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Category — GS Paper 1 - Indian Heritage and Culture ///Published — 2026-08-18 ///Exam — Both Prelims and Mains ///Tags — Indian Culture and Heritage, Government Schemes, Digital Preservation ///Category — GS Paper 1 - Indian Heritage and Culture ///Published — 2026-08-18 ///Exam — Both Prelims and Mains ///Tags — Indian Culture and Heritage, Government Schemes, Digital Preservation ///

News · GS Paper 1 - Indian Heritage and Culture

Gyan Bharatam: Preserving India's Manuscript Heritage

The Gyan Bharatam Mission, announced in Union Budget 2025-26, is a ₹482.85 crore Central Sector Scheme (2024-31) aimed at preserving, digitizing, and disseminating India's vast manuscript heritage. The Parliamentary Standing Committee has expressed concern over the slow pace, with only 7.5 lakh of the 1 crore target manuscripts digitized so far, setting an interim target of 20 lakh by March 2027.

2026-08-18

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Gyan Bharatam Mission: An Overview

The Gyan Bharatam Mission represents India's ambitious national initiative to safeguard and modernize access to its priceless manuscript heritage. This mission combines traditional knowledge preservation with cutting-edge digital technology.

Key Facts & Data Points

Total Outlay: ₹482.85 crore
Scheme Duration: 2024-2031
Current Progress: ~7.5 lakh manuscripts digitized
Interim Target: 20 lakh manuscripts by 31st March 2027
Final Target: 1 crore (10 million) manuscripts by 2030
Implementing Ministry: Ministry of Culture

Background

The mission builds upon the National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM), established in 2003, which successfully documented over 44.07 lakh manuscripts in the Kriti Sampada repository. This legacy provided the foundation for the more ambitious Gyan Bharatam Mission.

Objectives & Vision

Preservation: Protect ancient manuscripts from deterioration and loss
Digitization: Create comprehensive digital records of India's manuscript wealth
Dissemination: Make manuscript heritage accessible globally
Integration: Connect manuscript heritage with education and research
Global Exchange: Facilitate international knowledge sharing

National Digital Repository (NDR)

The mission aims to create a National Digital Repository that will:

Serve as a centralized digital archive
Enable global accessibility
Preserve manuscripts for future generations
Support scholarly research and academic pursuits

Significance for India

Cultural Preservation: Safeguards India's intellectual heritage spanning thousands of years
Digital India Connection: Aligns with the broader digital transformation agenda
Educational Value: Enhances academic research and traditional knowledge studies
Soft Power: Strengthens India's cultural diplomacy through knowledge heritage
Vikas Goal: Supports "Virasat aur Vikas" and Vikas Bharat @2047 vision

Parliamentary Oversight

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture has raised concerns about:

Slow pace of digitization
Need for accelerated implementation
Monitoring mechanisms for target achievement

Constitutional/Policy Context

Article 51A(f): Fundamental duty to value and preserve rich heritage
National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: Emphasizes integration of traditional knowledge
Digital India Initiative: Complements the mission's digital objectives

UPSC Relevance

This topic connects to:

Indian Culture & Heritage (GS Paper 1)
Government Schemes & Policies (GS Paper 2)
Digital Governance (GS Paper 3)
Cultural Diplomacy (International Relations)