New Delhi, India – On September 12, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the ‘Gyan Bharatam Portal’, a significant digital initiative aimed at digitizing, preserving, and providing public access to India’s vast and invaluable manuscript heritage. The launch, which took place at the International Conference on Gyan Bharatam held at Vigyan Bhawan, marks a pivotal moment in the nation’s efforts to reclaim and safeguard its millennia-old knowledge systems.
This landmark news heralds the creation of a centralized national digital repository, designed to make accessible the profound intellectual wealth contained within India’s ancient texts. The Gyan Bharatam Portal is envisioned as a dynamic platform that leverages cutting-edge technology, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), to unlock the secrets and wisdom embedded in these fragile documents for scholars, researchers, and the general public alike.
Reclaiming India’s Knowledge Heritage
India boasts one of the world’s largest collections of manuscripts, estimated to be around one crore (ten million) texts, spanning diverse subjects such as philosophy, medicine, astronomy, literature, governance, and the arts. Many of these manuscripts, written on materials like palm leaves and birch bark, are susceptible to decay and loss. The Gyan Bharatam Mission, of which the portal is a key component, aims to address this critical need by systematically surveying, documenting, and conserving these priceless artifacts. The initiative is a direct response to the imperative of preserving this heritage for future generations, aligning with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) by 2047.
The three-day International Conference on Gyan Bharatam, themed ‘Reclaiming India’s Knowledge Legacy through Manuscript Heritage,’ brought together over 1,100 participants, including leading scholars, conservationists, technologists, and policy experts from India and abroad. The conference served as a crucial platform for deliberation on the pathways to revitalize India’s unparalleled manuscript wealth and position it at the forefront of global knowledge dialogues.
Technology at the Forefront of Preservation
A cornerstone of the Gyan Bharatam initiative is the integration of advanced technologies. The portal will utilize AI-driven tools and Handwritten Text Recognition (HTR) to enhance the digitization process, making it faster and more accurate. Beyond simple digitization, these technologies will aid in cataloging, deciphering, and analyzing ancient scripts and content, transforming manuscripts into living digital resources.
Furthermore, the mission has launched the ‘Gyan-Setu National AI Innovation Challenge,’ encouraging students, researchers, and startups to develop innovative AI solutions for manuscript cataloging, script recognition, OCR, multilingual translation, and intelligent archiving. This focus on technology not only accelerates conservation efforts but also opens new avenues for research and innovation, empowering the youth to connect with their heritage through modern tools.
Fostering Research, Education, and Preventing Piracy
The Gyan Bharatam Portal is poised to significantly benefit scholars and researchers by providing unprecedented access to rare and previously inaccessible manuscripts. This accessibility is expected to stimulate deeper studies in history, philosophy, language, and science, potentially leading to new discoveries and a more comprehensive understanding of India’s intellectual traditions. The initiative also aims to integrate this traditional wisdom into modern education systems, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Prime Minister Modi highlighted another critical aspect: curbing “intellectual piracy.” By digitizing and disseminating authentic knowledge from Indian manuscripts, the initiative seeks to prevent the misuse and patenting of traditional Indian knowledge systems abroad, ensuring that India’s intellectual legacy is recognized and attributed correctly. This effort strengthens the vision of ‘Swadeshi’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India).
A Mission of Scale and Collaboration
The Gyan Bharatam Mission builds upon the foundation of the National Mission for Manuscripts, which was launched in 2003. The new mission has been allocated a substantial budget of Rs 482.85 crore for the period 2024–31, with Rs 60 crore earmarked for the current financial year, reflecting a significant commitment to this endeavor. The mission also emphasizes global collaboration, with ongoing efforts to engage with culturally linked countries where Indian manuscripts are held, fostering partnerships for retrieval and preservation.
A Step Towards Global Recognition
The launch has been widely welcomed by academics and students, who hail it as a “historic step” in safeguarding ancient knowledge. The Gyan Bharatam Portal is seen not just as a repository but as a bridge connecting India’s past, present, and future. By making its rich manuscript heritage globally accessible, India is not only preserving its identity but also enhancing its soft power and cultural diplomacy on the world stage. This news signifies a major stride in making India’s civilizational wisdom a global asset, proudly shared with humanity.
