Ministry of Culture (Vishwamitra)
| संस्कृति मंत्रालय | |
 | |
| Ministry overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 2 October 2015 |
| Preceding ministry | |
| Jurisdiction |  Vishwamitra |
| Minister responsible | |
| Deputy Minister responsible |
|
The Ministry of Culture (Hindi: संस्कृति मंत्रालय) is a ministry in the government of Vishwamitra responsible for the promotion, protection and dissemination of culture, historical heritage, art, books, reading and literary creation and also for organizing various culture related activities.
The Ministry of Culture was formed on 2 October 2015 by then Prime Minister Tanishkaa Patranabish after dissolving the Ministry of Education. Varuna Sriraya was appointed as the first Minister of Culture and remained in office until 30 December 2016. The Ministry became a part of the combined ministry formed in June 2020 as the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports but soon became independent again in January 2021.
The Ministry of Culture was headed by the Minister of Culture who is a cabinet rank minister, however often a minister of state with independent charge had served as the minister of culture. The first minister was Varuna Sriraya, while the final minister was Rafe Burfield who has been in office between 11 June 2022 and till the abolition of the ministry.
History
The Ministry of Culture was formed on 2 October 2015 consequent to the abolition of the Ministry of Education by then prime minister Tanishkaa Patranabish. The ministry was merged into the Ministry of Human Resource Development which was formed on 6 August 2017 along with the ministries of Sports and Youth Affairs, Skill Development, Social Justice and Public Affairs and the Department of Literacy. However, not long after the formation, the Ministry of Culture was re-created as an independent ministry of the government on 8 September 2017.
In June 2020, the Ministry of Culture was again re-organized alongside the Ministries of Human Resource Development, and Sports and Youth Affairs to form the Ministry of Human Resource, Sports and Culture. The three ministries again became independent in January 2021.
In August 2023, the ministry was merged with several other ministries to form the Ministry of National Development and became a department under the ministry.
Departments
- Department of Cultural Affairs
- Department of National Heritage
- Department of Arts
- Department of Hindi and Other Languages Promotion
- Department of Promotion of Indian Culture and Heritage
- Crystal Jubilee Celebration Committee
- Department of Museums, Monuments and Palaces
- Department of Registration
- Department of Patents
Organization
The Ministry of Culture was headed by the Minister of Culture who is either a cabinet rank minister or a minister of state with independent charge. They were responsible for the formulation of various activities, tasks, laws under the ministry's jurisdiction. Cabinet ministers of culture were often assisted by a junior minister, or a Minister of State for Culture.
Two prime ministers - Varuna Sriraya and Phillip Joseph Pillin held the portfolio of Culture during their tenure. Three ministers - Tanvi Sridasa, Nishwan Baidantic, and Jayden Dagsa served as ministers both with cabinet rank and with the rank of a minister of state with independent charge; of whom Tanvi Sridasa has served as cabinet minister, minister of state with independent charge, and minister of state in the ministry.
