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National Library Mission: Financial Assistance for Public Libraries

UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity

PolityGovernanceCulture

Why in news

The Ministry of Culture has approved financial assistance under the National Library Mission (NLM) for state central libraries, district libraries, and six identified libraries. The budget allocation and expenditure details from 2016-17 to 2025-26 were provided in Rajya Sabha.

Background

Libraries are a state subject under the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution. Public libraries operate under the administrative control of respective state/UT authorities. The National Library Mission (NLM) was launched to modernize and strengthen public libraries across India.

Key facts

in5points

  1. Under NLM, financial assistance is provided to one state central library and one district library per state/UT, plus 6 identified libraries.

  2. Budget allocation for 2025-26 is Rs. 3507 lakh, with Rs. 3309 lakh released and Rs. 3244.08 lakh spent.

  3. In 2024-25, allocation was Rs. 2161 lakh, released Rs. 2071.80 lakh, spent Rs. 1893.66 lakh.

  4. In 2023-24, allocation was Rs. 2602 lakh, released Rs. 469.24 lakh, spent Rs. 1357.07 lakh.

  5. In 2022-23, allocation was Rs. 1910 lakh, released Rs. 1895.55 lakh, spent Rs. 306.24 lakh.

  6. In 2021-22, allocation was Rs. 165 lakh, released Rs. 152.16 lakh, spent Rs. 442.18 lakh.

  7. In 2020-21, allocation was Rs. 0, released Rs. 0, spent Rs. 151.27 lakh.

  8. In 2019-20, allocation was Rs. 73 lakh, released Rs. 0, spent Rs. 232.82 lakh.

  9. Libraries are a state subject under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution.

  10. Information was provided by Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in Rajya Sabha.

Prelims pointers

  • National Library Mission (NLM)
  • Ministry of Culture
  • Seventh Schedule of Indian Constitution
  • State subject: Libraries
  • Rajya Sabha
  • Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
  • NLM Model Libraries
  • Financial assistance to state central and district libraries

Mains angles

  • Discuss the role of public libraries in promoting education and culture in India.
  • Analyze the challenges in implementing the National Library Mission and suggest measures.
  • Examine the constitutional division of subjects between Centre and States with reference to libraries.
National Library Mission: Financial Assistance for Public Libraries — UPSC Polity · in5points