Gyan Bharatam is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Culture launched under Union Budget 2025-26 to unearth, safeguard and preserve India’s manuscript heritage. The initiative is supported by a sanctioned outlay of Rs. 491.66 crore for 2025-2031 for survey, registration, conservation, digitisation, publication, technology support and capacity building. The update also covers archaeological conservation, use of advanced survey tools, anti-encroachment measures, heritage partnerships and archival digitisation.
Gyan Bharatam Initiative
Gyan Bharatam focuses on India’s vast manuscript tradition. It seeks to identify, document and preserve manuscripts across the country.
- The initiative covers survey and registration of manuscripts.
- It includes conservation, digitisation and publication.
- It also supports technology infrastructure and research.
- The approved financial support is for 2025-2031.
ASI and Archaeological Surveys
The Archaeological Survey of India uses modern technologies during exploration and excavation, depending on site requirements.
- Tools such as LiDAR, Ground Penetrating Radar and drone surveys are used.
- These methods were used at sites such as Rajgir, Rakhigarhi, Bhismaknagar and Warangal Fort.
- The use of advanced survey methods helps in pre-excavation assessment.
- The Appropriation Bill for 2026-27 is still pending approval.
Protection of Centrally Protected Monuments
Strict legal and administrative action is taken against encroachments on centrally protected monuments.
- ASI conducts regular inspections of protected sites.
- Notices are issued against unauthorised construction and occupation.
- Action is taken under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.
- Eviction proceedings may also be initiated under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act, 1971.
Adopt A Heritage 2.0 and Abhilekh-Patal
Adopt A Heritage 2.0 was launched in September 2023 to improve visitor amenities at protected monuments of national importance.
- Private and public entities, NGOs and trusts can support non-conservational services.
- Their role is limited to cleaning and basic visitor facilities.
- Conservation remains the exclusive responsibility of ASI experts.
- The National Archives of India has expanded access through the Abhilekh-Patal portal.
- As of February 2026, the portal hosts 0.73 crore reference media, 0.38 crore digitised records and over 18.23 crore pages.