Centuries-old manuscripts housed at the Shardul Rajasthan Research Institute in Bikaner are being digitised as part of the Gyan Bharatam Mission, an initiative aimed at safeguarding India’s vast manuscript heritage.

Officials at the institute say the digitisation work has begun to preserve fragile texts that have deteriorated over time. Many of the manuscripts, written several centuries ago, are showing signs of wear due to age, making digital archiving a crucial step before further conservation measures can be taken.

The collection includes rare works on subjects such as astrology, Ayurveda, religion, grammar and ancient epics like the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. By converting these texts into digital format, authorities aim to ensure their long-term preservation while also making them more accessible.

Once the process is completed, the digitised manuscripts will be uploaded to a government portal, allowing scholars, academicians and students from across the country to access these historical resources for research and learning.

The Gyan Bharatam Mission, announced in the Union Budget 2025–26, is a flagship programme of the Ministry of Culture. The initiative seeks to identify, document and preserve India’s rich manuscript tradition while promoting wider academic engagement with historical texts.