Ministry of Culture Spotlights Heritage, Digitalization, and Cultural Unity in 2025 Review
SDG 4: Quality Education | SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Ministry of Culture | Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) | National Archives of India (NAI)
The Ministry of Culture’s Year-End Review for 2025 documents significant achievements across cultural diplomacy, heritage preservation, and national commemorations, reinforcing the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.
Global Heritage Recognition: The “Maratha Military Landscapes of India” were successfully inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List as India’s 44th property. This achievement was secured following effective intervention by the Ministry and the Ministry of External Affairs, despite an initial negative report. India now ranks 6th globally for UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Repatriation and Preservation: Sacred relics of the Lord Buddha, discovered in 1898 in Piprahwa, Uttar Pradesh, were successfully repatriated to India after 127 years. This required coordinated legal and diplomatic efforts to stop their auction abroad, with the relics being handed over through a private acquisition by an Indian Industrial House.
Knowledge Digitalization: The landmark “Gyan Bharatam” national initiative was launched to preserve, digitize, and disseminate India’s manuscript heritage. The Prime Minister formally launched the Gyan Bharatam Web Portal, emphasizing that India’s knowledge tradition rests on three portals: Preservation, Innovation, and Addition & Adaptation.
National Commemorations: Major national commemorations were observed, including the formal launch of the Commemoration of 150 Years of the National Song “Vande Mataram,” running through November 2026, and the commemoration of the 125th birth anniversary of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee.
Cultural Mobilization: The Har Ghar Tiranga 2025 campaign achieved a 50% increase in coverage compared to the previous year, while simultaneously realizing a 15% decrease in cost outlay, demonstrating efficiency through a ‘Whole-of-Government approach’.
What are the Maratha Military Landscapes of India? The Maratha Military Landscapes of India refer to a network of strategic forts, sea defenses, and associated sites related to the military architecture and power of the Maratha Empire (17th to 19th centuries). Their successful inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List recognizes their Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) and obligates India to protect them under international convention.
Policy Relevance
The successful inscription of the Maratha Military Landscapes and the repatriation of ancient relics demonstrate the effective use of cultural diplomacy and multi-agency coordination (MoC, MEA, private sector) to meet international conventions and assert national sovereignty over cultural property, reinforcing SDG 11.4 on protecting cultural heritage.
Follow the full update here: Year End Review-2025: Ministry of Culture