaders and foster mutual understanding between India and partner nations




• Students Visitors Programme

  As part of its mandate to strengthen people-to-people ties, the ICCR facilitates visits of outstanding foreign students. These include students of Ayurveda, Yoga, Buddhist Studies, Hindi, Sanskrit, other Indian languages, and Indology, as well as winners of competitions related to Indian cultural outreach recommended by the Head of Mission. The programme enables participants to experience Indian culture firsthand and engage with relevant institutions and audiences across the country.
  During the past two years, the ICCR has hosted 64 students from 14 countries under the SVP