Rollout of the Gyan Bharatam Mission: UPSC Current Affairs Story Arc

ExamRobot — UPSC prep tools

Explore
You're viewing a preview. For the full experience — customised selections, topic filters, and deep insights in a rich dashboard — sign in with Google.
GS-1GS-35 events · 2025-07-11 → 2026-02-10

India is home to an estimated 10 million ancient manuscripts, yet only 3.5% have been digitized so far. The Gyan Bharatam Mission, backed by a ₹491.66 crore budget, aims to bridge this massive 9.65-million-item gap by 2031.

Overview

The Gyan Bharatam Mission (GBM) represents a strategic shift in India’s approach to cultural preservation, evolving from passive conservation to active digital dissemination. Launched by the Ministry of Culture, the mission restructures the earlier National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM) into a technology-driven flagship initiative. Over the 2024–2031 period, it seeks to identify, document, and digitize over 1 crore (10 million) manuscripts. Central to this mission is the creation of a National Digital Repository (NDR) and the integration of AI-led translation services like BHASHINI. By hosting global conferences and adopting the 'New Delhi Declaration,' India is positioning its manuscript heritage as a 'global knowledge common' rather than just a local archive.

How This Story Evolved

Conference Announcement (Item 5) → Event & Declaration (Item 13) → Institutional MoUs (Item 1) → Portal Launch & Budget (Item 3) → Current Status Summary (Seed)

  1. 2025-07-11: India to Host International Manuscript Heritage Conference in September
    More details

    UPSC Angle: India hosting manuscript heritage conference; focus on knowledge legacy.

    Key Facts:

    • International Manuscript Heritage Conference from September 11-13
    • Conference title: 'Reclaiming India's Knowledge Legacy Through Manuscript Heritage'
    • Part of the launch of the 'Gyan Bharatam Mission'
    • The Centre announced the 'Gyan Bharatam Mission' (GBM) in the Union Budget 2025–26
    • India possesses an estimated 10 million ancient manuscripts
  2. 2025-09-12: India to Host Global Conference on Manuscript Heritage
    More details

    UPSC Angle: India to host global conference on manuscript heritage.

    Key Facts:

    • Conference Name: Reclaiming India's Knowledge Legacy through Manuscript Heritage.
    • Location: New Delhi.
    • Dates: September 11th to 13th.
    • Part of: Gyan Bharatam Mission.
    • Global conference on manuscript heritage
    • Dates: September 11-13
    • Location: Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
    • Organized by: Ministry of Culture
    • Titled: 'Reclaiming India's Knowledge Legacy Through Manuscript Heritage'
    • Aims to adopt the New Delhi Declaration on Manuscript Heritage
  3. 2025-10-25: Gyan Bharatam Mission
    More details

    UPSC Angle: Gyan Bharatam Mission aims to preserve and establish a National Digital Repository.

    Key Facts:

    • Gyan Bharatam Mission: restructured from National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM)
    • Objective: preserve and establish National Digital Repository (NDR) to share India's manuscript heritage
    • Launched in Union Budget 2025-26
    • Flagship initiative of the Ministry of Culture
    • Six thematic verticals: Survey and Cataloguing, Conservation and Capacity Building, Technology and Digitisation, Linguistics and Translation, Research and Publication
    • Gyan Bharatam Mission: Signing MoUs with ~20 institutes on October 25, 2025
    • Focus: conservation, upkeep, and digitization of manuscripts
    • Partnerships: pan-India, covering regional and national repositories
  4. 2025-12-09: Ministry of Culture promotes Manuscript preservation
    More details

    UPSC Angle: Ministry of Culture promotes manuscript preservation and digital access.

    Key Facts:

    • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Culture
    • Launch Year: 2025
    • Budget: ₹491.66 crore
    • Target: 1+ crore manuscripts
    • Digitised so far: ~3.5 lakh
    • Centres: 31 (19 Cluster + 12 Independent)
    • Portal: Gyan Bharatam Digital Web Portal
    • Vision Document: Delhi Declaration (Sankalp Patra)
  5. 2026-02-10: Initiatives for Language and Heritage Digitization
    More details

    UPSC Angle: Initiatives for language and heritage digitization.

