Centre unveils Rachnatmak Bharat to boost creative economy

MUMBAI: Culture may inspire the heart, but the Centre wants it to strengthen the economy too. The Ministry of Culture has announced a new initiative, Rachnatmak Bharat, aimed at promoting India’s cultural and creative economy through capacity building, digital enablement, innovation and improved market access for artists and creative professionals.

Replying to an unstarred question in the Lok Sabha, Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said the proposed intervention is designed to create a stronger ecosystem for the country’s creative industries while supporting sustainable growth and expanding opportunities for emerging artists and practitioners.

The ministry said the strategy will focus on capacity building, market access, innovation, digital enablement and institutional strengthening, with the objective of making India’s creative economy more competitive and better equipped to adapt to changing market dynamics.

Under the proposed framework, the initiative will cover a broad spectrum of cultural and creative sectors, including visual arts, performing arts, museums, cultural heritage, architecture, digital creative industries and other creative services.

The government also said it continues to engage with stakeholders, experts, cultural institutions and other ministries whenever required to shape policy and implement programmes for the sector.

Beyond policy planning, the ministry highlighted its ongoing efforts to promote employment and entrepreneurship through the preservation of cultural heritage, financial and institutional support for artists and cultural organisations, cultural events and international cultural exchanges. These initiatives, it said, generate livelihood opportunities while helping showcase India’s creative strengths globally.

On the question of Maharashtra’s contribution to the creative economy, the ministry noted that its programmes benefit states across the country, including Maharashtra, by promoting tourism, cultural exchanges and employment. However, it clarified that no state-specific assessment is maintained on the contribution of the cultural and creative sector to economic growth or cultural diplomacy.

The government’s response comes as policymakers increasingly recognise the economic potential of creative industries alongside their cultural value. With Rachnatmak Bharat, the Centre is signalling a broader push to position culture not only as a means of preserving heritage but also as a driver of innovation, entrepreneurship and long-term economic growth.