Lok Sabha Question No. 3837 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-16
Subject: Promotion of Library Network under NML
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Smt. Manju Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No.†3837 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2026

## PROMOTION OF LIBRARY NETWORK UNDER NML

## †3837    SMT. MANJU SHARMA:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- a) whether the Government has achieved the objectives envisaged under the National Mission on Libraries (NML);
- b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- c) the details of the libraries actually established under the NML, State/UT-wise;
- d) the details of the libraries established under the NML in Rajasthan; and
- e) the details of the steps taken/being taken by the Government to promote the network of libraries in rural areas?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

- (a) & (b) Yes, Sir. National Mission on Libraries (NML) Scheme has 4 components. The components wise progress is as follows: -

1. National Virtual Library of India (NVLI) -  The Indian Culture Portal, launched in December 2019, was created to democratize access to knowledge about India's cultural traditions, history,  literature,  arts,  and  heritage  by  bringing  digital  resources  from museums,  libraries,  archives,  and  cultural  institutions  onto  a  unified  platform. Version 2.0,  launched  on  05.03.2026 ,  introduces  a  modern  architecture  with  a  React-based frontend and Drupal backend, improving speed, scalability, and reliability. It features the AI-powered chatbot Bharti, integrated with the Government of India's Bhashini platform to  provide  assistance  in  22  Indian  languages.  The  portal  offers  advanced  multilevel search, operates as a Progressive Web App, and includes 3D walkthroughs, virtual tours, 46 curated cultural categories, and interactive learning activities.

2.  Setting  up  of  NML  Model  Libraries -  Under  the  component  Setting  up  of  NML Model  Libraries,  financial  assistance  has  so  far  been  sanctioned  to  28  State  Central Libraries, 41 District Libraries and 5 Ministry of Culture identified Libraries. The details are as per Annexure-A .
3. Quantitative & Qualitative Survey of Libraries - Survey has been completed and the Report has been accepted in this Ministry.
4. Capacity Building Programme - Total 54 training programmes have been organized in which 2465 library professionals across the Country have been trained so far.
4. (c) Library is a State subject as per the Seventh schedule of Constitution of India, and public libraries  function  under  the  administrative  control  of  the  respective  State/Union  Territory Authorities.  Thus,  establishment  of  library  does  not  come  under  the  purview  of  NML. However,  NML  scheme,  under  Setting  up  of  NML  Model  Library  component,  provides financial assistance to 1 State Central Library and 1 District Library in each State /UT, as per the recommendation of the State Authority concerned.

The list of the libraries upgraded under NML (State/UT wise) is attached as Annexure-A.

- (d) The details of financial support provided in Rajasthan under NML Model Library is as follows: -
- (e) Library is a State subject as per the Seventh schedule of Constitution of India, and public libraries  function  under  the  administrative  control  of  the  respective  State/Union  Territory Authorities.

| Library Name                                         | Sanction year   |   Amt. Sanctioned (in. Lakh) |   Amt. Released (in. Lakh) |
|------------------------------------------------------|-----------------|------------------------------|----------------------------|
| Dr. Radhakrishnan Rajya Kendriya Pustakalaya, Jaipur | 2014-15         |                       183.51 |                      94.81 |
| Rajakiya Sarvajanik Mandal Pustakalaya, Kota         | 2016-17         |                        63.46 |                      63.21 |

## Annexure-A

## Annexure referred to in reply to part (b&c) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.†3837 for reply on 16 th March, 2026 regarding 'Promotion of Library Network under NML'.

