**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Culture is strengthening the public library network across India through the National Mission on Libraries (NML). As of December 15, 2023, India has a total of 46,746 public libraries. The document provides details on the number of libraries, financial assistance extended, and recommendations from a qualitative survey.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **National Mission on Libraries (NML) Scheme:**
* Ministry of Culture provides financial assistance through the NML scheme.
* Assistance is given to one State Central Library and one District Library in each State/UT.
* Support extends to six Libraries identified by the Ministry.
* **Library Numbers & Details:**
* Total libraries across States and UTs: 46,746.
* Details of Central and State libraries are available in Annexure-A.
* Details of financial assistance extended to all State/UTs are at Annexure-B.
* The number of public libraries in different States and Union Territories based on data collected by RRRLF from various State / UT Library Authorities in the year 2018-19 are detailed in Annexure A.
* **Quantitative and Qualitative Survey:**
* A one-time survey was conducted between March 2015 and July 2016, with a final report submitted in July 2019.
* Recommendations include:
* Phased rollout of computers and internet access, prioritizing rural and small-town libraries.
* Offering bundled internet services with library membership at a nominal charge.
* Exploring revenue generation through advertising.
* Leveraging CSR initiatives and Government schemes.
* Developing model libraries focused on youth.
* **Capacity Building Programs:**
* 54 Capacity Building Programs have been conducted with 2,465 participants.
**Impact Analysis**
**Ministry of Culture:**
* **Impact:** Responsible for the NML scheme and providing financial assistance.
* **Action Required:** Continue implementation of NML and assess the impact of the financial assistance provided.
**State/UT Library Authorities:**
* **Impact:** Receives financial assistance and implements NML recommendations.
* **Action Required:** Utilize the financial assistance to improve library infrastructure and services and implement survey recommendations.
**Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation (RRRLF):**
* **Impact:** Autonomous organization under the Ministry of Culture involved in library data collection.
* **Action Required:** Continue to furnish data to the Ministry of Culture.
**Public Libraries:**
* **Impact:** Benefit from infrastructure upgrades, internet access, and improved services.
* **Action Required:** Implement the recommended changes to enhance library services.
Key Entities Referenced
National Mission on Libraries (NML): A scheme by the Ministry of Culture to strengthen public libraries by providing financial assistance.
Ministry of Culture: The primary ministry responsible for the National Mission on Libraries.
Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation (RRRLF): An autonomous organization under the Ministry of Culture that provides data on libraries.
States and Union Territories: The geographical area where the public libraries covered in the policy exist.
Ministry of Culture
National Mission on Libraries Strengthens Public
Library Network all over the country
India has a total of 46,746 public libraries across States and
Union Territories
प्रव तथ: 15 DEC 2025 4:13PM by PIB Delhi
The details of the number of libraries including Central and State libraries, State/UT-wise, as furnished by
Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation (RRRLF), an autonomous organization under the aegis of Ministry
of Culture are given at Annexure-A.
Ministry of Culture through its National Mission on Libraries (NML) Scheme, under its Setting up of
NML Model Library component, provides financial assistance to one State Central Library and one District
Library in each State /UT, as per the recommendation of the State Authorities concerned and six Libraries
identified by this Ministry.
The details of financial assistance extended to all State/UTs are at Annexure-B.
The Quantitative and Qualitative Survey was a one-time exercise conducted between March, 2015 and July,
2016. The final survey report was submitted in July, 2019. The key recommendations included: phased
rollout of computers and internet access with priority to rural and small-town libraries; offering bundled
internet services with library membership at a nominal charge; exploring revenue generation through
advertising; leveraging CSR initiatives and Government schemes; and developing model libraries focused
on youth.
Total 54 Capacity Building Programmes have been conducted, covering a total of 2,465 participants.
This information was given by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a
written reply in Lok Sabha today
***
M Annadurai
Annexure A
No. of public libraries in different States and Union Territories based on data collected by
RRRLF from various State / UT Library Authorities in the year 2018-19.Sl. No. State/UT Name No. of libraries
1. ANDAMAN & NICOBAR ISLAND 18
2. ANDHRA PRADESH 978
3. ARUNACHAL PRADESH 118
4. ASSAM 240
5. BIHAR 192
6. CHANDIGARH 8
7. CHHATISGARH 28
8. DADRA & NAGAR HAVELI AND DAMAN & DIU 12
9. DELHI *
10. GOA 136
11. GUJARAT 3464
12. HARYANA 27
13. HIMACHAL PRADESH 945
14. JAMMU & KASHMIR 129
15. JHARKHAND 21
16. KARNATAKA 6798
17. KERALA 8415
18. LADAKH 11
19. LAKSHADWEEP 10
20. MADHYA PRADESH 42
21. MAHARASHTRA 1219122. MANIPUR 157
23. MEGHALAYA 8
24. MIZORAM 506
25. NAGALAND 622
26. ODISHA 27
27. PUDUCHERRY 81
28. PUNJAB 15
29. RAJASTHAN 323
30. SIKKIM 13
31. TAMILNADU 4622
32. TELANGANA 672
33. TRIPURA 46
34. UTTAR PRADESH 573
35. UTTARAKHAND 47
36. WEST BENGAL 5251
Total 46746
* Delhi: In the survey conducted by the RRRLF during FY 2018-19, the Government of Delhi did not provide
data regarding the libraries functioning in the Union Territory.Central Fund and State Fund w
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64(रलीज़ आईडी: 2204106) आगंतुक पटल : 473
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