The Government of India has taken a major step towards safeguarding the country’s vast intellectual and cultural legacy with the launch of the Gyan Bharatam Mission, a flagship initiative announced under the Union Budget 2025–26. The mission aims to systematically identify, conserve, digitize, translate, and promote India’s priceless manuscript heritage, much of which remains scattered, fragile, and undocumented.
According to a recent press release issued by Press Information Bureau (PIB), the mission will be implemented under the Ministry of Culture with a long-term vision of making India’s ancient knowledge accessible to scholars and citizens alike.
What Is the Gyan Bharatam Mission?
The Gyan Bharatam Mission is a comprehensive national programme focused on preserving manuscripts that reflect India’s rich traditions in philosophy, science, medicine, mathematics, astronomy, linguistics, literature, and governance.
India is estimated to possess one of the largest manuscript collections in the world, written in scripts such as Sanskrit, Prakrit, Pali, Persian, Arabic, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Odia, Bengali and many others. Many of these manuscripts are centuries old and are at serious risk of deterioration.
Budget Allocation and Timeframe
- The Standing Finance Committee (SFC) has approved a total outlay of ₹491.66 crore
- Implementation period: 2025–2031
This funding will support nationwide activities related to documentation, conservation infrastructure, digitization technology, research, translation, and outreach.
Five Key Focus Areas of the Mission
The Gyan Bharatam Mission operates through five major verticals, ensuring a structured and scientific approach:
1. Survey and Cataloguing
- Nationwide surveys to locate manuscripts held by individuals, temples, libraries, mutts, monasteries, and institutions
- Scientific cataloguing to create standardized metadata and records
2. Conservation and Capacity Building
- Physical preservation using non-invasive techniques
- Training conservators, archivists, and manuscript handlers
- Establishing conservation labs and best-practice standards
3. Technology and Digitization
- High-resolution digitization of manuscripts using advanced scanning equipment
- Creation of archival-grade digital copies for long-term preservation
4. Linguistics and Translation
- Deciphering rare scripts and languages
- Translating manuscripts into modern Indian and global languages to widen access
5. Research, Publication, and Outreach
- Academic research and critical editions
- Publication of important manuscripts
- Public outreach through exhibitions, portals, and educational initiatives
Nationwide Implementation Network
To ensure pan-India coverage, the mission is being implemented through:
- Cluster Centres (CCs)
- Independent Centres (ICs)
These centres operate across multiple States and Union Territories, forming a decentralized yet coordinated network.
Current Coverage:
- 45 centres onboarded
- 20 States and Union Territories participating
This structure enables region-specific expertise, especially for manuscripts written in local scripts and languages.
Major Digitization Achievements So Far
The mission has already made significant progress in digitization:
- Over 7.5 lakh manuscripts digitized
- Around 1.29 lakh manuscripts made publicly accessible
These digitized manuscripts are available through the official Gyan Bharatam Portal, allowing scholars and the public to access rare texts digitally.
High-Quality Digitization Standards
To ensure global archival standards, the mission follows strict technical protocols:
- Scanning resolution:
- Minimum 400 DPI
- Up to 600 DPI for fragile or complex manuscripts
- Non-destructive digitization equipment to prevent physical damage
- Master archival format: TIFF
- Access formats: JPEG and searchable PDF/A
- AI-assisted tools for text processing and classification
- Secure storage systems with cloud backup and disaster recovery mechanisms
These measures ensure both preservation and usability of digital assets.
Importance of the Gyan Bharatam Mission
The mission is significant for several reasons:
- Protects India’s intellectual heritage from irreversible loss
- Supports academic research and global scholarship
- Encourages cultural continuity and knowledge transmission
- Strengthens India’s soft power by showcasing its civilizational depth
- Aligns with Digital India and knowledge-economy goals
Relevance for Competitive Exams
The Gyan Bharatam Mission is highly relevant for:
- UPSC / State PCS (Art & Culture, Current Affairs)
- SSC, Banking, Railways (Government schemes)
- UGC-NET and academic exams
Key facts like budget allocation, ministry, objectives, duration, and digitization numbers are especially important from an exam perspective.
The Gyan Bharatam Mission marks a landmark effort by the Government of India to rescue, preserve, and democratize ancient knowledge that defines the country’s civilizational legacy. With robust funding, advanced technology, and nationwide institutional participation, the mission is poised to become one of the world’s largest manuscript preservation initiatives.
By bridging the past with the digital future, Gyan Bharatam not only safeguards history but also ensures that India’s timeless wisdom remains accessible for generations to come.
