New Delhi: Delhi govt on Wednesday launched a talent hunt scheme to promote young people across the city in diverse creative fields such as singing and dancing to theatre and digital arts. With a proposed budget of Rs 10 crore, the scheme will offer cash prizes of up to Rs 2.5 lakh and provide a competitive platform for people aged 16 to 35 through a four-stage selection process under seven categories.“The objective of the scheme is also to create an inclusive and accessible platform that encourages diversity, self-employment and self-reliance among talented youth,” chief minister Rekha Gupta said while launching Talent Hunt Scheme – Hauslon Ki Udaan 2026-27 from her residence in Civil Lines as Delhi govt ministers and officials worked from home on Wednesday to save fuel. “The initiative will help promote Delhi’s rich cultural heritage alongside modern creative expression.”Over 25,000 participants are expected to take part at different stages. They can register for free through www.delhitalenthunt.com from Wednesday, govt said. The portal will also carry registration details, programme information and regular updates.Under singing, participants can compete in classical, folk and non-classical music, while the dance category will include classical, folk and contemporary/non-classical forms, said an official. The categories will also include fine art and digital art, sculpture and pottery, music composition, instrumental music, and acting and theatre.The first stage will involve online registration, screening and shortlisting, and 24,500 candidates will move to the next round. In the second stage, 35 cluster-level competitions will be organised, with each cluster covering two assembly constituencies, to pick 2,450 participants. The third stage will consist of four zonal-level competitions where the best performers from each category will be selected, and the final stage will end with a state-level grand finale in Aug featuring 28 finalists.“Altogether 25% weightage in the evaluation process will come from online public voting, while the remaining 75 per cent will be based on assessment by an expert jury comprising experienced and reputed professionals from relevant fields,” CM said, adding that Bollywood personalities are expected to attend the final.The participants securing the first position will receive Rs 2.5 lakh, while the second, third and fourth positions will receive Rs 2 lakh, Rs 1.5 lakh and Rs 1 lakh, respectively. All finalists will be honoured with certificates, awards, shields and medals.Tourism minister Kapil Mishra said the initiative would offer youth a golden opportunity to showcase their talent on a larger platform. “This programme represents accessibility, inclusiveness, diversity and promoting self-employment for the talented youth of Delhi,” said K Mahesh, secretary of the art, culture and languages department.
