By Tanmay Sharma
Photo Credit: The Suncity News
Gurugram, May 15, 2026: The Government of India has launched the national manuscript survey under the ‘Gyan Bharatam Mission.’
The objective of the mission is to preserve ancient manuscripts, palm-leaf records, and rare archival material—key evidence of India’s rich cultural traditions and intellectual legacy.
Gurugram DC highlighted the importance of the Gyan Bharatam Mission:
Sharing details of the initiative, Gurugram Deputy Commissioner (DC) Uttam Singh said that the nationwide survey campaign has been underway since March 16, 2026.
Through active public participation, manuscripts available in households, temples, monasteries, and institutions are being geo-tagged, catalogued, and digitally preserved using the ‘Gyan Bharatam App.’
The DC noted that the Gyan Bharatam Mission was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Union Budget 2025-26 and is being implemented as a flagship initiative under the Ministry of Culture.
The primary aim is to create digital records of manuscripts to protect them from deterioration over time.
He further informed that authorities will collaborate with custodians of temples, monasteries, and private libraries to ensure their participation in the preservation drive.
Strict protocols are being followed to ensure that the original manuscripts remain undamaged during the digitization process, with modern technologies being used to enable high-quality archival.
Survey timeline and priority:
The survey is scheduled to continue until June 15, with priority being given to manuscripts that are 75 years old or older.
According to officials, the initiative will play a crucial role in safeguarding not only the district’s historical assets but also its broader cultural heritage.
Citizens have been encouraged to actively participate in the Gyan Bharatam Mission by submitting details of manuscripts in their possession through the mobile application.
All identified materials will be securely stored in a National Digital Repository.
Importantly, officials clarified that ownership rights of manuscript holders will remain fully protected throughout the process.
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EOM.
