Centre Delists 18 Monuments; Over 7.5 Lakh Manuscripts Digitized Under Gyan Bharatam Mission

**New Delhi, February 12, 2026: **The Central Government has removed 18 monuments from the list of protected monuments after determining that they have ceased to be of national importance under the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. Officials clarified that no protected monument is currently reported missing, and detailed information regarding the delisted sites has been provided in the official annexure. In a parallel development, the government highlighted significant progress under the Gyan Bharatam Mission, announcing that more than 7.5 lakh manuscripts have been digitized so far. Of these, approximately 1.29 lakh manuscripts are now accessible to the public through the Gyan Bharatam Portal, expanding digital access to India’s rich documentary heritage. The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) continues to play a vital role in preserving traditional knowledge and cultural expressions. Through its documentation programmes and regional initiatives, the institution conducts research, field surveys, and audio-visual recordings of traditional and endangered folk and tribal art forms. Workshops, seminars, exhibitions, and publications are also regularly organized to promote dissemination and awareness. For monument security, Multi-Tasking Staff have been deployed for watch and ward duties based on site requirements. Private security personnel have additionally been engaged at selected locations depending on footfall and sensitivity. Meanwhile, CISF personnel remain stationed at the Red Fort in Delhi and the Taj Mahal in Agra, ensuring enhanced protection at these high-profile heritage sites.