    Key Facts:

    • BHASHINI (National Language Translation Mission): A digital public infrastructure providing AI-led language services across 22 Scheduled languages
    • Anuvadini: An AI-based platform by AICTE that translates technical and academic textbooks into regional languages
    • Gyan Bharatam Mission: A national mission (2024–31) with an outlay of ₹482.85 crore focused on the digitisation and dissemination of India's manuscript heritage

Genesis

Trigger

The mission was officially announced in the Union Budget 2025–26 as a flagship initiative to reclaim India's knowledge legacy.

Why Now

The shift is driven by the maturation of India's Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and the need to integrate 'Traditional Knowledge Systems' with modern AI tools like BHASHINI for multilingual access.

Historical Context

It builds upon the foundation of the National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM), established in 2003, which focused primarily on physical conservation and cataloguing.

Key Turning Points

  1. [2025-09-11] International Manuscript Heritage Conference at Bharat Mandapam

    It shifted the mission from a domestic administrative task to a global diplomatic and academic agenda.

    Before: Manuscripts were seen as static museum pieces. After: They are treated as a 'Living Memory' and a global knowledge asset via the New Delhi Declaration.

  2. [2025-10-25] Restructuring of National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM) into GBM

    Formalized the transition to a high-tech, multi-vertical mission with six specific thematic areas.

    Before: Fragmented conservation efforts. After: Integrated approach including Linguistics, Translation, and Research verticals.

Key Actors and Institutions

NameRoleRelevance
Ministry of CultureNodal MinistryDirecting the mission's six thematic verticals and managing the ₹482.85 crore outlay.
AICTE (Anuvadini Platform)Technical PartnerFacilitating AI-based translation of technical and academic knowledge derived from manuscripts into regional languages.

Key Institutions

  • Ministry of Culture
  • National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM)
  • National Digital Repository (NDR)
  • BHASHINI (National Language Translation Mission)

Key Concepts

Manuscript Heritage

Handwritten records on materials like palm leaves, birch bark (Bhurjapatra), or handmade paper, representing primary sources of ancient knowledge.

Current Fact: India possesses an estimated 10 million ancient manuscripts across various languages and scripts.

Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)

Digital platforms that provide essential society-wide services; in this context, the Gyan Bharatam Digital Web Portal acts as a cultural DPI.

Current Fact: The mission aims to establish a National Digital Repository (NDR) to share India's manuscript heritage globally.

BHASHINI

India's AI-led National Language Translation Mission aimed at breaking language barriers through real-time translation.

Current Fact: GBM is utilizing BHASHINI to provide AI-led services across 22 Scheduled languages for manuscript dissemination.

What Happens Next

Current Status

As of February 2026, the mission is integrating with the BHASHINI and Anuvadini AI platforms to enable translation of manuscript content into 22 Scheduled languages.

Likely Next

Full operationalization of the Gyan Bharatam Digital Web Portal and the expansion of digitization centers from 31 to a larger nationwide network.

Wildcards

Technological challenges in OCR (Optical Character Recognition) for ancient scripts (like Sharada or Grantha) could delay the 1-crore digitization target.

Why UPSC Cares

Syllabus Topics

  • Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
  • Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.

Essay Angles

  • Digitalization as a tool for decolonizing history
  • The marriage of tradition and technology: India's new age of enlightenment
  • Manuscripts as the 'living memory' of a civilization

Prelims Likely: Yes

Mains Likely: Yes

Trend Signal: rising

Exam Intelligence

Previous Year Question Connections

  • UNESCO Memory of World Register inclusions (Rig-Veda). — GBM is the domestic vehicle for scaling such global recognitions for India's 10 million manuscripts.
  • SAARC culture ministers' resolution on digitization of rare manuscripts. — Reflects the long-standing multilateral interest in digitization that GBM is now implementing on a national scale.

