Hamari Dharohar Scheme 2025 is an important scheme by the Ministry of Minority Affairs that works to protect the rich heritage and culture of minority communities in India. Started in 2015, this scheme focuses on preserving the traditions, art, literature, and history of minorities like Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and Parsis. If you want to know its objectives, benefits, who can apply, and how the scheme functions, keep reading.
Overview of Hamari Dharohar Scheme 2025
This scheme helps keep the unique culture and artistic traditions of minority communities alive. It supports activities related to heritage protection like organizing exhibitions, promoting traditional arts such as calligraphy, recording oral histories, and maintaining museums that showcase minority heritage. The scheme also encourages research and offers fellowships for those studying minority cultures.
According to the National Commission for Minorities Act of 1992, recognized minorities include Parsis, Jains, Sikhs, Christians, Muslims, and Buddhists. Many of these groups have small populations, making it even more important to preserve their traditions.
Main Highlights of Hamari Dharohar Scheme
| Name | Hamari Dharohar Scheme |
| Started in | 2015 |
| Managed by | Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India |
| Purpose | Preserving minority heritage and culture |
| Official Website | https://www.minorityaffairs.gov.in/ |
Main Objectives of the Hamari Dharohar Scheme
This scheme aims to protect and promote the rich cultural legacy of minority communities. It supports research into the history of these groups and helps in community development to build mutual understanding. This helps people across India appreciate the diverse cultural traditions of minority populations.
Activities Supported Under This Scheme
- Organizing exhibitions and performing arts to showcase minority traditions
- Promoting calligraphy and other traditional art forms
- Recording and preserving oral traditions and folk arts
- Funding ethnic museums that display minority heritage (excluding those funded by the Ministry of Culture)
- Preserving important books, manuscripts, and papers
- Offering fellowships for research focused on heritage conservation
- Arranging lectures and workshops on minority culture and history
- Providing other support to help maintain cultural heritage
Who Can Run the Scheme?
Organizations that can work with Hamari Dharohar include:
- State Archaeological Departments
- Registered cultural organizations with at least three years of experience in heritage work
- Universities and research institutes with expertise in historical and cultural preservation
- Government institutions skilled in heritage conservation
- Registered trusts, partnerships, or societies involved in preserving heritage
Fellowships Offered Under the Scheme
- Fellowships are for recognized minority community members who are postgraduates and have scored at least 50% marks in their field.
- Applicants must be accepted for M.Phil. or Ph.D. research related to heritage preservation.
- Thirty-five percent of fellowships are reserved for underrepresented groups.
- The age limit for fellowship applicants is 35 years.
- Fellows work on research projects aiming to protect minority heritage.
- Fellowships are not for conducting workshops, writing fiction, or memoirs.
- Candidates must prove they can manage the proposed research.
How Funds Are Released
- Project funds are released in three parts: 40% upfront, 40% after progress, and 20% on completion.
- Payments happen through electronic transfer, and all transactions are tracked using the Public Financial Management System (PFMS).
- For second and third payments, audited reports, utilization certificates, and inspection visits are needed.
First Installment
After project approval and signing an MoU, 40% of the project budget is given. Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs) provide bank and bonding details at this stage.
Second Installment
- To get 40% release, at least 90% of the first installment must be spent, certified by auditors.
- An inspection team from the Ministry or State Government checks progress.
- Supporting audit reports and photos of work done must be submitted.
Third Installment
- The final 20% is given after submitting project completion reports, photos, and full audited certificates.
- Physical verification by authorized teams confirms the work done.
How to Apply for the Hamari Dharohar Scheme
- The Ministry of Minority Affairs invites project proposals through advertisements in newspapers and on their official website.
- Projects can be submitted by recognized organizations and institutions with relevant experience.
- Fellowship applications are invited for eligible research candidates.
- The Project Approval Committee reviews submissions based on set criteria and can directly fund reputed organizations.
- The Ministry may end the selection process anytime to maintain standards.
- Verification of organizations’ credentials is done by authorized agencies before approval.
- The final approval is given by the Secretary of Minority Affairs.