Gyan Bharatam Mission, Objectives, Manuscripts

Gyan Bharatam Mission has been announced in the Union Budget in 2025-26 for the purpose of saving manuscripts under the National Manuscripts Mission. The mission has been allocated a budget of Rs 3.5 crore-60 crore. In this article, we are going to look into the objectives, features and significance of the Gyan Bharatam Mission. 

Gyan Bharatam Mission Overview

The Gyan Bharatam Mission was launched by the government of India to save and promote the heritage of the country's manuscripts. Announced in the Union Budget 2025-26, this scheme will conserve and survey over one crore manuscripts located in museums, libraries, academic institutions and private collections. 

Objective of Gyan Bharatam Mission

The objectives of Gyan Bharatam Mission include documenting, surveying and preserving the extensive manuscript heritage of India. The Objectives include: 

The main aim of the mission is surveying, documenting, and preserving India’s extensive manuscript heritage. Gyan Bharatam Mission objectives include:

• Digitizing Over One Crore Manuscripts: Preserving rare manuscripts housed in academic institutions, museums, libraries, and private collections.
• Creating a National Digital Repository: Establishing a secure platform to protect and share India’s rich traditional knowledge.
• Enhancing Global Access: Making traditional knowledge available to researchers, students, and institutions worldwide to foster learning and collaboration.

What Are Manuscripts?

As quoted by the National Mission for Manuscripts “A manuscript is a handwritten composition on paper, bark, cloth, metal, palm leaf or any other material dating back at least seventy-five years that has significant scientific, historical or aesthetic value.” The National Museum has about 14,000 manuscripts in different languages and other records such as epigraphs, firmans and revenue records. There are around 10 million manuscripts existing in India currently that need preservation.

National Manuscripts Mission (NMM)

The National Mission for Manuscripts established in 2003 by the Ministry of Culture will be responsible for carrying out the Gyan Bharatam Mission. The operations will be conducted at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts with the aim of identifying, documenting and conserving the Indian Manuscripts and making them accessible to a larger audience. 

Manuscripts Conservation in India

India holds the collection of world’s largest manuscripts with about 10 million manuscripts in 80 ancient scripts available across institutions, museums and private collections. To address the challenges associated with manuscripts conservations like the impact of insects, neglect and decay problems, the following initiatives have been introduced: 

• National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM): Documented 52 lakh manuscripts and conserved nearly 9 crore folios over 21 years.
• Manuscript Resource Centres (MRCs): Around 57 centres across India working on manuscript preservation.
• National Library of India (NLI), Kolkata: Houses 3,600 rare and historically significant manuscripts.
• Digitization Efforts: Began in 2004 under NMM and is now in its fourth phase.

The Gyan Bharatam Mission builds upon these initiatives, ensuring the long-term preservation and accessibility of India's vast manuscript heritage

Gyan Bharatam Mission FAQs

Q1. Who is the owner of Mission Gyan?

Ans. Jinender Soni is the founder of Mission Gyan.

Q2. What is Mission Raksha Gyan Shakti?

Ans. Launched in 2018, it aims to promote Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) awareness and encourage self-reliance in defense production.

Q3. Who started the Mission Shakti scheme?

Ans. The Government of India initiated Mission Shakti to strengthen interventions for women's safety, security, and empowerment.

Q4. What is the goal of Mission Shakti?

Ans. To enhance women's safety, security, and empowerment through various interventions.

Q5. What is the goal of the Gyan Bharatam Mission?

Ans. To preserve and digitize India's rich manuscript heritage, ensuring knowledge accessibility for future generations.