NGOGrant guide

Central Sanskrit University Grants 2026-27: Up to ₹1 Lakh per Sanskrit Programme

By Vekho P. Ringa · Published October 22, 2026

CSU notification (1 Apr 2026) and scheme guideline last verified 22 Oct 2026

Short answer: NGOs and institutions in any State or UT that work in Sanskrit and have been registered for the last three financial years can get a maximum grant of ₹1,00,000 for each event or programme from the Central Sanskrit University (CSU), New Delhi, under the Schemes for Sanskrit Promotion. Apply online on CSU’s portal, which is open for the whole financial year 2026-27, then post the hard copy by Registered post within 15 days to be safe (the notification says 20 days). Applications after 30 June 2026 depend on a later GIAC meeting and budget.

This is a competitive government grant, limited to 100 events or programmes a year. Applying does not guarantee funding.

Practical answers

Who should apply

• NGOs and institutions in any Indian State or UT registered for the last three financial years.
• Organisations working in the field of Sanskrit, with annual reports for the last 3 years to show it.
• Groups planning evening Sanskrit classes, knowledge-content workshops, Sanskrit MOOCs, online Shastric learning, content development or Sammelans.

Who should skip it

• Organisations registered for less than three financial years.
• NGOs not registered on NITI Aayog’s Darpan portal.
• Anyone needing a quick decision: applications after 30 June 2026 depend on a later GIAC meeting and on budget.
• Programmes not run in Sanskrit: CSU asks for an undertaking that programmes are conducted in Sanskrit only.

Documents to prepare

• ☐ Registration certificate.
• ☐ Audited accounts with audit report, balance sheet, income and expenditure and receipts and payments statement, for the last 3 years.
• ☐ Annual reports for the last 3 years (our NGO annual report format shows what to include).
• ☐ Statement of grants received so far from State or Central Government or other bodies, with purpose, use and progress.
• ☐ Darpan certificate with Unique ID.
• ☐ Programme plan with number of participants, days, schedule and session details, and a budget.
• ☐ Forwarding by the Collector/DC or another authority listed in guideline 3.6.

What happens next

• The Grant-in-Aid Committee (GIAC) considers applications; those received by 30.06.2026 were taken up first.
• If approved, 75% is released after you submit the registration and affiliation certificates, a bond form with programme details and the Sanskrit-only undertaking.
• Tell CSU the programme date: it nominates an observer, whose TA/DA the organiser pays.
• The last 25% is released on a utilization certificate, CA audit report and a detailed programme report within 20 days of the event (see our utilization certificate format).

At a glance

Before you apply: CSU asks for a Darpan Unique ID, three years of audited accounts and annual reports. If your basics are not in place, see our NGO Darpan registration, 12AB and 80G registration and NGO annual compliance services. 12AB/80G is not listed as a condition of this scheme, but it is part of keeping your NGO grant-ready.

How to apply, step by step

1. Fill in the online application form.
2. Get the application forwarded by the Collector/Deputy Commissioner, a Sanskrit or Central University Vice Chancellor, or another authority in guideline 3.6.
3. Sign every page in ink, self-attest, and send the hard copy by Registered post within 15 days to be safe (the notification says 20 days) to the Registrar, Central Sanskrit University (the online form page addresses it to the Director (Central Schemes)), 56-57 Institutional Area, Janakpuri, New Delhi-110058, with the scheme name on the envelope.

Common mistakes

• Posting the hard copy late or unsigned: send it by Registered post within 15 days to be safe, as CSU’s pages give both 15 and 20 days.
• Not informing CSU of the programme date, which can cost you the last 25%.
• Assuming last year’s grant renews: CSU says grantees must apply afresh every year.
• Collecting money for the same programme from another funder, or repeating bills: the guideline generally bars both.

FAQs

Is 30 June 2026 the last date?

No. The portal stays open for the whole financial year. Applications received by 30.06.2026 were considered first; later ones may go to a later GIAC meeting, subject to budget.

Is Darpan registration needed?

Yes. NGOs must register on NITI Aayog’s Darpan portal and submit the certificate with the Unique ID.

How much can we get?

Up to ₹1,00,000 per event or programme. The amount depends on participants, days, schedule and sessions.

How is the money released?

75% first, and the remaining 25% after the utilization certificate, audit report and programme report.

Can we invite a speaker from abroad?

Not without prior approval of CSU or the Government of India.

Official sources (last verified 22 Oct 2026)

• Scheme page: https://www.sanskrit.nic.in/schemes/programmes_activities.php
• Notification No. CSU/36014/Advt./S-I/2026-27/1, 01.04.2026 (PDF): https://www.sanskrit.nic.in/schemes/uploads/2026_04_01_Notification_Scheme_En.pdf
• Guideline (PDF): https://www.sanskrit.nic.in/schemes/uploads/guidelines_2024/programmes_activities.pdf

Scheme details change; check the official pages before you apply. NGOGrant.in is independent and not connected to Central Sanskrit University or the Ministry of Education. Inclusion here does not mean any application will be approved.

View the CSU funding-directory entry · Related: NGO grant application checklist · All funding opportunities