**Policy Summary: National Mission on Libraries (NML)**
This document summarizes the Indian Government's response to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 120, addressed to the Minister of Culture on July 28, 2025, regarding the National Mission on Libraries (NML) and its implementation, particularly in Madhya Pradesh.
The Ministry of Culture implements the NML scheme to strengthen library services across the country. Recognizing that libraries are a state subject under Article 246 of the Constitution of India, the NML provides financial assistance to states and union territories for upgrading existing libraries under the NML Model Library component.
The NML scheme prioritizes one State Central Library and one District Library in each State/UT, based on recommendations from the respective State authorities and subject to the availability of State funds. The Ministry may also identify six additional libraries for assistance. The NML focuses on: infrastructure improvement, technology upgrades and service modernization, facilities for specially-abled groups, and procurement of reading resources.
In Madhya Pradesh, the state government submitted proposals for the Government District Library, Khandwa, and the Government Shri Ahilya Central Library, Indore. Both proposals met NML criteria, and financial assistance was provided. Specifically, the Government District Library, Khandwa, received a sanctioned amount of INR 73.20 lakhs in 2016-17, with INR 65.59 lakhs released. The Government Shri Ahilya Central Library, Indore, received a sanctioned amount of INR 87.00 lakhs in 2017-18, with INR 43.67 lakhs released.
The query regarding the upgrade of libraries in Katni, Panna, and Khajuraho is addressed by the clarification that financial assistance is admissible for one State Central Library and one District Library per State/UT under the NML guidelines.
Key Entities Referenced
National Mission on Libraries: A scheme implemented by the Ministry of Culture to strengthen library services across the country.
SHRI VISHNU DATT SHARMA: Member of Parliament who raised the starred question in Lok Sabha.
GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT: Minister of Culture and Tourism, who provided the answer to the Lok Sabha question.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question was raised.
Ministry of Culture: The government ministry responsible for implementing the National Mission on Libraries.
Constitution of India: The supreme law of India, which assigns libraries as a State subject.
Government of Madhya Pradesh: The state government that submitted proposals for library upgradation under the NML scheme.
Government District Library, Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh: A District Library in Madhya Pradesh that received financial assistance for upgradation under the NML scheme.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CULTURE
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO.*120
TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.07.2025
NATIONAL MISSION ON LIBRARIES
*120 SHRI VISHNU DATT SHARMA:
Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:
a) whether the Government is implementing the National Mission on Libraries to
strengthen library services across the country, especially in Madhya Pradesh;
b) if so, whether the Government has upgraded libraries in the districts of Katni, Panna,
and the town of Khajuraho in the Khajuraho Lok Sabha constituency; and
c) if so, the details thereof along with the measures taken by the Government to improve
library infrastructure and services in the country?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM
(GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (c) A statement is laid on the table of the House.STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO.*120 FOR 28.07.2025.
(a) & (b) As per Article 246 of the Constitution of India, libraries fall under the State subject
in the Seventh Schedule, with public libraries functioning under the administrative control of
the respective State or Union Territory authorities. In support of this sector, the Ministry of
Culture implements the National Mission on Libraries (NML) Scheme, under which financial
assistance is provided for the “Up-gradation of existing libraries under the NML Model
Library” component. Assistance is extended to one State Central Library and one District
Library in each State/UT, based on recommendations from the respective State authorities and
subject to availability of State funds, in addition to six libraries identified by the Ministry This
component focuses on four key areas: improvement of infrastructure, up-gradation of
technology and modernization of services, creation of facilities for specially-abled groups,
and procurement of reading resources to meet local needs along with advocacy and outreach
programmes.
As per the guidelines of the National Mission on Libraries (NML), financial assistance is
admissible for the upgradation of one State Central Library and one District Library per
State/UT. Accordingly, the Government of Madhya Pradesh submitted proposals for the
upgradation of Government District Library, Khandwa, and Government Shri Ahilya Central
Library, Indore. Both proposals were found eligible as per NML norms, and financial
assistance has been provided for their upgradation.
The details of assistance provided to the sanctioned libraries are given below:
Sl. No. Name of the Sanctioned Amount Amount
Lib. year sanctioned Released (in
(in lakhs) lakhs)
1. Govt. District 2016-17 73.20 65.59
Library,
Khandwa
2. Govt. Shri 2017-18 87.00 43.67
Ahilya
Central
Library,
Indore
(c) Not Applicable