• The Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) celebrated its 75th anniversary on April 10.

• ICCR is an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

• Based in New Delhi, the ICCR was established and formally inaugurated in April 1950. 

• Former education minister Maulana Abul Kalam Azad served as its first president from 1950 till 1958.

• Right from its establishment until 1958, the ICCR was under the administrative jurisdiction of the Education Ministry. This arrangement continued till April 22, 1970, when the jurisdiction of the Council was transferred to the Ministry of External Affairs following a decision of the Cabinet Committee on Foreign Affairs. 

• ICCR is promoting Indian culture worldwide through its cultural centres and Missions/Posts abroad. 

• Activities conducted by them include teaching of yoga, dance, music (vocal and instrumental), exchanging visual arts exhibitions, celebrating International Day of Yoga and Indian festivals.

• ICCR has launched an online platform ‘Universalization of Traditional Indian Knowledge Systems’ (UTIKS) for short but specialised courses on Traditional Indian Knowledge as a single window source of an introductory knowledge on Indian culture, ancient Indian texts ranging from vedas & upanishads, a wide range of spiritual, philosophical, scientific, technical and artistic source to the uninitiated as well as help introduce Indian culture in a nuanced manner to those who have already basic understanding but would look for a deeper appreciation of diverse Indian traditions.

• ICCR, in consultation with Indian Missions abroad, establishes Chairs of Indian Studies (Political Science, Philosophy, History, Sociology, Economics, Buddhist Studies & Law) and Indian languages (Sanskrit, Hindi, Urdu & Tamil) in different foreign universities/ institutes across the globe. The Chairs are based on signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

• ICCR has already signed 52 MoUs with universities in 33 countries.

• ICCR offers a number of scholarships to foreign nationals to pursue higher studies in Indian central/state universities and other recognised institutes of higher education and learning.

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