Gyan Bharatam Mission: Parliamentary panel flags slow manuscript digitisation, urges citizen participation
A parliamentary panel has expressed concern over the slow pace of digitisation of manuscripts under the Gyan Bharatam Mission, noting that the current progress is far short of the ambitious target set by the government. The mission, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 11, 2025, aims to identify, document, conserve, digitise, and promote India's vast manuscript heritage.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture, in its report tabled in the Rajya Sabha this week, said only 7.5 lakh manuscripts have been digitised so far against the mission's target of one crore by 2030. The committee observed that the government's own target is to digitise 20 lakh manuscripts by March 31, 2027, but the current pace is approximately 33,000 manuscripts per month, while the required rate is 1.5 lakh per month.
The report, titled "From Manuscript to Mission: Preserving, Mapping and Sustaining India's Cultural Heritage in the Age of Artificial Intelligence," stated that these targets are attainable only if "force multipliers" are brought into play. It specifically recommended citizen participation at a national scale, adoption of capture standards that prevent rework, and the use of machine assistance to address the most critical bottlenecks in the digitisation process.
The committee also drew attention to the rising financial commitment for the mission. The allocation has increased from Rs 3.50 crore in 2024-25 to Rs 15 crore in 2025-26 and further to Rs 60 crore in 2026-27, within a sanctioned outlay of Rs 491.66 crore for the period 2025-2031. The panel noted that this represents a 17-fold increase in the cost of the process.
Rather than seeking fresh funding, the committee has recommended that the mission utilise the expenditure already provided to it. It emphasised the need for efficient use of resources to achieve the digitisation goals without further delays.
The Gyan Bharatam Mission is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Culture, announced in the Union Budget 2025-26. Its broader objective is to preserve India's manuscript heritage and make it accessible globally through a dedicated National Digital Repository (NDR). The slow pace of digitisation raises questions about the mission's ability to meet its stated objectives within the stipulated timeframe.
The committee's report underscores the importance of adopting innovative approaches and leveraging technology to accelerate the process. It calls for a concerted effort involving citizens, experts, and institutions to ensure that India's rich manuscript legacy is preserved and shared effectively.
