**Executive Summary**
This document is the response of the Minister of Culture and Tourism to Unstarred Question No. †154 regarding the digitization of cultural heritage and museums. The document outlines the government's initiatives to promote the use of advanced technologies in preserving cultural heritage, digitizing museums, and providing access to artisans through digital platforms. The response addresses progress since 2014 and future plans as of December 1, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Government Initiatives:**
* The government is actively promoting the use of artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and other advanced technologies for cultural preservation, museum digitization, and dissemination.
* Initiatives include the National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA), Museum Digitization initiative, and Immersive Visitor Experiences using VR and AR.
* Modern digital technologies like AR-VR, projections, and digital kiosks are adopted in museums.
* The "JATAN" software is used for digitizing artifacts.
* **Museum Digitization Progress:**
* Eight National Level Museums and two ASI Museums have been digitized through the JATAN software.
* Digitized artifacts are accessible at https://www.museumsofindia.gov.in/repository.
* **Artisan Empowerment:**
* The Ministry of Social Justice aims to empower marginalized artisans through "TULIP," providing a platform for global exposure and e-marketing.
* **Regional Museum Development:**
* The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) maintains one Archaeological Museum in the Vindhya region at Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh.
* The Khajuraho museum was recently upgraded in 2023 with new display galleries and more antiquities for public viewing.
**Impact Analysis**
**Ministry of Culture and Tourism**
* **Impact:** Requires ongoing effort to implement and expand digitization and technology adoption in museums and cultural preservation initiatives.
* **Action Required:** Continue promoting and supporting the initiatives, including JATAN software, and monitoring the progress of digitization efforts.
**Artisans (Specifically in cultural areas like Satna)**
* **Impact:** Potential for increased access to global markets and sales of products through the "TULIP" initiative.
* **Action Required:** Engage with the "TULIP" program, utilize the provided platform for e-marketing and product sales, and adapt to the digital marketplace.
**Museum Visitors**
* **Impact:** Enhanced visitor experience through digital technologies, including AR-VR, projections, and digital kiosks.
* **Action Required:** Utilize the available digital resources and provide feedback to the museums regarding the effectiveness of the new technologies.
**Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for maintaining and upgrading museums, as exemplified by the Khajuraho museum upgrade.
* **Action Required:** Continue maintaining and upgrading regional museums, focusing on adding new display galleries and antiquities for public viewing.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Culture: The government ministry responsible for promoting and preserving cultural heritage and museums, and for the digitization efforts mentioned.
JATAN Software: Software used for digitization of artifacts in museums.
TULIP (Traditional Artisans' Upliftment Livelihood Programme): Programme aiming to empower marginalized artisans by providing them with a platform for global exposure and sales of their products.
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI): Maintains one Archaeological Museum in the Vindhya region at Khajuraho, District Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh.
Khajuraho: Location of an Archaeological Museum maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in the Vindhya region, District Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CULTURE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †154
TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.12.2025
DIGITIZATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE AND MUSEUMS
†154 SHRI GANESH SINGH :
.
Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the government is promoting the use of artificial intelligence, augmented reality and
other advance technologies in the preservation of cultural heritage, the digitization of museums
and cultural dissemination, if so, the details thereof;
(b) the number of museums digitalized and upgraded since 2014 along with the number of
museums/monuments digitized so far through digital platforms like Indian Heritage App.
JATAN Software, BharatShri;
(c) whether the Government proposes to give access to the artisans of cultural areas like Satna to
the global platform through the TULIP (Traditional Artisans’ Upliftment Livelihood
Programme) brand or other digital marketplaces; and
(d) whether there is any proposal for the establishment or modernization of any regional museum in
Satna or Vindhya region?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM
(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) The government is actively promoting the use of artificial intelligence, augmented reality and
other advance technologies in the preservation of cultural heritage, the digitization of museums
and cultural dissemination. Various initiatives include National Mission on Monuments and
Antiquities (NMMA), Museum Digitization initiative, Immersive Visitor Experiences using
Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) etc. Modern digital technologies such as
AR-VR, Projections, digital kiosks etc., have been adopted in various museums under the
Ministry of Culture to improve and enhance the visitors’ viewing experience. Ministry of
Culture has also been using a software named “JATAN” for digitization of various artefacts
showcased in its museums.
(b) Till date 08 renowned National Level Museums and 02 ASI Museums have been digitized
through JATAN Software. Digitized artefacts till date can be viewed by accessing the link
https://www.museumsofindia.gov.in/repository
(c) The Ministry of Social Justice an Empowerment through “TULIP” aims to empower
marginalized artisans by providing them with a platform for global exposure and sales of their
products through e-marketing.
(d) The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) presently maintains one Archaeological Museum in
the Vindhya region at Khajuraho, located in District Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh. The museum
has recently been upgraded in 2023 with the addition of new display galleries and inclusion of
more antiquities for public viewing.
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