| Sl.   | State             | Name of the Library                             | Sanction Year   | Amount sanctioned in lakh   | Total released   |
|-------|-------------------|-------------------------------------------------|-----------------|-----------------------------|------------------|
| 1     | A&N Island        | State Central Library, Port Blair               | 2023-24         | 223.00                      | 223.00           |
| 2     | A&N Island        | District Library, Car nicobar                   | 2023-24         | 87.00                       | 87.00            |
| 3     | Andhra Pradesh    | SCL, Amravati                                   | 2025-26         | 223.00                      | 0                |
| 4     | Andhra Pradesh    | Sri Gowthami Regional Library Rajamahendravaram | 2025-26         | 87.00                       | 0                |
| 5     | Arunachal Pradesh | State Central Library, Itanagar                 | 2014-15         | 223                         | 219.71           |
| 6     | Arunachal Pradesh | District Library, Phasighat                     | 2014-15         | 87.00                       | 84.90            |
| 7     | Assam             | District Library, Jorhat (1)                    | 2016-17         | 40.00                       | 39.99            |
| 8     | Assam             | District Library, Guwahati (2)                  | 2016-17         | 70.00                       | 69.59            |
| 9     | Bihar             | District Central Library, Jamui                 | 2018-19         | 81.41                       | 62.21            |
| 10    | Bihar             | District Central Library, Hajipur, Vaishali     | 2023-24         | 87.00                       | 50.00            |
| 11    | Chandigarh        | T.S. State Central Library                      | 2023-24         | 164.5                       | 164.5            |
| 12    | Chandigarh        | Divisional Library, South                       | 2023-24         | 82.72                       | 82.72            |
| 13    | Chhattisgarh      | District Library, Raigarh                       | 2014-15         | 87.00                       | 78.32            |
| 14    | Daman &Diu        | Central Library, Daman                          | 2023-24         | 223.00                      | 223.00           |
| 15    | Daman &Diu        | District Library, Diu                           | 2023-24         | 87.00                       | 87.00            |
| 16    | Goa               | Dr. Francisco Luis Gomes District Library       | 2014-15         | 87.00                       | 3.38             |
| 17    | Goa               | Krishnadas Shama State Central Library          | 2014-15         | 223.00                      | 21.68            |
| 18    | Gujarat           | State Central Library, Gandhinagar              | 2017-18         | 104.04                      | 101.00           |
| 19    | Gujarat           | Government District Library, Bhavnagar, Gujarat | 2022-23         | 87.00                       | 87.00            |
| 20    | Haryana           | State Central Library, Ambala Cantt.            | 2021-22         | 223.00                      | 223.00           |
| 21    | Haryana           | District Library, Narnaul                       | 2021-22         | 84.00                       | 46.20            |
| 22    | Himachal Pradesh  | Government District Library, Bilaspur           | 2018-19         | 86.87                       | 74.66            |
| 23    | Himachal Pradesh  | Central State Library, Solan, Himachal Pradesh  | 2022-23         | 223.00                      | 223.00           |
| 24    | Jammu &Kashmir    | Gani Memorial U.T Central Library, Srinagar     | 2021-22         | 223.00                      | 223.00           |
| 25    | Jammu &Kashmir    | District Library, Samba                         | 2021-22         | 32.50                       | 32.50            |
| 26    | Jharkhand         | State Central Library, Dhanbad                  | 2023-24         | 223.00                      | 223.00           |
| 27    | Jharkhand         | District Library, Palamau                       | 2023-24         | 87.00                       | 87.00            |
| 28    | Karnataka         | State Central Library, Bangalore                | 2014-15         | 223.00                      | 200.00           |
| 29    | Karnataka         | District Central Library, Shimoga               | 2014-15         | 87.00                       | 79.26            |
| 30    | Kerala            | State Central Library, Thiruvananthapuram       | 2015-16         | 116.61                      | 116.61           |
| Sl.   | State             | Name of the Library                             | Sanction Year   | Amount sanctioned           | Total released   |
| 31    | Kerala            | State Public Library Research                   | 2021-22         | in lakh 37.5                | 22.55            |
| 32    | Ladakh            | Centre State Public Library, Kargil             | 2025-26         | 220.00                      | 0                |

