**Executive Summary**
This document is the answer provided by the Minister of Culture and Tourism to Unstarred Question No. 1328, regarding the functioning of Rampur Raza Library, to be answered on December 8, 2025. It details the library's status, Director appointment process, upgrade plans, and promotional efforts.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Rampur Raza Library Status:**
* An autonomous institution under the Ministry of Culture.
* Founded on October 7, 1774, and declared an institution of National Importance in 1975.
* Houses 17,000 rare items, including manuscripts, paintings, miniatures, calligraphy specimens, artifacts, and historical coins.
* Contains approximately 67,000 printed books and various periodicals.
* **Director Appointment Process:**
* Filled by Deputation (including short term contract) as per Recruitment Rules.
* **Essential Qualifications:**
* Renowned scholar in Arabic, Persian, Urdu, Hindi, Sanskrit, or History (preferably Medieval History, Islamic Studies, or similar Social Science discipline).
* Master's degree in one of the above disciplines from a recognized University or institute.
* Ph.D. in any subject mentioned under the essential qualifications.
* **Desirable Qualifications:**
* Degree/diploma in Library Science, Library and Information Science, or Computer Science/Data Processing from a recognized University/institute.
* Published books or research papers on the relevant topic.
* Experience in teaching, research, or administration in a comparable library, University, or teaching/research institution.
* The appointment process involves advertising, screening, selection via interview, and approval by competent authority.
* **Upgrade Plans & Promotional Efforts:**
* Fully funded by the Ministry of Culture.
* Funds are used for upgrading and modernizing infrastructure and services.
* The library digitizes its manuscripts, printed books, and other collections.
* Goal is to promote the library's collections and increase accessibility for researchers and the public.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Ministry of Culture**
* **Impact:** Responsible for funding, overseeing, and upgrading the Rampur Raza Library.
* **Action Required:** Continue to provide financial support and guidance for the library's operations, modernization, and promotional activities.
**Stakeholder: Rampur Raza Library Administration and Staff**
* **Impact:** Responsible for implementing upgrade plans, managing the library's collection, and facilitating accessibility for researchers and the public.
* **Action Required:** Execute digitization projects, maintain the library's infrastructure, and ensure the library adheres to the outlined Director appointment process.
**Stakeholder: Researchers and the Public**
* **Impact:** Beneficiaries of the library's collections and services, particularly from increased accessibility through digitization and modernization.
* **Action Required:** Utilize the library's resources and provide feedback to enhance its services.
Key Entities Referenced
Rampur Raza Library: An autonomous institution under the Ministry of Culture, declared as an institution of National Importance.
Ministry of Culture: The Ministry under whose aegis the Rampur Raza Library operates and which provides funding for the library.
Rampur Raza Library Act, 1975: The Act under which Rampur Raza Library was declared an institution of National Importance.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CULTURE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No.1328
TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025
FUNCTIONING OF RAMPUR RAZA LIBRARY
1328. SHRI MOHIBBULLAH:
Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:
a) the present status of Rampur Raza Library including its functioning and activities;
b) the details of the appointment process and qualifications required for the Director of
Rampur Raza Library;
c) whether the Government has any plans to upgrade or modernize the library's
infrastructure and services; and
d) the details of the steps taken/being taken to promote the library's collections and make
them more accessible to researchers and the public?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM
(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
a) Rampur Raza Library, an autonomous institution under the aegis of Ministry of Culture,
Government of India, was founded on 7th October, 1774 and later declared as an
institution of National Importance under the Rampur Raza Library Act, 1975.
The library preserves a collection of 17,000 rare items, including 150 illustrated
manuscripts with around 4,000 paintings, 1,000 miniatures in 35 albums, and 205
handwritten palm-leaf manuscripts. It also houses nearly 2,000 specimens of Islamic
calligraphy compiled in 84 albums, along with 300 artefacts and 1,362 historical coins.
It also contains around 67,000 printed books, as well as a rich and diverse collection of
periodicals.
b) As per the Recruitment Rules, the post of Director of Rampur Raza Library is filled up
by Deputation (including short term contract). The qualifications required are as under:Essential qualification:
(i) A renowned scholar in Arabic or Persian or Urdu or Hindi or Sanskrit or History
preferably in Medieval History or Islamic Studies or similar discipline of Social
Science;
(ii) possessing Master degree in any of the above disciplines from a recognized University
or institute;
(iii) Degree of Ph.D. in any of the subjects as mentioned under the essential qualification
above;
Desirable qualification:
(i) Degree or diploma in Library Science or Library and Information Science or Computer
Science or Data Processing from a recognized University or institute;
(ii) having published books or research papers on the relevant topic; and
(iii) having relevant experience of teaching or research or administration in a comparable
library, University or other teaching or research institution.
The appointment process involves issuing an open advertisement, followed by screening and
selection through an interview by Selection Committee. The name of the selected candidate is
thereafter submitted for approval of Competent authority.
(c) Rampur Raza Library is fully funded by Ministry of Culture. The funds are also utilized
for upgradation and modernization of the library’s infrastructure and services.
(d) Rampur Raza Library digitizes its Manuscripts, printed books & other collection to
promote the library's collections and make them more accessible to researchers and the
public.