The National Mission on Libraries is strengthening India’s library network through digital innovation, infrastructure upgrades, capacity building and nationwide surveys aimed at improving access to knowledge resources and modernizing library services across the country.
Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat provided this information in a written reply in the Lok Sabha, outlining the progress made under the National Mission on Libraries scheme and detailing initiatives aimed at expanding digital access and upgrading public library infrastructure.
The National Mission on Libraries operates through four major components, including the National Virtual Library of India, the establishment of model libraries, a comprehensive survey of libraries and a nationwide capacity building programme for library professionals.
National Virtual Library Of India
One of the flagship initiatives under the mission is the National Virtual Library of India, implemented through the Indian Culture Portal. The portal was originally launched in December 2019 with the objective of democratizing access to knowledge related to India’s cultural traditions, history, literature, arts and heritage.
The platform brings together digital resources from museums, libraries, archives and cultural institutions across the country onto a unified online system, enabling users to access a wide range of cultural and historical materials from a single digital interface.
An upgraded Version 2.0 of the portal was launched on March 5, 2026, introducing a new technology architecture with a React based frontend and Drupal backend designed to improve speed, scalability and reliability.
The upgraded platform includes several advanced features aimed at enhancing user experience and accessibility. These include Bharti, an artificial intelligence powered chatbot integrated with the Government of India’s Bhashini platform, enabling users to interact with the system in 22 Indian languages.
The portal also offers advanced multilevel search capabilities, operates as a Progressive Web App and provides immersive digital experiences such as 3D walkthroughs and virtual tours. Users can explore 46 curated cultural categories along with interactive learning activities designed to promote engagement with India’s cultural heritage.
Model Libraries Under National Mission On Libraries
Under the component for establishing NML Model Libraries, financial assistance is provided for upgrading public libraries across the country.
So far, financial assistance has been sanctioned to 28 State Central Libraries, 41 District Libraries and 5 libraries identified under the Ministry of Culture.
The scheme provides financial support for upgrading infrastructure, improving services and introducing modern technologies in libraries selected based on recommendations from the respective State or Union Territory authorities.
Libraries are a state subject under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, and public libraries operate under the administrative control of state and union territory governments. As a result, the establishment of new libraries does not fall directly within the scope of the National Mission on Libraries.
However, the mission provides financial assistance for upgrading one State Central Library and one District Library in each state or union territory under the model library component.
The total sanctioned amount for upgrading libraries under the scheme stands at ₹8671.01 lakh, while a total amount of ₹6716.56 lakh has been released so far for various library development projects across the country.
Examples of upgraded libraries include the State Central Library in Port Blair and the District Library in Car Nicobar in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, both sanctioned in 2023–24 with funding support of ₹223 lakh and ₹87 lakh respectively, with the entire amount released.
In Andhra Pradesh, assistance has been sanctioned in 2025–26 for the State Central Library in Amaravati with ₹223 lakh and for Sri Gowthami Regional Library in Rajamahendravaram with ₹87 lakh, although funds have not yet been released.
Other significant projects include the State Central Library in Itanagar in Arunachal Pradesh sanctioned ₹223 lakh with ₹219.71 lakh released, and the District Library in Pasighat sanctioned ₹87 lakh with ₹84.90 lakh released.
In Assam, assistance has been provided to the District Library in Jorhat with ₹40 lakh sanctioned and ₹39.99 lakh released, and to the District Library in Guwahati with ₹70 lakh sanctioned and ₹69.59 lakh released.
Similarly, in Bihar, the District Central Library in Jamui received a sanction of ₹81.41 lakh with ₹62.21 lakh released, while the District Central Library in Hajipur in Vaishali district was sanctioned ₹87 lakh with ₹50 lakh released.
In Chandigarh, assistance was provided to T.S. State Central Library with ₹164.5 lakh sanctioned and fully released, while Divisional Library South received ₹82.72 lakh, also fully released.
Several states have also received support for modernizing key libraries, including the State Central Library in Gandhinagar in Gujarat with ₹104.04 lakh sanctioned and ₹101 lakh released, and the Government District Library in Bhavnagar with ₹87 lakh sanctioned and fully released.
In Haryana, the State Central Library in Ambala Cantt received ₹223 lakh with full release of funds, while the District Library in Narnaul received ₹84 lakh sanctioned and ₹46.20 lakh released.
Support has also been extended to libraries in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Ladakh, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Puducherry, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West Bengal.
Library Development In Rajasthan
Under the National Mission on Libraries, financial assistance has also been provided to libraries in Rajasthan.
Dr Radhakrishnan Rajya Kendriya Pustakalaya in Jaipur received financial sanction of ₹183.51 lakh during 2014–15, out of which ₹94.81 lakh has been released.
Rajakiya Sarvajanik Mandal Pustakalaya in Kota received ₹63.46 lakh sanctioned during 2016–17, with ₹63.21 lakh released.
Support To Ministry Of Culture Libraries
Apart from state and district libraries, financial support has also been extended to libraries functioning under the Ministry of Culture.
The National Library received financial sanction of ₹724.2 lakh, out of which ₹142.78 lakh has been released.
The Central Secretariat Library received sanction of ₹277.09 lakh with ₹126.27 lakh released.
Delhi Public Library received ₹443.89 lakh sanctioned and ₹274.19 lakh released.
Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library received ₹344.20 lakh sanctioned and ₹30.26 lakh released.
Thanjavur Maharaja Serfoji Sarasvathi Mahal Library received ₹715.2 lakh sanctioned with ₹667.48 lakh released.
Survey Of Libraries Across The Country
As part of the mission’s effort to strengthen library systems nationwide, a quantitative and qualitative survey of libraries across India has been completed and the final report has been accepted by the Ministry of Culture.
The survey provides a comprehensive assessment of the status of libraries in the country and serves as an important reference for future policy decisions and planning for library modernization.
Capacity Building Programme
Another key component of the National Mission on Libraries is the capacity building programme designed to enhance the professional skills of library personnel across India.
So far, a total of 54 training programmes have been organized under this initiative, benefiting 2465 library professionals from different parts of the country.
These training programmes focus on modern library management practices, digital resource management, information services and emerging technologies in library science.
The National Mission on Libraries continues to play an important role in strengthening knowledge infrastructure in India by improving digital access, upgrading public libraries, training professionals and integrating cultural resources through modern technology platforms.