| 33   | Ladakh         | District Library, Leh                                                     | 2025-26       | 80.00             | 0              |
|------|----------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------|-------------------|----------------|
| 34   | Lakshadweep    | State Central Library, Kavaratti                                          | 2023-24       | 168.00            | 168.00         |
| 35   | Lakshadweep    | District Library, Kadmat                                                  | 2023-24       | 27.64             | 27.64          |
| 36   | Madhya Pradesh | Govt. District Library, Khandwa                                           | 2016-17       | 73.20             | 65.59          |
| 37   | Madhya Pradesh | Govt. Shri Ahilya Central Library, Indore                                 | 2017-18       | 87.00             | 43.67          |
| 38   | Maharashtra    | District Library, Nandurbar                                               | 2016-17       | 21.90             | 18.43          |
| 39   | Maharashtra    | Govt. Divisional Library, Aurangabad                                      | 2017-18       | 60.55             | 57.21          |
| 40   | Manipur        | State Central Library, Imphal                                             | 2022-23       | 218.87            | 218.87         |
| 41   | Manipur        | District Library, Senapati                                                | 2022-23       | 85.53             | 85.53          |
| 42   | Meghalaya      | State Central Library, Shillong                                           | 2023-24       | 223.00            | 223            |
| 43   | Meghalaya      | District Library, Tura                                                    | 2023-24       | 87.00             | 87             |
| 44   | Mizoram        | State Central Library, Aizwal                                             | 2014-15       | 141.24            | 137.04         |
| 45   | Mizoram        | District Library, Kolasib                                                 | 2014-15       | 50.00             | 50.00          |
| 46   | Nagaland       | State Central Library, Kohima                                             | 2016-17       | 177.49            | 175.48         |
| 47   | Nagaland       | District Library, Dimapur                                                 | 2016-17       | 73.81             | 69.75          |
| 48   | Odisha         | H.K.M.State Library, Bhubaneswar                                          | 2014-15       | 223.00            | 133            |
| 49   | Odisha         | District Library, Ganajam                                                 | 2014-15       | 40.36             | 0              |
| 50   | Pondicherry    | Romain Rolland Library, State                                             | 2016-17       | 166.47            | 142.37         |
| 51   | Pondicherry    | Central Library Dr. S. R. Ranganathan Government Public Library, Karaikal | 2016-17       | 76.04             | 66.17          |
| 52   | Punjab         | MMCentral State Library, Patiala                                          | 2022-23       | 223.00            | 0              |
| 53   | Punjab         | Gurunanak District Library, Kapurthala                                    | 2022-23       | 87.00             | 0              |
| 54   | Rajasthan      | Dr. Radhakrishnan Rajya KendriyaPustakalaya, Jaipur                       | 2014-15       | 183.51            | 94.81          |
| 55   | Rajasthan      | RajakiyaSarvajanik Mandal Pustakalaya, Kota                               | 2016-17       | 63.46             | 63.21          |
| 56   | Sikkim         | Sikkim State Central Library, Gangtok                                     | 2021-22       | 217.2             | 217.2          |
| 57   | Sikkim         | District Library, Mangan                                                  | 2021-22       | 86.58             | 86.58          |
| 58   | Tamil Nadu     | District Library, Tiruchirapalli                                          | 2016-17       | 70.00             | 68.16          |
| 59   | Tamil Nadu     | District Library, Vellore                                                 | 2016-17       | 87.00             | 79.27          |
| 60   | Telangana      | District Central Library, Mahabubnagar                                    | 2014-15       | 52.00             | 50.00          |
| 61   | Telangana      | State Central Library, Hyderabad                                          | 2014-15       | 112.25            | 103.72         |
| 62   | Tripura        | Birchandra State Central Library                                          | 2014-15       | 223.00            | 222.93         |
| 63   | Tripura        | Unakoti District Library                                                  | 2014-15       | 87.00             | 86.92          |
| 64   | Uttar Pradesh  | State Central Library, Allahabad                                          | 2014-15       | 206.00            | 203.75         |
| Sl.  | State          | Name of the Library                                                       | Sanction Year | Amount sanctioned | Total released |
| 65   | Uttar Pradesh  | Government District Library, Etawah                                       | 2014-15       | 87.00k            | 85.93          |
| 66   | Uttarakhand    | Government District Library, Suman Pustakalaya, New Tehri                 | 2018-19       | 86.2              | 50.00          |
| 67   | Uttarakhand    | Central State Library, Almora                                             | 2025-26       | 188.77            | 0              |
| 68   | West Bengal    | West Bengal State Central Library                                         | 2014-15       | 222.81            | 219.82         |

| 69    | West Bengal   | North Bengal State Library, Coochbehar   | 2014-15   |   86.98 |   79.73 |
|-------|---------------|------------------------------------------|-----------|---------|---------|
| Total | Total         | Total                                    |           | 8671.01 | 6716.56 |

## Status of Assistance towards Ministry of Culture Libraries

| (Amount in lakhs)   | (Amount in lakhs)                                              | (Amount in lakhs)   | (Amount in lakhs)   |
|---------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|---------------------|
| Sl. No.             | Name of Library                                                | Total Sanctioned    | Total Released      |
| 1                   | National Library (NL)                                          | 724.2               | 142.78              |
| 2                   | Central Secretariat Library (CSL)                              | 277.09              | 126.27              |
| 3                   | Delhi Public Library (DPL)                                     | 443.89              | 274.19              |
| 4                   | Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library (KBOPL)                   | 344.20              | 30.26               |
| 5                   | Thanjavur Maharaja Serfoji's Sarasvathi Mahal Library (TMSSML) | 715.2               | 667.48              |

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