New Delhi: The Ministry of Culture, Government of India, announced that Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat will confer the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for 2024 and 2025 on 106 young artists on October 19, 2026, at Meghdoot Complex, Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi.
The award ceremony is scheduled for 10:00 AM. Vivek Aggarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Culture, will attend as the Guest of Honour, while Dr. Sandhya Purecha, Chairman of the Sangeet Natak Akademi, will preside over the ceremony.
Instituted by the Sangeet Natak Akademi in 2006, the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar recognises young artists up to the age of 40 for their contributions to Indian performing arts. The awards acknowledge emerging talent across music, dance and drama, including classical traditions, folk and tribal performances, theatre and other traditional art forms.
The Akademi’s General Council unanimously selected the 106 awardees for the 2024 and 2025 awards at its meeting held in New Delhi from March 22 to 26, 2026.
Each award carries a cash prize of ₹25,000, along with a Tamrapatra (copper plaque) and an Angavastram. The awards aim to recognise promising young performers and encourage the continuation of India’s diverse cultural and artistic traditions.
The awardee lists released by the Sangeet Natak Akademi include artists from across the country representing a wide range of disciplines. The selections span Hindustani and Carnatic music, instrumental performance, Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Odissi, Manipuri, Kuchipudi, Sattriya, theatre, folk music, tribal dance, puppetry and traditional instrument-making.
By recognising young practitioners across these disciplines, the awards highlight the continuing contribution of emerging artists to India’s cultural heritage and performing arts.
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