Gyan Bharatam Portal Launched

In a landmark move to preserve India’s rich knowledge systems, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Gyan Bharatam portal on 12th September 2025. The launch took place at the International Conference on Gyan Bharatam held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, highlighting the government’s commitment to safeguarding the manuscript heritage of India.

This initiative is part of the larger Modi manuscript initiative aimed at creating a modern, digital bridge to India’s ancient wisdom.

About the Gyan Bharatam Portal

The Gyan Bharatam portal is a national digital platform with multiple objectives focused on Indian manuscript preservation.

Its key features include:

• Digitisation & Preservation: Identifying, documenting, conserving, and digitising rare manuscripts. This ensures the survival of fragile texts in diverse subjects such as philosophy, medicine, astronomy, literature, and governance.

• National Digital Repository: A centralised digital library in India offering scholars and the public access to manuscripts online.

• AI-driven Access: Integration of Gyan Bharatam AI tools for enhanced search, translation, and annotation of texts, including AI translation of Sanskrit and Pali manuscripts.

• Research & Publication: Facilitates research, translation, and publication of rare and ancient manuscripts.

• Capacity Building: Training scholars, conservators, and institutions in modern manuscript preservation techniques.

• Public Participation: Encouraging citizens to engage with heritage through workshops and collaborative programs.

• Global Collaboration: Building international partnerships for knowledge exchange and adopting best practices in preservation.

The portal is designed not just as a digital repository for manuscripts in India but as a manuscript portal where scholars can actively participate in preserving knowledge for future generations.

The International Conference on Gyan Bharatam

The three-day conference on “Reclaiming India’s Knowledge Legacy through Manuscript Heritage” (11–13 September 2025) was organised by the Union Ministry of Culture. It brought together over 1,100 participants, including scholars, experts, and cultural practitioners from India and abroad.

The event provided a platform for discussion on digitisation and conservation of rare manuscripts in India, as well as public engagement initiatives, like how to access Indian manuscripts online through the Gyan Bharatam portal for ancient manuscripts.

PM Modi also visited the exhibition showcasing India’s manuscript tradition, reinforcing the importance of cultural preservation.

Significance of the Gyan Bharatam Portal

India is home to one of the largest collections of manuscripts globally. Unfortunately, many of these texts are at risk due to fragility and neglect. The Gyan Bharatam portal addresses this by:

1. Preserving Ancient Knowledge: Safeguarding manuscripts for future generations.

2. Promoting Public Access: Through the public access to the Gyan Bharatam digital library, knowledge is available to students, researchers, and enthusiasts alike.

3. Aligning with NEP 2020: Integrating traditional wisdom into modern education systems.

4. Supporting National Vision: Contributing to Viksit Bharat 2047 by valuing cultural heritage as a cornerstone of progress.

Vision and Way Forward

The Gyan Bharatam portal aims to revive India’s knowledge traditions in a modern, accessible form. Using AI tools, global collaborations, and digital learning, the portal bridges the gap between ancient wisdom and contemporary knowledge systems.

It positions India as a global custodian of knowledge while ensuring that its rich heritage remains alive and accessible to everyone.

Key steps forward include:

• Expanding the digital manuscript repository of India with more rare texts.

• Enhancing Gyan Bharatam manuscript digitisation projects nationwide.

• Encouraging international collaborations for a government initiative for manuscript preservation in India.

Important Takeaways for SSC Aspirants

• Event: Launch of Gyan Bharatam portal

• Launched by: Prime Minister Narendra Modi

• Date: 12 September 2025

• Venue: Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi

• Organiser: Union Ministry of Culture

• Conference Theme: “Reclaiming India’s Knowledge Legacy through Manuscript Heritage”

• Significance: Preservation, digitisation, public access, and education integration

Exam-oriented Pointers

1. The Gyan Bharatam portal is part of the Modi manuscript initiative for digitising India’s manuscripts.

2. The portal uses AI translation of Sanskrit and Pali manuscripts to facilitate research.

3. It provides a digital library of India accessible to scholars and the public.

4. The initiative aligns with NEP 2020 and the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

5. Over 1,100 participants attended the inaugural International Conference on Gyan Bharatam.

Final Thoughts

On 12th September 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Gyan Bharatam portal, a dedicated platform for preserving and digitising India’s vast manuscript heritage. Developed as a national digital library, the portal provides public access to ancient manuscripts and integrates modern technologies, including AI tools for translation and annotation.

The initiative aims to safeguard fragile texts covering subjects like philosophy, medicine, astronomy, and literature, ensuring they are accessible for future generations. The launch coincided with the International Conference on Gyan Bharatam at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, which brought together scholars, experts, and cultural practitioners from India and abroad.

Through Gyan Bharatam manuscript digitisation and global collaborations, the portal supports research, education, and cultural preservation. It also promotes public participation in heritage conservation, offering workshops and collaborative programs. This government initiative for manuscript preservation in India aligns with broader goals of cultural revival, integrating traditional knowledge into modern education and research systems.