Gyan Bharatam Mission: India’s rich cultural tapestry is woven with countless manuscripts that encapsulate centuries of knowledge, art, and tradition. Recognizing the imperative to safeguard this invaluable heritage, the Government of India has introduced the Gyan Bharatam Mission. This initiative aims to systematically survey, document, and conserve over one crore manuscripts in collaboration with academic institutions, museums, libraries, and private collectors.

What is Gyan Bharatam Mission? 

In the Union Budget 2025-26, the Government of India announced the Gyan Bharatam Mission, a comprehensive initiative aimed at preserving and promoting India’s rich manuscript heritage. This mission seeks to systematically survey, document, and conserve over one crore manuscripts in collaboration with academic institutions, museums, libraries, and private collectors. It will be undertaken to cover more than 1 crore manuscripts.

To support this ambitious endeavor, the budget allocation for the National Manuscripts Mission (NMM) has been significantly increased from ₹3.5 crore to ₹60 crore. 

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Key Objectives of the Gyan Bharatam Mission

The Gyan Bharatam Mission is designed with clear objectives to ensure the preservation and accessibility of India’s manuscript wealth:

• Revival of NMM: National Manuscripts Mission (NMM) was launched in 2003 but remained inactive. Through Gyan Bharatam Mission, the government making an effort to revive NMM.
• Comprehensive Survey and Documentation: Conduct a nationwide survey to identify and catalog manuscripts across various institutions and private collections.
• Conservation Efforts: Implement measures to preserve manuscripts, preventing further deterioration and ensuring their longevity.
• Digitization and Accessibility: Create digital copies of manuscripts to facilitate wider access for scholars, researchers, and the general public.
• Establishment of a National Digital Repository: Develop a centralized digital platform to house the digitized manuscripts, promoting knowledge sharing and research.

What are Manuscripts?

Credits: National Mission For Manuscripts

Manuscripts are handwritten documents that predate the printing press era. They encompass a vast array of subjects, including literature, science, philosophy, and art. These documents are invaluable as they:

• Preserve Original Thought: Offer insights into the original ideas and knowledge of past civilizations.
• Reflect Cultural Diversity: Showcase the linguistic and cultural diversity of different regions and periods.
• Serve as Primary Historical Sources: Provide firsthand accounts and information crucial for historical research.
• Language Distribution: Approximately 75% of these manuscripts are written in Sanskrit, while 25% are in various regional languages.

Manuscript Conservation in India

India has long recognized the importance of preserving its manuscript heritage. Prior to the Gyan Bharatam Mission, efforts such as the National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM) were initiated to conserve and document manuscripts. The NMM focused on:

• Survey and Documentation: Identifying and cataloging manuscripts across the country.
• Conservation: Implementing preservation techniques to protect manuscripts from decay.
• Capacity Building: Training individuals in manuscript conservation and documentation techniques.

The Gyan Bharatam Mission builds upon these efforts, introducing a more comprehensive and technologically advanced approach to manuscript preservation.

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Collaborative Efforts for a New Bharat

The Gyan Bharatam Mission embodies the government’s vision for a New Bharat by:

• Fostering Public-Private Partnerships: Engaging with private collectors and institutions to ensure a holistic approach to manuscript conservation.
• Leveraging Technology: Utilizing digital tools to preserve and disseminate knowledge, making it accessible to a global audience.
• Promoting Cultural Awareness: Encouraging citizens to appreciate and engage with India’s rich manuscript heritage.

The Gyan Bharatam Mission represents a significant step towards preserving India’s vast manuscript heritage. By leveraging modern technology and fostering collaborative efforts, the mission aims to safeguard these treasures for future generations, ensuring that the wisdom of the past continues to enlighten the present and future.

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