The Ministry of Culture will present the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar to 106 young artists on 19 October 2026. Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat will confer the awards at a ceremony in New Delhi. The honours recognise promising performers in music, dance and theatre who are under 40 years old.
Key facts
- Award ceremony: 19 October 2026 at 10 a.m., Meghdoot Complex, Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi
- Number of awardees: 106 young artists
- Prize money: Rs 25,000 per recipient
- Years recognised: 2024 and 2025
- Presiding officer: Dr Sandhya Purecha, Chairman, Sangeet Natak Akademi
- Guest of Honour: Vivek Aggarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Culture
- Selection date: 22-26 March 2026 by General Council of Sangeet Natak Akademi
What is the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar?
The Sangeet Natak Akademi instituted this award in 2006 to identify and honour emerging talent in the performing arts. The award targets artists aged 40 and below who show promise across three disciplines: music, dance and drama. Each year, the Akademi’s General Council selects recipients through a formal evaluation process. The award has been presented annually ever since its inception as part of the Akademi’s mission to nurture the next generation of classical and folk performing artists.
What do winners receive?
Each recipient gets Rs 25,000 as prize money. Along with the cash award, winners receive a Tamrapatra (a bronze commemorative plaque or certificate) and an Angavastram (a ceremonial shawl or cloth). This recognition aims to encourage young artists to pursue their craft and gain visibility in the cultural ecosystem.
How were recipients selected?
The General Council of Sangeet Natak Akademi met from 22 to 26 March 2026 and unanimously selected all 106 awardees for both the 2024 and 2025 awards. This suggests that recipients from two years were chosen together in a single selection round held in March 2026.
Who is Sangeet Natak Akademi?
The Sangeet Natak Akademi is India’s national academy for music, dance and drama. Established to promote and preserve classical and folk performing arts, it runs various schemes, organises performances and fellowships, and confers recognition on artists at different career stages. The Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar is one of its key initiatives targeting young talent.
What this means for you
If you are a musician, dancer or theatre artist below 40 years of age, this award signals a formal channel through which your work can gain recognition and financial support. The Rs 25,000 prize provides tangible backing for your artistic pursuits. The award carries prestige because it is conferred by a government-backed national academy and endorsed by the Ministry of Culture, potentially opening doors to further opportunities such as grants, collaborative performances, or higher-profile engagements.
If you support the arts or follow cultural affairs, the ceremony on 19 October 2026 will be a public event where 106 emerging artists are formally honoured, reflecting the government’s investment in nurturing India’s performing arts traditions.