Gyan Bharatam Mission/ज्ञान भारतम मिशन

Why in News? The Gyan Bharatam Mission, introduced in the Union Budget 2025-26 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, is a landmark initiative aimed at safeguarding India’s vast manuscript heritage. This mission is designed to preserve, document, and integrate the rich intellectual traditions of India with modern knowledge systems, reflecting the government’s commitment to the country’s cultural and civilizational legacy.

Key Objectives:

1. Survey and Documentation: To identify and document over 1 crore manuscripts from academic institutions, museums, libraries, and private collections across India.
2. Conservation: To ensure the physical and digital preservation of manuscripts, protecting them from decay and making them accessible for research and education.
3. National Digital Repository: To create a centralized digital repository of Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS), enabling the seamless sharing of India’s intellectual heritage.
4. Integration with Education: To align with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, promoting ancient disciplines such as philosophy, mathematics, yoga, and traditional sciences in modern curricula.

Significance:

• Cultural Preservation: This mission is a crucial step toward preserving India’s unique intellectual and cultural traditions for future generations.
• Global Recognition: By showcasing India’s ancient knowledge systems, the mission positions India as a global leader in cultural and intellectual heritage.
• Research and Innovation: It provides researchers and academics access to invaluable historical manuscripts, encouraging the study and application of traditional wisdom in contemporary fields.

Supporting Initiatives:

The mission complements other government programs like:

• National Archives of India: Actively digitizing its extensive collections.
• Bhāratīya Jñāna Paramparā Vibhāga: Established in 2020 to promote Indian Knowledge Systems within the education sector.

Vision for the Future:

The Gyan Bharatam Mission exemplifies the Modi government’s broader vision of a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India), where ancient wisdom is seamlessly integrated with modern advancements, enriching both education and national identity.