Prelims Angles

  • Identification of the six thematic verticals of Gyan Bharatam Mission (Survey, Conservation, Technology, Linguistics, Research, Publication).
  • Specific budget outlay and targets: ₹491.66 crore for digitizing over 1 crore manuscripts by 2031.
  • Technical platforms involved: NDR, BHASHINI, and Anuvadini.

Mains Preparation

Sample Question: Critically analyze the significance of the Gyan Bharatam Mission in reclaiming India’s ancient knowledge systems. How does the integration of Artificial Intelligence enhance the accessibility of India’s manuscript heritage?

Answer Structure: Intro: Define GBM and its objective (Budget 2025 context). → Body 1: The gap in manuscript preservation (10 million total vs current status). → Body 2: Role of technology (NDR, BHASHINI, Anuvadini) in overcoming linguistic barriers. → Body 3: Strategic importance (Soft power, New Delhi Declaration). → Conclusion: Way forward emphasizing scholarly capacity building.

Essay Topic: Preserving the Past to Power the Future: The Digital Renaissance of Indian Heritage.

Textbook Connections

NCERT Class X History, Chapter 5: Print Culture and the Modern World, p. 119

Provides the foundational understanding of the 'rich and old tradition of handwritten manuscripts' on palm leaves and handmade paper.

Gap: The textbook describes manuscripts as 'highly expensive' and 'fragile,' whereas GBM aims to make them 'Digital Public Goods' that are free and durable.

Spectrum, Chapter 1: Sources for the History of Modern India, p. 2

Discusses the role of National Archives in New Delhi.

Gap: While the Archives focus on government records, GBM targets the vast non-governmental, institutional, and private manuscript collections.

Quick Revision

  • Mission Name: Gyan Bharatam Mission (GBM), restructured from NMM.
  • Timeframe: 2024–2031.
  • Estimated Manuscript Wealth: 10 million ancient manuscripts.
  • Digitization Target: Over 1 crore manuscripts (3.5 lakh already done by early 2026).
  • Total Outlay: ₹491.66 crore (approx. ₹482.85 crore in updated reports).
  • Key Outputs: National Digital Repository (NDR) and Gyan Bharatam Digital Web Portal.
  • Thematic Verticals: Survey/Cataloguing, Conservation, Technology, Linguistics, Research, Publication.
  • Diplomatic Milestone: Adoption of the New Delhi Declaration on Manuscript Heritage.

Key Takeaway

The Gyan Bharatam Mission is the 'Digital India' moment for Indian history, transforming fragile ancient scrolls into searchable, AI-translatable global knowledge assets.

All Events in This Story (5 items)

  1. 2025-07-11 [Society & Culture] — India to Host International Manuscript Heritage Conference in September
    India will host its first international Manuscript Heritage Conference in New Delhi from September 11-13, 2025. The conference, titled 'Reclaiming India's Knowledge Legacy Through Manuscript Heritage', marks the launch of the 'Gyan Bharatam Mission'. The 'Gyan Bharatam Mission' aims to preserve, digitize, and disseminate manuscript knowledge, integrate it with modern technologies, and foster a new generation of scholars.
    More details

    UPSC Angle: India hosting manuscript heritage conference; focus on knowledge legacy.

    Key Facts:

    • International Manuscript Heritage Conference from September 11-13
    • Conference title: 'Reclaiming India's Knowledge Legacy Through Manuscript Heritage'
    • Part of the launch of the 'Gyan Bharatam Mission'
    • The Centre announced the 'Gyan Bharatam Mission' (GBM) in the Union Budget 2025–26
    • India possesses an estimated 10 million ancient manuscripts
  2. 2025-09-12 [History & Heritage] — India to Host Global Conference on Manuscript Heritage
    The Ministry of Culture announced India's first-ever global conference dedicated to manuscript heritage, titled 'Reclaiming India's Knowledge Legacy Through Manuscript Heritage', to be held from September 11-13 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The conference will feature rare manuscripts, conservation demonstrations, and discussions on decipherment, conservation, and digital archiving, aiming to adopt the New Delhi Declaration on Manuscript Heritage.
    More details

    UPSC Angle: India to host global conference on manuscript heritage.

