• In the Union Budget 2025-26, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the launch of the Gyan Bharatam Mission to preserve one crore manuscripts. 

• The Mission envisages documentation and conservation of the manuscript heritage with academic institutions, museums, libraries and private collectors.

• Additionally, a National Digital Repository inspired by Indian knowledge traditions will be created.

• This initiative is essential for safeguarding the diverse and valuable knowledge contained in India’s traditional manuscripts.

What is a manuscript?

• A manuscript is a handwritten composition on paper, bark, cloth, metal, palm leaf or any other material dating back at least 75 years that has significant scientific, historical or aesthetic value. 

• The term “manuscript” has its origins in the Latin term “manuscriptus”, which means written by hand.

• Lithographs and printed volumes are not manuscripts.

• Manuscripts are found in hundreds of different languages and scripts. 

• Manuscripts are distinct from historical records such as epigraphs on rocks, firmans, revenue records which provide direct information on events or processes in history.

• Manuscripts can exist in multiple languages and scripts, with a single language often being represented in different scripts (for example, Sanskrit written in Odia, Grantha, Devanagari, etc).

Key components of the Gyan Bharatam Mission include:

i) Survey, Documentation, and Preservation: The mission will focus on thoroughly surveying, documenting, and conserving manuscripts stored in academic institutions, museums, libraries, and private collections.

ii) National Digital Repository: A central feature of the mission is the creation of a digital repository of India’s knowledge system, which will store and share traditional knowledge. This platform will be accessible to researchers, students, and institutions across the world.

iii) Global Access: The digital repository will promote global access to India’s traditional knowledge, fostering knowledge sharing internationally.

Additional Read: 

National Mission for Manuscripts

The National Mission for Manuscripts was established in February 2003 by the government of India. It seeks to unearth and preserve the vast manuscript wealth of India. 

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)