Gyan Bharatam Mission

About

• The Gyan Bharatam Mission is an ambitious initiative launched by the Government of India in the Union Budget 2025–26.
• Announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the mission is dedicated to the survey, documentation, conservation, and digitization of India’s vast and invaluable manuscript heritage.
• With an aim to preserve and promote India’s traditional knowledge systems, the mission will ensure that ancient wisdom remains accessible to future generations.

Budget Allocation 2025

• To accommodate the ‘Gyan Bharatam Mission’, budget allocation for the National Manuscripts Mission (NMM) has been hiked from ₹3.5 crore to ₹60 crore. The Union Budget 2025-26 announced a special mission for the survey, documentation, and conservation of India’s manuscript heritage.3 days ago

What is the Gyan Bharatam Mission?

• India is home to over one crore (10 million) manuscripts, covering a wide range of subjects including Ayurveda, mathematics, astronomy, linguistics, arts, and philosophy.
• These manuscripts, written on palm leaves, birch bark, and paper, hold centuries of accumulated knowledge.
• However, due to natural decay, improper storage, and lack of awareness, many of these manuscripts are at risk of being lost forever.
• To prevent this loss and revive India’s manuscript culture, the Gyan Bharatam Mission aims to:
  • Conduct a nationwide survey to locate and document manuscripts.
  • Conserve, restore, and preserve manuscripts using modern techniques.
  • Digitize manuscripts and create a National Digital Repository of Indian Knowledge Systems.
  • Make manuscripts accessible for academic research, education, and public knowledge.
  • Encourage international collaboration to showcase India’s ancient knowledge to the world.

Why is the Gyan Bharatam Mission Important?

• India’s ancient manuscripts are not just historical artifacts but contain wisdom that is still relevant today.
• These texts have scientific, philosophical, and cultural significance and offer deep insights into traditional practices, including:
  • Ayurveda & Medicine
    • Ancient medical texts provide knowledge about holistic healing, herbs, and natural remedies.
  • Mathematics & Astronomy
    • Indian mathematicians like Aryabhata, Brahmagupta, and Bhaskara made groundbreaking contributions.
  • Philosophy & Ethics
    • Vedic texts and Upanishads discuss the purpose of life, consciousness, and dharma.
  • Linguistics & Literature
    • Sanskrit, Tamil, Pali, and Prakrit texts form the foundation of Indian literature.
  • Art & Culture
    • Texts on dance, music, and sculpture guide traditional art forms.
• By preserving and making these manuscripts accessible, the Gyan Bharatam Mission aims to integrate ancient knowledge with modern science, fostering innovation and global appreciation for India’s intellectual heritage.

Objectives of the Gyan Bharatam Mission

• Nationwide Survey & Documentation
  • A systematic effort to identify, catalog, and document manuscripts across India.
  • Collaboration with academic institutions, libraries, museums, and private collectors.
  • Involvement of experts in Sanskrit, Pali, Tamil, and other classical languages.

• Conservation & Preservation
  • Use of modern scientific techniques to restore and protect fragile manuscripts.
  • Creating controlled environments for long-term preservation.
  • Partnering with heritage conservationists and researchers.

• Digitization & National Repository
  • Establishment of a National Digital Repository of Indian Knowledge Systems.
  • High-resolution scanning and metadata tagging for easy access.
  • Public access through educational platforms and research institutions.

• Promotion & Accessibility
  • Integration of ancient texts into modern education curricula.
  • Translation of manuscripts into multiple Indian and international languages.
  • Organizing exhibitions, lectures, and cultural events to raise awareness.

• International Collaboration
  • Sharing India’s manuscript heritage with global scholars and institutions.
  • Partnerships with UNESCO and universities worldwide.
  • Research projects on ancient Indian knowledge and its relevance today.

Implementation & Stakeholders

• The Gyan Bharatam Mission will be executed through a multi-stakeholder approach, involving:
  • Government Institutions:
    • Ministry of Culture, National Manuscript Mission (NMM), Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
  • Academic & Research Organizations:
    • Universities, IITs, and specialized research centers.
  • Libraries & Museums:
    • National and state-level institutions preserving manuscripts.
  • Private Collectors & Monasteries:
    • Collaboration with individuals who own rare manuscripts.
  • Technology & Digital Experts:
    • To ensure proper digitization and preservation techniques.

Challenges & Solutions

• Fragile Condition of Manuscripts
• Solution:
  • Use advanced conservation methods like deacidification, fumigation, and digital restoration.

• Language Barriers
• Solution:
  • Translation projects to make manuscripts available in modern languages.

• Awareness & Engagement
• Solution:
  • Educational programs, exhibitions, and online accessibility for students and scholars.

• Large-Scale Digitization
• Solution:
  • Establish regional digitization centers and use AI-powered text recognition.

Impact of the Gyan Bharatam Mission

• Preservation of India’s Intellectual Heritage
  • Prevent the loss of priceless knowledge.
• Boost to Research & Education
  • Enable scholars worldwide to study ancient texts.
• Integration with Modern Science & Technology
  • Explore applications of ancient knowledge.
• Global Cultural Recognition
  • Establish India as a knowledge hub.
• Employment & Skill Development
  • Create jobs in manuscript conservation, translation, and research.

Conclusion

• The Gyan Bharatam Mission is a historic initiative that aims to revive and preserve India’s manuscript heritage. By systematically documenting, conserving, and digitizing ancient texts, India is taking a significant step towards reclaiming its intellectual legacy.
• This mission will bridge the past with the future, ensuring that ancient wisdom continues to inspire and educate generations to come.

With collective efforts from scholars, institutions, and the public, the Gyan Bharatam Mission has the potential to become a global benchmark in manuscript conservation and digital knowledge dissemination.