    Key Facts:

    • Conference Name: Reclaiming India's Knowledge Legacy through Manuscript Heritage.
    • Location: New Delhi.
    • Dates: September 11th to 13th.
    • Part of: Gyan Bharatam Mission.
    • Global conference on manuscript heritage
    • Dates: September 11-13
    • Location: Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
    • Organized by: Ministry of Culture
    • Titled: 'Reclaiming India's Knowledge Legacy Through Manuscript Heritage'
    • Aims to adopt the New Delhi Declaration on Manuscript Heritage
  3. 2025-10-25 [Society & Culture] — Gyan Bharatam Mission
    The Gyan Bharatam Mission, restructured from the National Mission for Manuscripts, aims to preserve and establish a National Digital Repository (NDR) to share India's manuscript heritage globally. Launched in Union Budget 2025-26, it is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Culture focused on identifying, documenting, conserving, digitizing, preserving, and promoting India's manuscript heritage.
    More details

    UPSC Angle: Gyan Bharatam Mission aims to preserve and establish a National Digital Repository.

    Key Facts:

    • Gyan Bharatam Mission: restructured from National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM)
    • Objective: preserve and establish National Digital Repository (NDR) to share India's manuscript heritage
    • Launched in Union Budget 2025-26
    • Flagship initiative of the Ministry of Culture
    • Six thematic verticals: Survey and Cataloguing, Conservation and Capacity Building, Technology and Digitisation, Linguistics and Translation, Research and Publication
    • Gyan Bharatam Mission: Signing MoUs with ~20 institutes on October 25, 2025
    • Focus: conservation, upkeep, and digitization of manuscripts
    • Partnerships: pan-India, covering regional and national repositories
  4. 2025-12-09 [Society & Culture] — Ministry of Culture promotes Manuscript preservation
    The Ministry of Culture recognizes manuscripts as the "Living memory of Indian civilization", promoting large-scale digital public access, modern conservation practices and revival of traditional knowledge systems. With a budget of ₹491.66 crore, the ministry aims to digitize over 1 crore manuscripts, with 3.5 lakh already digitized across 31 centers and promotes the Gyan Bharatam Digital Web Portal and the Delhi Declaration (Sankalp Patra).
    More details

    UPSC Angle: Ministry of Culture promotes manuscript preservation and digital access.

    Key Facts:

    • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Culture
    • Launch Year: 2025
    • Budget: ₹491.66 crore
    • Target: 1+ crore manuscripts
    • Digitised so far: ~3.5 lakh
    • Centres: 31 (19 Cluster + 12 Independent)
    • Portal: Gyan Bharatam Digital Web Portal
    • Vision Document: Delhi Declaration (Sankalp Patra)
  5. 2026-02-10 [Society & Culture] — Initiatives for Language and Heritage Digitization
    Several key initiatives are underway to promote language translation and heritage digitization, including BHASHINI (National Language Translation Mission) for AI-led language services across 22 Scheduled languages, Anuvadini for AI-based translation of technical textbooks, and the Gyan Bharatam Mission (2024–31) with an outlay of ₹482.85 crore for digitizing India's manuscript heritage.
    More details

    UPSC Angle: Initiatives for language and heritage digitization.

    Key Facts:

    • BHASHINI (National Language Translation Mission): A digital public infrastructure providing AI-led language services across 22 Scheduled languages
    • Anuvadini: An AI-based platform by AICTE that translates technical and academic textbooks into regional languages
    • Gyan Bharatam Mission: A national mission (2024–31) with an outlay of ₹482.85 crore focused on the digitisation and dissemination of India's manuscript heritage

Explore More Current Affairs

Browse all current affairs themes and story arcs on our blog